Frequently Asked Questions
- How many credits are required to earn a BSN?
- UDM delivers 35-38 credits onsite at extended campuses, or online. Where do the remaining credits come from?
- Is there a limit on how many credits a student can transfer in from another institution?
- Is there a limit to how old a class can be to receive credit?
- How will a student know if a class is equivalent to a UDM course?
- What is CLEP & Dantes?
- Where do I go to take these tests?
- Where can I find more information about these tests?
- Is there a limit to how many courses I can test out of?
- Can I take these core courses online through another institution?
- What if I want to wait and take my core requirements after I finish my onsite or online courses?
- What is a guest application?
- How long is a typical semester for extended campuses?
- What happens if a student needs to take a semester off?
- Where can I go to find out answers regarding my tuition reimbursement?
1: How many credits are required to earn a BSN?
The University requires 126 credits to graduate with a BSN.
2: UDM delivers 35-38 credits onsite at extended campuses, or online. Where do the remaining credits come from?
The remaining credits come from previous college credit transferred in, courses that still need to be completed by either testing out, taking them at a local college or online, and 35 credits will be transferred in the student's last semester -- 29 nursing licensure credits and 6 credits for nutrition and pharmacology.
3: Is there a limit on how many credits a student can transfer in from another institution?
Yes, a student may transfer up to 63 credits from a community college, and 96 from a 4-year institution. We transfer only those credits for courses which are applicable to BSN requirements. This allows the student to take courses elsewhere.
4: Is there a limit to how old a class can be to receive credit?
No, as long as the student is a practicing nurse, there is no time limit.
5: How will a student know if a class is equivalent to a UDM course?
Equivalencies will be determined by the Student Academic Affairs office. To start, download applicable transfer guides.
6: What is CLEP & Dantes?
CLEP & Dantes are national testing plans used by universities to give people a chance to earn credit for knowledge gained outside the traditional college classroom. When you complete a CLEP or Dantes test, and achieve the required score of 50% or higher, you receive credit equivalent to that earned in a regular college course.
7: Where do I go to take these tests?
UDM has a testing center through University Academic Services (UAS). Please contact:
Sr. Sarah Ruth Foster, RSM
313) 578-0379
fostersa@udmercy.edu
Many of your area colleges/universities should also have testing centers available for your use.
8: Where can I find more information about these tests?
You can find more information on these tests at their websites:
9: Is there a limit to how many courses I can test out of?
Yes. The limit is 10.
10: Can I take these core courses online through another institution?
Yes, but before enrolling in any online courses you should check with your advisor to make sure the credits will transfer.
If you're interested in taking some or all of your core classes online, you might start looking at:
11: What if I want to wait and take my core requirements after I finish my onsite or online courses?
Core requirements are to be taken along with your onsite or onlin courses. You must have no more that six credits of core remaining in order to progress into the last semester of onsite/online courses.12: What is a guest application?
A guest application serves two purposes: First, it serves as a means to allow the student to take a course elsewhere, without having to apply to the institution where they wish to take a course, thus eliminating the need to submit transcripts, etc. The student is simply a "guest" at that institution.
Secondly, it ensures the student is taking the equivalent course to UDM's. You may find the guest application through the UDM Registrar's Office.
13: How long is a typical semester for extended campuses?
For BSN Completion On-site Fall and Winter semesters are 15 weeks. Courses may be between 7-15 weeks. The Spring/Summer semesters are between 7-10 weeks in length. For Online BSN Completion, all semesters are 12-weeks. There are many breaks within the academic year and the students will follow UDM's academic calendar.
14: What happens if a student needs to take a semester off?
We encourage students to try and stay with the program; however, we do realize that unforeseen circumstances arise. Depending on the course being delayed, the student would be able to make the class up at a later date and continue on with the current cohort the following semester. If the course is a prerequisite for the following semester, the student would then have to continue on with the next group.
*NOTE* If a student attends class on campus at UDM, they must pay the full tuition for the course being taken. If they attend class at another site other than their own, they pay the extended campus rate. A student must also have a separate section number when taking a class with another cohort.
15: Where can I go to find out answers regarding my tuition reimbursement?
All financial questions should be directed to your Human Resources or Nursing Education Department.
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