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Our nursing program is the best choice for your education and future & even more affordable!
Associate of Science Degree in Biology for a Nursing Career
Why is it the best? Simple. Our 2+2 program allows you to earn your Associate’s in Biology at Welch College and then finish your Bachelor’s in Nursing at one of three local universities. Our partnership with these universities provides guaranteed seats in their nursing program for students who meet the minimum requirements. One of the largest employers in Middle Tennessee is healthcare. The relationships we have built with local hospitals in our community and city give Welch students multiple opportunities to go directly into a nursing career. These hospitals provide a lot of advantages to our students. Not only do they provide jobs, but they also provide loan reimbursement.
At Welch College, we believe that Christians in scientific and medical professions have a responsibility not only to understand emerging technologies but also to investigate the moral and ethical implications of scientific advancements. In our biology, pre-med, and nursing programs, we honor God’s creation by learning all we can about it, while utilizing best practices in the classroom to teach you all we can about biology, we also look at it from a biblical perspective. Why a biblical approach you may ask? To us, the best scientific thinkers also have a strong moral, ethical and faith foundation against which to measure their knowledge. In your classes, you will gain in-depth exposure to the biological, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences.
Commonly Asked Questions about the Associate’s Degree for a Nursing Career
The 2+2 Nursing Education Collaborative guarantees students who meet the minimum academic requirements of a 22 composite ACT score, a cumulative 3.0 GPA and graduate from Welch College with an Associate’s in Science Nursing degree (A.S.N.) a seat in the nursing programs at Belmont University, Cumberland University, or Union University.
QUICK FACTS
- Begin your education at Welch College (2 years), obtain an Associates degree and finish your education at the nursing school of your choice: Belmont University, Cumberland University, or Union University (2 years)
- Take advantage of the Tennessee Promise and Hope Scholarship
- Complete clinical training at Sumner Regional and Hendersonville Medical Center
- Have a seamless path for acceptance and transfer of credit to the schools of nursing at Belmont, Cumberland, and Union
- Access to state of the art science and nursing labs
- Experience an optimum learning environment with small class sizes and personal attention
- Be mentored and advised throughout the four-year academic process
Programs at Welch College that Transfer to a Nursing Career
For full program details, tap below to expand.
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Associate of Science Degree in Biology: Belmont University 2+2 Nursing program
This degree requires only a 2.00 g.p.a. However, students who are seeking entrance into one of the institutions with which Welch College has a 2+2 relationship must achieve at least a 2.75 g.p.a. for that institution to accept them into their program.
This two-year program may lead to a B.S. in Nursing at Belmont University, Cumberland University, and Union University through cooperative 2+2 programs and other health-care related vocations. The degree prepares students planning to enter a nursing program or related healthcare field. Welch College is a member of the Partners in Nursing Program. Seats in the program are set aside for qualified Welch graduates of the A.S. in Biology who can then complete the B.S. degree at Belmont, Cumberland, or Union University in two additional years. Students applying for these programs may be required to take a residual ACT. These universities reserve the right to accept only those applicants who have the most competitive ACT scores and grade-point averages.
In addition to meeting the specific objectives stated elsewhere for the major in Theological Studies and for the Arts and Sciences core, the graduate should be able to:
- Demonstrate significant proficiency in areas of science that support the field of nursing; and
- Apply scientific knowledge and principles in the context of the field of nursing; and
- Synthesize biblical values, general knowledge, and scientific principles to support a career in nursing.
Requirements: 64 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each major.
(1) Theological Studies, 14 hours:
- BIB 1100. Introducton to Biblical Studies, 2
- BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
- BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
- (2) Arts and Sciences, 20 hours:
- BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
- ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
- ENG 2111. Masterpieces of World Literature I, 3
- HIS 1011. History of Western Civilization, 3
- IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
- MAT 2111. Introduction to Statistics and Probability, 3
- MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
(3) Nursing-related Courses, 6 hours:
- PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
- SSC 2008. Introduction to Sociology, 3
(4) Biology and Chemistry, 16 hours:
- BIO 2106, 2116. Microbiology and Lab, 4
- BIO 2401, 2411. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab, 4
- BIO 2502, 2512. Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab, 4
- CHE 1002, 1012. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Lab, 4
(5) General electives, 8 hours
Suggested general electives for Belmont University 2+2 program, 14 hours:
- BIO 2307. Principles of Nutrition, 3
- IDS 1902. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 2
- MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
- PSY 2001. General Psychology, 3
- SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
Associate of Science Degree in Biology: Cumberland University 2+2 Nursing program
This degree requires only a 2.00 g.p.a. However, students who are seeking entrance into one of the institutions with which Welch College has a 2+2 relationship must achieve at least a 2.75 g.p.a. for that institution to accept them into their program.
