Building the pipeline of nursing and health professions talent across Arkansas and the Mid-South is the driving force behind educational programs offered by Arkansas State University System institutions.
Arkansas State University College of Nursing & Health Professions
At Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, the College of Nursing & Health Professions prepares students to go into their communities and help people. Whether you want to help athletes recover from serious injuries, analyze samples to help diagnose, or show a family their first ultrasound, there are many ways to do that. We’ll prepare you for emotionally rewarding careers where you make a difference in people’s lives every day.
Our mission is to prepare leaders to meet current and future global healthcare demands and positively impact health and wellness in the Mississippi Delta region and beyond.
Programs at A-State include athletic training & exercise science, communication disorders, disaster & emergency management, health studies, medical imaging & radiologic science, medical laboratory science, nursing (including RN, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Practitioner), nutrition & dietetics, occupational & environmental safety, occupational therapy, physical therapy, public health, and social work.
Congress appropriated $9 million to Arkansas State in February 2026 to build a Healthcare Simulation Building that will help address maternal and infant health workforce shortages and regional health disparities.
In cooperation with NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at A-State, Arkansas State features the Freshman to Physician Pathway program for undergraduates to secure early admission to medical school and begin preparing for careers in healthcare from the first day of college.
A-State Online offers a variety of health sciences programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Post-graduate online degree programs include Doctor of Nursing Practice in leadership and education.
Video: Online Nursing at Arkansas State
Henderson State University Caver College of Aviation, Science, and Nursing
Henderson State University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in nursing fields and pre-medicine.
Nursing is a fulfilling career rich with opportunities to help people and improve their quality of life. Our program is dedicated to providing you with the education and experience needed to pursue a career in nursing. Our nursing classes are small, with low student-to-instructor ratios that help promote student success. Historically, our graduates obtain 100-percent employment within three months of graduation.
Our mission at Henderson State nursing is to provide a professional nursing education to produce safe, generalist nurses. Graduates of this program will demonstrate an understanding of theory as it relates to nursing practice. This program prepares professional nurses to pursue higher education.
In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to become a registered nursing, Henderson offers an RN to BSN Online program, as well as a graduate nursing program for Family Nurse Practitioner.
The Henderson-NYITCOM Pre-Med Pathway prepares students for admission to medical school at the NYITCOM at A-State with no Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores required. The Pre-Med Pathway begins with freshmen enrolled at Henderson for Fall 2024 and will continue for new freshman classes beginning each fall semester. Students should declare a natural sciences (pre-med) major and will interview for the program during the spring semester of their freshman year.
Video: Henderson State University Nursing Student Kaylon Partain
ASU-Beebe Division of Math & Science
The ASU-Beebe Division of Math & Science is committed to student success by providing educational experiences to foster creative and analytical thinking. Programs and coursework within this division prepare students for direct entry into the healthcare workforce or for further academic pursuits.
Programs include emergency medical services, health information technology, medical laboratory technology, patient care technician, pharmacy technician science, practical nursing, registered nursing, and veterinary technology.
The Registered Nursing program is a one-year accelerated program which enables Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)program graduates and certified paramedics to pursue an Associate of Applied Science and prepare for the registered nurse national certification exam. The Practical Nursing program is an 11-month program that integrates clinical learning experiences with classroom theory specific to the role of the practical nurse.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) offers emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic level training. The Health Information Technology program provides students with knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of health information managers.
The Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program prepares students for work in a medical lab under the direction of a pathologist performing procedures in hematology, serology, immunology, chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology and urinalysis.
The Patient Care Technician program will introduce students to curricula in assistant nursing, EKG/telemetry, phlebotomy, emergency medicine and medical terminology. The program includes face-to-face and online instruction as well as a variety of lab activities for the critical hands-on learning.
Pharmacy technicians are responsible for the control or distribution of pharmaceuticals in hospital, clinical and retail settings. This is the only
The Veterinary Technology program is dedicated to supporting the growth of certified veterinary technicians by providing a solid education that has its basis founded in knowledge, skills, professionalism and ethics.
Video: ASU-Beebe Veterinary Technician
ASU-Mountain Home offerings in health profession education include emergency medical services, emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic technology (EMS), health professions, nursing (CNA, LPN, RN), phlebotomy, and professional medical coding.
Graduates of the EMS program are eligible to apply for the National Registry of Emergency Technician Paramedic certification testing and test for Arkansas state licensure.
Video: ASU-Mountain Home Emergency Management Services Program
The traditional Registered Nursing Program at ASUMH is designed to prepare the student to become a Registered Nurse. The Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing degree combines classroom with clinical experience.
ASU-Newport Health Professions
ASU-Newport offers pathways for Registered Nurses, surgical technology, emergency medical technician (EMT), patient care tech/CNA, and radiologic technology.
The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (Traditional Pathway) offers a comprehensive education in nursing, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The program covers key areas such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal-child health.
The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (LPN to RN Transition Pathway) provides a pathway for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to become registered nurses (RNs).
Congress appropriated $7.7 million to ASU-Newport in February 2026 to build a Health Science Center in on the Newport campus with a focus on improving maternal and mental health outcomes.
Surgical technologists are health professionals who serve as an integral part of the team of medical practitioners who provide surgical care to patients in a variety of settings. Surgical technology involves all areas of surgery requiring aseptic technique and surgical instrumentation.
Video: ASU-Newport Surgical Technology
ASU Mid-South Allied Health Sciences
ASU Mid-South in West Memphis features educational programs such as emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic science, certified nursing assistant (CNA), health studies, and phlebotomy.
Paramedics and EMTs respond to emergency calls and are often one of the first health care professionals to arrive at the scene of an emergency. They provide advanced life support to the sick and injured, and transport patients to medical facilities. The Paramedic Science program builds upon existing certificate programs in Basic or Advanced Emergency Medical Technician to provide students.
Video: ASU Mid-South Emergency Services EMT Paramedic Program
Students become a Certified Nursing Assistant and enjoy the rewards of this front-line medical field. This program prepares you to work in a home or hospital and perform everyday living tasks for seniors, chronically sick, or recovering patients who cannot care for themselves. Plus this is the first step to becoming a registered nurse, and you can actually earn while you learn.
The field of phlebotomy is growing with a projected 10% increase in job demand from 2021-31. Phlebotomists fulfill vital roles at hospitals, physician offices, diagnostic labs and blood donation centers. They are primarily responsible for collecting blood samples from patients via venipuncture or capillary puncture.
ASU Three Rivers Health Sciences Division
The mission of the ASU Three Rivers in Malvern Health Sciences Division is to provide high-quality nursing education that prepares students to excel in their careers while continually identifying and addressing the changing learning needs of the communities we serve. ASU Three Rivers offers degrees in practical nursing and registered nursing (LPN/Paramedic to RN).
Additional healthcare programs include healthcare administration, medical coding, and allied health.
ASU Three Rivers has opened a new 27,500-square-foot nursing complex to accommodate an increase in practical nursing and registered nursing slots, as well as new programs for certified nursing assistants and emergency medical technicians.