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School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Nursing Scholars Pathway: BS Health Science to MENP

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Why pursue a 3 + 2 nursing program at North Central College?

Earn two degrees in five years and launch your future in nursing at North Central College! The Nursing Scholars pathway into the Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice (MENP) program offers qualified North Central undergraduate students a streamlined pathway to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree.   

This pathway is designed for highly motivated students who are confident in their commitment to nursing and seek an academically rigorous, accelerated route to professional practice. Your first three years will be spent completing courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, and ethics. In your fourth and fifth years, you’ll transition into graduate nursing curriculum, immersing yourself in clinical learning, simulation labs, lifestyle medicine, and professional formation. Graduates of the MENP program are prepared for licensure as registered nurses and for immediate entry into professional nursing practice across a range of healthcare settings, grounded in clinical excellence, ethical decision-making, and whole-person care. 

Nursing Scholar Pathway Benefits 

North Central’s Health Science-Nursing Selective Scholars Guaranteed Pathway provides an efficient, coordinated option for qualified first and transfer students to complete Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Master of Science in Nursing coursework in five years. At North Central, you will benefit from a strong liberal arts foundation that aligns with the mission of the nursing program, featuring expert faculty, small class sizes allowing for extensive personal attention, numerous career development and extracurricular opportunities, and much more.  

Additional benefits include: 

  • Earning two degrees in five years, with a structured, guided plan from day one
  • Preparation for advanced clinical practice and leadership in complex healthcare environments 
  • Guaranteed seat in Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice program 

Accreditation Statement 

The master's degree programs in nursing and the post-graduate APRN certificate programs at North Central College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. 

Accelerated curriculum 

This pathway program follows a year-round calendar (fall, spring, and summer semesters) that integrates undergraduate coursework in health and human science with graduate-level study in nursing practice and leadership. 

Students who complete the 3+2 program in health science and nursing will complete the requirements for both degrees in five years. During your first three years, you’ll complete foundational Health Science courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, and ethics. In your fourth and fifth years, you’ll transition into the MENP curriculum, immersing yourself in clinical learning, simulation labs, lifestyle medicine, and professional formation aligned with AACN Essentials and state licensure standards. 

To remain on track for the accelerated timeline, students complete 108 undergraduate credit hours by the end of the sixth semester. Twenty graduate-level credits taken in the first year of the MENP program apply toward completion of the Bachelor of Science in Health Science. 

Health Science, B.S.

Health Science Major (B.S.) offers students an interdisciplinary program to study the health sciences and enter the world of health care. The curriculum is built on a strong liberal arts and sciences, multidisciplinary, core foundation including courses in anatomy and physiology, sociology, ethics and communication that are central to the discipline. Students may also choose to complete prerequisite courses (e.g., pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, pre-nursing, pre-physician assistant, pre-athletic training, health education and promotion), allowing them to design their own academic roadmap to fit their career interests. Students integrate all aspects of the curriculum by completing a capstone internship related to their intended field of study.

Students will be prepared to practice in today's rapidly-evolving world of healthcare fields (e.g., public or community health, community or government agencies, the insurance industry or hospitals) or to pursue graduate programs in public health or a clinical profession (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, athletic training or physician assistant). Development of strong communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills are emphasized with the goal of students being prepared to practice as evidence-based, culturally competent and patient/client centered professionals.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Health Sciences.

One of the following:

Nursing Scholars eligibility 

The Nursing Scholars pathway is intentionally selective to ensure student success in an accelerated graduate nursing curriculum and to uphold the standards of the MENP program. Current and accepted North Central College students are welcome to apply to this pathway, provided they meet the following requirements. Still need to apply to North Central as a first-year or transfer student? Apply to NCC here! 

Eligibility Criteria

Accepted North Central College students may enter the Nursing Scholars guaranteed pathway if they meet the following criteria: 

  • Declared Bachelor of Science in Health Science major
  • Unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Science GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Completion of the following high school courses:
    • Mathematics – 3 years
    • Chemistry – 1 year
    • Biology – 1 year
    • English – 4 years 

 

Nursing Scholar Responsibilities 

These expectations mirror the professional and academic standards of graduate nursing education and are designed to support readiness for clinical practice. In order to maintain a seat in the program, Nursing Scholars must: 

  • Maintain enrollment at North Central as a BS in Health Science student
  • Maintain a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.65
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice prerequisite coursework and have no more than one repeated prerequisite course
  • Complete 108 credit hours of undergraduate credits and all Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice prerequisite courses prior to beginning graduate nursing course work
  • Submit a timely application to NursingCAS in the spring semester of the junior year
  • Maintain good standing with the College, with no unresolved academic or code of conduct concerns
  • Demonstrate a record of professionalism, engagement and appropriate conduct, as reflected in the NursingCAS application
  • Have a favorable program readiness interview with Nursing faculty 

 

MENP Prerequisite Courses  

A minimum GPA of 3.5 in all prerequisite coursework is required.

  • Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with lab)
  • Microbiology (with lab)
  • General, Organic, or Biochemistry (with lab)
  • Human Growth & Development or Developmental Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Communication (Written or Oral)   

Recommended Optional NursingCAS Application Material 

The following items may be included to demonstrate the applicant's ability to succeed in the program.   

  • Nursing observation and/or work experience, such as an aide. Applicants should include this in their application as part of work, volunteer or observation hours.
  • Recommended courses
    • Medical Terminology
    • Nutrition
    • Ethics  

Steps to apply

Step 1: Submit Your First-Year or Transfer Application 

First-Year Applicants 

Transfer Applicants 

Step 2: Submit Your Free Nursing Scholars Application 

Only admitted students who meet the eligibility requirements move to the next step in the process. These forms must be submitted by March 1, 2026: 

Step 3: Program Review and Confirmation  

Applications are reviewed collaboratively by undergraduate admission and nursing faculty to confirm academic readiness and program fit. Selected students will be notified of their Nursing Scholars pathway status. 

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