Students who plan a career in pharmacy will require a doctoral degree from a school of pharmacy. The first step toward that goal is undergraduate study in the sciences that will prepare the student for success in graduate studies to come. Anna Maria College has an articulation agreement with the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford, CT, that allows students to complete a pre-pharmacy program in three years at Anna Maria College and then enter St. Joseph’s for completion of their doctoral degree in pharmacy. Other students may choose to take four years at Anna Maria to prepare for graduate study in pharmacy at St. Joseph or at another school of pharmacy. The Bachelor degree in Health Science, Pre-Pharmacy track, is the correct major to choose at Anna Maria if a student plans to become a pharmacist. Science faculty advisors help students make sure their course of study includes any electives a particular graduate school may require.

The Health Science major provides the courses required to prepare for graduate study in pharmacy, and combines a broad science literacy, include emphasis on biology and chemistry, with knowledge of particular threats to human health from environmental, occupational, and life-style factors. This preparation builds understanding of the role in human health of communicable diseases, conditions of deprivation or excess, technological hazards, and societal stressors. The advanced student integrates this preparation with a study of individual and community strategies for protecting and enhancing human health.

One of the fastest growing employment sectors is in the field of health, including pharmacy. A career in this field requires a strong foundation in the sciences along with an understanding of the societal and individual factors that influence health. This program at Anna Maria offers students a way to accelerate their studies while working toward entry into a highly rated school of pharmacy in the region. All Health Science students are guided in their course selection by a faculty advisor selected from among the science professors.

This major attracts students who have a strong interest in pharmacy and have prepared well in high school for further study in science, especially biology and chemistry.

A student who wants to earn entry into the University of St. Joseph’s pharmacy program in three years must be committed to their studies and be willing to take courses during summer sessions. Students who go on to St. Joseph’s in three years will be awarded their bachelor degree in Health Science from Anna Maria after successful completion of their first year at St. Joseph’s.

Students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree will have:

Students who plan a career in nursing will require state licensure in nursing. The first step toward that goal is undergraduate study in the sciences that will provide guidance to acquire the requirements for transfer into the nursing major. Students are assigned an academic advisor from among the science faculty at Anna Maria who will guide them in planning their program of study.

Transfer Policies for the Pre-Licensure BSN Curriculum

The AMC PL-BSN program admission and transfer criteria are detailed in the most current Anna Maria College Academic Catalog

The Admission and Transfer Policy accompanies an application for nursing admission. This Policy includes eligibility; admission and transfer requirements; testing requirements; and selection process.

Students accepted into the nursing major will be required to:

• take and pass a criminal background check,
• provide documentation of immunizations recommended for healthcare workers in Massachusetts, undergo drug screening,
• meet core performance (Essential Functions) standards for nursing students; and,
• possess a Social Security number prior to the NUS courses and meet the eligibility requirements to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

All courses in the PL-BSN curriculum plan must be taken as scheduled in the published plan; therefore, students will need to take additional courses or semesters if an evaluation of their transcript indicates that they are not in compliance with the published curriculum plan. Students must complete the PL-BSN program within seven (7) academic semesters after entering the nursing program course sequence as offered (NUS 211 and NUS 212) for the first time. All candidates for admission or transfer into the Anna Maria College Pre-licensure BSN (PL-BSN) program (direct admission freshmen, internal and external transfers) will be evaluated by the Admission Office to validate that they are in full compliance with the following AMC PL-BSN Admission and Transfer Policy requirements.

To be considered for transfer to the PL-BSN nursing program, students must achieve the following:

1. Official score results of one of the following:

1. 1. ACT Composite score 19 or higher.
   2. SAT Scores: The minimum required scores for the SAT are: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Language Section: 500. Math Section: 470
   3. ATI TEAS exam score of proficient (58.7% minimum) or higher in the ATI Preparedness Category on the TEAS exam.

Students are only allowed two (2) attempts on the TEAS exam within one year from the date of the first TEAS attempt. A third attempt is allowed after one year of the initial attempt of TEAS the exam; and, every 6 months, to achieve the required minimum score; this includes any ATI TEAS exam taken at another location.

It is strongly suggested that an applicant wait 45 days between TEAS exams. The TEAS test is administered at Anna Maria College (fee required). More information can be found on the College website at https://annamaria.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/nursing/pre-licensure-bsn-2/#course (Test of Essential Academic Skills [TEAS] section at the bottom of the page).

Information about the test content and resources to prepare for the exam can be found at https://www.atitesting.com/teas-prep

Scheduling for TEAS workshops and/or TEAS exams may be done by contacting Kaitlin Hanlon at khanlon@annamaria.edu or (508) 849-3358 or (508) 849-3372

More information can be found on the College website at https://annamaria.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/nursing/pre-licensure-bsn-2/#course  (Test of Essential Academic Skills [TEAS] section at the bottom of the page).

2. Depending on where students are in the pre-licensure curriculum, completion of the following with a grade of C or higher:

General Psychology (3 credits)

Freshman Composition: ENG103 and Writing through Literature: ENG104 (6 credits)

Human Lifespan Development (3 credits)

Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

Applied Statistics/Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)

3. Depending on where students are in the pre-licensure curriculum, completion of the following with a grade of C+ or higher:

Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits with a lab)

Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits with a lab)

Microbiology (4 credits with a lab)

Introduction to Chemistry I (4 credits with a lab)

Only one science course may be repeated once, and a withdrawal is considered as one unsuccessful attempt to pass a course.

Students may need to complete additional courses to meet entry requirements

In addition to meeting the admission criteria for admission into the AMC PL-BSN program international students will need to meet the College’s requirement for English proficiency.

Refer to Anna Maria College Pre-licensure Bachelor of Science (PL-BSN) admission and promotion requirements at  https://annamaria.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Full-Nursing-Admission-and-Transfer.pdf for further details on all transfer and progression policies.