Share:
Nursing students at Waubonsee Community College now have a direct, streamlined pathway to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Northern Illinois University (NIU).
Under the agreement, Waubonsee students who complete their Associate in Applied Science in Nursing can seamlessly transfer into NIU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Eligible graduates who meet the standard NIU admission requirements will be guaranteed admission, significantly reducing administrative barriers and streamlining credit transfer.
"Providing our students with affordable, high-quality pathways to advance their careers is central to our mission," said Waubonsee Community College President Dr. Brian Knetl. "This agreement ensures our nursing graduates can transition smoothly into NIU’s bachelor's program with confidence, knowing their hard work at Waubonsee directly counts toward their degree."
The partnership aims to address regional healthcare demands by helping registered nurses efficiently advance their education, expand their clinical capabilities, and position themselves for leadership roles within the nursing field.
“NIU is pleased to partner with Waubonsee Community College to support student success by expanding access to high-quality educational opportunities for healthcare professionals,” Laurie Elish-Piper, NIU Executive Vice President and Provost said. “This agreement provides an additional pathway that will help nurses continue their academic journey without unnecessary barriers and advance in a rewarding career.”
At Waubonsee, students build clinical expertise under the guidance of veteran faculty, training in state-of-the-art facilities with a rigorous, hands-on curriculum. Demonstrating this commitment to excellence, the nursing program achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX examination for both its December 2024 and May 2025 graduating cohorts.
Nursing students interested in taking advantage of this partnership can learn more by visiting waubonsee.edu/partners.
