Does one need a science Degree in order to get into a direct entry program?

Nursing Students NP Students

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I am finishing a degree in Criminal Justice (I was going to go to law school) with a minor in Health Sciences, the plan is to take the GRE and then apply to a Direct Entry program (for people that have a bachelors in a field other than nursing); my question is, do I need to have a science undergrad in order to get into such programs?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Not necessarily. However, depending on where you are and the program you're interested in, there may be a list of general education courses you must have completed in your undergraduate degree prior to acceptance. Check with the individual schools.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I am in MA, I am taking all my prerequisite courses along with my BS in CJ courses as well, I am specifically aiming for the PMHNP track and only a few schools have direct entry options into that program in Mass so I am taking all the classes they require according to their website.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Then you should be able to meet the course requirements if you are completing the prerequisites. There are 3 programs there that I know of that have the Direct Entry PMHNP option: BC, Northeastern, and MGH. Hopefully they all have similar prerequisites.

I'm going by my knowledge of California rules which is well explained in this link from UCSF: Academic Programs | UCSF School of Nursing

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

So I don't need to switch my entire major to a degree in a science field?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

You shouldn't need to but to be certain, contact those 3 schools.

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No you don't need a science degree, just take the prerequisites for the school to which you are interested in applying. I'm in MA too ☺️

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Specializes in Medicine.

We had a couple students in our class with finance and accounting degrees, they just took the prereqs that the colleges in MA required. Good luck!

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you don't! but you do need to complete the prerequisite courses that are required by the individual institutions. Check on their admissions page and they should have those listed.

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