Completion of thirty-two (32) courses meets the requirements for graduation from Framingham State University. The requirements are divided into Prerequisites, Upper Division Nursing Courses and General Education Courses. Students must take a minimum of three courses to be considered full time. Each course is the equivalent of a four credit-hour course in terms of the work expected.
Transfer credit evaluations are made by the University Admissions Office. Registered Nurses receive credit for non-nursing courses successfully completed at other institutions of higher learning. Students may also receive credit through the challenge examination process (National League for Nursing (NLN) and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The policies for acceptable challenge exams and scores are determined by the department offering the courses.
Prerequisites to Upper Division Nursing Courses
To meet the prerequisite requirements of the Nursing Program, the University will accept in transfer the following courses (subject to University transfer policy):
- Two (2) college-level laboratory courses in Anatomy and Physiology **
- One (1) college-level laboratory course in Chemistry
- Microbiology laboratory course **
- General Psychology +
- Sociology+
KEY: ** NLN exam available + CLEP exam available
Additional transfer courses can count as General Education courses, as appropriate. Note: Successful completion of the above seven prerequisite requirements for the Nursing Program will concurrently meet four (goals 6, 7, 9, and 12) of the required General Education goals, as well as the laboratory science requirement.
Lower Division Nursing Knowledge (Credits for Diploma and Associate Degrees)
1. Seven (7) course credits earned by graduation from a program approved by a state Board of Registration in Nursing. Specific articulation agreements exist with the following programs in Massachusetts:
|
Programs |
|
|---|---|
| Becker College | Middlesex CC |
| Berkshire Community College | Mt. Wachusett CC |
| Bristol Community College | Northern Essex CC |
| Bunker Hill Community College | North Shore CC |
| Cape Cod Community College | Quincy College |
| Greenfield Community College | Quinsigamond CC |
| Holyoke Community College | Roxbury CC |
| Laboure College | Springfield Technical CC |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | Massasoit Community College |
2. Seven (7) course credits earned by challenge examination (ACEII and Clinical Practice Exams) for registered nurses who graduated from a program not approved by a state Board of Registration in Nursing
General Education Requirements
All students must complete twelve (12) General Education courses in disciplines other than the major, and fulfill 12 General Education goals. General Education courses are designed to fulfill at least one, but no more than two goals. These courses introduce students to discipline-based modes of thinking with attention to writing, oral communication, computer and calculating skills, and reasoning and critical thinking. See College Catalog for the Framingham State Catalog listing of these goals and the courses that fulfill the goals. Transfer of credits for applicable courses taken in other colleges is available through the registrar's office. Students may also receive credit through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
