School of Nursing, Ithaca College launch partnership for aspiring nurses
By Tim Cook
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Ithaca College students can take advantage of a streamlined path to earning a second bachelor’s degree in nursing or a master’s degree in nursing through a new partnership between the college and the University of Rochester School of Nursing.
Through this affiliation, eligible and qualified Ithaca College students can gain early admission to the School of Nursing’s Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing (ABSN) degree program or the Master's Direct Entry (MDE) into Nursing Practice degree program.
The School of Nursing’s ABSN degree program is designed to prepare students over three consecutive semesters to pass their licensing exam and practice as a registered nurse (RN). If students commit to working at one of three URochester Medicine hospitals for three years after passing their licensure exam, they can receive full tuition coverage through the UR Nursing Scholars program.
The MDE program offers an innovative path to RN licensure plus master's-level preparation for college graduates with non-nursing bachelor's degrees, equipping students with enhanced skills in areas such as leadership, policy, and quality improvement.
“Nursing is a critical profession for our healthcare system and our communities,” said URochester School of Nursing Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN. “Our two academic institutions are coming together to help create a pathway for more students to get into the nursing profession and to expand the pipeline of nurses into the workforce.”
“We are excited by the opportunity that this partnership opens up for students across Ithaca College,” said Christina Moylan, PhD, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance at Ithaca College. “As a college, we are deeply committed to serving our region, and we are proud to be part of this effort to strengthen the nursing pipeline. It addresses a critical community need while creating meaningful pathways for our students to pursue high-impact healthcare careers.”
The URochester School of Nursing/Ithaca College Nursing Affiliation Program offers several benefits designed to simplify the admissions process, including:
- A fast-tracked application process, with early action on admissions
- A waived application fee
- A guaranteed 30% tuition scholarship for students admitted to the MDE program
To be eligible, Ithaca College students must have a cumulative Ithaca College GPA of 3.0 or better and remain continuously enrolled at Ithaca College after acceptance into the nursing program at URochester School of Nursing until receipt of the bachelor's degree.
Ithaca College students also must apply early action for entry into the URochester School of Nursing ABSN or MDE Nursing programs for the fall semester after their expected graduation from the college. The first admissions to the programs will begin in Fall 2027, with the early-action application process opening for Ithaca College students this fall on Oct. 1, 2026, and closing on Jan. 15, 2027.
Ithaca College recently signed a dual admissions agreement with Tompkins Cortland Community College for students in the health sciences, biology, and psychology, extending the educational pathway from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree and, ultimately, graduate nursing education. For more information about the two nursing degree programs, visit: https://son.rochester.edu/academics.
About the URochester School of Nursing
The University of Rochester School of Nursing is a private, nonprofit institution offering accredited undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Established in 1925 and later led by founding dean Loretta Ford, co-developer of the nurse practitioner model, the School has a long-standing commitment to integrating education, research, and clinical practice.
As part of URochester Medicine, the School is embedded within a leading academic health system, providing students with direct access to diverse clinical settings and interdisciplinary training. Its nationally ranked programs emphasize hands-on learning, close faculty mentorship, and innovative approaches to education and care delivery. The School prepares graduates to meet evolving workforce needs and to improve health outcomes in Rochester, across New York State, and beyond.
About Ithaca College
Founded in 1892, Ithaca College is a residential college dedicated to building knowledge and confidence through a continuous cycle of theory, practice, and performance. Home to some 4,700 students, the college offers more than 70 degree programs in its schools of Business, Communications, Humanities and Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Performance, and Music, Theatre, and Dance.
Students, faculty, and staff at Ithaca College create an active, inclusive community anchored in a keen desire to make a difference in the local community and the broader world. The college is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright scholars, one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly schools in the country, and by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top colleges in the North.
Categories: Accelerated Programs News, Master's Programs News