Nursing Dual-Degree Program

Women's College

Overview
Program
Nursing Dual-Degree Plan

Janice M. Bonner, Ph.D., Coordinator

Notre Dame of Maryland University offers a dual-degree program with The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing for students in the Women's College. The dual-degree program leads to a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Notre Dame and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from The Johns Hopkins University.

The program is intended for women planning careers in nursing who want their professional preparation to have a strong foundation in the liberal arts and biological sciences. The program is designed to enable the student to bring to her nursing career a solid foundation in the natural sciences; a broad knowledge of the diversity, form and function of living systems; an understanding of biological research as a way of learning and knowing; and an array of laboratory experiences and skills. Through formal study of biology at Notre Dame and the study of nursing at The Johns Hopkins University, the student will be uniquely equipped to meet the challenges of one of the most rapidly changing and exciting professions in the health care field.

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The Program

The student spends three years at Notre Dame fulfilling the requirements for the bachelor of arts degree with a major in biology. At the end of the three years, pending approval of the Dual-Degree Committee and acceptance by The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, the student enters the bachelor of science in nursing program at The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and begins either a 13-month or 17-month accelerated program. Upon completion of the first 30 credits of the nursing program, the student receives a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Notre Dame. Upon completion of the entire nursing program, the student receives a bachelor of science degree in nursing from The Johns Hopkins University.

Seniors who are studying at Johns Hopkins remain vital members of the Notre Dame community and the biology department. They are welcome to maintain residence at Notre Dame, participate in University activities and use the services and facilities normally available to students.

Requirements of the Program

A student who wishes to participate in the program must:

• matriculate and hold full-time status at Notre Dame of Maryland University
• declare a major in biology
• indicate her intent to seek the dual-degree in the spring of the first semester
• maintain a GPA of 3.25 after her first semester
• receive no grade lower than a B in all biology courses
• receive the recommendation of the Notre Dame Dual-Degree Committee for admission to The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
• be accepted by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

The dual-degree program courses required for the bachelor of arts degree with a major in biology are listed with the biology department offerings.

Transfer Students

Students in the program must complete the requirements for the biology major in three total years of college, including time spent at institutions prior to Notre Dame. Therefore, transfer students may enter the dual-degree program as late as fall semester of their sophomore year, but not beyond. Transfer students wishing to enter the program at the beginning of the sophomore year must have already completed the following:

• Fundamentals of Biology (BIO-111) or the equivalent (4 credits)
• Genetics with a laboratory (4 credits)
• General Chemistry I, II (CHM 110-111) or the equivalent (8 credits)
• minimum of 15 additional credits applicable to the Notre Dame general education requirements; it is strongly recommended that one of these be in a foreign language
• GPA of 3.25 in the sciences and 3.0 overall
  

In addition, students should contact the program coordinator or the office of admissions to arrange for an individual assessment of how their academic record matches these requirements. This consultation must occur before June to ensure a smooth transition into the program in the fall.

Transfer students planning to pursue the dual-degree in biology and nursing should clearly indicate that on the application form. Questions about eligibility for the program should be directed to coordinator, nursing dual-degree program.

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Nursing Dual-Degree Plan

The representative program of study for the dual-degree nursing program follows. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor. It may also be necessary for students to take courses during the summer.

The fourth year of study is completed at The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

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