Ready to make a difference—and build a career that matters? Nursing offers endless opportunities, great earning potential, and the chance to change lives every single day.
At MCLA, you’ll learn from experienced professionals who care deeply about your success. Our program gives you hands-on experience and the confidence to thrive in any healthcare setting—from hospitals and clinics to schools and rehabilitation centers. Whether you’re drawn to pediatrics, geriatrics, or another specialty, nursing lets you follow your passion while helping others. Start your journey toward a meaningful, in-demand career with an MCLA Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Admission to MCLA into the Pre-Nursing Program will adhere to MCLA’s general admission practices, including submission of high school completion transcripts. Any student wishing to enter the BSN Nursing major must complete the following courses, earning a C or higher. Students are encouraged to declare as Pre-Nursing majors when they enter MCLA, however, students that declare other majors, or enter as undeclared may still apply into the BSN Nursing program as long as they meet the requirements for entry.
Acceptance into the BSN Nursing Major is limited, with chances increased by earning
grades higher than the minimum in these courses:
Final acceptance decisions are based on:
For more information regarding the admissions process, please email admissions@mcla.edu or call 413-662-5410.
Nursing lectures and labs taught almost exclusively by full-time nursing faculty,
with lectures capped at 25 students and labs at 10 students.MCLA BSN Program’s mission is to prepare baccalaureate nurses who will enhance the health status of rural underserved communities through excellence in nursing education and practice. The program is rooted in MCLA’s strong liberal arts foundation of the humanities, the arts, and the natural and social sciences. We are dedicated to the College’s mission of excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity, public service, applied knowledge, and active responsible citizenship.
Our vision is that MCLA BSN Program will be an exemplary baccalaureate nursing program offered in a public liberal arts environment that is nationally recognized for improving healthcare in rural underserved communities experiencing health disparities.
BSN Program 4-year Curriculum Plan: The nursing program integrates MCLA’s strong liberal arts foundation of humanities, natural and social sciences through pre-requisite and co-requisite coursework. Through a variety of clinical course work MCLA BSN students will have the opportunity to care for individuals who come from a wide range of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Clinical practice experiences are infused throughout the curriculum starting in the sophomore year and throughout the junior and senior years.
A sample 4-year plan showing a possible sequence of courses in this major.
Waiver Consideration for BIOL 240 Grade:
BIO240: Genetics is a pre-requisite for BIOL 320 Microbiology and thus is a requirement
for all nursing students. Under specific circumstances, students may petition to waive
the C grade requirement for Genetics, provided the course is passed with at least
a D–, and other progression conditions are met. (Specific criteria must be met which
are articulated in the nursing program guidelines for this waiver and will be part
of the waiver decision.) For more information, students should contact the Associate
Dean of Nursing.
The Essential Performance Standards for Nursing Majors are the basic cognitive, psychomotor and affective activities that are essential to successful completion of the BSN degree. Reviewing the essential performances can assist students interested in the nursing program to make an informed decision regarding choice of career.
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) establishes policies (based on MGL c.112, ss74, 74A and 76 and Board regulations at 244 CMR 8.00) for initial licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One of the criteria for application for licensure involves the determination of “good moral character.” Failure to meet this criterion could delay or prevent licensure. Please refer to the Mass.gov website: www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn for complete information. It is the student’s responsibility to seek legal guidance with any concerns about meeting these criteria.
Nursing students must be certified in CPR at the Healthcare Provider Level (American Heart Association or American Red Cross) before starting their sophomore spring clinical coursework. Students may obtain CPR Certification outside of the college, and provide a record to the program administrator, or they may take PHED 120: Emergency Medical Response (1cr.), which is offered annually.
MCLA Nursing-Specific Fees |
|||
| Academic Year Fee Totals | Description |
Cost |
Total |
| Freshman Year | Pre-Nursing; No Nursing Courses | ||
|
|
|
|
|
| Sophomore Year | One-Time Direct Clinical Fee: Nurse Bag & Name Badge | $300 | |
| Professional Liability Insurance (fall only) | $50 | ||
| Nursing Simulation/Skills Lab Use (spring only) | $175 | ||
| ATI Learning and Testing Software ($650/semester) | $1,300 | ||
| Also one-time indirect costs: Uniforms, Shoes (approx $350) |
Nursing Program Credit Fee** ($75/credit x 16 credits) | $1,200 | $3,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Junior Year | Professional Liability Insurance (fall only) | $50 | |
| Nursing Simulation/Skills Lab Use ($175/semester) | $350 | ||
| ATI Learning and Testing Software ($650/semester) | $1,300 | ||
| Nursing Program Credit Fee** ($75/credit x 19 credits) | $1,425 | $3,125 | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Senior Year | Professional Liability Insurance (fall only) | $50 | |
| Nursing Simulation/Skills Lab Use ($175/semester) | $350 | ||
| ATI Learning and Testing Software ($650/semester) | $1,300 | ||
| Nursing Program Credit Fee** ($75/credit x 24 credits) | $1,800 | $3,500 | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Nursing Program Direct Fees | $9,650 | $9,650 | |
| Total Indirect Costs: Uniforms, shoes, textbooks | $1,100 | ||
| 4-year Estimated Costs | Total Nursing Program-Specific Fees | $10,750 | |
*Costs based on Fall 2024 figures and may vary slightly.
**Nursing Program Credit Fees cover additional costs such as national accreditation
and clinical learning
Students must provide proof of Healthcare Provider CPR prior to the first clinical
course (Sophomore Spring)
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical sites.
The above additional program costs will be taken into consideration when students
are awarded financial aid.
Nursing students accepted to the Nursing program may be eligible for program-specific
scholarships.
Dion Nursing Scholarship may be awarded to first year or transfer Nursing students.
The Fairbank Nursing Scholarship may be awarded to first year or transfer Nursing
students from Berkshire County,
and is renewable with 30 credits/year and a minimum GPA of 2.85.
Qualified rising MCLA junior nursing students are invited to apply.
elizabeth.fiscella@mcla.edu
413-662-5591
MCLA has been granted Initial Approval status through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for the operation of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program.
Board of Registration in Nursing
239 Causeway Street, Suite 500, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
617-973-0900
www.mass.gov/dph/boards/rn
Effective June 17, 2025, the baccalaureate nursing program at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts located in North Adams, Massachusetts is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on July 17, 2027.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this candidate program at Search ACEN Programs.
