Programs

The UMass Boston Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RNs program maximizes accessibility and convenience for highly motivated, independent professionals. There is, however, a requirement that students attend a residential orientation prior to the commencement of the online nursing classes. Click on the image to the right to read a great article featuring this program "RN to BS, Building on Experience."

The Nursing course portion of the program operates on a cohort model, whereby a group of students completes the same program of study over five semesters.

The six-credit nursing courses are taught online in the Summer, Fall and Spring sessions. The twenty credits of non-nursing general education and elective courses may be satisfied through the UMass Boston Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education (CCDE) with online courses (if available), in a traditional course at UMass Boston, or (with prior approval from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences) at another accredited college or university.

Program Highlights:

• Flexibility
• Student focused
• Take less time and money, without the sacrifice of quality

Learn more about this program:

To receive more information and connect with the program manager, please click on inquire now to the right.

Sample a Course

Click here for more information on the UMass Boston Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RNs.

Blended Learning Options:

Although most course activities are completed online, in the student's place of employment or in the community, students attend an on-campus orientation prior to beginning the online nursing courses. In addition, four hours of on-campus time is required during the Health Assessment and Promotion course and each nursing course has at least one on-campus meeting. Students from out of state may contact the program office to discuss arrangements for completing these requirements off-campus.

Registration is administered through Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education at UMass Boston. Payment is due upon registration. Please see Fee Schedule below.

Click here to browse our course listings.

*applicable when you register after deadline; non-refundable unless course has been cancelled

*** applicable when checks returned unpaid

The UMass Boston online Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RN Program is fully accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), and is approved by the Board of Registration in Nursing, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (BORN). The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Did you know?

University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:

• University of Massachusetts Ranked Among Top 28 Best Value in Online Education for Human Services & Psychology Professionals, 2009 by Get Educated
  
• Ranked Top 10 Online Degrees Colleges- September 2009 (Online Degree Reviews.com)
  
• UMassOnline Awarded Public Sector of the Year by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
  
• Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell’s Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• ‘Excellence in Online Teaching’ Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
  
• Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
  
• Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
  
• 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
  
• Ranked 45th Best University System in the World - London Times
  
• Excellence in Distance Teaching Education - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 

Prior to admission to the BS in Nursing for Registered Nurses Program, applicants are required to take the following courses:

• English I and II (6 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (8 credits)
• Microbiology (4 credits)
• Growth and Development (3 credits)
• Social and Behavioral Science Elective (3 credits)

There is no time limit for accepting natural science transfer credits - May be met by scoring at the 50 percentile or higher on an NLN achievement test. NLN achievement tests may be arranged by calling 617.287.7500.

If you are interested in learning more or applying to the program, please call Enrollment Information Services at 617.287.6000 to request an application and information about financial aid.

Admission is competitive - Apply early!

1.  Read application form instructions carefully. Click here for the application.

2.  Complete application form and sign the bottom of the fifth page of the application.

3. Include a 500-word essay about professional practice and two letters of recommendation.

4. Request official transcripts from each college or university you have attended.

5. A copy of current RN nursing license.

6. If you are applying for Financial Aid, please fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

UMass Boston will continue to consider applications for each academic program as long as space is available for the upcoming semester, and the application deadline has not passed.

Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.

1. Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Boston school code number 002222.
2. Next, download your required Financial Aid Forms here.
3. Check your financial aid status using WISER.
4. For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu

Tips:

• Please renew your FAFSA form every year.
• When you register for classes, please contact the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education at UMass Boston (617) 287-7916) to let them know you that you have applied/are applying for financial aid. Also, it is in your best interest to register for your classes either by phone or fax ((617) 287-7916 ph; (617) 287-7902). You can download the registration form here. If you do not intend to apply for financial aid, you can register online.

Contact:

For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu.

• "Excellent program! Definitely beneficial to those who want a quality education from the comfort of home when life doesn't allow for a classroom experience. Thanks Kathleen!"
  - Daphne M. Hernandez, RN, C, BSN
  
  
• "Pursuing UMass Boston's RN to BSN program was one of the best decisions I've ever made. As a working mother and wife, I found this program to be highly supportive and intellectually stimulating. The faculty is supportive, motivating, and inspiring. I am a proud graduate of UMass Boston."
  - Tricia Carey, RN, BSN
  
  
• "The RN-BS Program was fabulous! It allowed me to stay in my position as a school nurse. Further, the staff was always available, and even though I am a good writer I became an even better one, particularly in regards to research and utilizing the APA format, which I thought that I had down cold."
  - Maureen O. Weeks, RN, BSN, M.ED
  
  
• The UMass Boston RN-BSN Program was a convenient, well structured, great paced way for nurses already in practice to further their education while maintaining a full time career.  With a BSN I can now apply to a CRNA program to keep advancing my practice."
  - John Gianitsis, RN, BSN
  
  
• "Going back to school to get my BSN has been a goal of mine for years, my own fears of returning to the class room kept me from that goal. The On-line RN-BS program offered at UMass Boston made going back to school achievable for me.  Attending class online took so much of the stress out of returning to school, balancing work, home life and school is much easier when you can attend class in slippers in your living room."
  - Janet Gorman, RN, BSN, Director of Medical Nursing of Boston Medical Center