Science in Nursing (BSN) simultaneously. Through this partnership, students can complete both degrees in four years without leaving the JCCC campus.
This innovative program bypasses the traditional pre-licensure associate degree nursing pathway. Instead, students complete the AAS through on-campus coursework at JCCC while completing BSN coursework online through KU. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded both JCCC’s AAS and KU’s BSN degrees.
The University of Kansas Community College Nursing Partnership offers the comfort and convenience of being a nursing student at JCCC while pursuing both the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing (AAS) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The program bypasses the traditional pre-licensure associate degree nursing step. Instead, this curriculum makes it possible for you to complete the AAS and BSN through on-campus courses at JCCC and online courses through KU. After completing the program, you are awarded both JCCC’s AAS and KU’s BSN.
Program Highlights
- Flexible Start Options – Begin when it works best for you
- Dual Degrees – Earn both the ADN and BSN while staying in your community
- Coordinated Graduation – Option to complete both degrees in the same semester
- Paced Progression – Start KU coursework later if needed
- Fully Online KU Courses – 100% online BSN coursework through KU
- Innovative Curriculum – Learn alongside BSN students from multiple pathways
- Financial Aid & Scholarships – Available for eligible students
- Top-Ranked Program – #1 BSN program in Kansas (U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges, September 2025)
- NLN Center of Excellence – KU is the region’s only NLN‑designated school for innovation and excellence in nursing education”
Eligibility & Requirements
To be considered a qualified applicant to JCCC’s Registered Nurse (Associate Degree Nurse) program, please refer to the specific admission requirements.To be considered a qualified applicant to KU’s Nursing Partnership, you must:
- Be admitted to JCCC’s Registered Nurse (Associate Degree Nurse) program and apply to the KU School of Nursing immediately upon receiving their JCCC admission offer (do not apply to the KU Lawrence campus).
- Ensure all KU application materials are submitted and received by the stated deadline; incomplete applications will be withdrawn from consideration.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 as calculated by KU (remedial, technical, or non-transferable courses are excluded from GPA calculations).
- Complete 59 credit hours of prerequisite coursework prior to starting the nursing program. Students may email unofficial transcripts to [email protected] to verify prerequisite progress.
The required courses are as follows:
ENGL 121 & 122 English Composition I & II
Humanities One course from the Arts & Humanities list
Speech COMS 120 or 125
PSYC 130 Intro to Psychology
SOC 122 Intro to Sociology
PSYC 218 Human Development
PHIL 143 Ethics
CHEM 122 Principles of Chemistry
BIOL 230 & 231 Microbiology & Lab
BIOL 144 Human Anatomy/Physiology OR both BIOL 140 Anatomy and BIOL 225 Physiology
MATH 171 College Algebra
MATH 161 Elementary Statistics
BIOL 235 Human Nutrition
BIOL 227 Human Pathophysiology
Additional electives (4-7 credits to reach 59 total credits; fulfilled by any courses transferable to KU)
To also earn the Associate of Arts/Liberal Arts degree at JCCC, students are required to take:
- PHIL 143 Ethics (which counts as a humanities for JCCC and fulfills the ethics requirement for KU) AND
- One additional course from the Arts & Humanities category from any subject area other than PHIL (This will also fulfill the second humanities requirement for KU).
Once admitted to the Partnership, students who plan to graduate from JCCC’s ADN program and KU’s BSN program in the same semester must enroll in six credit hours of online KU BSN coursework each semester, in addition to their JCCC courses. All KU nursing courses are delivered online and include one practicum, which consists of online instruction and a required 45 hours of in‑person clinical experience at an assigned clinical site.
Students who begin KU coursework in a later term or enroll in fewer than six KU credit hours per semester may follow an adjusted progression timeline of their choosing, provided all degree requirements are completed within five years of starting the program.
You will pay JCCC tuition and fees for all courses except the 30 credit hours of KU nursing coursework. Tuition and fees for those 30 credit hours are billed at the current KU School of Nursing rate.
