WESTFIELD—Westfield State University (WSU) and Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced a completion program partnership for students seeking a bachelors in science of nursing.
The two schools announced the program on Friday morning, which was part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton. The high school will be the site for the GCC’s satellite location, though WSU reports that the majority of coursework will be done online.
The program will allow students who are pursuing their licensure to become a registered nurse (RN) through GCC’s associate degree program to garner a bachelors of science in nursing from WSU.
Greenfield Community College President Dr. Robert L. Pura (seated, left) and Westfield State University President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha (seated, right) are joined by GCC Chief Academic and Student Affairs Officer Dr. Catherine Seaver (far left) and Westfield State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Parviz Ansari (far right) for the official signing of the agreement on Friday, Dec. 1 (caption and picture provided by Troy Watkins, Communications Specialist for Westfield State University).
“Westfield State University is pleased to partner with Greenfield Community College to offer a streamlined, efficient pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for GCC associate degree graduates and other area registered nurses,” WSU President Ramon S. Torrecilha said in a statement from the university.
The program will consist mostly of online coursework, according to a press release, though there will be some onsite requirements at the satellite location.
Also according to the press release, students from GCC’s program will be able to transfer up to 90 credits into WSU’s program. Full-time students may be able to finish within a year, though students can complete it in 24 months on in a part-time role, according to the press release.
This collaboration is the second such RN-to-BSN agreement that WSU has with an institution of higher learning. Their first program formed with Springfield Technical Community College earlier this year.
