Public Health - Pre-Nursing Program

The Public Health - Pre-Nursing Program is a dual-degree based on a formal affiliation agreement that admits a limited number of students into an articulated program that begins with 83 credits at WSU in the Public Health/Pre-Nursing program and continues with the accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University ("MCPHS University") Worcester or Manchester, NH campus. At the completion of the appropriate 37 credits (of the 63 required) at MCPHS University, the student transfers those credits back to WSU and earns a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. The student then completes the additional number of appropriate credits (26) at MCPHS University to earn the B.S. in Nursing. Students should see the advisor in the Health Sciences department assigned to the program.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Health requires the following 83 credits at WSU followed by the 63 credits in Nursing which will be taken at the MCPHS University campus in either Worcester or Manchester, NH.

WSU Dual Degree Entrance Requirements

High School GPA 3.0 and SAT CR and MA total of 1000 (or ACT 21). Students for whom English is not their first language must also submit a TOEFL with a score of 213 or higher or a minimum of 90 on the iBT.

An Intent to Transfer/Enroll at MCPHS University form must be submitted by May 1 for fall enrollment and by September 1 for spring enrollment and must include an official WSU transcript.

Admission to the accelerated BSN program is also contingent upon a satisfactory pre-admission interview conducted by MCPHS University at the campus to which a student intends to transfer and is subject to availability of openings in the program.

The MCPHS University Worcester /Manchester Admissions Committee retains the right to make the final decision on each student's transfer application.

The B.S. in Public Health at WSU is earned upon the successful completion of 37 credits at MCPHS University. The WSU Registrar requires an official transcript.

WSU Curriculum Requirements

  • Complete 83 required credits at WSU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 during either 4 semesters and 2 summer sessions or 5 semesters.
  • No grade below a C (2.0) in Public Health major courses or required ancillary courses -
    BI-161Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
    BI-162Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
    BI-206Medical Microbiology4
    CH-112Survey of Chemistry4
    PS-210Developmental Psychology3
    PS-275Psychological Statistics4
    or MA-150 Statistics I
  • Courses may not be re-taken.
  • Transfer ancillary courses require prior written approval of MCPHS University.
  • LASC courses may receive grades lower than C or be taken pass/fail.

Requirements Completed at WSU (83)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Semester OneCredits
FYSFirst-Year Seminar (FYS) 3
EN-101 College Writing I 3
HC-201 Introduction to Public Health 3
HI-111
US History to 1877
or US History 1865 to the Present
3
PS-101 General Psychology 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
BI-161 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
CH-112 Survey of Chemistry 4
EN-102 College Writing II 3
HE-100 Personal Health 3
 Credits14
Semester Three
PS-210 Developmental Psychology 3
SO-100 Introduction to Sociology 3
LASCLASC Elective (QR) 3
 Credits9
Year Two
Semester Four
BI-162 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
BI-206 Medical Microbiology 4
HC-202 Introduction to Global Health 3
HC-415 Community Health Planning and Promotion 3
PS-275
Psychological Statistics
or Statistics I
4
 Credits18
Semester Five
HE-120 Health and Nutrition 3
HC-203 Introduction to Epidemiology 3
HC-425 Research Seminar 3
HE-390 Environmental Health 3
LASCLASC Elective (CA) 6
LASCLASC Elective (GP)
 Credits18
Semester Six
HE-210 Women's Health Issues 3
LASCLASC Elective (TLC) 6
LASCLASC Elective (USW)
 Credits9
 Total Credits83

Students in Track I will complete the above courses with the addition of two summer sessions at WSU.

Students in Track II will complete the above courses during a third Fall semester at WSU.

Requirements Completed at MCPHSU

Plan of Study Grid
Fall or SpringCredits
NUR 205Nursing History, Knowledge & Narrative 3
NUR 208Essential Concepts of Nursing 3
NUR215/215LNursing Skills & Technologies 4
NUR 226Pathophysiology & Pharmacology 6
 Credits16
Spring or Summer
NUR 325/335LProvider of Care I: Adult & Elder Health 8
NUR350Scholarly Inquiry 3
 Credits11
Summer or Fall
NUR 330Nursing History, Knowledge & Narrative 3
NUR 335Essential Concepts of Nursing 6
NUR 345Nursing Skills & Technologies 6
 Credits15
Fall or Spring II
NUR 425Provider of Care IV: Community/Home Health 8
NUR 445Provider of Care V: Coordinator of Care 6
NUR 450Member of a Profession: Capstone Project 4
 Credits18
 Total Credits60

Please see LASC section of this catalog for information on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) and for policies governing the use of major courses toward LASC requirements. 

 

Students are required to meet with their academic advisor to review their courses for the upcoming semester. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation.  First-year and transfer students with 45 or fewer credits at the time of admission shall complete two academic programs (a major/major or major/minor) to qualify for graduation.  For more information, please view the MajorPlus section of this catalog.