"I enjoyed being able to have small classes and faculty instructors who seemed genuinely interested in my educational experience. From the wonderful faculty I learned what it means to be a nurse and how to provide exceptional care while keeping safety a priority."
- Jessica Reyes-Roberson, Class of 2007

Information for a Second Degree Nursing Student
someone who has already earned a bachelor's degree in a different field and now wants to become a nurse

The majority of the nursing students at Columbia College of Nursing and Mount Mary College are considered second degree or transfer students. These students bring work and life experiences to the classroom making it a unique learning environment. The average nursing student at Columbia/Mount Mary is 24 years of age.

Many students can transfer a significant amount of general education credits into the required nursing curriculum which gives students the opportunity to complete nursing courses in just four semesters. Each student will be evaluated based on their previous educational experience. Students should schedule an appointment with the Nursing Recruiter to discuss our generous transfer credit policy.

Students who have an undergraduate degree in a science or health related field would be able to accelerate their degree progression because of their previous educational background.

See the curriculum and graduation requirements.

Affordable Tuition

Tuition is competitive with other local private colleges. Columbia/Mount Mary is committed to helping students achieve their goal of financing a college education. In conjunction with federal and state programs, there are many opportunities available to students. Find out more.

Mount Mary College has several affiliations with local companies in which employees are eligible for a generous corporate grant towards the cost of tuition. Find out more.

The Nursing Program is open to both male and female students and now offers the option of direct admission into the program.

Admission to the Nursing Program

There are multiple entry points into the major. All students must first apply and be accepted to Mount Mary College as pre-nursing students. A population of students will be directly admitted into the nursing program. Another population will be admitted to Mount Mary College as pre-nursing students (Standard Admission). Standard Admission to Columbia College of Nursing is a two step process. Student applications are evaluated individually, in conjunction with Columbia College of Nursing faculty.

Direct Admission Information

Second Degree Students should have the following -

• 2.8 cumulative college GPA. Grades from multiple colleges will be calculated into one comprehensive cumulative GPA.
• Grade of C or better in all essential behavioral and natural science courses. These courses must have been completed within the last seven years.
• No less than a grade of C in more than one essential science course

Directly admitted students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and meet progression requirements in order to continue in the Nursing Program.

Standard Admission Information

Pre-nursing students who seek to enter the nursing major must apply prior to March 1 for entry in the fall term and October 15 for entry in the spring term. The application and requirements (also outlined below) to the nursing major are found online at www.ccon.edu.

To be considered for admission to the nursing major, students must meet the following criteria:

• Fulfill core and graduation requirements of Mount Mary College. See Mount Mary's undergraduate bulletin for details.
• Meet the residency requirement of at least 16 non-nursing credits completed at Mount Mary College.
• No more than 10 credits of selected Mount Mary College core requirements may remain at time of admission to the nursing major.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale.
• Satisfactory completion with a grade of C or better within the last seven years or be in the process of completing the prerequisite support courses or their equivalents.

See the comprehensive admission policy handout.