UGA nursing program officially accepts fall 2027 applicants

photo courtesy of UGA Drones take aerial images of the nursing building construction. Dean Clevenger explained the progress of the building development and the timeline of the program’s future.

In May 2025, the University of Georgia announced their new school of nursing was in progress. With this new development underway, the university is accepting its first class of students fall 2027. Carolyn Clevenger, UGA’s dean of the nursing program, has seen this program grow from the ground up as the founding dean. The program will take place on the Health Sciences Campus in a building currently under construction.

“As of 2026, they hired the dean. We are now submitting an application to develop a BSN program,” Dean Clevenger said. “That application goes to the Georgia Board of Nursing. We also have to create the curriculum, and then we will have an initial approval from the board of nursing which will then allow us to post an application so students can apply.”

Previously, nursing students attending UGA would have to transfer to a different college after their initial core classes to gain the rest of their nursing degree. Students from The King’s Academy are excited about the program’s completion and comprehensive nursing course. TKA’s junior class will be the first class eligible for acceptance.

“I think it’s such a blessing,” junior McKenna Bouman said. “I remember being three years old and wanting to be a nurse.”

Students that have had lifelong nursing dreams look forward to a nursing program so close to home and with in-state tuition. UGA’s new program hopes to bring more qualified nurses into the field. The university will have to start small with their first class of students capped at 60, but it hopes to grow that number with more resources, faculty and increased construction on campus. UGA hopes to equip its nursing students with up-to-date and high-quality instruction.

“I do think this will entice more students to apply that may not have had UGA on their list,” TKA Guidance Counselor Mrs. Callie Crosby said. “Nursing is a huge draw for universities and it’s about time UGA gets one.”

According to UGA Today, Dean Clevenger has been around healthcare for decades, workingat Emory for years. She also holds the position of founder and director of Integrated Memory Care at Emory Healthcare. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. She participated in a fellowship at the Veterans Affairs Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center.

The number of nurses in Georgia has dwindled, and it currently has the second-largest nurse shortage with 21% fewer registered nurses than needed according to the federal Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA). Dean Clevenger acknowledges the lack of nurses in the state and hopes the new addition to the university will assist in closing the statistical nursing gap through this program.

“It makes me feel like I need to work hard since there aren’t many [nurses],” junior Sydney Englehart said.

According to the Georgia Chambers of Commerce, Georgia is growing, but with that statistic comes an older population that needs more healthcare.

“Someone said to me, ‘Georgia is growing, but its bigger problem is that it is also graying,’” Dean Clevenger said.

Dean Clevenger voices her excitement about the program’s comprehensive curriculum.

“I’m excited about these students who have come to UGA and get to stay at the University of Georgia to finish their nursing degree,” Dean Clevenger said.