University of Texas School of Nursing at Galveston-UTMB SON

The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing (SON), established in 1890 as the John Sealy Hospital Training School for Nurses, is the oldest school of nursing in the Southwest. In 1896, it became the UTMB SON, one of the divisions of the university. As the first university-affiliated school of nursing west of the Mississippi, UTMB’s SON has set the standard for progressive nursing education.

The Baccalaureate Nursing Program offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and has two tracks: the BSN-Traditional and the RN-BSN Track.

The UTMB SON is not only the oldest nursing school in the Southwest but also boasts the oldest Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in Texas.

Our online program is designed to prepare nurse practitioners with strong clinical competencies, and the skills in science, leadership, and inquiry necessary to transform health care. Our focus is vulnerable populations, specifically people at risk for health disparities due to socioeconomic status, lack of insurance, poor access, age, and/or minority status. UTMB has a long history of commitment to care for vulnerable populations, making this the ideal program for nurse practitioners who are committed to serving those most vulnerable.The 42 semester credit hour program is taught online, part-time, and requires only one trip to campus each semester for 2-3 days.

We are excited to inform you that our existing Nursing PhD Program is now offered online using synchronous and asynchronous delivery modalities with only one required on-campus visit (5 days) each year. We currently offer two tracks: BSN to PhD and MSN to PhD.

The program has a full-time and a part-time option and both programs prepare students to become researchers, educators, or administrators in nursing. Using an online delivery modality, a combination of theoretical and evidence based approaches provide stimulating interactions in an environment conducive to scholarly exchanges and student development. The program has as its foundation a focus on health promotion, human response, and healing with research emphases in biobehavioral research, vulnerable populations, and contemporary pedagogies. This unique focus gives students the opportunity to investigate nursing from a holistic perspective. It encourages students to develop their original research efforts and ideas from the perspective of the individual, family, and community as integrated systems rather than one or more separate parts functioning independently.