Celebrating Women in Science
Learn more about our science programs and what it means to be a woman in science at Dean.
Prepare for a rewarding career at the forefront of health care with an associate degree in Pre-Nursing from Dean College.
Program Overview
Nurses play a vital role in health care, improving patient outcomes and making lives better every day. An associate degree in Pre-Nursing from Dean College lays the groundwork for a dynamic career in this rewarding profession.
The Pre-Nursing major at Dean prepares you to make a smooth transition to a bachelor’s degree program in nursing. Combining a strong foundation in health sciences with broad-based coursework in the liberal arts, the pre-nursing major focuses on physical, cognitive, psychological and social development throughout the human life cycle.
You’ll study the hard sciences while gaining a foundation in the humanities to understand the contexts in which your future patients live. You’ll use case studies to apply what you’re learning to real-world scenarios, and Dean’s small, close-knit courses will give you hands-on experience starting in your first semester. Your courses will include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Nutrition and Food Science
- Psychology
- Statistics
- Sociology
- Ethics
School of Liberal Arts Faculty
Gain valuable insights from our School of Liberal Arts faculty, who are here to help you every step of the way.
Pre-Nursing Courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HSCI 111 | Introduction to Health Sciences | 3 |
| BIO 172 | Human Anatomy and Physiology ll | 4 |
| BIO 211 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 224 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| CHM 151 OR CHM 145 | Chemistry l or Chemistry for Healthcare Professions | 4 |
| EXSC 234 | Nutrition and Food Science | 3 |
| MTH 130 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| PHL 115 | Ethics | 3 |
| PSY 111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 202 | Human Development: A Lifespan Perspective | 3 |
| DCA 100 | Campus Connections: Making the Transition | 1 |
| DCA 110 | Career Connections: Developing Your Brand | 1 |
| DCA 200 | Internship Connections: Creating Your Plan | 1 |
Total Credits
36
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 111 | Composition l | 3 |
| ENG 112 | Composition ll | 3 |
| SPC 101 | Communication Fundamentals | 3 |
| MTH 132 | Mathematics for the Biological Sciences | 3 |
| BIO 171 | Human Anatomy and Physiology l | 4 |
| ARTS ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Arts Elective | 3 |
| HUMANITIES ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Humanities Elective | 3 |
| NATURAL SCIENCES AND MATH ELECTIVE | Core Distribution Natural Sciences and Mathematics Elective | 3 |
| SOC 113 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Total Credits
28
Beyond the Classroom
As a Pre-Nursing student at Dean, you’ll engage in learning both in and out of the classroom.
You’ll gain hands-on experience using a synthetic cadaver, participate in student-led activities and learn about health care careers starting in your first semester. You’ll also get the chance to learn from allied health practitioners, who often visit campus to answer questions, offer advice and expand your network.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to earn a bachelor’s degree and launch a challenging nursing career in hospital nursing, neighborhood clinics, school nursing, public health or beyond. Dean College also offers an outbound articulation agreement for graduates of our associate degree in Pre-Nursing into Regis College’s and Colby-Sawyer College's bachelor's degree in Nursing.
Get Involved
Learn more about how to get involved with our student-run organizations and experiential learning opportunities.-
Pre-Nursing/Health Science Club Dean College’s student group for Pre-Nursing and Health Sciences majors. -
Community Service Give back to the community on campus and in Franklin.
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Student Organizations & Activities Join one of our 40+ student organizations or start one of your own.
Uniquely Dean
Discover the unique programming that the Dean College Pre-Nursing program has to offer.
- Study the human body by getting hands-on experience with our synthetic cadaver as early as your first semester.
- Learn in small, close-knit classes with support and guidance from faculty who know your interests, learning styles and potential.
- Integrate theoretical learning with real-world experience in the field.
- Hear from allied health practitioners who come to campus to share their experiences and offer career advice.
- Take advantage of our articulation agreement with Regis College’s and Colby-Sawyer College's bachelor’s degree program in Nursing.
- Learn from faculty who are practitioners in their field. Dean College was ranked #2 in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Colleges, North category.
As a Pre-Nursing major at Dean, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with my professors and gain hands-on experience, including working with a SynDaver! Because of Dean, I am more than prepared for nursing school and have gained the tools necessary to become an amazing nurse someday soon.
Dean’s pre-nursing program has helped me grow as a student. The small classes and also the professors that are willing to do anything to help you succeed have really made an impact on me and my future plans for going into a nursing program.
RECENT STORIES
Check out the news and stories below to learn more about being a Pre-Nursing major at Dean.