Associate in Applied Science Degree
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING (A.A.S)
SMCAH Governing Board approved the Practical Nursing certificate, and Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing offered at DC branch campus. Credits and coursework earned at DC campus are transferable to Virginia main campus.
Duration: 24 Months | Location: Virginia & Washington D.C. Campuses
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Students are required to complete a total of 70 credits for graduation which includes 43 nursing credits and 27 support, general education and elective credits. The nursing education program includes the study of the biophysical and psychosocial sciences as well as the nursing applications. The College prepares men and women for national licensure to practice professional nursing in acute, chronic, ambulatory and home healthcare settings.
The length is 24 months for the day program and 36 months for the evening program. The program requires concentration and a considerable number of independent study hours in addition to 24 to 32 hours per week of classroom, learning lab and clinical activities. Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S) in nursing, graduates will be able to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for Registered Nurses.
PROGRAM MISSION
To provide the healthcare community and the Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia metropolitan areas with professional nurses who are competent, qualified, caring and dedicated to practice professional nursing in a culturally diverse population.
The student academic year varies according to the student’s month of entry into each program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Provide an official high school transcript from an accredited high school or GED
- Achieve a Reading Comprehension Score of 75% or higher and a math score of 70% or higher on the Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam.
- In order to be admitted directly to the nursing program, students must provide an official transcript of 27 credit hours of pre-nursing courses listed below from the US Department of Education regionally or nationally accredited institutions.
Have all foreign credentials and transcripts evaluated by SMCAH approved Credential Evaluation Agencies:
- Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. (ECE) PO Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203. Telephone: +1 (414) 289-3400 Email: eval@ece.org | Web: ece.org
- World Education Services (WES), Bowling Green Station, P.O. Box 5087. New York, NY 10274-5087 Telephone: +1 (212) 966-6311. Web: wes.org
Submission of an official transcript of 27 college credits will exempt an applicant from providing an official high school transcript but must show proof of high school diploma completion for Financial Aid Eligibility.
- Anatomy and Physiology, I with Laboratory (4 Credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Laboratory (4 Credits)
- Microbiology with Laboratory (4 Credits)
- English Composition I (3 Credits)
- Research and Literature (3 Credits)
- General Psychology (3 Credits)
- Developmental Psychology ( 3 Credits)
- College Mathematics (3 Credits)
Submit a completed application form and application fee.
Transfer students must maintain a 2.5 GPA from previous colleges/universities. Science courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, College Math, and Microbiology courses completion time must not be older than five years at the time of admission to the college. Advanced standing will not be granted to an applicant who has withdrawn from other nursing programs.
CANDIDATE ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURE
The Admissions Committee is responsible for reviewing all applications and documents for admission. SMCAH admissions committee is made of 3 to 4 nursing faculty members who work together to make decisions about who is accepted as part of the next matriculating class.
Selection Process includes the applicant’s academic history such as prerequisite and college-level coursework, pre-admission test results and references. To be seriously considered, applicants must:
- Achieve a Reading Comprehension Score of 75% and a math score of 70% on Evolve Reach Admission Assessment Exam (higher scores carry more weight in the selection process).
- Earn A’s and B’s in all prerequisite coursework Exam (higher grades carry more weight in the selection process).
- Earn A’s and B’s in academic courses relevant to the Nursing program curriculum (especially A&P, Microbiology and College Mathematics).
- Evaluate recommendations from individuals who know the applicant strengths, particularly as related to becoming a nurse.
Successful applicants who are granted admission into the Associate of Applied Science (Nursing) are notified in writing. The successful applicants are required to return a signed copy of the application form and $75.00 application fees to the school’s admissions office two weeks before the start of classes. Admission is granted to qualified applicants who have met all the admission criteria and standards published in the catalog.
PROGRAMS OUTCOMES FOR THE ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN NURSING AND PRACTICAL NURSING
Program Completion Rate
Student academic achievement is measured by graduation rate. The graduation rate is based on the number of admitted students who are attending after the add/drop date. The goal of the Practical Nursing Program and the Associate of Applied Science In Nursing (A.A.S.N) is that 70% of students will graduate on time, completing within 150% of the time allowed to complete the program.
Licensure Pass Rates
Student ability to pass the NCLEX-RN/PN on the first try is an indication of the success of educational preparation. The goal of the Saint Michael College of Allied Health Associate of Applied Science in nursing and the Practical Nursing Program is that the percentage of the program’s first time NCLEX pass rate will be at 80% or above. program.
Job Placement Rate
Graduates having a job in healthcare six to twelve months post-graduation is an indicator of the appropriate number of students prepared and the job demand in the area. The goal of the Saint Michael College of Allied Health Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing and the Practical Nursing Program is that at six to twelve months post-graduation, at least 90% of graduates seeking employment as professional nurses will report placement in a nursing position.
Employer Satisfaction
The goal of the Saint Michael College of Allied Health Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing and the Practical Nursing Program is that employers will strongly agree or agree (Likert scale) that at least 80% of graduates demonstrate proficiency in student learning outcomes.
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment in Saint Michael College of Allied Health Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing is open to applicants who have graduated from an accredited high school or have obtained their GED. Students must be 18 years old before taking the National Licensure Examination. All rights, privileges, programs, and activities in the program are made available to all students regardless of their religion, gender, race, color, and national origin.