A hybrid model — online didactic coursework paired with face-to-face labs and Massachusetts clinical rotations — gives second-degree students flexibility without sacrificing hands-on training.
UMass Dartmouth’s Second Degree Accelerated BS in Nursing is built around flexibility: students complete the academic coursework online while gaining hands-on experience through face-to-face labs and clinical rotations at healthcare institutions across Massachusetts. Offered through the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the full-time, 17-month program is for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Cohorts begin each fall, and the program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2027 cohort.
After completing five prerequisites and 59 nursing credits, graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN; the program reported a 94% first-time pass rate for its 2023 graduates.
UMass Dartmouth is also rated #4 in Massachusetts (and #6 in New England) for online bachelor’s programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Accreditation and Outcomes
The baccalaureate nursing program at UMass Dartmouth is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Registered Nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and 2023 graduates posted a 94% first-time pass rate.
Curriculum
The curriculum spans five terms and 59 credits, blending professional nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, community health, psychiatric nursing, and complex care with experiential learning components throughout.
Term 1
NUR 106 – Introduction to Professional Nursing
Introduces students to the values, concepts, and behaviors of professional nursing, focusing on health promotion, patient care, and the healthcare environment. Emphasizes the role of nurses in guiding individuals and communities through health experiences.
Term 2
NUR 230 – Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice I
Examines foundational pathophysiology and pharmacology concepts, focusing on critical thinking and clinical interventions. Covers pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the body’s adaptation to physiological changes.
NUR 235 – Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice II
Continues exploring pharmacology and pathophysiology, emphasizing clinical judgment and therapeutic interventions for physiological changes.
NUR 242 – Holistic Health Assessment
Teaches students to conduct holistic health assessments, emphasizing health indicators across the lifespan and physical examination skills.
NUR 250 – Knowledge Foundations in Nursing
Provides foundational knowledge for nursing care, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and professional role development in ethics and accountability.
NUR 255 – Experiential Learning: Assessment and Foundational Nursing Skills
Hands-on learning in assessment and basic nursing skills, with a focus on cultural sensitivity, ethics, and therapeutic communication in lab and clinical settings.
Winter Intersession
NUR 214 – Scholarly Inquiry
Introduces research processes and critical analysis for evidence-based practice, exploring both qualitative and quantitative research relevant to nursing.
Term 3
NUR 326 – Care of Adults with Acute and Chronic Illness
Covers nursing interventions for adults with acute and chronic conditions, focusing on managing illness and promoting health.
NUR 327 – Experiential Learning: Nursing Care for Adults Experiencing Illness
Clinical practice for caring for adults with acute and chronic illnesses, including observational, simulation, and lab experiences.
NUR 330 – Community Nursing
Prepares students to promote health and manage care in community settings, with a focus on population health and disease prevention.
NUR 331 – Experiential Learning: Community Health Nursing
Provides practical experience in community health nursing, using epidemiology and group dynamics to enhance care for diverse populations.
Term 4
NUR 338 – Family Health Nursing
Focuses on nursing roles in promoting health and managing illness in women, children, and families, emphasizing advocacy and ethical practice.
NUR 339 – Experiential Learning: Family Health Nursing
Hands-on practice in family health nursing, applying theories from NUR 338 in real-life family healthcare settings.
NUR 340 – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Covers mental health promotion across the lifespan, focusing on nursing interventions for individuals and groups with mental health needs.
NUR 341 – Experiential Learning: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Clinical application of psychiatric nursing concepts, including diverse interventions in various mental health settings.
Term 5
NUR 408 – Transition to Professional Practice
Explores the impact of historical, social, and political factors on nursing and healthcare systems, focusing on leadership and quality care.
NUR 450 – Nursing of Adults Experiencing Complex Health Problems
Provides nursing care strategies for adults with complex health issues, with emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and resource management.
NUR 457 – Nursing Care of Persons with Complex Health Problems
Practicum for managing complex health cases, with emphasis on clinical skills, advocacy, and collaboration in acute care settings.
More detail is available in the UMass Dartmouth course catalog.
Clinical Training
Clinical and lab rotations take place at various healthcare institutions around Massachusetts, complementing the online coursework with face-to-face, hands-on experience. The experiential-learning courses woven through each term build practical skills in assessment, adult and family health, community nursing, psychiatric-mental health, and complex care.
Prerequisites and Admission
Applicants need a prior bachelor’s degree in any field (it need not be a science) from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA in that degree. All five prerequisites must be completed before enrolling, with a cumulative 3.2 prerequisite GPA and no grade below C+:
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits; online accepted)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits; online accepted)
- Chemistry (3 credits)
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits; online accepted)
- Introduction/Basic Statistics (3 credits)
Applications also require official transcripts from all institutions attended, three professional letters of recommendation (an academic reference is recommended if possible), a statement of purpose (maximum 600 words covering reasons, strengths, and anticipated challenges), and a professional resume. TEAS scores are required for all applicants, with admitted students typically scoring 78 or higher; a TOEFL score is required for those without a U.S. undergraduate degree. February 15 is the priority-review deadline; later applications may be reviewed at the department’s discretion.
Tuition
For the 59-credit program, the estimated total tuition and fees is about $45,843, broken down as:
- Tuition: $682/credit × 59 = $40,238
- Campus Center fee: $5/credit = $295
- Library Access fee: $6/credit = $354
- College fee: $65/credit = $3,835
- ABSN Technology fee: $19/credit = $1,121
Note that this program is not eligible for tuition waivers or credits, and figures are subject to change. Confirm current rates directly. See the official tuition and fees page for details.
Other Nursing Programs
Beyond the accelerated BS, UMass Dartmouth’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers an online RN-to-BS, an MS in Nursing, a DNP, and a Nursing PhD for continued advancement.