Program Requirements
Cooperative programs between Mount St. Mary’s University and partnering nursing institutions are available to students who seek to pursue a career in nursing and who also want a liberal arts education. Pursuing one of the dual-degree programs will allow a student to earn undergraduate degrees both from Mount St. Mary’s University and the partnering institution.
There are two phases to the dual degree programs.
Phase 1 typically takes place at Mount St. Mary’s University and consists of completion of the Mount core curriculum and prerequisite courses for the nursing program. Students must complete BIOL 110 , BIOL 111 , BIOL 208 , BIOL 298 , BIOL 299 , BIOL 300 ; CHEM 101 , CHEM 150 ; PSYCH 100 , PSYCH 205 ; SOC 100 and MATH 105 . Students intending to go to the University of Maryland School of Nursing must also take an additional math course (college algebra or higher). Students intending to go to Shenandoah University must also take Medical Terminology (BIOL 209 ). Students who satisfy these requirements at Mount St. Mary’s with: 1) grades of B or above in BIOL 298 , BIOL 299 , BIOL 300 ; 2) a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all science courses and other nursing prerequisites; and 3) a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 overall (Shenandoah University) or 3.25 overall (University of Maryland), will have priority for admission to the nursing schools.
Phase 2 consists of nursing-specific coursework and is completed at the partnering institution. Upon successful completion of the first year of coursework at the partnering institution, credits are transferred to Mount St. Mary’s to complete the student’s B.S. degree in Health Sciences. Students then continue to complete remaining requirements of the partnering institution resulting in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Mount St. Mary’s has dual-degree partnerships with the University of Maryland School of Nursing and Shenandoah University School of Nursing.
University of Maryland School of Nursing
The University of Maryland School of Nursing offers a traditional 4 semester nursing curriculum. UMSON has guaranteed 5 seats each year to qualified MSMU students pursuing this track. In addition to the pre-requisite courses above, students choosing to pursue studies at the UMSON must sit for the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam. Upon successful completion of UMSON coursework, the student receives a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (B.S.N.) and is qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.
Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University offers a traditional 5 semester nursing curriculum. Shenandoah University has guaranteed 10 seats each year to qualified MSMU students pursing this track. In addition to the pre-requisite courses above, students choosing to pursue studies at Shenandoah University must sit for the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam. Upon successful completion of SU coursework, the student receives a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.
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