Earn two degrees— associate’s and bachelor’s in nursing — in four years through one of our seamless programs.
With the increasing demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, a four-year program is a smart consideration. And when a program provides you with two degrees and an unforgettable on-campus student experience, it also becomes an easy decision. Siena University’s Baldwin Nursing Department has partnered with both Ellis Medicine’s Belanger School of Nursing and Maria College to make our nursing students’ dreams into a reality.
Professional nursing practice at Ellis Medicine combines primary and team nursing practices with the members of other healthcare disciplines to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care. In 2017 the New York State Education Department approved a dual degree program in collaboration with Siena College, the first class began in Fall 2017.
This program is an innovative partnership that merges two private Catholic colleges with aligned missions offering a seamless educational pathway. Maria College Nursing Department has been preparing nurses at the associate degree level for 50 years to meet the needs of the community with graduates who transform their knowledge and skill into caring and compassionate service. In 2019 the New York State Education Department approved a dual degree program in collaboration with Siena College.
Our programs’ highlights:
To learn more about the DDNP, we strongly encourage you to visit our campuses. You’ll have the option to speak with an admissions counselor, take a tour, meet with nursing program faculty and/or tour the nursing programs’ facilities.
"I have had the caring gene since birth. I think that is why most of us were drawn into the nursing profession. Siena itself stood out to me — it is an extremely friendly community. A factor in my draw to Siena was the dual degree nursing program, where you can get two degrees in four years. Nursing burnout is real and it is comforting to know that there is a college that wants you to thrive in your future career path."
Natasha Nugent '23
The Belanger School of Nursing offers an Associate of Science in Nursing. The Belanger School of Nursing’s curriculum is registered by the University of the State of New York, State Education Department, Office of the Professions to award the Associate in Science, Nursing degree (“ASN”). The program meets the licensure requirements to become a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State. Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to determine and disclose whether academic programs that lead to professional licensure or certification meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in their own state, and for each U.S. State and Territory. State by state determinations for the Belanger School of Nursing can be found here Federal Professional Licensure Disclosures.
Maria College offers an Associate in Applied Science and is registered by the New York State Education Department and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to determine and disclose whether academic programs that lead to professional licensure or certification meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in their own state, and for each U.S. State and Territory. State by state determinations for RN licensure/certification can be found under the accreditation section of the Associates in Nursing (RN) Program | Albany, NY | Maria College.
Students complete one coordinated four-year program through Siena and either Ellis Medicine’s Belanger School of Nursing or Maria College. Nursing and clinical courses are completed through the partner school, while students also complete Siena courses and participate in the Siena campus experience.
Students earn an associate degree in nursing from their partner school and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Siena University. Belanger awards an Associate in Science in Nursing, while Maria College awards an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing.
Students earn their associate degree by the end of junior year and become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Students who pass the examination may be able to work as registered nurses while completing the final year of their Siena bachelor’s degree.
Yes. Dual-degree nursing students can live at Siena for all four years and participate fully in campus life. During the program, they take courses at Siena and complete designated nursing courses and clinical experiences through Belanger or Maria College.
No. Students submit one application to Siena and receive a joint admission decision. Students enter Siena as nursing students from their first day rather than applying to the nursing program later.
