The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree and is comprised of three tracks:

1. Four-year Nursing Major
2. Accelerated BS for second-degree students
3. Online RN to BS

This program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a national nursing education accrediting body. Completion of requirements is part of the qualification for the non- licensed graduate to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®), a prerequisite to working as a registered nurse.

The nursing major builds on general education requirements and courses that provide the foundation for an approach to nursing science that is humanistic and scientific. Lectures, case studies, group projects, seminars, clinical practice, simulation in the laboratory setting, multimodal content, self- paced modules and independent studies are used. Community agencies such as senior citizen centers, colleges, ambulatory-care centers, community hospitals, medical centers, home-care agencies, long- term care facilities, and community and public health agencies are used for clinical practice. Faculty assists students in exploring new areas and in laying the foundation for a critical thinking and problem-solving approach to nursing practice and research.

Students are expected to assume increasing responsibility for their own education by choosing the learning options that best serve their individual abilities, needs, and interests. Under faculty guidance, students provide nursing care to clients of all ages and develop skills in critical thinking, leadership, and research utilization.

The undergraduate program provides the knowledge and skills fundamental to professional nursing. Students emerge from this community-based program prepared for graduate study and able to:

1. Advocate for culturally relevant care for vulnerable and underserved populations to reduce health care disparities and promote social justice.
2. Collaborate to shape environments and systems that promote health and well- being, ensure safe, quality care for all, and maximize the unique contribution of nursing.
3. Enact the nursing role in a manner that consistently reflects caring, professional values, ethical principles, accountability, integrity, a commitment to lifelong learning, self- care, and an awareness of how personal values influence one’s actions.
4. Exhibit a spirit of inquiry and creativity to identify gaps in nursing knowledge, critique new science and use evidence as a basis of practice.Provide safe, quality, patient- and family-centered holistic care across the lifespan to promote health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
5. Engage others to envision, influence, and implement practice and policy changes in healthcare to achieve a preferred future locally, nationally, and globally.
6. Collaborate with individuals, families, communities and interdisciplinary teams using professional communication to design, manage, and evaluate care, facilitate transitions of care and maximize outcomes.
7. Integrate emerging technologies and information management tools to enhance communication and healthcare access, support safe processes of care, and evaluate impact on health outcomes.

(Approved by Faculty Assembly December 17, 2014; updated 5/15, 5/16; reviewed 5/18)

The following information includes the required technology requirements for all undergraduate programs including Four Year Majors, RN to BS, and Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program.

EMCON’s IT is Jennifer Blake jblake [at] umass [dot] edu (jblake[at]umass[dot]edu) with help from Central IT

Laptops (Windows)

Recommended Configurations

We recommend systems that meet or exceed the following specifications:
•    Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 (sixth generation or newer) or equivalent
•    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional x64 (free via Azure Dev Tools for Teaching. Restrictions apply.)
•    Memory: 16 GB RAM
•    Storage: 500 GB internal storage drive
•    Monitor/Display: 14" LCD monitor, resolution of 1600 x 900 or better.
•    Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
•    Other: Internal or external Webcam, lock, carrying case, external hard drive for backups

Minimum Requirements

We support the following minimum computer configurations which you can use to connect to the campus- wide network.
Note: The following lists minimum requirements that allow for network connectivity and other basic functions. If you are planning on purchasing a new computer, please use the recommended configurations above.

•    Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 (sixth generation or newer) or equivalent
•    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 x64 (free via Azure Dev Tools for Teaching. Restrictions apply.)
•    Memory: 8 GB RAM
•    Storage: 500 GB internal storage drive
•    Monitor/Display: 13" LCD monitor
•    Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
•    Other: Lock, carrying case

Laptops (MacOS)

Recommended configurations

We recommend systems that meet or exceed the following specifications:

•    Model: MacBook Pro 2016 or newer
•    Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 or better
•    Operating System: macOS High Sierra or newer
•    Memory: 8 GB RAM
•    Storage:
•    256 GB solid state or higher (choose 512 GB if you plan to install Windows through Azure Dev Tools for Teaching. Restrictions apply.)
•    Network Adapter: 802.11ac Wi-Fi adapter
•    Other: Lock, carrying case, external hard drive for backups

Minimum requirements

We support the following minimum computer configurations.

Note: The following lists minimum requirements that allow for network connectivity and other basic functions. If you are planning on purchasing a new computer, please use the recommended configurations above.

