ASN to BSN Articulation Agreement with Technical College System of Georgia

ARTICULATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRENAU UNIVERSITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

I. PURPOSE AND INTENT

This Articulation Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Brenau University (“Brenau”) and Technical College System of Georgia for the purpose of establishing an articulated academic pathway that enables qualified graduates of Technical College System of Georgia Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Brenau. The intent of this Agreement is to promote academic mobility, reduce unnecessary duplication of coursework, and support student success, while preserving the academic integrity, accreditation standards, and institutional autonomy of each institution, and without limiting either party’s independent authority over admissions, curriculum, or degree requirements.

II. AUTHORITY

This Agreement is executed pursuant to the authority vested in Brenau University and Technical College System of Georgia by their respective governing bodies and in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and accreditation standards.

III. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement:

• “ASN Program” refers to the Associate of Science in Nursing program offered by Technical College System of Georgia.
• “ADN Program” refers to an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program,including Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) programs and other associate-level nursing programs that prepare graduates for RN licensure.
• “RN-to-BSN Program” refers to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered by Brenau University.
• “Transfer Credit” means academic credit awarded by Brenau for coursework completed at Technical College System of Georgia that Brenau determines to be equivalent in content, level, and rigor.

IV. ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, a student shall be eligible for consideration for admission to the Bren au BSN program if the student:

1. Has successfully completed the Associate Degree in Nursing from Technical College System of Georgia;
2. Is in good academic standing at Technical College System of Georgia at the time of graduation;
3. Holds an active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license (or compact license that includes Georgia);
4. Meets all admission requirements, deadlines, and procedures established by Brenau University and in effect at the time of application;
5. Successfully completes all required compliance documentation and screening requirements, including but not limited to criminal background screening, drug screening, and submission of proof of current health insurance coverage, in accordance with Brenau University policy and any applicable clinical partner requirements;
6. Holds a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;
7. Has completed and earned a grade of “C” or better in the Brenau equivalent of the following courses:
   • EH 101 – Written Communication
   • EH 102 – Reading & Research Writing
   • MS 101 – College Algebra or MS 111 – Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, or MS 210 -Calculus and Analytical Geometry
   • PY101- Introduction to Psychology
   • BY 206 – Microbiology – and – BY 206L – Microbiology Lab
   • BY 209 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I – and – BY 209L – Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
   • BY 210 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II – and – BY 210L – Human Anatomy & Physiology II lab

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a promise or guarantee of admission to Brenau University or to the BSN program.

V. TRANSFER OF ACADEMIC CREDIT; CHALLENGE CREDIT MODEL

1. General Transfer Credit. Brenau shall evaluate non-nursing coursework completed in the ASN program at Technical College System of Georgia for potential transfer credit in accordance with Brenau’s transfer credit policies and academic standards in effect at the time of the student’s application and admission.
2. Challenge Credit for Prior Nursing Coursework. In lieu of direct course-by-course transfer of nursing coursework completed in the ASN program, Brenau utilizes a Challenge Credit model for students admitted under this Agreement. Upon submission of an active and unencumbered RN license (or compact license that includes Georgia) and successful completion of NG 301 R -Professional Nursing Concepts-RN-BSN, the student shall be awarded Challenge Credit for designated lower-division nursing and support courses, as determined by Brenau (Appendix A).
3. The Challenge Credit Model is intended to
   1. recognize prior learning and clinical preparation acquired through accredited Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and other Associate Degree in Nursing (AON) programs,
   2. ensure alignment with Brenau University’s BSN learning outcomes, and
   3. support the admission of qualified registered nurses without requiring program-specific course substitutions.
4. Effect of Challenge Credit. Challenge Credit awarded pursuant to this Section shall:
   1. Apply toward satisfaction of specified BSN degree requirements, as determined by Brenau;
   2. Not be calculated into the Brenau cumulative grade point average;
   3. Not be calculated into Brenau residency requirements
   4. Be contingent upon verification of RN licensure and successful completion of NG 301R.
5. Institutional Discretion Reserved. Brenau retains sole and exclusive discretion with respect to the scope, applicability, modification, or continued availability of Challenge Credit, subject at all times to applicable accreditation, licensure, and regulatory requirements.

VI. CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT AND PROGRAM CHANGES

The parties agree to collaborate periodically to review curriculum alignment and program outcomes. Each institution reserves the right to modify, revise, or discontinue its respective programs, curricula, admission requirements, or degree requirements. Reasonable advance written notice of substantive changes materially affecting this Agreement shall be provided to the other party.

VII. ADVISING AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Each institution shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide accurate academic advising to students participating in this articulation pathway. Students remain responsible for:

• Understanding and complying with all academic, clinical, and graduation requirements;
• Meeting application deadlines and licensure requirements;
• Monitoring changes in institutional policies that may affect degree completion.

VIII. RESIDENCY, CLINICAL, AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students admitted to Brenau under this Agreement must satisfy all residency, clinical, and graduation requirements of the Brenau BSN program in effect at the time of enrollment. This includes, but is not limited to, minimum credit-hour residency requirements and completion of all required general education and upper-division nursing coursework.

