The University of Dayton will launch a new bachelor of science in nursing degree in partnership with Sinclair Community College as a growing number of health care employers require the four-year credential.

The 1+2+1 BSN education model allows students to begin their studies at UD in year one. During years two and three, students are dually enrolled at UD and Sinclair, taking nursing courses and completing clinical rotations. Students complete their associate of applied science degree in nursing from Sinclair after year three, and finish their bachelor’s at UD during year four. Students sit for the National Council Licensure Examination after year three, allowing them to work as licensed registered nurses while enrolled in the program.

“The bachelor of science in nursing offers students an affordable pathway to a high-quality degree,” said UD School of Education and Health Sciences Dean Kevin Kelly. “The program draws on the strengths of both institutions, including UD’s Marianist tradition of educating the whole person and Sinclair’s long and excellent reputation in nursing education, and helps meet a critical workforce need in the Dayton community.”

Graduates can work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, physician offices, extended-care facilities, schools, and more. The number of jobs available to registered nurses is growing much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau predicts a 15 percent job growth in this occupation through 2026.

"Employers in our region appreciate the caliber of the Sinclair nursing graduate, but also place value on registered nurses having a BSN degree,” said Rena Shuchat, Sinclair College Health Sciences dean. “Sinclair and UD have a long-standing partnership and this is another example of two great institutions partnering to provide our region with high-quality nurses with an advanced degree."

Students will benefit from the University of Dayton’s transparent tuition plan, which eliminates hidden fees and locks in net-tuition for their senior year at the amount they pay at UD their first year. During years two and three, students will pay Sinclair tuition costs, which are among the lowest in the state.

Additionally, students will have access to academic support from both UD and Sinclair faculty, advisors and mentors. They will interact with students enrolled in other UD and Sinclair health science degree programs, including exercise physiology, dietetics and pre-physical therapy, giving them an interprofessional perspective that will help them become well-rounded health care practitioners.

The first students are expected to enroll at UD this fall. More information on the program is available on the University’s website.