Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) collaborates with Aquinas College in Grand Rapids to offer a unique Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This four-year program provides a direct admission opportunity, allowing students to enter college with a confirmed spot in the Nursing program. The curriculum involves completing liberal arts and supportive coursework at Aquinas College, taught by their faculty, while nursing courses are instructed by UDM faculty. Clinical experiences take place at Trinity Health Grand Rapids and various locations in the Grand Rapids area, offering hands-on training. Graduates receive a BSN degree accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The direct admission program ensures that students secure a place in the UDM Nursing Program immediately after high school, eliminating the two-year wait often associated with other institutions. While technically UDM students, those in the Nursing program cannot participate in Aquinas College athletic teams.
Freshmen interested in the Nursing program need only complete one application for admission. The admission requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 overall and within all math and science courses, along with a minimum composite score of 1060 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT. Admission does not guarantee a spot in the program, and securing a place is based on a first-come, first-serve basis upon submitting the enrollment deposit.
Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 overall and within math and science courses. There are no specific prerequisites for transfer students, who can transfer a maximum of 32 credits into the program. Nursing students are required to attend the program full-time for four years.
The program boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a nursing skills lab at Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital and a simulation lab equipped with infant, pediatric, and adult simulation mannequins. Clinical supervision maintains a low ratio of one faculty member supervisor for every six to eight students, ensuring personalized attention.
Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, located just two miles from Aquinas College, serves as a primary clinical site for the program. It is a comprehensive healthcare network with a teaching hospital, primary and critical care services, and a focus on holistic patient care.
For inquiries about the Grand Rapids BSN program, individuals can contact 616-632-2900. Freshmen scholarships, transfer scholarships, and a Catholic Education University Grant are available to eligible students.
The UDM Grand Rapids BSN program offers a direct path to nursing education with a distinctive partnership, comprehensive facilities, and a commitment to quality clinical experiences.
Program Costs
The cost of attending Aquinas College for nursing students in the 2023-24 academic year varies depending on the residency status and living arrangement. For residents living on-campus, the total cost of attendance is $48,896 per year. This includes direct costs such as tuition ($33,450) and housing & food ($10,994), as well as indirect costs like books & supplies ($1,376), travel ($420), personal miscellaneous expenses ($2,584), and loan fees ($72).
For off-campus residents, the total cost increases to $56,430 per year. The direct costs of tuition and housing & food remain the same, but there are additional indirect costs for off-campus living, including higher expenses for travel, personal miscellaneous items, and loan fees.
For students living with parents, the total cost of attendance is $42,966 per year. In this scenario, the direct cost of housing & food is replaced with an indirect cost for living with parents. Other indirect costs such as books & supplies, travel, personal miscellaneous expenses, and loan fees remain.
Program at a Glance
| Program Information | Details |
| Cost | 2023-24 Full-Time Cost of Attendance: Resident (on-campus): $48,896 per year Off-Campus: $56,430 per year Living with Parents: $42,966 per year |
| Accreditation | Yes |
| Location | 200 Jefferson SE, Suite 220, Grand Rapids 49503 |
| Phone | 616-632-2900 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | https://healthprofessions.udmercy.edu/academics/nursing/undergrad/bsn-grand-rapids.php |
| Job Placement | No |