Joliet Junior College expands accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program

Joliet Junior College again expanded its partnerships with four-year universities to give students easier pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree.

The college announced an agreement with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing to offer an accelerated path to a bachelor’s in nursing, according to a news release.

The partnership would allow students to complete their general education courses at JJC, earning an associate’s degree in nursing, then complete their remaining nursing coursework online through SIUE.

JJC said its long-term partnership with SIUE will offer a flexible, entirely online format to accommodate the needs of working registered nurses. Students can take classes at JJC and begin a job in their profession, while working online to obtain their bachelor’s of science in nursing from SIUE.

Jorie Kulczak, JJC’s interim dean of nursing health and public services, said in the release the partnership aims to continue the college’s mission to “transform students’ lives with a vision to cultivate pathways to success.”

“This partnership with SIUE provides an option for students to further their education at the baccalaureate level at a time when the demand for nurses is high,” Kulczak said in the release.

The program format consists of eight-week courses and can be completed in one year (three semesters) if most of the general education requirements are met at the time of admission.

For more information, contact JJC at 815-729-9020 or at jjc.edu/choose-your-path.