•    Model: MacBook Air/Pro
•    Processor (CPU): Intel Core i3 or higher
•    Operating System: macOS High Sierra or newer
•    Memory: 4 GB RAM
•    Storage: 160 GB internal hard drive
•    Display: 13.3 LCD
•    Network Adapter: 802.11ac Wi-Fi adapter
•    Other: Lock, carrying case

EDUROAM

Connect to EDUROAM

IT help 413-545-9400 (8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Monday – Friday) 

eds [at] umass [dot] edu (eds[at]umass[dot]edu) (Faculty/Staff)
it [at] umass [dot] edu (it[at]umass[dot]edu) (Students/non-University devices)

CANVAS

Students and instructors: 24/7 Canvas tech support is now available directly from Instructure. Go to Canvas at UMass Amherst and click the Help button (located in the lower left on the web, or the menu in the Canvas Student app).

24/7 Canvas tech support is not provided by the UMass Amherst IT Service Desk, but rather by Instructure, the developers of the Canvas learning management system. See Canvas at UMass Amherst for more information.

IT Service Desk 

Support is available for technical issues with the hours and options listed below.
In-Person Support
8:30 a.m. - 7:45 p.m. Monday - Friday
Save your spot in line with Mobile Check-In!
In-person support is available at the IT Service Desk located in the Campus Center just off the main concourse headed towards the Student Union.
No appointment necessary.

University of Massachusetts Amherst e-mail Account : Email options are explained at the UMass Amherst Office of Information Technology (IT) website.
 

Admission Requirements

Students interested in the undergraduate major apply to the University of Massachusetts through the Common Application. Students are then notified of their acceptance to the nursing major by the University of Massachusetts Undergraduate Office. Acceptance to the university does not guarantee admission to the Nursing major; students may be accepted to an alternate major, which is outlined clearly on the acceptance letter from the University. Admissions criteria for freshmen are outlined on the Undergraduate Admissions website.

Students must provide evidence of high school degree conferral as documented by official transcript, including translations and evaluations of non-English transcripts and compliance with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Your immunizations must be current and recorded with University Health Services.

See the Undergraduate Admissions Statement on Diversity on the Office of Equity and Inclusion webpage.

Program of Study for Nursing Majors

1. Please select courses listed in bold during the semester indicated. 
2. Please also refer to University of Massachusetts graduation requirements.
3. Please select one or more of the following courses each semester to complete your General Education requirements and Nursing prerequisites in your first two years:
   1. Gen Ed (HS), 4 cr
   2. Gen Ed (AL/AT), 4 cr
   3. Gen Ed (BS), 4 cr
   4. Gen Ed (PS), 4 cr
   5. Global and US Diversity (DG/DU), 4 cr (choose courses with HS or AL/AT) 
   6. Statistics (R1/R2) *, 4 cr

* Statistics is a Nursing Prereq in your first 2 years. Stats 111, Stats 240, ResEcon 211 or 212 fulfill R1 and R2.
All of the following prerequisite and nursing courses and at least 63 credits must be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
 

Sample Program of Study: First Two Years (Freshmen entering Fall 2024 or later)

Program of Study for last two years in Major
 

(Complete at least 57 cr in junior and senior year)

• Students are assigned when they take specialty courses (maternity, pediatrics, psychiatric/mental health, community health nursing, adult health nursing)
• There are two required Nursing Electives that are different from an elective taken in other departments. They must be taken for a letter grade. Students will have a choice based upon availability.
• Students will have an opportunity to request preference for their senior internship placement but the decision of where the internship is done is based upon faculty discretion regarding student’s learning needs and availability of placements.
• NCLEX-RN licensure preparation assessments (ATI) must be taken as assigned.

Estimated Costs

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst sets the tuition and fee structure for all traditional Undergraduate and Graduate programs, except for Flexible Education Division (University+)/Online Education programs. The following websites will provide you with the most up-to-date tuition and fee structure and meal plan rates.

• Tuition and Fees
• Bursar’s Office Explanation of Fees
• Estimated Meal Plan Costs

Nursing program fee is $1000 per semester.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing provides the best possible clinical experiences for students, using a wide variety of in-patient, outpatient, and community sites (with day, evening, weekend, and night shifts used seven days a week). For this reason, public transportation or sharing transportation have not been reliable as means to get to the clinical agencies. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites assigned by their course faculty.
Other Estimated Supplies and Miscellaneous Costs for the Nursing Program as of September 2023 are posted on the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing website (costs are subject to change without notice).

NOTE: Students are required to have health insurance.

