Updated November 2023
Associate-to-Bachelor’s (ATB) Degree Completion Option – ATB 1.0:
Harford Community College & Towson University
General Information for the Primarily Online/Hybrid Model
I. General Program Information
This dual enrollment option is available to eligible students once they are accepted to the Harford Community College (HCC)
Nursing Program. Admission is competitive and based on completed courses and grade point average (GPA). Students will be
dually enrolled as degree-seeking students at both HCC and Towson University (TU). ATB 1.0 students begin their TU courses in
the first term of their HCC nursing program. Once they earn the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree at HCC, students must pass the
NCLEX-RN licensure exam and receive their RN license to continue with their remaining coursework at TU to complete the
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.
Up to 80% of the TU curriculum may be completed online. The first course (NURS 349) and the practicum in the final term (NURS
489) require an in-person component. Other courses are typically offered online; the availability of in-person or hybrid course
formats may vary depending on student interest and enrollment.
The ATB option requires year-round attendance and takes approximately 2.5 years to complete. Program length is nine terms,
including winter and summer sessions. HCC courses will be held at the HCC campus in Bel Air, MD. TU courses will be taken at
the Towson University in Northeastern MD (TUNE) campus in Bel Air, MD, or online.
Two degrees will be awarded: A.S. from HCC and B.S. from TU. Students must meet all program and degree requirements at both
institutions to receive the respective degrees. Advisors will be available at both schools.
II. Program Admission Requirements
A. Admission to the HCC Nursing Program (selective process based on courses completed, GPA, and TEAS score)
B. GPA of 3.0 or higher in HCC required admission courses
C. Additional required courses (completed by the start of the first nursing course) with a C (2.0) or better:
Chemistry (CHEM 111) – 4 credits (must include a lab)
Nutrition (BIO 210) – 3 credits
Students must also complete a statistics course with a C (2.0) or higher before enrolling in the required nursing research course
taken after completion of the associate degree. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement prior to starting
their nursing program. They may take MATH 216 Introduction to Statistics at HCC.
III. General Application Procedures
Students must apply to both the HCC A.S. Degree Nursing Program and the TU ATB option by the programs’ deadlines. Students
who are admitted to the TU ATB option must also apply to Towson University in order to enroll in classes. The TU Department of
Nursing will provide instructions to apply and enroll at the university if admission is offered.
Applying to HCC RN Program
See HCC application deadlines and procedures at https://www.harford.edu/admissions/nursing/index.php.
Applying to TU ATB
Students must apply and submit all required materials by these deadline to be considered for ATB admission.
Application Deadlines:
Fall Start – May 1
st
Spring Start – November 9
th
Updated November 2023
Required Materials:
1. Department of Nursing Application for Admission: Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Completion Option (ATB):
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/nursing/undergrad/degree-options/associate-to-bs/admissions.html
2. $50 non-refundable application fee – Submit upon completion of online application form.
3. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended – Submit to University Admissions (electronic transcripts
preferred)
a. Electronic transcripts: Select “Towson University” in Parchment or other electronic transcript service
b. Printed transcripts: University Admissions, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21252
Admission Decisions
The HCC and TU Nursing Departments will review completed applications for acceptance into the ATB option. Students will be
notified by either email and/or letter with admission decision. TU will only release admission decisions once HCC has released
their decisions. Students who do not receive admission to the HCC program will not receive a decision from TU.
IV. Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
Students will be charged tuition and fees based on the policies of each institution. Tuition and fees are subject to change each
academic year. If students are using financial aid, it will be processed through the TU Financial Aid Office based on the total
enrollment at both institutions. For the purposes of tuition and financial aid, students must be aware that the ATB plan of study
involves part-time enrollment (less than 12 credits) for the majority of the program. More information is available online:
HCC tuition and fees: https://www.harford.edu/admissions/tuition/index.php
TU tuition and fees: https://www.towson.edu/student-university-billing/tuition/
TU financial aid information: https://www.towson.edu/admissions/financialaid/
V. Non-Nursing Course Requirements
Requirements for the
HCC Associate Degree RN Program
Additional Requirements for
Admission to the TU Associate-to-
Bachelor’s Option
Additional Non-Nursing TU
Requirements to Award the Bachelor
of Science in Nursing
BIO 203 Anatomy & Physiology I 4 cr
BIO 204 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 cr
BIO 205 Microbiology 4 cr
ENG 101 English Composition 3 cr
PSY 101 General Psychology 3 cr
PSY 214 Human Development 3 cr
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3 cr
Arts/Humanities Electives 6 cr
Mathematics Elective* 3 cr
Physical Education Elective 1 cr
*Students should take MATH 216 for the
mathematics requirement in order to satisfy
the TU ATB requirement for statistics.
