Expand your professional options by adding a bachelor’s degree to your nursing credentials. Earning your BS is the first step toward leadership positions in nurse management, clinical specialties, and public health and research – careers that deliver immense personal satisfaction and long-term financial rewards

Online learning geared to the working professional. Fulfill your work and family obligations without giving up advancement potential or a world-class education. All program coursework is designed to be completed online – meaning you can access each course from your home computer via the Internet. And you can complete your clinical component at a location convenient to your home. You need only come to campus for orientation, occasional brief clinical conferences, and one evaluation day in the spring.

For online course technical requirements, click here.

Program Schedule: Full time and Part time. Full time is equivalent to 3 courses per semester, including summer session, allowing for program completion in three semesters. Part-time is equivalent to 2 courses per semester, including summer session, allowing for program completion in six semesters. Coursework begins in June and ends the following May.

Application: The program currently accepts all eligible applicants. While the program is offered through UMass Amherst Continuing & Professional Education, students are considered regular undergraduates in the School of Nursing .

How to Apply:

  1. Determine which prerequisite courses you need to take by completing the Transfer Credit Evaluation Form ( PDF) and submit it to the Continuing & Professional Education Admissions Office along with your transcripts for an evaluation.

  2. Pass all necessary prerequisites as indicated on the form with a grade of C or better before matriculation.

  3. Submit applications to both the School of Nursing and University of Massachusetts Amherst undergraduate admissions.

Pre-Admission Exams: All students are required to complete pre-admission exams administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN). For information about which exams you'll need, contact CPE Admissions Coordinator at (413) 577-0746 or via e-mail afortier@admissions.umass.edu. Information about exam schedule and registration is available at the Academic Programs at (413) 545-5202 or academicprograms@contined.umass.edu

Financial aid: As an RN, you're eligible for financial aid. We assist you in this process. For more information, contact the UMass Financial Aid Office

Degree: Students who successfully complete the program receive the same Bachelor of Science degree as students in the university's on-campus programs. This entitles you to attend the university's graduation ceremony and the School of Nursing Convocation celebration.