IX. ACCREDITATION AND LICENSURE DISCLAIMER

This Agreement is contingent upon the continued accreditation of both institutions and their respective nursing programs. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a representation or guarantee that completion of the BSN program will result in eligibility for licensure or certification beyond that determined by applicable licensing or regulatory authorities.

X. NON-EXCLUSIVITY

This Agreement is non-exclusive and does not restrict either party from entering into similar articulation or transfer agreements with other institutions.

XI. TERM, REVIEW, AND TERMINATION

1. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of the last signature affixed below (the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years thereafter, unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section XI.
2. Either party may terminate this Agreement, without cause, upon written notice provided to the other party at least one academic term in advance.
3. Termination shall not adversely affect students already admitted under this Agreement, provided they remain continuously enrolled and make satisfactory academic progress.

XII. AMENDMENTS

This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed by duly authorized representatives of both parties.

XIII. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, negotiations, representations, or understandings, whether written or oral.

XIV. APPENDIX; RN-TO-BSN PROGRAM STRUCTURE; ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

1. Appendix A (RN-to-BSN Program Framework) Incorporated by Reference. Appendix A is incorporated into and made part of this Agreement by reference and describes Brenau University’s RN-to-BSN program structure, prerequisite coursework, required nursing coursework, and Challenge Credit framework applicable to students admitted under this Agreement.
2. Nature of Appendix. Appendix A is descriptive in nature and is intended solely to communicate the typical RN-to-BSN pathway available to eligible students. Appendix A does not constitute a guarantee of course availability, scheduling, modality, or time to degree completion.
3. Updates. Brenau reserves the right to modify its RN-to-BSN curriculum, course sequencing, delivery modality, and degree requirements in accordance with institutional policy and accreditation standards. Material changes affecting students admitted under this Agreement shall be communicated in writing.
4. Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict between Appendix A and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized representatives.

APPENDIX A-RN-TO-BSN PROGRAM FRAMEWORK

A.1. Prerequisite Coursework (27 hours)

Students admitted under this Agreement must have completed the Brenau equivalent of the following prerequisite coursework prior to or as a condition of enrollment in the RNto-BSN program. These courses are also prerequisites for Technical College System of
Georgia ASN program.

Technical College System of Georgia Course	Brenau Equivalent
ENGL 1101 Composition & Rhetoric	EH 101 Written Communication
ENGL 1102 Literature & Composition	EH 102 Reading & Research Writing
MATH 1111 College Algebra	MS 101 College Algebra
PSYC 1101- Introductory Psychology	PY 101 Introduction to Psychology
BIOL 2117 & BIOL 2117L Introductory Microbiology & Introductory Microbiology Lab	BY 206 – Microbiology and BY 206L Microbiology Lab
BIOL 2113 & BIOL 2113L Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology I Lab	BY 209 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I and BY 209L – Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
BIOL 2114 & BIOL 2114L Anatomy & Physiology II and Anatomy & Physiology II Lab	BY 210 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II and BY 210L – Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab
3-credit hour fine arts/humanities course as per Technical College System of Georgia ASN Nursing Curriculum	Transfers as the Brenau LE equivalent of whichever course the applicant completed.

A.2. Challenge Credit Awarded Upon Verification of RN Licensure and Completion of NG 301 R (48 hours)

Upon verification of active and unencumbered Georgia RN licensure (or compact license that includes Georgia) and successful completion of NG 301R, students shall be awarded Challenge Credit for the following courses, representing prior nursing and support coursework completed at the associate degree level:

• MM105 -Effective Interpersonal Communication (3 credit hours)
• HS 200-Medical Terminology (1 credit hour)
• PY 202-Survey of Human Growth and Development (3 credit hours)
• NG 306/C -Adult Health Nursing and Clinical (7 credit hours)
• NG 308/C -Behavioral Health Nursing and Clinical (5 credit hours)
• NG 312-Nursing Care of the Older Adult (3 credit hours)
• NG 345/L-Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice and Lab (5 credit hours)
• NG 360-Pharmacology (3 credit hours)
• NG 404/C -Maternity and Women’s Health Nursing and Clinical (5 credit hours)
• NG 406/C -Child and Adolescent Health Nursing and Clinical (5 credit hours)
• NG 432/L-High Acuity Nursing and Lab (4 credit hours)
• NG445/C Transition to Professional Practice with Clinical (5 credit hours)

A.3. Program Length and Delivery Options

The RN-to-BSN program may be completed on either a part-time or full-time basis, subject to course availability:

• 45 credit hours total (30 hrs nursing; 15 hrs Liberal Ed)
• Four-Semester (Part-Time) Option: Approximately 9-13 credit hours per semester.
• Three-Semester (Full-Time) Option: Approximately 14-16 credit hours per semester.
• Per residency requirements, at least 30 hours of coursework must be completed at Brenau
• Except for clinical experiences, courses are typically offered in on-line formats.

A.4. Advisory and Disclaimer

This Appendix reflects a proposed plan of study for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute an official degree audit, academic contract, or guarantee of degree completion. Students are responsible for confirming degree requirements, sequencing, and graduation eligibility with their academic advisor.