General Information

The Accelerated Track is a 16-month Elaine Marieb College of Nursing course of study. The program is designed for individuals with a non- nursing bachelor's degree who are interested in pursuing professional nursing. This is a full-time, fast-paced program that requires significant dedication and commitment. Students spend 4-5 days per week in the classroom and in clinical sites. Preparation for class and clinical is critical for success in this program. Outside employment is discouraged due to the intensity of this program.

The program builds on the students’ previous education, experience, and required prerequisites. Lectures, case studies, group projects, seminars, clinical practice, simulated laboratory, independent study, multimodal content, and self-paced modules provide the foundation for an approach to nursing that is humanistic and scientific. Community agencies such as senior citizen centers, colleges, ambulatory-care centers, community hospitals, medical centers, home- care agencies, long-term care facilities, and community and public health agencies are used for clinical practice.

Completion of requirements is part of the qualification for the non-licensed graduate to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®), a prerequisite to working as a registered nurse, and provides an academic foundation for graduate study in nursing.

Students who satisfactorily complete the 58 residence credits will be awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Nursing. This 16-month track begins in the fall semester, and continues through the winter session, spring semester, summer sessions, and a second fall semester.

Admission Requirements

Evidence of bachelor's degree in a field other than Nursing, as documented by official transcripts (including translations and evaluations of non-English transcripts).

• B or better (3.0) in the following prerequisite courses: General or Medical Microbiology with lab, Human Anatomy (or Anatomy & Physiology I with lab), Human Physiology (or Anatomy & Physiology II with lab).
• C or better (2.0) in the following prerequisite courses: Human Nutrition, Statistics, and Human Growth and Development throughout the Lifespan
• Overall GPA in the prerequisite courses of B or better (3.0)
• One letter of reference
• Resume
• Completion of essay
• Non-native speakers of English on Foreign Student Visas that apply for admission to the College must submit their TOEFL Scores. A minimum passing score is 80.

Admissions Procedure

Applicants are ranked according to the strength of their GPA in the prerequisite courses, their

overall undergraduate GPA, past or current clinical experience, recommendations, essay, resume, and (for foreign students) TOEFL scores.

The application deadline for classes that start in August is January 8. Apply here.

Students must provide evidence of high school degree conferral as documented by official transcript, including translations and evaluations of non-English transcripts and compliance with the immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Accelerated BS Program of Study

The program starts with an orientation session before the first class begins. There are at least two days per week of clinical experience each semester that can occur on weekdays or weekends and on day, evening, and night shifts. In the summer and fall semesters of the following year, there may be up to four days of clinical each week. Each didactic class credit is equivalent to one hour in class per week and at least three hours of outside of class preparation and study. Each clinical credit hour equals 42 hours per semester. The total time commitment is 24-30 hours per week, plus study time of approximately 10-16 hours each week.

The Accelerated track is a full-time commitment with little room to accommodate personal schedules. The student may be required to rearrange other responsibilities to meet the demands of the program.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing provides the best possible clinical experiences for students, using a wide variety of in-patient, outpatient, and community sites (with day, evening, weekend, and night shifts used seven days a week). For this reason, public transportation or sharing transportation have not been workable as means to get to the clinical agencies. Instead, students must provide their own transportation to the clinical sites assigned by their course faculty.

*About the Internship (N498): The internship, following the successful completion of all previous semesters’ courses, is an important component of the program for facilitating transition from student to professional nurse roles. This experience approximates the responsibility in a beginning level staff position offered under faculty guidance and a professional nurse preceptor mentor. The internship requires 12-24 hours a week in a clinical setting, providing the student with an opportunity to synthesize concepts and theory from previous coursework and to apply this knowledge in clinical practice.

The Accelerated Track may be revised in response to rapid advances in scientific technology, new trends in health care delivery, and evidence from nursing research. Refer to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing website for the most up to date information.

Accelerated BS: Estimated Fees and Expenses

As of September 2024 (Fees are subject to change. Check with Bursar’s office for most up-to-date fees)

Tuition 2025-2026: $695/credit plus $85/term registration fee.

Cost per credit is the same for in state and out-of-state students.

Other Estimated Supplies and Miscellaneous Costs for the Nursing Program as of September 2024 are posted on the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing website (costs are subject to change without notice).

