Dual Degree Partnership in Nursing (DDPN)

The Dual Degree Partnership in Nursing (DDPN) represents a unique articulation agreement between Le Moyne College and St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. The 1+2+1 DDPN requires two years of full-time study at Le Moyne College (years one and four) and two years of full-time study at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing (years two and three) to satisfy both the associate degree and bachelor degree requirements.  

The innovative DDPN allows high school students to earn both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing in the same amount of time it typically takes to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

DDPN Curriculum (pdf)

How the Partnership Works

DDPN students are enrolled at Le Moyne for all four years, but are jointly enrolled at St. Joseph’s during Years 2 and 3. Students attend Le Moyne College full time in Year 1, taking core liberal arts and science courses and adjusting to the rigors of college academics. They put their classroom learning into practice during Year 2 when they begin nursing courses and begin direct patient care at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. Students continue taking nursing courses at St. Joseph’s for Year 3, graduate, and then take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). They return full time to Le Moyne College in Year 4 to complete the bachelor’s degree program requirements.

Year 1

• Start full-time study at Le Moyne College and take science and liberal arts courses.
• Be part of a dynamic campus community and take advantage of recreational and social activities, support services, and residential and academic learning communities.
• Meet people with similar interests by joining one of the more than 70 student clubs and organizations at Le Moyne College.
• Cheer on the Dolphins in NCAA Division II competition or play one of many intramural and club sports like football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, swimming, track and hockey.

Year 2*

• Start full time at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing while continuing to complete liberal arts requirements at Le Moyne.
• Gain more than 180 hours of direct patient care experience each semester at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.
• Make extra money and gain additional direct patient care experience working part time as a student nursing assistant at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.

*To progress into the nursing curriculum for Year 2 of the DDPN, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or better from a regionally accredited college or university in required coursework that must be completed during Year 1.

Year 3

• Continue nursing courses at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and clinical with up to 225 hours at St. Joseph’s Hospital and other community agencies.
• Earn an associate’s degree in applied science.
• Participate in the Commitment to Nursing Ceremony—a tradition at St. Joseph’s for more than 100 years.
• Eligible for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), on which St. Joseph’s graduates consistently score above the state and national average and, if successful, work as a RN.

Year 4

• Complete the nursing curriculum at Le Moyne.
• Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing.
• Enter a profession with excellent job placement and get started on a rewarding career.

A Well-Rounded Experience

Campus Life

DDPN students live on the Le Moyne campus for all four years. There, they may enjoy an array of social and cultural events, such as concerts, films, lectures, club meetings and more. Only three miles separate Le Moyne from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing, giving students in Years 2 and 3 easy access between campuses.

Recreation

DDPN students may participate in club and intramural sports at Le Moyne College. They also have full use of Le Moyne’s recreation center—a modern facility with a swimming pool, fitness center, weight room, elevated jogging track, racquetball courts and more.

Patient Care

St. Joseph’s College of Nursing integrates direct patient care experience into every aspect of the curriculum. Students may also practice their skills in St. Joseph’s state-of-the-art simulation lab. Because they gain so much direct patient care experience, graduates enjoy plentiful job opportunities, including those at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.

Student Support

The DDPN offers several options to help students make a smooth transition from high school to college, including:

• Nursing Residential and Academic Learning Community in which first year students reside near one another, creating opportunities for group study and shared community service projects
• Academic Support Center, offering tutoring services and seminars on topics such as time management and study skills
• Regular faculty advising, peer mentoring, support groups and freshman advisement seminar

An Accessible and Affordable Education

How to Apply

Apply using a Le Moyne College or common application. Applicants are required to submit the following to Le Moyne College:

• Application and essay
• Academic transcripts
• Counselor and teacher recommendations
• SAT and/or ACT test results
• Applicable application fees

A tour of each campus is strongly recommended.

Acceptance

Admission to the DDPN is highly competitive.  For early action decisions, students must submit their application and supporting documentation to Le Moyne College by Nov. 15.  Notification of early action decisions begins Dec. 15.  Students should submit their application and supporting documentation to Le Moyne College by Feb. 1 for regular admission.   Regular admission candidates will be notified on a rolling basis.  A joint admission committee consisting of representatives from both colleges meets to review applications and make admission decisions. Le Moyne College will issue one decision letter on behalf of Le Moyne College and St. Joseph’s College of Nursing.

Those candidates who are accepted into the DDPN option are directly accepted into nursing and do not “apply into” nursing as a major at any point.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The cost of earning two degrees through the DDPN is actually less expensive than earning a traditional bachelor’s degree from a private, four-year college. The financial aid offices at each college help students and their families apply for a variety of federal and state aid, student loans and scholarships.