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 is the only baccalaureate degree program in nursing south of Boston, to offer the full range of BS, MS, DNP, and PhD degrees in nursing and an integrated 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 https://www.umassd.edu/programs/nursing-bs/. 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) https://www.umassd.edu/rn-bs/ or continue on to the master’s degree (RN-MS). The third option 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 https://www.umassd.edu/programs/nursing-abs-online/.

The Medical Laboratory Science Program offers a baccalaureate track for students with no previous experience in medical laboratory science https://www.umassd.edu/programs/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 Nursing Program 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 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 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 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. Medical Laboratory Science students who do not place into Math 148 (College Algebra) will be offered remediation which may result in the need for summer courses or a longer program of study.

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. Applications from students interested in transferring into the Medical Laboratory Science Prorgram will be evaluated by the University Admissions Office. Accepted students will meet with an MLS Department faculty advisor for individualized curriculum planning. The Nursing Program has specific requirements as noted on the web page. http://www.umassd.edu/nursing/transfer/

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

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

Academic Advisement

All freshman students are assigned a College of Nursing and Health Sciences professional advisor in their program. Beginning in Sophomore year, 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.