CHEM 101 Intro to Chemistry 4 cr
BIOL 220 Nutrition 3 cr
MATH 216 Introduction to Statistics 4 cr
Courses in this column can all be taken at
HCC. All prerequisites must be completed
with a C (2.0) or higher.
Statistics is not
required for admission to the program, but it
is strongly recommended that students
complete this prior to starting the ATB option.
Upper-level healthcare ethics 3 cr
Upper-level elective 3 cr
These courses are not required for admission
to ATB. They will be taken at TU during ATB.
Students who have already taken an ethics
course can take any upper-
level elective.
Healthcare-
related courses are strongly
encouraged. Course selection will be made
with your TU ATB advisor.
Totals:
34 credits
11 credits
6 credits
V. ATB Program Progression
Students are required to meet regularly with their TU advisor to review their degree plan. Students must follow the TU ATB plan
of study, which accounts for factors such as when courses are typically offered and course prerequisite sequences. They may
consider taking the upper-level electives in another term only after meeting with their TU advisor.
The completion of the final courses of the ATB curriculum outlined in the plan of study requires successful completion of the A.S.
degree and/or active RN licensure. Enrollment in NURS 476, NURS 484, and NURS 489 requires the completion of the A.S. degree.
NURS 489 also requires RN licensure and completion of all other courses in ATB curriculum courses (with the exception of NURS
476, NURS 484, and upper-level electives which may be taken concurrently).
VI. Contact Information
Harford CC – Contact Dr. Rebecca Diaz, Director for Nursing Education, at rdiaz@harford.edu or 443-412-2740
Towson University – Contact the Academic Program Manager, at nursing[email protected] or 410-704-4170
Harford Community College - Towson University ATB Nursing Plan of Study
Fall ATB Start
Department of Nursing
Term 1
Fall 20____
Term 2
Winter 20____
Term 3
Spring 20____
Term 4
Summer 20____
Term 5
Fall 20____
HFCC NURS 101
Fundamentals of Nursing
7 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 349 (F, H)
Health Assessment &
Health Promotion Across
the Lifespan
4 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 416 (O)
Diversity & Social Justice
in Healthcare
3 credits/3 weeks
HFCC NURS 105
Medical-Surgical Nursing I
4.5 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 110
Mental Health Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 112
Contemporary Issues
1 credit/15 weeks
TU Upper-Level Elective
(F, H, O)
Healthcare Ethics or
Health-Related Course
3 credits/5, 7, or 10 weeks
TU NURS 460 (O)
Nursing & Healthcare IV:
Older Adults
2 credits/10 weeks
HFCC NURS 220
Maternal-Newborn
Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 230
Pediatric Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
HFCC COURSE
Medical-Surgical Nursing
II
4.5 credits/15 weeks
11 credits
3 credits
8.5 credits
5 credits
10.5 credits
Term 6
Winter 20____
Term 7
Spring 20____
Term 8
Summer 20____
Term 9
Fall 20____
TU Upper-Level Elective
(F, H, O)
Healthcare Ethics or
Health-Related Course
3 credits/3 weeks
HFCC NURS 211
Medical-Surgical Nursing
III
9 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 212
Leadership in Nursing
1 credit/15 weeks
TU NURS 333 (O)
Writing for Evidence-
Based Practice: Issues in
Professional Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
*A.S. degree awarded
upon completion of CC
requirements*
NCLEX – RN
TU NURS 435 (O)
Nursing Research for
Evidence-Based Practice
3 credits/10 weeks
TU NURS 476 (O)
Public Health Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 484 (O)
Nursing Leadership &
Management
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 489 (F)
Degree Completion
Practicum [Clinical]
3 credits/15 weeks
*B.S. degree awarded
upon completion of TU
requirements*
3 credits
13 credits
3 credits
9 credits
Disclaimer: Faculty at both Harford CC and TU reserve the right to update curriculum plans in response to criteria set forth by accreditation
bodies, best practices in nursing education, and the evolving needs of the health care system. The TU plan of study may be adjusted based on
course availability and student enrollment needs.
