Does Clark Atlanta University Have a Nursing Program? What Atlanta Students Should Know

If you live in Atlanta or are planning to move here for school, it’s natural to ask: “Does Clark Atlanta have nursing?” The short answer is no – Clark Atlanta University does not currently offer a traditional undergraduate nursing degree (BSN).

However, the picture is a little more nuanced, and there are several Atlanta-based options for students who want the Clark Atlanta experience but also plan to become a nurse. This guide walks through what Clark Atlanta does offer, how it fits into Atlanta’s broader health education landscape, and realistic paths to a nursing career in the city.

Clark Atlanta University and Nursing: The Basics

Does Clark Atlanta Have a Nursing Major?

As of the latest available information:

• Clark Atlanta University (CAU)
• Location: 223 James P. Brawley Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30314
• Type: Private, historically Black university (HBCU), part of the Atlanta University Center

Clark Atlanta does not have a stand-alone nursing school or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Instead, CAU is known for strong programs in areas such as:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Public Health–related fields
• Social sciences
• Business and education

For an Atlanta student who ultimately wants to become a nurse, CAU can still play a role as a pre-nursing or pre-health foundation, but the actual nursing degree and RN licensure preparation would happen at another Atlanta-area institution.

How Clark Atlanta Can Fit Into a Pre-Nursing Path

Even though CAU does not grant a nursing degree, some students use it as a launching point toward nursing school.

Common Pre-Nursing–Friendly Majors at CAU

If you’re set on attending Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta and want to keep nursing in your future, students often choose majors that cover typical nursing prerequisites, such as:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Health-related or life science fields
• Psychology or sociology (often required as support courses for nursing)

These majors can help you complete common pre-nursing coursework, such as:

• General biology and microbiology
• General and organic chemistry
• Anatomy and physiology
• Statistics
• Introductory psychology and sociology
• Nutrition (in some programs)

You would then typically apply separately to a nursing program at another institution in Atlanta or elsewhere.

Nursing School Options in the Atlanta Area

If you’re in Atlanta and aiming for nursing, it helps to know what’s nearby. While Clark Atlanta doesn’t offer nursing, there are several Atlanta-area colleges and universities that do.

Below is a simplified overview of how CAU can fit into your path, plus where local nursing programs come in:

Examples of Nursing Education Options in or Near Atlanta

These are examples of institutions in the Atlanta metro area that typically offer nursing programs (offerings can change, so always confirm directly with the school):

• Georgia State University (Atlanta Campus)
  Often offers BSN and graduate-level nursing programs.
  Main Atlanta campus is located downtown, not far from Clark Atlanta by car or transit.

• Emory University – Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (Atlanta)
  Offers BSN (usually for students who have completed two years elsewhere), accelerated BSN options, and advanced nursing degrees.
  Located in the Druid Hills area of Atlanta.

• Kennesaw State University (Kennesaw & Marietta)
  A bit outside central Atlanta, but commonly considered part of the greater Atlanta metro.
  Offers BSN and advanced nursing degrees.

• Georgia Perimeter/Georgia State Perimeter (Multiple campuses)
  Often associated with associate-level or pathway programs that can lead toward nursing.

This list is not exhaustive, but it gives you a sense of the local ecosystem around Clark Atlanta for nursing-oriented students.

Planning a Nursing Path If You Start at Clark Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and thinking, “I want the Clark Atlanta experience, but I also want to be a nurse,” here’s how many students structure their plans.

1. Use Clark Atlanta for Your Pre-Nursing Foundation

At CAU, you can:

• Major in a science or health-adjacent field.
• Work with an academic advisor to choose courses that line up with typical nursing prerequisites.
• Build a strong GPA and develop study habits that will serve you in a rigorous nursing program.

While at CAU, it can help to:

• Get volunteer or work experience in Atlanta healthcare settings (for example, at Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, or neighborhood clinics).
• Join pre-health or science-related student organizations on campus.

2. Map Out Transfer or Post-Baccalaureate Options

Depending on where you are in your education:

• If you haven’t started college yet
  You might complete 2–3 years at Clark Atlanta, then apply to an Atlanta-area BSN program as a transfer or second-degree student.