Students are responsible for paying for Room/Board and are required to always carry personal health insurance. The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing provides the best possible clinical experiences for students, using a wide variety of inpatient, outpatient and community sites (with day, evening, weekend, and night shifts used seven days a week). For this reason, public transportation or sharing transportation have not been workable as means to get to the clinical agencies. Instead, students must provide their own transportation to the clinical sites assigned by their course faculty.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst believes that the primary responsibility for financing your college education rests with you and your family. Financial aid is available to assist in your efforts. The total of these expenses is your Cost of Education and is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid.

All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.

100 – Perspectives in Nursing (4-year Majors) 3 cr

This course provides an overview of healthcare services and historical events in nursing. The role of the nurse and patient experience will be introduced.

150 – Faculty Seminar for First-Year Nursing Students 1 cr

Faculty seminars are used to explore the role of the professional nurse through discussions with nurse leaders, group discussions, critical thinking exercises, values clarifications and self discovery.

202 – Issues of Aging in a Global Society 4 cr

Examination of concepts, issues, research, and theories related to human responses to biophysical, psychosocial, and cultural phenomena that affect older adults globally. (Gen. Ed. SB)

210 – Human Growth and Development throughout the Lifespan 3 cr

The study of human growth and development from a lifespan perspective, emphasizing the evolution of the whole individual. Gross and fine motor development, cognitive growth, language development, and social growth at each age level. The interaction of such variables as culture, ethnicity, class, and gender. Major trends and issues with a focus on individual, institutional, contextual, and cultural influences and effects. Open to non-majors.

212 – Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness 4 cr

Exploration of theoretical foundations for understanding cultural diversity in health and illness beliefs and behaviors and selected practical implications of this understanding. Emphasizes cultures within the United States. Prerequisite: admission to nursing major or consent of instructor. (GenEd. SI, DU)

216 – Principles of Nursing Care I 2 cr

This course introduces concepts and principles essential for nursing practice including nursing process, therapeutic communication, and nursing care delivery. Concepts related to microbiology and infection control are introduced.

235 – Introduction to Healthcare Informatics (RN-BS) 3 cr

This survey course will provide a state-of-the-art overview of the role of information technology in healthcare with emphasis on essential content and applications in healthcare informatics.

298C – Principles of Nursing Care I: Practicum 2 cr

This clinical course provides an opportunity for students to develop beginning skills in gathering patient data and providing safe basic nursing care.

304 – Concepts in Nursing (Accelerated) 2 cr

This course provides an overview of healthcare and historical events in nursing. The evolving role of the professional nurse and trends in patient care are introduced.

315 – Health and Physical Assessment in Nursing 3 cr

Students organize, interpret and document data using processes of interviewing, physical exam, and clinical reasoning skills.

316 – Principles of Nursing Care II 2 cr

Considers selected ethical, legal, and epidemiological issues of significance to nursing, in order to understand principles of health promotion of individuals within the community. Preparation for practice provided in relation to illness prevention and health maintenance or restoration using the nursing process. Concurrent with NURSING 315 and 398E. Prerequisite: upper division standing in major.

317 – Writing in Nursing: Ethics 3 cr

Ethics and the role of the nurse are used as the contexts for the development of writing skills. The techniques of specific types of writing are learned through writing assignments, peer editing and instructor feedback.

321 – Preventive Care and Integrative Therapies 2 cr

Students will incorporate evidence-based preventive care concepts into lifestyle management skills that address healthy nutrition, physical activity and integration of complementary modalities for client care.

325 – Maternal-Newborn Nursing 2 cr

This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of maternal-newborn nursing care for families in the childbearing year. Both uncomplicated and high-risk pregnancy, birth, postpartum, lactation, and newborn care are discussed. Prereq: Successful completion of Level 1 Nursing courses.

326 – Nursing Care of Children 2 cr

The development of nursing knowledge and skills related to children and families during childbearing and childrearing experiences, including communication, teaching/learning, assessment, and management. Concurrent practicum: NURSING 398F. Prerequisite: successful completion of all Level 1 requirements.

327 – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing 2 cr

The experience of mental health and illness addressed from selected theoretical perspectives and theories upon which the clinical practice of community mental health nursing is based and considered. Concurrent practicum: NURSING 398G. Prerequisite: successful completion of all Level I requirements.

333 – Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I 3 cr

This course explores major elements of altered disease processes at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels and pharmacological agents used to treat, manage, prevent or cure diseases across the lifespan.

334 – Pathophysiology/Pharmacology II 3 cr

This course explores major elements of specified disease processes at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels and the pharmacological agents used to treat, prevent or cure diseases across the lifespan. Students examine processes that interfere with human health and underlie disease, address pathological changes in the body, and integrate this knowledge with pharmacological therapy and safe medication management. Nurses must have an understanding of pathophysiology and a current knowledge of pharmacology in order to optimally provide for the health needs and safety of patients.