Course Format Key
The letter behind a course title indicates that it can be offered in that format. Listing of multiple formats is not a guarantee that all formats will
be available in a given term. Course format availability may vary depending on department resources and student enrollment needs.
Face-to-Face (F) = 50% or more of the classroom activities are completed in an in-person classroom setting
Hybrid (H) = 50% or more of classroom activities are completed in an online setting
Online (O) = all class activities are completed in the online format
Harford Community College - Towson University ATB Nursing Plan of Study
Spring ATB Start
Department of Nursing
Spring 20____
Summer 20____
Fall 20____
Winter 20____
Spring 20____
HFCC NURS 101
Fundamentals of Nursing
7 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 349 (F, H)
Health Assessment &
Health Promotion Across
the Lifespan
4 credits/15 weeks
TU Upper-Level Elective
(F, H, O)
Healthcare Ethics or
Health-Related Course
3 credits/5, 7, or 10 weeks
TU Upper-Level Elective
(F, H, O)
Healthcare Ethics or
Health-Related Course
3 credits/5, 7, or 10 weeks
HFCC NURS 105
Medical-Surgical Nursing I
4.5 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 110
Mental Health Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 112
Contemporary Issues
1 credit/15 weeks
TU NURS 416 (O)
Diversity & Social Justice
in Healthcare
3 credits/3 weeks
HFCC NURS 220
Maternal-Newborn
Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 230
Pediatric Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
HFCC COURSE
Medical-Surgical Nursing II
4.5 credits/15 weeks
Summer 20____
Fall 20____
Winter 20____
Spring 20____
TU NURS 435 (O)
Nursing Research for
Evidence-Based Practice
3 credits/10 weeks
TU NURS 460 (O)
Nursing & Healthcare IV:
Older Adults
2 credits/10 weeks
HFCC NURS 211
Medical-Surgical Nursing
III
9 credits/15 weeks
HFCC NURS 212
Leadership in Nursing
1 credit/15 weeks
TU NURS 333 (O)
Writing for Evidence-
Based Practice: Issues in
Professional Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
*A.S. degree awarded
upon completion of CC
requirements*
NCLEX – RN
TU NURS 476 (O)
Public Health Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 484 (O)
Nursing Leadership &
Management
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 489 (F)
Degree Completion
Practicum [Clinical]
3 credits/15 weeks
*B.S. degree awarded
upon completion of TU
requirements*
Disclaimer: Faculty at both Harford CC and TU reserve the right to update curriculum plans in response to criteria set forth by accreditation
bodies, best practices in nursing education, and the evolving needs of the health care system. The TU plan of study may be adjusted based on
course availability and student enrollment needs.
Course Format Key
The letter behind a course title indicates that it can be offered in that format. Listing of multiple formats is not a guarantee that all formats will
be available in a given term. Course format availability may vary depending on department resources and student enrollment needs.
Face-to-Face (F) = 50% or more of the classroom activities are completed in an in-person classroom setting
Hybrid (H) = 50% or more of classroom activities are completed in an online setting
Online (O) = all class activities are completed in the online format
Updated November 2023
Associate-to-Bachelor’s (ATB) Degree Completion Option – ATB 1.0:
Cecil College & Towson University
General Information for the Primarily Online/Hybrid Model
I. General Program Information
This dual enrollment option is available to eligible students once they are accepted to the Cecil College Nursing Program.
Admission is competitive and based on completed courses and grade point average (GPA). Students will be dually enrolled as
degree-seeking students at both Cecil College and Towson University (TU). ATB 1.0 students begin their TU courses in the second
term of the Cecil College nursing program. Once they earn the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree at Cecil College, students must
pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and receive their RN license to continue with their remaining coursework at TU to complete
the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.
Up to 80% of the TU curriculum may be completed online. The second TU course (NURS 349) and the practicum in the final term
(NURS 489) require an in-person component. Other courses are typically offered online; the availability of in-person or hybrid
course formats may vary depending on student interest and enrollment.
