Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) and Azusa Pacific University (APU) in the US have announced a collaboration for a nursing education programme.

This initiative will provide residents of the San Gabriel Valley and the Los Angeles area with an expedited and cost-effective way to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

The formal agreement is scheduled to be signed on 18 September, with the inaugural cohort anticipated to commence in the spring of 2026.

APU College of Nursing and Health Sciences dean Renee Pozza said: “We are excited about this partnership with Mt. SAC and their nursing programme. Students will benefit from a collaborative programme of study taught by expert faculty from both institutions.

“This integrated programme will not only enhance student access in a cost-effective and efficient pathway but also accelerate completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing so both institutions can quickly graduate students to address the nursing shortage in California.”

This collaboration allows nursing students to enrol simultaneously at both institutions. In six semesters, Mt. SAC students pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can graduate from Azusa Pacific with a BSN.

Graduates with both degrees are likely to find increased employability, as California healthcare organisations typically prefer BSN-prepared nurses.

Mt. SAC technology and health division dean Lance Heard said. “This agreement provides students with more suitable and more affordable options to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“Both the integrated and bridge options offer students a seamless way to transfer from one top nursing school to another.”

The combined programme will provide nurses entering Southern California clinics and hospitals with qualifications beyond the two-year associate’s degree.