Program Details

Eligibility:

  • This option is for Drake students who have completed 6 semesters in the HSCI major.
  • The degrees would be conferred at the same time so that students do not lose eligibility for certain forms of financial aid. Each institution would grant their own degree.

    • Purpose:
    Mercy College of Health Sciences offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) that can be completed in four years while students also complete the four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) at Drake University. This option provides the shortest time frame for health sciences students to complete a BSN program while also earning a BS in Health Sciences degree.  

    Mercy College’s BSN program is an accelerated curriculum that is completed following the third year of the health sciences program. Upon enrolling in BSN courses, students complete five terms over three semesters (typically fall, spring and summer). During the nursing course work, students will learn about nursing using a concept-based approach that emphasizes nursing content across the life span and diverse acute care and community clinical settings. Graduates are prepared to assume roles involving leadership, education, research, and community health.  

    The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has approval of the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON). For more information on the Mercy BSN program, click here. 


    Admission Requirements:
    1. A 2.25 GPA is required for admission to Mercy College. Admissions to Nursing program requires extracted 3.0 GPA in 8 courses*
    2. Be currently enrolled in HSCI major.
    3. Successful completion of all pre-requisite courses before starting the program.
    4. Evidence of required immunizations.
    5. Completion of compliance trainings
    6. CPR certification for Health Professionals.
    7. A completed background check.

    Pre-Requisite Requirements (3.0 GPA required):
    Anatomy - HSCI 141/141L: Human Anatomy and Lab

    Physiology  - HSCI 125/125L: Medical Physiology and Lab 

    Microbiology - BIO 103/103L: Microbiology and Lab 

    English Composition - FYS: First Year Seminar and Written Communication AOI

    Psychology - PSY 001: Intro to Psychology

    College-level - Math 050: Calculus I

    Statistics - STAT 060: Statistics for the Life Sciences or HSCI 060: Statistics in Health Sciences

    Nutrition - PHAR 126: Principles of Nutrition

    Should students not complete their coursework at Mercy College and decide to return to Drake University, they will no longer be eligible for their Drake tuition guarantee. They will be responsible for the current University tuition rate. 





    Plan of Study for Drake Applicants:
    Curriculum


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    First Year
    FALL
    BIO 012/LPre-professional Biology I & Lab (LIFE AOI)4 CR
    CHEM 001/3General Chemistry I & Lab (PHSC AOI)4 CR
    FYS First Year Seminar3 CR
    HSCI 020INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SCIENCES2 CR
    INTD 025Blueprint for Success1 CR

    Semester Total Credit Hours
    14
    SPRING
    BIO 013/LPre-Professional Biology II & Lab4 CR
    CHEM 002/4General Chemistry II & Lab4 CR
    ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives3 CR
    HSCI 021PROFESSIONALISM IN HEALTH CARE2 CR
    MATH 050Calculus I (QUAN AOI)3 CR

    Semester Total Credit Hours
    16
    Second Year
    FALL
    ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives 6 CR
    HSCI 141/LHuman Anatomy & Lab4 CR
    HSCI 025*Introduction to the US Health Care System3 CR
    PSY 001Intro Psychology4 CR

    Semester Total Credit Hours
    17
    SPRING
    ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives6 CR
    HSCI 060*Stats in Health Sciences3 (CRIT AOI)3 CR
    HSCI 106*Culture Care & Hlth Literacy (GLOB/CITZ AOI)3 CR
    HSCI 125/LPhysiology/Lab14 CR

    Semester Total Credit Hours
    16
    Third Year
    FALL
    ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives6 CR
    HSCI 055*Innovation & Leadership in Health Sciences3 CR
    HSCI 095*Medical Terminology1 CR
    HSCI 172EVALUATING RESEARCH LIT (INFO AOI)3 CR

    Semester Total Credit Hours
    13
    SPRING
    BIO 103/LMicrobiology/Lab5 CR
    ECON 002Microeconomics23 CR
    ELEC ---Drake Curriculum/Electives (PHAR 126: Nutrition)5 CR
    HSCI 105*Values & Ethics in Health Sciences (VE AOI)3 CR

    Semester Total Credit Hours
    16
    Total Program Hours: 92


    Program Notes:

    Bolded courses must be taken in the designated semester unless prior approval by the College is provided.

    *Asterisked HSCI courses have multiple offerings each year; they should be taken within the designated year but can be taken during an alternative semester. 

    1 = BIO 129/L – Mammalian Physiology or PHAR 125 can be substituted for requirement (courses offered only in fall semester) 
    2 = HSCI 102 – Health Economics can be substituted for requirement (course offered only in fall semester) 
    3 = STAT 060 – Statistics for the Life Sciences can be substituted for requirement 


    Electives (minimum 45 credits): Elective credits include Drake Curriculum requirements not fulfilled by required coursework (outlined below) as well as non-required coursework that permits exploration of and/or advanced study in areas of professional interest within the student’s primary degree. Students should review the student handbook for the complete elective policy.

    Drake Curriculum Areas of Inquiry not fulfilled by required coursework (15 credits): Artistic Literacy, Engaged Citizen, Historical Foundations (2), and Written Communication.

    Mercy ABSN Course Equates (28 credits): For students who complete the 3+1 program, Mercy College ABSN coursework will fulfill the following undergraduate requirements, resulting in earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree. 

    Electives - 18 cr.

    HSCI 155 & 156 - Guided Research I & II - 6 cr.

    HSCI 196 & 197 - Health Sciences Internship I & II - 6 cr.


    **If not admitted to the ABSN program at Mercy College, all credit minimums for Electives must be fulfilled. The senior capstone (HSCI 155, 156, 196, & 197) must also be completed at Drake to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree.

    Students will be required to send an official transcript to the Drake University Office of the Registrar to apply their transfer coursework to the health sciences major requirements. A minimum of 120 total hours will be required to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Drake University. Degrees from Drake University and Mercy College will be conferred at the same time. This may result in total program hours higher than 120.