This two-year program may lead to a B.S. in Nursing at Belmont University, Cumberland University, and Union University through cooperative 2+2 programs and other health-care related vocations. The degree prepares students planning to enter a nursing program or related healthcare field. Welch College is a member of the Partners in Nursing Program. Seats in the program are set aside for qualified Welch graduates of the A.S. in Biology who can then complete the B.S. degree at Belmont, Cumberland, or Union University in two additional years. Students applying for these programs may be required to take a residual ACT. These universities reserve the right to accept only those applicants who have the most competitive ACT scores and grade-point averages.
In addition to meeting the specific objectives stated elsewhere for the major in Theological Studies and for the Arts and Sciences core, the graduate should be able to:
- Demonstrate significant proficiency in areas of science that support the field of nursing; and
- Apply scientific knowledge and principles in the context of the field of nursing; and
- Synthesize biblical values, general knowledge, and scientific principles to support a career in nursing.
Requirements: 64 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each major.
(1) Theological Studies, 14 hours:
- BIB 1100. Introducton to Biblical Studies, 2
- BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
- BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
- (2) Arts and Sciences, 20 hours:
- BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
- ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
- ENG 2111. Masterpieces of World Literature I, 3
- HIS 1011. History of Western Civilization, 3
- IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
- MAT 2111. Introduction to Statistics and Probability, 3
- MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
(3) Nursing-related Courses, 6 hours:
- PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
- SSC 2008. Introduction to Sociology, 3
(4) Biology and Chemistry, 16 hours:
- BIO 2106, 2116. Microbiology and Lab, 4
- BIO 2401, 2411. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab, 4
- BIO 2502, 2512. Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab, 4
- CHE 1002, 1012. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Lab, 4
(5) General electives, 8 hours
Suggested general electives for Cumberland University 2+2 program, 18 hours:
- BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
- BIO 2307. Principles of Nutrition, 3
- HIS 1022. History of Western Civilization II, 3
- IDS 1902. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 2
- MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
- SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
Associate of Science Degree in Biology: Union University 2+2 Nursing program
This degree requires only a 2.00 g.p.a. However, students who are seeking entrance into one of the institutions with which Welch College has a 2+2 relationship must achieve at least a 2.75 g.p.a. for that institution to accept them into their program.
This two-year program may lead to a B.S. in Nursing at Belmont University, Cumberland University, and Union University through cooperative 2+2 programs and other health-care related vocations. The degree prepares students planning to enter a nursing program or related healthcare field. Welch College is a member of the Partners in Nursing Program. Seats in the program are set aside for qualified Welch graduates of the A.S. in Biology who can then complete the B.S. degree at Belmont, Cumberland, or Union University in two additional years. Students applying for these programs may be required to take a residual ACT. These universities reserve the right to accept only those applicants who have the most competitive ACT scores and grade-point averages.
In addition to meeting the specific objectives stated elsewhere for the major in Theological Studies and for the Arts and Sciences core, the graduate should be able to:
- Demonstrate significant proficiency in areas of science that support the field of nursing; and
- Apply scientific knowledge and principles in the context of the field of nursing; and
- Synthesize biblical values, general knowledge, and scientific principles to support a career in nursing.
Requirements: 64 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in each major.
(1) Theological Studies, 14 hours:
- BIB 1100. Introducton to Biblical Studies, 2
- BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
- BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
- (2) Arts and Sciences, 20 hours:
- BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
- ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
- ENG 2111. Masterpieces of World Literature I, 3
- HIS 1011. History of Western Civilization, 3
- IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
- MAT 2111. Introduction to Statistics and Probability, 3
- MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
(3) Nursing-related Courses, 6 hours:
- PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
- SSC 2008. Introduction to Sociology, 3
(4) Biology and Chemistry, 16 hours:
- BIO 2106, 2116. Microbiology and Lab, 4
- BIO 2401, 2411. Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab, 4
- BIO 2502, 2512. Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab, 4
- CHE 1002, 1012. Fundamentals of Chemistry and Lab, 4
(5) General electives, 8 hours
Suggested general electives for Union University 2+2 program, 15 hours:
- BIO 3002. Pathophysiology, 3
- ENG 2112. Masterpieces of World Literature II, 3
- HIS 1022. History of Western Civilization II, 3
- PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE activity elective, 3
- PSY 2001. General Psychology, 3
Meet your Degree Program Coordinator
Dr. Ian Hawkins
Associate Professor of Biology | Dean, School of Arts and Sciences | Program Coordinator, Biology
B.S. (biochemistry), East Carolina University, 2001
B.S. (chemistry), East Carolina University, 2001
M.S., Vanderbilt University, 2006
Ph.D., Middle Tennessee State University, 2013
Faculty, Welch College, 2006-