Macomb Community College, University of Detroit Mercy partner to address nursing shortage

Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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Macomb Community College and the University of Detroit Mercy are joining forces to bring a bachelor's degree in nursing program to Macomb County to help address the nursing shortage.

The partnership, unveiled Monday, will provide those with associate degrees in nursing an accelerated pathway to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree in 12 months, with the first group starting in January, the community college announced.

Part-time students may be able to complete the program in 24 months, according to the website with program details.

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac medical and hospital personnel speak to the Detroit Free Press about what it has been like during the Omicron surge Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac medical and hospital personnel speak to the Detroit Free Press about what it has been like during the Omicron surge Monday, Jan. 24, 2022.

This group and a second cohort, which starts August 2024, will have tuition covered, which is about $13,500 for those attending full-time. Each cohort is expected to be 12 to 25 students, according to a release.

The program is supported by a $2 million grant from the state.

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Officials said those interested will need to apply for admission to the University of Detroit Mercy and meet university requirements, including an overall grade point average of 2.5. They must have an associate degree in nursing and hold an unencumbered nursing license in Michigan, per the release.

The program will be headquartered at the Macomb University Center on the community college's center campus in Clinton Township. That's also where in-person classes will be held and where there will be on-site program staff to offer advising, career services, financial aid and mental health counseling.

Coursework will be in seven-week courses, in 15-week semesters, according to the community college, with classes in-person, online and in hybrid formats.

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Community College President James Sawyer said: "The excellence of Detroit Mercy’s nursing programs, variety of course formats, and dedicated staff and resources located at Macomb create an incredible combination of support for our community’s associate degree nurses to earn their bachelor's degree."

University of Detroit Mercy President Donald Taylor said the partnership "represents a critical strategic step for the University in helping to fill the critical workforce needs within the nursing field. We are very humbled to work in partnership with Macomb Community College and look forward to many years of successful collaboration."

For more information or to apply, contact Donna Gormely at gormeldm@udmercy.edu.

Christina Hall: chall@freespress.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter): @challreporter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 Metro Detroit higher ed schools partner to address nursing shortage