Central College teams up with Allen College to offer nursing

Central College recently announced it’s partnering with Allen College in Waterloo to enable qualified Central students the opportunity to complete the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Central College in either biology, psychology or sociology and then enter Allen College’s accelerated nursing program in which students will then earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN). This agreement allows Central students to earn both a BA and a BSN in a little over four years.

The two colleges entered into a cooperative agreement that assures qualified Central students can transfer into Allen College’s accelerated BSN program after completing three years of academic study at Central College. During their time at Central, students will complete pre-nursing requirements through Central’s program, as well as the college’s requirements for the major. Central students meeting all requirements for acceptance to Allen College will be guaranteed placement into their accelerated BSN program.

Upon transfer to Allen College, students may complete the BSN coursework in 15 months of intensive study, which includes two summers and one academic year. Credits from Allen College will transfer back to Central College and when graduate requirements are met (including 120 credit hours), students may earn a BA from Central College. The accelerated option of the BSN degree program will begin accepting students from Central College as early as May 2011.

In addition, while students are attending Central, they will be able to enjoy extra-curricular and student life activities and programs Central has to offer such as athletics and fine arts.

Ellie DuPré, professor of biology, will serve as Central’s liaison. She will work closely with Joanna Ramsden-Meier, Allen College’s director of student services, to ensure spaces for Central College students are reserved in this program and students have completed all pre-requisite coursework prior to entering the BSN program.

“There are numerous advantages to the Central/Allen agreement,” said DuPré. “A student graduating with two degrees (B.A. and B.S.N.) in just over four years will have an advantage when seeking career advancement and/or continued education. Students can also fully participate in Central’s residential campus, play athletics, perform in the arts programs and be a part of the leadership opportunities of the campus. And the area of health care employment is one of the few areas of the economy that continues to grow.”

Students wanting more information about the arrangement should contact Central’s admission office by calling 877-462-3687, or go online at www.central.edu

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