NEC joins forces with MCPHS for dual-degree
Feb. 27—HENNIKER — In the world of higher education, strong partnerships can offer students greater access to academic resources, faculty expertise and workplace learning. That's why New England College has formed a new dual-degree path with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science at MCPHS's Manchester campus.
Many students who graduate with NEC's bachelor's degree in Health Science go on to pursue advanced degrees in health care, including post-baccalaureate nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and biomedicine. As an expansion of established articulation agreements at NEC with MCPHS, the two institutions came up with a way to shave off a year of studies and enable students to graduate with two degrees, Health Science and Nursing, in five years. Upon completion, students under this dual-degree transfer agreement would then be able to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to become registered nurses.
For the dual-degree transfer agreement with MCPHS in Manchester, students will complete six semesters in the NEC Health Sciences program and, subsequently, four semesters in the MCPHS accelerated nursing program. While at NEC, Health Science students have the flexibility to take courses in other areas such as business and psychology, depending upon their career aspirations.
According to Dr. Debra Dunlop, associate dean of science, health and education, the dual program also offers a pathway for candidates who may have struggled at first to meet pre-licensure nursing admissions criteria.
"This program builds confidence while students gain a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology," Dunlop said. "They will take a six-credit Licensed Nurse Assistant course as part of their NEC program, which will enable them to land a healthcare position as an undergraduate student to gain valuable patient care experience in preparation for greater things down the line. Many of the students who pursue this track are not inclined initially to pursue nursing, but rather come to discover the benefit of the partnership in a natural progression. A strong liberal arts and health science foundation becomes the scaffold for great nurses and nurse leaders."
