Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will soon be able to admit more nursing students each year after adding a spring admission option to its Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for the first time in program history.

Beginning in January 2027, the program will admit students in both the fall and spring semesters. Until now, SWOSU Nursing has accepted new students only once per year in the fall. The additional admission cycle will allow the department to gradually expand enrollment and open the program to more qualified applicants preparing to enter Oklahoma’s healthcare workforce.

Applications for the first spring cohort are currently open and will remain available through July 1, 2026.

Demand for the program has remained strong in recent years, with more qualified applicants than the department has had space to admit. The new admission cycle will allow SWOSU to gradually grow the program while providing more opportunities for students seeking careers in nursing and helping address healthcare workforce needs across the state.

The expansion became possible through renovations to the third floor of Parker Hall, a space that had previously gone unused. The renovation was completed through deferred maintenance funding provided by the Oklahoma Legislature and created additional classroom and learning space needed to support a larger nursing program.

The updated floor includes three new classrooms, student study areas, a large conference room, and a lactation room that provides private space for mothers. The project also allows the department to convert portions of its existing facilities into additional simulation space. Simulation training is a key part of nursing education, giving students opportunities to practice patient care skills and clinical decision-making before entering hospital and community healthcare settings.

“This expansion allows SWOSU Nursing to admit more qualified students who are ready to serve our communities,” said Elissa Saunders, Chair of the SWOSU Department of Nursing. By thoughtfully expanding our Traditional BSN program, we are creating more opportunities for students while supporting the growing need for nurses across western Oklahoma and the state.”

Interim President Joel Kendall said the Parker Hall renovation demonstrates how deferred maintenance funding is helping strengthen high-demand academic programs while improving campus facilities.

“The renovation of Parker Hall allows SWOSU to expand opportunities for students entering a critical workforce field,” said Kendall. “We are grateful to members of the Oklahoma Legislature for their support of deferred maintenance funding, which allowed the university to restore and repurpose an important part of campus while helping strengthen Oklahoma’s healthcare workforce pipeline.”

For more information about the SWOSU Department of Nursing, visit www.swosu.edu/nursing/.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.

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