Â鶹Դ´ / Mercy College of Health Sciences
3+1 Nursing BA/BS+BSN
Mercy College of Health Sciences and Â鶹Դ´ have partnered to offer a new 3+1 program that provides an opportunity for students to earn two degrees in four years.
You will earn a bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from Â鶹Դ´ and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through an accelerated pathway from Mercy College of Health Sciences, without leaving the Dubuque area, in only four years.
- All four years on the Â鶹Դ´ campus
- Apply during your third year at Â鶹Դ´
- Two degrees in four years: Â鶹Դ´ BS/BA and Mercy College BSN
- Sit for the licensing exam in only twelve months (three semesters: summer, fall, and spring)
- Athletes are eligible for sports in years one through three, but not year four
How Does it Work?
Students participating in the 3+1 program take coursework for their BA or BS degree in the first three years of the program which includes the prerequisite courses needed to qualify for admission to the BSN program.
Students apply for admission to Mercy College’s accelerated BSN program in the third year and if accepted begin the nursing program at Â鶹Դ´ in the summer following the third year of undergraduate coursework. Labs will be completed on Â鶹Դ´â€™ campus and many clinicals will be delivered just blocks away from Â鶹Դ´â€™ campus at MercyOne Dubuque, an affiliate of Mercy College.
Upon successful completion of the nursing requirements, you are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam).
International students are not eligible for admission to Mercy College of Health Sciences.
Additional Dual Degrees in Nursing
Through partnerships with other colleges, students at Â鶹Դ´ can pursue accelerated dual degree options leading to a nursing degree.
Advising Matters
The Â鶹Դ´ pre-health advisor is here to support you in exploring health careers and preparing for a competitive health professional school application. Pre-health tracks are not majors, but a collection of courses that prepare students for specific health professional graduate programs. Our pre-health advisor and faculty advisors guide you on course sequencing that integrates major requirements, General Education courses, and specific pre-professional requirements.
In addition to coursework guidance, our advisor assists students in identifying and completing work experience in the healthcare field, shadowing healthcare professional in a variety of settings, and participating in meaningful volunteer positions. These experiences provide an opportunity for our students to confirm their calling, develop a well-rounded healthcare professional philosophy, and build a competitive health professional school application.
Â鶹Դ´ staff and faculty have a decades-long record in preparing students for competitive health professional programs locally and nationally with acceptance rates that well exceed the national average. Our pre-health advisor is a member of the (NAAHP) which provides guidance and resources to prepare student for health care careers.
Academic Guidance
- Regular advising sessions with the pre-health advisor and faculty advisors
- Pre-health information sessions and workshops (personal statement writing, mock interviews, application workshops)
- Campus visits from local health science professionals and representatives from health professional programs
- Resources and guidance on career choice, schools, and admissions requirements
- Personal statement, interview, and admission test guidance
Get the right experience
- Work in the healthcare field
- Shadow healthcare professionals in a variety of settings
- Volunteer and leadership experiences
4+1 Nursing BA/BS+BSN
Allen College
Earn a bachelor’s degree from Â鶹Դ´ and an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from Allen College in Waterloo, Iowa.
Upon successful completion of the nursing requirements, you are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam).
How does it work?
Â鶹Դ´ and Allen College have embarked on an affiliation where by if a Â鶹Դ´ student completes all the pre-requisite coursework at a 3.0 level and are certified as a nurse’s aide, an automatic seat is reserved at Allen College for entrance into their accelerated 15-month BSN program.
Straight Talk from a Duhawk
Â鶹Դ´ prepares you for the future by providing hands-on learning opportunities early and throughout your time at Â鶹Դ´, which helps students know what to look forward to after graduation.
— Kirsten (’25)
explore dubuque
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