WSCC, UAB welcome ninth cohort for joint enrollment program

Hanceville, AL — More than a dozen students from Wallace State Community College’s Department of Nursing Education’s Joint Enrollment program with the University of Alabama at Birmingham recently participated in the Lamp of Learning and White Coat Ceremony for Nursing. The ceremony marks the beginning of their journey to concurrently earn an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The 13 students are the ninth cohort in the UAB/WSCC Joint Enrollment program and round out a total of 34 students currently matriculating through both institutions. The Joint Enrollment option with UAB began in 2020 and has proven quite successful. The program has graduated 41 students since it began.

“We are very pleased with the outcomes of the joint enrollment program with UAB,” said Deborah “Pepper” Hoover, chair of the Wallace State Department of Nursing Education. “This has been an extremely successful partnership for our students and has made it much easier for our graduates going forth to enter into specialty roles.”

Students entering the UAB/WSCC Joint Enrollment program for the Spring 2024 semester include Lydia Ergle, Ciara Freeman, Lillian Graves, Gabrielle Green, Emma Guthrie, Lauren Hawkins, Ali Hollis, Charilyn McConnico, Brylie Pearce, Cynthia Putman, Trinity Rice, Kaishiah Rowe, and Faith Rusk.

The UAB/WSCC Joint Enrollment program is a nine-semester program, with the first four semesters consisting of academic coursework before applying to both Wallace State and UAB nursing programs to complete the final five semesters. Nursing classes are taken concurrently at Wallace State’s Hanceville campus and online through UAB.

Applications are accepted twice a year for fall and spring admission. The next round of applications for Fall 2024 admission will be March 15-May 15. Applications for spring are taken from July 1 to Sept. 1.

The Spring 2024 semester is currently underway at Wallace State, with Mini Term II classes beginning March 6. Priority registration for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 will begin on April 1.

Wallace State’s Department of Nursing Education has twice been designated as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing. Along with joint enrollment options, WSCC offers a traditional associate degree in nursing (ADN) option that is five-semester program. Upon completions of the third semester, students can sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam to become a licensed practical nurse. The first three semesters of nursing classes are offered at both the Hanceville and Oneonta campus centers and starting this fall, they will be offered as an evening option at the main campus. The program also offers apprenticeship opportunities for students.

For more information about the Nursing program visit www.wallacestate.edu/nursing or contact Deidre Rooker at 256.352.8199 or email nursingapplicant@wallacestate.edu.

For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call the main campus at 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.