The ATB option requires year-round attendance and takes approximately 2.5 years to complete. Program length is nine terms,
including winter and summer sessions. Cecil College courses will be held at the Cecil College campus in North East, MD. TU courses
will be taken on the Towson University in Northeastern MD (TUNE) campus in Bel Air, MD, or online.
Two degrees will be awarded: A.S. from Cecil College and B.S. from TU. Students must meet all program and degree requirements
at both institutions to receive the respective degrees. Advisors will be available at both schools.
II. Program Admission Requirements
A. Admission to the Cecil College Nursing Program (selective process based on courses completed, GPA, and TEAS score)
B. GPA of 3.0 or higher in Cecil College required admission courses
C. Additional required courses (completed by the start of the first nursing course) with a C (2.0) or better:
Chemistry (CHM 103 & CHM 113) – 4 credits (must include a lab)
Nutrition (BIO 203) – 3 credits
III. General Application Procedures
Students must apply to both the Cecil College A.S. Degree Nursing Program and the TU ATB option by the programs’ deadlines.
Students who are admitted to the TU ATB option must also apply to Towson University in order to enroll in classes. The TU
Department of Nursing will provide instructions to apply and enroll at the university if admission is offered.
Applying to Cecil College RN Program
See Cecil College application deadlines and procedures at https://cecil.edu/programs-courses/academics/degrees-
certificates/nursing.
Applying to TU ATB
Students must apply and submit all required materials by these deadline to be considered for ATB admission.
Application Deadlines:
Spring Start – November 9
th
Required Materials:
1. Department of Nursing Application for Admission: Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Completion Option (ATB):
https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/nursing/undergrad/degree-options/associate-to-bs/admissions.html
2. $50 non-refundable application fee – Submit upon completion of online application form.
3. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended – Submit to University Admissions (electronic transcripts
preferred)
a. Electronic transcripts: Select “Towson University” in Parchment or other electronic transcript service
b. Printed transcripts: University Admissions, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, Maryland 21252
Updated November 2023
Admission Decisions
The Cecil College and TU Nursing Departments will review completed applications for acceptance into the ATB option. Students
will be notified by email and/or letter with admission decision. TU will only release admission decisions once Cecil College has
released their decisions. Students who do not receive admission to Cecil College’s program will not receive a decision from TU.
IV. Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
Students will be charged tuition and fees based on the policies of each institution. Tuition and fees are subject to change each
academic year. If students are using financial aid, it will be processed through the TU Financial Aid Office based on the total
enrollment at both institutions. For the purposes of tuition and financial aid, students must be aware that the ATB plan of study
involves part-time enrollment (less than 12 credits) for the majority of the program. More information is available online:
Cecil College tuition and fees: https://www.cecil.edu/paying-for-college/tuition-fees-payment-options
TU tuition and fees: https://www.towson.edu/student-university-billing/tuition/
TU financial aid information: https://www.towson.edu/admissions/financialaid/
V. Non-Nursing Course Requirements
Requirements for the Cecil College
Associate Degree RN Program
Additional Requirements for
Admission to the TU Associate-to-
Bachelor’s Option
Additional Non-Nursing TU
Requirements to Award the Bachelor
of Science in Nursing
BIO 208 Anatomy & Physiology I 3 cr
BIO 218 Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 1 cr
BIO 209 Anatomy & Physiology II 3 cr
BIO 219 Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 1 cr
BIO 200 Microbiology 3 cr
BIO 210 Microbiology Lab 1 cr
EGL 101 Freshman Composition 3 cr
EGL 102 Composition & Literature 3 cr
MAT 127 Statistics 4 cr
PSY 101 Intro to Psychology 3 cr
PSY 201 Human Growth & Dev 3 cr
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3 cr
Arts/Humanities elective 3 cr
CHM 103 General Chemistry I 3 cr
& CHM 113 General Chemistry I Lab 1 cr
BIO 203 Nutrition 3 cr
Courses in this column can all be taken at Cecil
College. All prerequisites must be completed
with a C (2.0) or higher.
Statistics is not
required for admission to the program, but it
is strongly recommended that students
complete this prior to starting the ATB option.
