College of Nursing and Health Science

Professionals in nursing and health sciences provide health care services across the life span and in varied environments. Nurses are concerned with promoting, maintaining and restoring health, and committed to the goal of providing an optimal level of functioning for all individuals, families and groups. Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform analytical tests and make critical judgments by integrating and relating data generated by the various clinical laboratory departments.

UMass Dartmouth’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences educates students to become health care professionals. Nursing and Health Science Professionals determine the health status of individuals, families and populations, and make clinical decisions regarding appropriate actions to be taken. Collaboration with other members of a health team, such as physicians, social workers, physical therapists, pharmacists and occupational therapists is essential. Advocating for high-quality affordable health care for all members of society and in shaping health policy is another essential role.

Each program in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences requires students to gain a broad background of knowledge in arts, sciences, including clinical/laboratory and cognitive skills of analysis, critical thinking, therapeutic intervention and communication.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers the only baccalaureate degree program in nursing South of Boston and an integrated Clinical Medical Laboratory Science Program. Nursing students are admitted to one of three baccalaureate tracks. Students with no prior nursing education are admitted to the pre-licensure track. The second track option, is an online track that provides an opportunity for registered nurses who are graduates of associate degree and/or diploma schools to complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN-BS) or continue on to the master’s degree (RN-MS). The third track is a second degree accelerated program for individuals with a BA or BS degree who seek a bachelor’s degree in nursing. This track is a hybrid design that offers online classes complimented by face to face clinical and laboratory experience.

The Clinical Medical Laboratory Science Program offers a baccalaureate track for students with no previous experience in medical laboratory science and a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) to Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) online BS degree completion program for students with previous experience, an associates degree from an accredited MLT program, and certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician. (https://www.umassd.edu/programs/medical-laboratory-science-online/)

Accreditation

The Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

The College of Nursing has received Full Approval Status by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for continuous compliance with Massachusetts Regulation [244 CMR 6.04].

The option in Clinical Medical Laboratory Science is an integrated program, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119.

Telephone: 847-939-3597 or 773-714-8880.

Website: http://www.naacls.org

Email: INFO@naacls.org

Freshman Admission

Students are admitted to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences through the university’s Office of Admissions. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of all university students, freshmen nursing students must have had a secondary school program that included at least four units of mathematics and two laboratory courses of natural sciences. The four units of mathematics must include two units of algebra.

Placement Exam—Math

Freshman students admitted to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences must take the University administered math placement examination before they commence studies. The results of the examination may require students to receive tutoring or additional instruction. An online Math Summer Bridge program is offered (at student’s expense) for students who do not place into the required math course for their program. Students must complete the bridge program in order to be eligible to retake the math placement examination. In order to matriculate in the nursing major students must place into Math 148 (College Algebra) in the fall of Freshman year.

Admission by Transfer

All students admitted to UMass Dartmouth by transfer from other colleges must meet the same entrance requirements as those for entering freshmen. The College of Nursing has specific requirements as noted on the college web page. http://www.umassd.edu/nursing/transfer/

Any UMass Dartmouth student who wishes to change their major to the Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) option must have at least a 2.5 overall GPA or a 2.5 GPA in the chemistry sequence (CHM 151, 152, 161, 162), where space allows.

Consistent with university policy, credits earned in another college may be accepted as transfer credits after official transcripts have been evaluated.

Academic Advisement

All students are assigned a College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty advisor in their program. Students are expected to contact their advisor early each semester for program planning.