Graduates of this program should be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking skills
• Write clear, well-organized documents.
• Communicate effectively in personal and professional situations.
• Know how to locate, evaluate, and use information sources.
• Understand basic math and scientific terms/concepts and procedures/processes.

The University Parallel with a Health Sciences area of emphasis is designed for students who are interested in

in transferring to a baccalaureate program and for those students who need to follow a course perquisite program of study (CPOS) for admission into one of the three AAS degree programs offered within the HCPR Division.  There are three pathways that reflect those programs within the HCPR Division which include:  Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), and Surgical Technology.  There are also two pathways that reflect a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).  Those two pathways include the NSCC/Belmont Partnership and the Transfer BSN.  The specific prerequisite requirements that are unique to the Belmont University BSN program are included in the Belmont BSN Nursing pathway and the BSN pathway reflect general prerequisite requirements for admission into a BSN program in Tennessee. The BSN pathway is generic yet specific enough to reflect specific admission requirements for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). There are five pathways from which to choose within the Health Science A.S. major.  Those pathways include:

1. BSN Nursing
2. Belmont/BSN Nursing Partnership
3. Nursing A.A.S.
4. Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) A.A.S.
5. Surgical Technology A.A.S.

Please review the appropriate advising sheet to ensure completion of required courses prior to applying to your desired program.

Because of the varying entry points for acceptance/entrance into baccalaureate nursing programs and the different structures of nursing curricula, community college students who wish to transfer to university programs are advised to follow the curriculum, as prescribed below, applicable to all university nursing majors.* By completing this plan of studies and then transferring to a university, community college students will be on par with prospective nursing students who began the freshman year at a public university in Tennessee. Community-college students who pursue this plan will then be eligible at the earliest opportunity to compete for acceptance to a four-year nursing program leading to the award of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

Please note that the completion of the Health Sciences curriculum and the subsequent courses taken at a university do not guarantee acceptance into a baccalaureate nursing program. Nursing is a highly competitive major, and only the most highly qualified students are admitted.** The specific requirements for admission to university nursing programs may be found in the catalogs of the various universities.