Continuing the Cardinal Journey
Explore your path
The University of the Incarnate Word offers an array of pathway programs designed to provide opportunities to academically prepared and motivated students to complete multiple degrees at an accelerated pace. We are so excited that you want to advance through the the UIW system and encourage you to explore your path.
Pathway Programs
Communication Arts ABM | School of Media and Design
Program Director: Dr. Zazil Reyes Garcia | reyesgar@uiwtx.edu | (210) 832-2130
Campus: Broadway
Concentrations: Media and Culture, Multimedia or Strategic and Corporate Communication
The Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's program (ABM) provides opportunities for academically prepared and motivated undergraduate students to complete degree requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and a Master of Arts in Communication Arts simultaneously. Students can complete two degrees in 151 hours rather than the 164 required of a traditional consecutive undergraduate and a graduate program. The accelerated program results in a lower cost as well as time-savings for students because students may take up to 9 hours of graduate courses in their fourth year as part of the banded tuition. Students must apply for the ABM program in the beginning of their junior year and have the necessary GPA and GRE scores to enter the program.
ABM Admissions Requirements
No application deadline or fee
Students wishing to enter the Communication Arts graduate ABM program must meet the following requirements:
- A completed graduate application
- Currently enrolled as a UIW Communication Arts undergraduate student
- Completion of at least 62 undergraduate credit hours
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be required to submit additional application materials upon the recommendation of the Office of Admissions and/or the Communication Arts Department.
RN to MSN Program | Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
Program Director: Dr. Diana Beckmann-Mendez | graduatenursing@uiwtx.edu
The RN-MSN track at the University of the Incarnate Word is an accelerated program designed for the academically talented registered nurse who has an associate degree or diploma, has completed Undergraduate Health Assessment and Statistics, and has a desire to earn a graduate degree in nursing. Selected courses at the BSN level including Community Health Nursing and a bridge course must be completed prior to transitioning to the 31-credit MSN-Leadership curriculum. A 25% tuition discount will be applied on all MSN courses.
The program of study for students in the RN-MSN track consists of a minimum of 100 credit hours. The plan of study can be completed on a full-time basis. The BSN courses are presented online, while the graduate portion is delivered in a hybrid format with on-ground classes meeting one day on the first and third week of the month to accommodate working nurses. Clinical experiences are generally completed during daytime hours.
Admission Requirements
A complete Application via NursingCAS that includes the following:
- Completion of an associate's degree or diploma in nursing from an ACEN or NLNAC accredited program
- Preference for a minimum of 3 years recent practice experience
- Unencumbered RN license
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- GPA of 3.0 in all courses required for the major
- 60 credits of associate or baccalaureate level coursework
- Application fee is required via the NursingCAS
- Three satisfactory references (academic and/or professional)
- Official transcripts of all coursework
- Individual consideration will be given to those applicants who do not entirely meet specific requirements.
BSN to MSN Program | Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
Program Director: Dr. Diana Beckmann-Mendez | graduatenursing@uiwtx.edu
The University of the Incarnate Word three year full-time BSN to DNP track prepares students for a career as a nurse practitioner (NP). There are two concentrations available: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The program prepares students to take the NP certification exam and assume the role of Doctor of Nursing Practice. Instilled in their education are the concepts of cultural competence, inter-professional collaboration and the UIW core values of faith, service, innovation, truth and education.
Throughout the program, students have a close working relationship with faculty and staff during their doctoral studies. Courses are offered in a blended learning format providing both face-to-face and online instruction. The program is offered in a blended fashion alternating on-ground classes one day every first and third week of the month with additional instruction occurring in an online format using asynchronous or synchronous approaches.
Admissions Requirements
A complete Application via NursingCAS that includes the following:
- A baccalaureate degree with a major in Nursing from a nationally accredited program college/university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and combined Nursing GPA of 3.0
- Official transcripts sent from each college/university attended (including hospital school of nursing, if applicable)
- A current unencumbered license to practice nursing in the State of Texas or one of the compact states recognized by the State of Texas
- Application fee is required via the NursingCAS
- A course in basic statistics and a nursing course in basic physical assessment skills with a grade of "C" or better
- A minimum of two years of relevant experience in professional nursing is preferred
- Three satisfactory references (academic and/or professional)
- An in-person interview with UIW graduate faculty will be arranged for qualified individuals
Upon admittance to the program, students must submit a confirmation fee, which serves as acceptance and ensures a seat in the UIW DNP program.
MSN to DNP Program | Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions
Program Director: Dr. Diana Beckmann-Mendez | graduatenursing@uiwtx.edu
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice and offers an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs. DNP-prepared nurses are well-equipped to fully implement the science developed by nurse researchers prepared in Ph.D., DNSc and other research-focused nursing doctorates (American Association of Colleges of Nurses, June 2015).
In the University of the Incarnate Word’s DNP program, students will have a close working relationship with faculty and staff throughout their doctoral studies. On-campus orientations are planned at the start of each semester providing students with the opportunity to engage with faculty. Courses will be provided in an online format using an asynchronous approach which may be augmented with synchronous sessions.
Admissions Requirements
A complete Application via NursingCAS that includes the following:
- A Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum of 3.0 GPA in graduate studies
- Official transcripts sent from each college/university attended
- A current unencumbered license to practice nursing in the State of Texas or one of the compact states recognized by the State of Texas
- Application fee is required via the NursingCAS
- A course in graduate statistics and graduate informatics course within the last five years with a grade of "C" or better
- Documentation of supervised clinical hours in a MSN program
- Three satisfactory references (academic and/or professional)
- An in-person interview with UIW graduate faculty will be arranged for qualified individuals
Upon admittance to the program, students must submit a confirmation fee, which serves as acceptance and ensures a seat in the UIW DNP program.