398E – Principles of Nursing Care II: Practicum 2 cr

An opportunity to apply theory to nursing practice and to develop beginning proficiency in basic nursing and health promotion skills with the individual in the community. Concurrent with NURSING 315, 316.

398F – Nursing Care of Children: Practicum 2 cr

The application of principles of therapeutic and professional communication, teaching-learning, anticipatory guidance, parenting safety, assessment and management of individuals and families, health and illness states, and professional development to affect the health of children, parents, families, and self. Concurrent with NURSING 326.

398G – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Practicum 2 cr

The development of competencies in community-based care of clients in need of psychiatric mental health nursing services with the goal of promoting optimal mental health. Concurrent with NURSING 327.

398I – Maternal-Newborn Nursing: Practicum 2 cr

This course focuses on providing care that positively affects health of pregnant women, newborns, parents and families. Principles of health and illness states, professional development, anticipatory guidance, parenting safety, assessment and management of individuals and families will be employed.

406 – Nursing Process: Clients with Common Health Disruptions 3 cr

This course will develop a theoretical foundation for the nursing process and the underlying rationale for fundamentals of nursing practice. Nursing process is applied to the care of clients who are either at risk for or are experiencing common disruptions of health.

407 – Nursing Process: Clients with Common Health Disruptions: Practicum 4 cr

This clinical course provides opportunities for experience in application of nursing knowledge through nursing process and development of fundamental nursing skills. Clinical experiences will be offered primarily in secondary care settings including community hospitals, long-term care and/or rehabilitation facilities with clients across the life span. The emphasis is on health promotion and nursing care of individuals across the lifespan who are experiencing, or at risk for, common health disruptions.

408 – Issues in Women’s Health 2 cr

Students will explore the health needs of women across the lifespan and within the social context of health determinants that affect the life and health of women across cultures.

409 – Nursing Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 2 cr

This course introduces students to neonatal nursing (neonates born prematurely/ill and requiring NICU care). Students will examine the pathophysiology of the premature/ill neonate and management of the neonate and family.

410 – Nursing, Social Change, and Health Justice 2 cr

Examines the philosophy, theory, and role of nursing in leading social change for health justice. Includes emancipatory knowing, social change models, community engagement, coalition building, and activism.

411 – Palliative Care Nursing – Responding to the Needs of Persons with Life-Limiting Illnesses 2 cr

Examines the philosophy, theory, and role of nursing in palliative care. Includes palliative care communication, assessment, management of symptoms, end of life planning, and compassionate care for self and others.

418 – Nursing Care of Families 3 cr

Utilizing family theory and principles to guide practice, this online course explores foundations of family theory as it relates to health and illness in families across the lifespan.

420 – Introduction to Nursing Research 3 cr

This course will provide students with the opportunity to reflect on and integrate their learning and experiences in General Education courses and courses specific to the nursing major into real-world experiences in nursing, through the lens of nursing research. Skills, attitudes and knowledge from multiple sources and experiences will be discussed and used as a framework for student reflection. The aim of this course is to introduce the student to research designs and methods, evidence-based practice, critique of published nursing studies, and clinical problems and decision-making issues facing professional nurses today. Students will consider how multiple perspectives influence the design and conduct of nursing research, and how their own perspectives influence their reaction to published research.

432 – Nursing Care of Adults: Acute 3 cr

Concepts of restorative nursing care of clients across the lifespan who are sick. Prerequisite: successful completion of all Level I and Level II requirements. Concurrent with NURSING 498C.

433 – Nursing Care of Adults: Chronic 3 cr

This required course is focused on concepts of restorative nursing care for groups of individuals with complex health disruptions, which include illnesses that co-exist and cause acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses.

436 – Comprehensive Nursing 4 cr

This course focuses on the role and responsibilities of the nurse in assisting clients of all ages and their families in management of human responses to complex health disruptions. The content learned in this course will assist students in managing the care of clients in the clinical setting.

437 – Comprehensive Nursing: Practicum 4 cr

This course focuses on the role and responsibilities of the nurse in assisting clients of all ages and their families in management of human responses to complex health disruptions. Selected nursing diagnoses are used to organize and delineate the content. Clinical practice will take place in hospital and community settings.

