MPCC/Clarkson College sign nursing, physical therapist assistant agreements

MPCC nursing students Karissa Jackson, of Cozad, and Kendra Bley, of Wauneta, work on an assignment in the college’s Health and Science Center in North Platte. MPCC has signed new articulation agreements with Clarkson College that will provide a clear pathway for students either pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing or planning to become a physical therapist assistant.

New articulation agreements between Mid-Plains Community College and Clarkson College will provide a clear pathway for students either pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing or planning to become a physical therapist assistant. The partnership will begin in the fall of 2024.

“This partnership has a special meaning for me because I started my nursing education at MPCC and finished my terminal degree at Clarkson College,” said MPCC Director of Nursing Dr. Kathy Harrison. “I know the quality education that students obtain from both institutions. I am excited that our nursing students are going to have this additional option for pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and I think that the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree program will help fill a need for PTAs in our area.” 

Under the RN to BSN agreement, students who complete the approved Associate Degree Nursing program at MPCC will be guaranteed general admission into the corresponding Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing program at Clarkson College.

By transferring 70 credit hours from Mid-Plains, nursing students may be able to complete the bachelor’s degree in as few as three semesters. They must have an active and unencumbered license prior to acceptance at Clarkson College.

Similarly, students who have an associate degree or higher or who have earned at least 35 credit hours, including 15 hours of prerequisite courses, from MPCC will be automatically admitted into the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree program at Clarkson College.

They will complete three semesters of coursework via distance learning accompanied by four on-campus skills weekends, Fridays and Saturdays, per semester. That will be followed by a final semester of clinical experiences for a total of 16 months.

“It is imperative that educators work together to decrease the cost of health care professional education by removing barriers to assist students directly into their next level of education,” stated Dr. Andreia Nebel, Clarkson College President. “This agreement puts us one step closer to helping solve the health care workforce shortage facing our communities. We are proud to partner with Mid-Plains Community College and look forward to working together to help students achieve their goals for many years to come.”

Per the agreement, MPCC students will also have the opportunity to receive up to $8,000 worth of scholarships to attend Clarkson full-time.

More information about the Associate Degree Nursing program at Mid-Plains is available at mpcc.edu/academics/programs/associate-degree-nursing.php.

Information about the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Clarkson can be found at: clarksoncollege.edu/physical-therapist-assistant/.