UMass Boston

Please meet with any ACES advisor for academic planning and exploration of contingency or parallel plans. Students who do not get accepted into MCNHS often find meaningful alternative pathways to meet their academic and professional goals. Be sure to also access a 'what-if' degree audit from WISER so you can get a sense of your progress in a different academic program.

Nursing (BS)
The traditional BS in Nursing pre-licensure program allows students to experience rigorous academic work and a carefully designed plan of study. Nursing professors view nursing as a calling, not a career, and they are committed to reducing health care disparities, improving quality of life, and informing health policy. Visit the Nursing website to learn everything you can about the traditional BS in Nursing curriculum and its academic expectations.

Exercise and Health Sciences (BS)
The Exercise and Health Sciences (EHS) program is flexible and designed to prepare students for various professional roles and/or graduate study in related fields including exercise physiology, public health, nursing, medicine, physician assistant studies, and allied health fields such as physical therapy. Students interested in graduate study should maintain at least a C+ in program prerequisite courses and at least a 3.0 GPA. Visit the EHS website to learn everything you can about the traditional BS in Exercise and Health Sciences curriculum and its academic expectations.

Global Aging and Life Course Studies (BA)
The world’s population is aging at an unprecedented rate, affecting the way societies around the globe deal with the growing number of older people. This online program introduces students to the issues, questions, perspectives, needs, and contributions of older persons and compares the opportunities and challenges associated with aging populations internationally.

Frank J. Manning Certificate in Gerontology (online)
This six-course, online Manning Certificate Program equips students with skills and resources necessary to build rewarding careers in gerontology and provides current practitioners the credentials to advance. Students will gain an understanding of the aging network and aging process through direct service, research, field placements, social and public policy, and legislative advocacy for older people.

Yes, in the fall and spring, enrollment is possible but not guaranteed; therefore, registration in alternative courses or a parallel plan is highly recommended. Please check WISER to find out when you're eligible to enroll.

For questions about enrolling in MCNHS courses, please contact mcnhsstudentservices@umb.edu.

Summer Courses:

• BIOL 111, 207, BIOL 208, and BIOL 209 (all students)
• CHEM 130 (restricted to Nursing students only)

For questions about enrolling in MCNHS courses, please contact mcnhsstudentservices@umb.edu.

Nursing Eligibility Criteria & Application Materials:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 based on at least 12 graded credits* from UMass Boston
• Completion of a 4-credit lab science course with a grade of C+ or higher, although a B or higher is strongly recommended
• Currently optional: The TEAS exam
• Personal statement answering the question, "What is a professional nurse?"
• Optional yet recommended: letters of recommendation, resume, and evidence of relevant work or community service

Prerequisite Courses

Below is a list of courses that nursing students need to complete before beginning clinical semesters.  Strong performance in these courses, especially the lab sciences, is often an indicator of the potential for success in the nursing program.  Demonstrated success in these courses will make for a more competitive application.  We strongly encourage applicants to have completed as many of the courses below when applying to transfer into the nursing program.  Students who do not have all of the prerequisites complete are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those who demonstrated success with these courses. 

Please note that completion of these courses below does not guarantee acceptance into the traditional nursing programs.  Our committee will make decisions based upon the totality of the application for transfer and space allotted in the program.   

Required:

• English 101 – 3 credits (C or higher)
• English 102 – 3 credits (C or higher)
• General Biology -4 credits (C+ or higher, lab included, completed in last 10 years)
• Anatomy & Physiology I – 4 credits (C+ or higher, lab included, completed in last 10 years)
• Anatomy & Physiology II – 4 credits (C+ or higher, lab included, completed in last 10 years)
• Microbiology – 4 credits (C+ or higher, lab included, completed in last 10 years)
• Chemistry – 4 credits (C+ or higher, lab included, completed in last 10 years)
• Statistics – 3 credits (C or higher)

Recommended but not required:

• Psychology or Sociology – 3 credits (C or higher)
• Human Growth and Development – 3 credits (C+ or higher)
• Nutrition – 3 credits (C+ or higher)

Exercise & Health Science Criteria & Application Materials:

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA based on at least 12 graded credits* from UMass Boston
• Completion of a 4-credit lab science course with a C- or above
• Personal statement answering the question, "What are your career aspirations in the field of Exercise and Health Science?"

*Pass/Fail grades are not included in the 12 graded credits.

Application Deadlines:

• Spring admission | Application Deadline November 1 (Accepting applications between August 1 - November 1)
• Fall admission | Application Deadline April 1 (Accepting applications between February 1 - April 1)

Applications will be reviewed after the respective deadline. Please note that meeting the program eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission.

• Submit both your Undergraduate Program Add/Change Form and your personal statement (if needed) here, via DocuSign, within the timeframes listed above. (Please only submit one application. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application within 24-48 hours.)
• Applications submitted more than 90 days before the deadline period will be automatically voided.
• Email other optional materials (letters of recommendation, resume, and evidence of relevant work or community service) to mcnhsstudentservices@umb.edu.
• Applications will be reviewed after the respective deadlines.

Admission into MCNHS's Nursing and EHS programs for current UMass Boston students is highly competitive and selective as there are limited openings each semester. Applicants' transcripts and personal statements are carefully reviewed by the MCNHS Faculty Admission Committee, who select candidates based on their potential for succeeding in a rigorous nursing and health sciences curriculum.

Nursing: Of the 46 applicants, 24 were accepted for the Spring 2023 semester, which equates to a 52% acceptance rate. Half of the accepted students will start clinicals in Fall 2023. The other half will start in Fall 2024.

EHS: Of the 30 applicants, 14 were accepted for the Spring 2023 semester, which equates to a 47% acceptance rate.

Please check back in early April 2024 for an updated video on how to transfer into Nursing or EHS.