438 – Professional Role in Nursing 3 cr

Theory course focusing on historical, ethical, legal, political, societal and organizational issues to analyze professional nursing roles. The process of change within organizations, communities and health systems will be explored

439 – Community Health Nursing 3 cr

Synthesis of public health theory, epidemiology, theories of health promotion, and nursing theory enable students to identify health concerns and become involved in promoting health and wellness in selected communities, while emphasizing diversity.

440 – Health Equity in Community Health Nursing (RN to BS) 3 cr

Emphasis is placed on synthesis of new and previously acquired knowledge with community and aggregate nursing practice. Special attention will be placed on providing care to vulnerable and underserved populations in community-based settings.

441 – Decision Making Strategies for Professional Nursing 1 cr (taken Pass/Fail)

This course, offered the semester before graduation, assists students to further develop and practice decision-making skills needed for entry level clinical nursing practice using case scenarios and practice questions.

498 – Internship 4 cr

This practicum prepares students for beginning professional nursing practice. Students are expected to synthesize knowledge and skills to manage and advocate for groups of clients in various settings.

498C – Nursing Care of Adults: Practicum 3 cr

In this clinical practicum, students provide and manage nursing care for select clients with restorative health care needs. Emphasis is on providing care to sick clients in inpatient settings.

498S – Health Equity in Community Health Nursing: Practicum (RN to BS) 2 cr

Emphasis is placed upon refinement of nursing skills, including methods of health promotion across the life span, with vulnerable and underserved populations. Includes individual and group decision-making, leadership, and professional role transition.

498T – Community Health Nursing: Practicum 3 cr

The purpose of this clinical practicum is to provide the student with the opportunity to plan and provide community-based nursing care and a population based intervention.

Departmental Honors in Nursing: Commonwealth College (4-year Nursing Majors only)

Departmental Honors (DH) is an Advanced Scholarship track of Commonwealth Honors College (CHC). Students have the option to complete either multidisciplinary honors (MH) or departmental honors.

Successful graduation with departmental honors requires:

• Completion of the DH requirements with minimum grades of B (or as specified below)
• 3.4 minimum cumulative GPA
• Submission of a properly formatted Honors Thesis will result in the award of "Departmental Honors" on the student’s academic transcript.

For information about DH, speak with the Honors Program Director Kimberly Dion, (kadion [at] nursing [dot] umass [dot] edu). For information about the full CHC Curriculum see https://www.umass.edu/honors/curriculum.

Departmental Honors Admission Criteria:

Minimally, to be eligible to apply for DH, students must have:

• An overall GPA of 3.40 or higher earned after one full-time semester of UMass Amherst coursework.
  • The ability to complete the DH-Track requirements.
  • The ability to complete the CHC residency requirement, i.e., 45-graded (not pass/fail) credits earned at UMass Amherst (not transferred).

Commonwealth Honors College Admission Process:

• UMass Amherst students who are not already members of CHC must apply to DH or MH via the CHC online application.
• Commonwealth Honors College members meet with the Department Honors Program Director (HPD) regarding their interest in joining Departmental Honors (DH), an Advanced Scholarship track of CHC. The HPD will determine a student’s eligibility and preparedness for DH. Admission to DH will be at the discretion of the HPD based on the criteria as established by the department and CHC (see Admission Criteria above). The HPD will notify the CHC office of newly accepted DH students so appropriate steps can be taken for SPIRE designation.

Commonwealth Honors College Program Requirements:

• 2 NURS honors courses 300-level or higher
• Successful completion of an Honors thesis

• Individually contracted: NURS 499Y Honors Research and NURS 499T Honors Thesis

   

Nursing Residential Academic Program (RAP) (4-year Nursing Majors only):

The Nursing Residential Academic Program (RAP) is designed exclusively for first-year nursing majors and is highly encouraged. This positive living and learning environment help first-year students excel academically and adjust to the University. All students accepted to the nursing major are required to join a Faculty First Year Seminar, whether they choose to do it in a RAP or not. Nurse RAP provides an opportunity for first-year students to live in the same residence hall, have access to a peer mentor, form friendships with other nursing students, and share common classes in the fall semester, including College Writing (ENGLWP 112) and Faculty Seminar for First Year Nursing Students (N150).

International Programs

Nursing students may study abroad during the sophomore year and/or summer and spring breaks. Study abroad options in the 2024-2025 academic year may be available in Madrid, Spain, and Cyprus.

Contact Ann Becker, International Programs Director for Nursing (abecker [at] uhs [dot] umass [dot] edu), for more information.