Nursing Degree Completion Options

About the Degree Completion Options

The TU Department of Nursing offers two degree completion options (DCO). The RN-to-B.S. option is for students who have or will have already completed their associate degree in nursing (ADN) and RN licensure before enrolling. The Associate-to-Bachelor’s (ATB) option offers the opportunity to complete your associate and bachelor's degrees concurrently through dual enrollment at TU and one of our partner community colleges.

Degree completion students have the opportunity to take courses in a variety of formats. Face-to-face course format is required for one or two courses depending on the option, though 80-90% of courses can be completed online. The department's ability to offer a variety of formats from term to term is determined by student interest and course enrollments. Evening and weekend offerings are not available at this time.

Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science (RN-to-BS)

• Requires a state-approved diploma or associate degree in nursing and active, unencumbered RN licensure in Maryland or a compact state.
• Students may apply and be offered conditional admission pending successful completion of their associate degree and obtaining their RN licensure.
• This option provides a flexible curriculum that can be completed in as little as 1-1.5 years (including summer enrollment) or at a slower pace of one course at a time.

Learn more about the RN to B.S. in Nursing.

Associate-to-Bachelor’s (ATB)

• This is an accelerated, dual enrollment option that leads to an associate degree and bachelor's degree in just 2.5 years.
• Students are eligible to apply for the ATB option once they have been admitted to the nursing program at a participating community college partner.
• Students follow a plan of study developed collaboratively between both institutions. ATB plans of study require year-round enrollment (including summer and minimester terms).
• ATB students are dually enrolled at both the partner community college and TU until they complete the associate degree in nursing.
• After earning their associate degree, students must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN and obtain their Maryland or compact state license in order to complete one final term at TU to complete the bachelor's degree.

Learn more about the Associate-to-Bachelor’s (ATB) Nursing Dual Enrollment option.

RN Articulation Model

Students in both degree completion options (ATB and RN-BS) will receive transfer credits according to the Maryland Nursing Articulation Model. Under the Maryland RN to BS Articulation Model (RNAM), credits are awarded for transferable nursing and non-nursing courses at the college level for both nursing degree completion options. Vocational-technical and non-college general education courses do not transfer, subject to individual college policies. No more than half of the credits for a degree can be transfer credits.

credit type	Credits granted	summary of credits
Nursing Articulation Credits	60 credits	Awarded for the completion of non-nursing courses completed as part of the Associate Degree of Nursing.
Nursing Upper-Level Credits	30 Credits	Awarded for possession of the active, unencumbered RN license in Maryland or compact state
Total	90 credits	Maximum amount of transfer credits any student may receive

RN-BS students receive their RNAM credits at the start of their program once they have met the admission requirements for the RN-BS option. ATB students receive their RNAM credits prior to their final term upon verification of a completed associate degree in nursing and active RN license.

Degree Completion Curriculum

Students will work closely with an academic advisor to follow a plan for success in completing the degree requirements. View more information about degree requirements and course descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog.