MACON, Ga. — Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing and Presbyterian College (PC) have launched the PC–Mercer Nursing Dual-Degree Program, a new academic pathway designed to expand the pipeline of highly prepared registered nurses and bolster the regional nursing workforce. The program offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Presbyterian College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercer University in five years.
Through this collaborative pathway, students will build a rigorous undergraduate science foundation at Presbyterian College that prepares them for success in Mercer’s BSN program and for the evolving demands of professional nursing practice. As Georgia’s longest-established nursing program, Mercer’s College of Nursing is recognized for graduating highly qualified, compassionate nurses who are actively sought by clinical partners.
“Mercer University is proud to join Presbyterian College in a dual‑degree pathway that is a natural fit for who we are and what we value,” said Dr. Penny L. Elkins, Mercer University president. “Both institutions are rooted in service. Mercer’s tagline, ‘At Mercer, everyone majors in changing the world,’ complements Presbyterian’s motto, ‘While we live, we serve.’ Together, we unite rigorous academics with purposeful engagement, preparing servant‑leaders ready to meet pressing needs in the communities we are called to serve.”
“This dual-degree pathway creates a clear and efficient route for students to become practice-ready registered nurses while building a strong foundation in the biological sciences,” said Mercer’s Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Lisa M. Lundquist. “This strategic partnership reflects our shared commitment to addressing critical health care workforce needs in our communities.”
Under the program, qualified Presbyterian College students will complete the curriculum for the Biology–Nursing Concentration at PC before transferring to Mercer’s College of Nursing to complete BSN coursework. Upon successful completion of both components, students will earn the Bachelor of Science in Biology–Nursing Concentration from Presbyterian College and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mercer University.
“Mercer’s College of Nursing is proud to partner with Presbyterian College to educate compassionate, highly skilled nurses,” said Dr. Tammy Barbé, dean of Mercer’s College of Nursing. “By combining PC’s strong undergraduate science preparation with Mercer’s nationally recognized BSN program, graduates will be exceptionally well-positioned to deliver outstanding patient care.”
The PC–Mercer Nursing Dual-Degree Program provides a streamlined progression from foundational science education at Presbyterian College to clinical nursing preparation at Mercer. Prospective and current PC students interested in the biology–nursing concentration should contact Presbyterian College Admissions or the Department of Biology for guidance on prerequisite sequencing and eligibility. Admission to Mercer’s BSN portion will follow the University’s standard application and selection processes. Students are encouraged to consult both institutions for advising and program timelines.
The partnership was celebrated during a signing ceremony on Jan. 28. Attending the ceremony were: From Mercer, President Dr. Penny L. Elkins, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Lisa M. Lundquist and Dean of the College of Nursing Dr. Tammy Barbé. From Presbyterian College: President Dr. Anita O. Gustafson, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Erin McAdams, and Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Austin Shull.