Students are eligible for scholarships through both JCCC and KUMC. After admission, the KU School of Nursing will provide information about applying for KU‑specific scholarships.* Students may also apply for federal financial aid by submitting the FAFSA. Financial aid for all Nursing Partnership coursework - both JCCC and KU courses - is administered by KUMC. For questions or additional details, contact the KUMC Office of Student Financial Aid at 913‑588‑5170 or [email protected].*
*Students enrolled in fewer than six KU credit hours per semester are not eligible for KU financial aid or scholarships.
Community College Nursing Partnership*: Students first complete 59 credit hours of prerequisite liberal arts courses, and then simultaneously complete the associate degree in nursing at JCCC and 30 credit hours of BSN courses online through the KU School of Nursing.
RN-to-BSN program: Students complete the associate degree in nursing from JCCC and 59 credit hours of prerequisite liberal arts courses. Following completion of the AAS and RN licensure, qualified students then complete 30 credit hours of nursing courses online through KU Medical Center campus.
On-Campus BSN program: Students complete 60 credit hours of prerequisite liberal arts courses at JCCC, followed by 60 credit hours of nursing courses at the KU Medical Center Campus.
Questions? Contact the JCCC Counseling Center 913-469-3809 to make an appointment with a counselor, or contact the KU School of Nursing at 913-588-1619 or [email protected].
This sample plan is provided to demonstrate one possible example of degree completion. Actual course enrollment may vary.
Year One Fall, Johnson County Community College, 15 credits
- BIOL 140 – Human Anatomy (4 cr.)
- CHEM 122 – Principles of Chemistry (5 cr.)
- ENGL 121 - Composition I (3 cr.)
- MATH 171 – College Algebra (3 cr.)
Year One Spring, Johnson County Community College, 14 credits
- BIOL 225 - Human Physiology (4 cr.)
- BIOL 235 – General Nutrition (3 cr.)
- ENGL 122 – Composition II (3 cr.)
- PSYC 130 – Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.)Elective – Liberal Arts (1 cr.)
Year Two Fall, Johnson County Community College, 14 credits
- BIOL 230 – Microbiology (3 cr.)
- BIOL 231 – Microbiology Lab (2 cr.)
- PSYC 218 – Human Development (3 cr.)
- PHIL 143 – Ethics (3 cr.)
- Elective – Liberal Arts (3 cr.)
Year Two Spring, Johnson County Community College, 16 credits
- BIOL 227 – Human Pathophysiology (4 cr.)
- MATH 161 – Elementary Statistics (3 cr.)
- SOC 122 – Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
- COMS 120 – Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
- Elective – Humanities (3 cr.)
Year Three Fall, Johnson County Community College (100-299) and KU (300+), 18 credits
- NURS 101 – Foundational Concepts of Nursing I (9 cr.)
- NURS 102 – Health Assessment and Skills for Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
- NURS 300 – Knowledge for Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
- NURS XXX – BSN Nursing Elective (3 cr.)
Year Three Spring, Johnson County Community College (100-299) and KU (300+), 15 credits
- NURS 105 – Foundational Concepts of Nursing II (9 cr.)
- NURS 450 – Informatics, Safety, and Quality in Health Care Teams (3 cr.)
- NURS 416 – Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
Year Three Summer, KU, 6 credits
- NURS 688 – Nurse as Leader (3 cr.)
- NURS XXX – BSN Nursing Elective (3 cr.)
Year Four Fall, Johnson County Community College (100-299) and KU (300+), 15 credits
- NURS 201 – Complex Concepts of Nursing I (9 cr.)
- NURS 559 – Person-Centered Care: Nursing Practice Across the Spheres of Care (3 cr.)
- NURS 551 – Population Health, Health Policy, and Nursing Advocacy (3 cr.)
Year Four Spring, Johnson County Community College (100-299) and KU (300+), 15 credits• NURS 205 – Complex Concepts of Nursing II (9 cr.)
- NURS 589 – Applied Practice: Transitioning to the Baccalaureate Nurse Role (3 cr.)
- NURS 689 – Practice Readiness (3 cr.)
Total Combined Credit Hours = 128
