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School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Nursing Accelerated Dual Degree Program

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

The North Central College Accelerated Dual Degree 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 structured 3 + 2 model enables students to complete the foundational undergraduate coursework at North Central College, transition directly into graduate-level nursing education, and fulfill the requirements for both degrees in five academic years.  

Dual Degree Pathway Benefits 

The North Central Dual Degree MENP program saves you the time, worry and expense of applying to graduate programs while still working toward your undergraduate degree. 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
  • A clear road map to completing your prerequisite coursework
  • Direct transition into the MENP program upon meeting eligibility requirements
  • Mentorship and guidance from both graduate nursing faculty and health science advisors 

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. 

The Master’s Entry into Nursing Practice (MENP) program represents a new pre-licensure track within North Central’s accredited graduate nursing unit. As such, the program will undergo future review by the CCNE in accordance with its policies for substantive change and initial accreditation of new pathways. 

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. 

At North Central, nursing education is more than the transfer of knowledge - it’s a transformational journey that shapes who you become as a nurse and as a person.  Each semester builds upon the last, ensuring breadth across populations and care settings and depth of competency development, preparing graduates for safe, evidence-based, human-centered nursing practice. Semester areas of focus include: 

  • Semester One - Foundations of Professional Nursing
  • Semester Two - Health, Illness, and Care Across the Lifespan
  • Semester Three - Adult Health in Complex and Varied Care Settings
  • Semester Four - Family, Lifespan, and End-of-Life Nursing
  • Semester Five - Leadership, Community Health, and Professional Formation
  • Semester Six - Transition to Professional Practice 

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.

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Eligibility  

Accepted North Central College first-year, transfer and current students are welcome to apply provided they meet the following requirements. 

  • Declared Bachelor of Science in Health Science major
  • Complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at North Central College
  • Maintain an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of B (3.0) or higher 

Prerequisite Courses  

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

Optional recommended courses 

These courses are not required for admission but may enhance student readiness for the accelerated curriculum. 

  • Medical Terminology
  • Nutrition
  • Ethics 

 

Timeline to Apply 

Students will apply to the Master’s Entry to Nursing Practice portion of the pathway during the Spring semester of their junior year. MENP coursework begins during the fall of their senior year (August). 

Students will apply through NursingCAS and submit the following:  

  • Complete the NursingCAS application
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate US institutions attended
  • Upload a personal statement in the Documents section
  • Upload a current professional resume or curriculum vitae with academic and work history
  • Request that three (3) letters of recommendation be submitted through the NursingCAS recommender portal
    • At least one letter must be from a direct supervisor or professor 

 

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