• If you’re a current CAU student
  You can meet with CAU advising staff to identify which courses you still need to qualify for specific nursing programs in the Atlanta area.

• If you’re a CAU graduate
  Some Atlanta schools offer Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs or direct-entry MSN programs for people who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

3. Pay Attention to Each Nursing School’s Requirements

Each nursing program in Atlanta will have its own:

• Prerequisite course list
• Minimum GPA requirements
• Application deadlines and entrance exam requirements (such as TEAS, HESI, or others, depending on the school)

Because Clark Atlanta is a separate institution with its own curriculum, you’ll want to:

• Compare your CAU course list with the nursing program’s prerequisite list
• Plan ahead early (freshman or sophomore year if possible) to avoid time-consuming course gaps later

Local Considerations for Atlanta-Based Nursing Students

Commuting and Campus Location

Clark Atlanta sits in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) area on the city’s Westside, close to:

• Morehouse College
• Spelman College
• The Mercedes-Benz Stadium area
• Downtown Atlanta

If you later enroll in a nursing program elsewhere in the city:

• Georgia State (Downtown) is a relatively short commute via car, bus, or MARTA rail.
• Emory (Druid Hills) may require a longer commute and potentially more planning for housing and transportation.
• Suburban campuses (like Kennesaw State) may mean a move or longer drive from the city center.

Thinking about transportation early can make it easier to manage class schedules, clinical rotations, and work in the Atlanta metro area.

Clinical Sites and Atlanta’s Healthcare Network

Atlanta is home to a large network of hospitals and clinics that commonly host nursing students for clinical experiences, including:

• Large hospitals near downtown and Midtown
• Children’s hospitals
• Community health centers throughout Atlanta’s neighborhoods

Even though Clark Atlanta doesn’t host a nursing program, being based in Atlanta means you are geographically close to these facilities, which can help with:

• Volunteer opportunities
• Entry-level healthcare jobs (like patient care tech or medical assistant roles, where appropriate)
• Networking with professionals in Atlanta’s healthcare community

Who Should Choose Clark Atlanta If They Want a Nursing Career?

Choosing Clark Atlanta makes the most sense for future nurses in Atlanta if:

• You want the HBCU experience and community that CAU offers.
• You are comfortable with a two-step path:
  1. Complete a non-nursing bachelor’s or substantial pre-nursing coursework at CAU, and
  2. Apply to a separate nursing school in or around Atlanta.
• You’re open to careers related to health that aren’t strictly bedside nursing, such as:
  • Public health roles
  • Health education
  • Research coordination
  • Social services or community outreach

If your top priority is to become a nurse in the shortest, most direct way, it may be more efficient to:

• Apply directly to an Atlanta-area school that already has a BSN program, or
• Enroll at a school that offers a pre-nursing track that seamlessly transitions into its own nursing program.

Practical Next Steps for Someone in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and trying to decide what to do next:

1. Contact Clark Atlanta University Admissions or Academic Advising

   • Ask about majors that are most compatible with nursing prerequisites.
   • Discuss your long-term goal of becoming an RN.

2. Make a Shortlist of Atlanta Nursing Programs
   Examples to investigate:

   • Georgia State University (Nursing)
   • Emory University School of Nursing
   • Other metro-area public or private colleges with BSN or ABSN programs

3. Compare Prerequisite Requirements

   • Lay out a simple chart for yourself with each school’s required courses.
   • Check which of those can be completed at CAU, and which might require extra planning.

4. Plan for Life in Atlanta During School

   • Consider neighborhood choices near CAU if you’re starting there.
   • Think ahead about potential moves or commute changes if you transition to another campus for nursing.

Bottom line for Atlanta students:
Clark Atlanta University does not currently have its own nursing degree program, but it can serve as a pre-nursing or pre-health starting point. If you want to become a nurse while staying in the Atlanta area, you’ll typically combine education at CAU with a separate nursing program at another Atlanta institution that offers a BSN or advanced nursing degree.