Mercy College of Health Sciences and Loras College in Dubuque are partnering to offer a new three-plus-one program that provides an opportunity for students to earn two degrees in four years: a bachelor’s degree from Loras and a Bachelor of Science in nursing through an accelerated pathway from Mercy College. After completing their third year at Loras College, students who meet admission requirements for Mercy College will begin nursing coursework. Students will complete labs on Loras’ campus, with many of the clinicals taking place at MercyOne Dubuque, an affiliate of Mercy College. Once students successfully complete the nursing coursework, they will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination. Loras will begin accepting interested students for the program in the fall. Mercy College’s first cohort for the Bachelor of Science in nursing program will launch in May 2024. An open house and information session for those interested will be hosted at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 in Keane Hall on the Loras campus. Students can RSVP here.