Joint UHCL-ACC agreement fast-tracks nursing students to full degree

June 11, 2021 | UHCL Staff

University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland and Alvin Community College have expanded their long-standing partnership to help address an acute shortage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in the workforce.

On June 10, ACC President Christal M. Albrecht and UH-Clear Lake President Ira K. Blake participated in a memorandum of understanding-signing ceremony in the Health Sciences and Classroom Building at UHCL Pearland, offering students enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program at ACC to become concurrently enrolled in UHCL's baccalaureate program, culminating in a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

The agreement gives students the opportunity to receive their bachelor of science in nursing from UHCL with just one additional semester of coursework after having received their associate degree in nursing from ACC.

"Having students co-enrolled in ADN and BSN programs is a unique opportunity to deliver value to students, healthcare providers, and patients," said Blake. "Signing this memorandum of agreement signifies our joint commitment to this innovative approach to nursing education."

Albrecht said the concurrent enrollment agreement was very important, as it created a larger pool of educated nursing professionals. "This is key to our healthy economy, community and workforce," she said. "This collaboration will help meet our local healthcare workforce needs and provide new opportunities for the graduates of both programs."

UHCL Director of Nursing and Assistant Professor Karen Alexander said the curriculum was aligned to build on itself so that a nursing student could complete the degree within six semesters. "Without this joining, this degree could take four to five years," she said. "We are addressing the nursing shortage in the clinical area as well as preparing nurse educators," she said.

Students have a maximum of four years from the start of their ADN to BSN program to complete the BSN. Students may enter the program in a fall semester cohort or a spring semester cohort, but they must complete the nursing courses in the sequence outlined in the progression degree plan for their respective cohort. Students may attend part-time or full-time.

Learn more information about UHCL's RN-BSN program online.