Upper-level healthcare ethics 3 cr
Upper-level elective 3 cr
These courses are not required for admission
to ATB. They will be taken at TU during ATB.
Students who have already taken an ethics
course can take any upper-
level elective.
Healthcare-
related courses are strongly
encouraged. Course selection will be made
with your TU ATB advisor.
Totals:
34 credits
7 credits
6 credits
V. ATB Program Progression
Students are required to meet regularly with their TU advisor to review their degree plan. Students must follow the TU ATB plan
of study, which accounts for factors such as when courses are typically offered and course prerequisite sequences. They may
consider taking the upper-level electives in another term only after meeting with their TU advisor.
The completion of the final courses of the ATB curriculum outlined in the plan of study requires successful completion of the A.S.
degree and/or active RN licensure. Enrollment in NURS 476, NURS 484, and NURS 489 requires the completion of the A.S. degree.
NURS 489 also requires RN licensure and completion of all other courses in ATB curriculum courses (with the exception of NURS
476, NURS 484, and upper-level electives which may be taken concurrently).
VI. Contact Information
Cecil College – Contact Catherine Jordan, ATB Coordinator, at jorda64963@cecil.edu or 443-674-1549
Towson University – Contact the Academic Program Manager, at nursing[email protected] or 410-704-4170
Cecil College - Towson University ATB Nursing Plan of Study
Spring ATB Start (Fall CC Start)
Department of Nursing
Fall 20____
Spring 20____
Summer 20____
Fall 20____
Winter 20____
CC NUR 101
Concepts & Processes in
Nursing
2 credits/15 weeks
CC NUR 104
Nursing Fundamentals
Theory
5 credits/15 weeks
CC NUR 114
Clinical Lab I: Nursing
Fundamentals
2 credits/15 weeks
Apply to ATB option
Begin ATB option
CC NUR 105
Care of Adult & Aging
Clients
4 credits/15 weeks
CC NUR 115
Clinical Lab II: Medical &
Surgical Settings
4 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 416 (O)
Diversity & Social Justice
in Healthcare
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 349 (F, H)
Health Assessment &
Health Promotion Across
the Lifespan
4 credits/10 weeks
TU NURS 460 (O)
Nursing & Healthcare IV:
Older Adults
2 credits/10 weeks
CC NUR 201
Care of Childbearing &
Childrearing Families
4 credits/15 weeks
CC NUR 211
Clinical Lab III: Care of
Childbearing &
Childrearing Families
4 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 333 (O)
Writing for Evidence-
Based Practice: Issues in
Professional Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
TU Upper-Level Elective
(F, H, O)
Healthcare Ethics or
Health-Related Course
3 credits/3 weeks
Spring 20____
Summer 20____
Fall 20____
Spring 20____
CC NUR 204
Care of Client with
Complex Stressors
4 credits/15 weeks
CC NUR 208
Professional Issues in
Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
CC NUR 214
Clinical Lab IV: Medical,
Surgical, & Psychiatric
4 credits/15 weeks
*A.S. degree awarded
upon completion of CC
requirements*
NCLEX – RN
TU NURS 435 (O)
Nursing Research for
Evidence-Based Practice
3 credits/10 weeks
TU NURS 476 (O)
Public Health Nursing
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 484 (O)
Nursing Leadership &
Management
3 credits/15 weeks
TU Upper-Level Elective
(F, H, O)
Healthcare Ethics or
Health-Related Course
3 credits/15 weeks
TU NURS 489 (F)
Degree Completion
Practicum [Clinical]
3 credits/15 weeks
*B.S. degree awarded
upon completion of TU
requirements*
Disclaimer: Faculty at both Cecil College and TU reserve the right to update curriculum plans in response to criteria set forth by accreditation
bodies, best practices in nursing education, and the evolving needs of the health care system. The TU plan of study may be adjusted based on
course availability and student enrollment needs.
Course Format Key
The letter behind a course title indicates that it can be offered in that format. Listing of multiple formats is not a guarantee that all formats will
be available in a given term. Course format availability may vary depending on department resources and student enrollment needs.
Face-to-Face (F) = 50% or more of the classroom activities are completed in an in-person classroom setting
Hybrid (H) = 50% or more of classroom activities are completed in an online setting
Online (O) = all class activities are completed in the online format