Concurrent BN/MN (Bachelor/Master of Nursing) — Brock University

SpaceCat Fit Notes

CASPer: Not used. No CASPer leverage.
GPA window: Final two years of undergrad. ⚠️ ‘Final two years’ may mean of the degree (not most recent study) — post-degree courses may not help. Confirm with program. SpaceCat’s BA from Dalhousie is the baseline. Confirm with Graduate Program Coordinator.
Experiential advantage: Statement of Intent/Interest Form + possible interview let SpaceCat showcase shelter work. Two academic references also required.
Out-of-province: No restriction found. Likely tuition differential (three-tier fee structure). Confirm with Brock SAFA.
Overall assessment: Moderate fit — Statement of Interest is a plus, but no CASPer and small cohort (~18-30) make this highly competitive. Clarify GPA window with coordinator.

Quick Facts

Institution: Brock University, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Program name: Concurrent Bachelor of Nursing / Master of Nursing (BN/MN)
Degree granted: BN + MN (two degrees: Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing)
City, Province: St. Catharines, Ontario (Niagara Region)
Program type: Accelerated / Second-Entry / Concurrent (graduate-level application)
Duration: 20 months (5 continuous terms, year-round)
Delivery format: In-person
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only. Intensive, continuous curriculum with no breaks between terms.
Language of instruction: English
Start date(s): Spring (May) — e.g., May 2026, May 2027. The academic calendar describes this as a “May-start program.” The program page also states “Entry point: May.” Note: The file previously stated “April” — this was incorrect. Source Source — verified March 2026
Intake frequency: Annual
Application deadline(s): October 20 (for entry the following May). The program page states: “Application Deadline: October 20 (for entry the following May).” Source — verified March 2026
Application system: Brock University Graduate Studies online application (not OUAC 105 — this is a graduate-level program). Application fee: $140 (non-refundable). Source
Program URL: https://brocku.ca/applied-health-sciences/nursing/bn-mn/
Academic Calendar: https://calendar.brocku.ca/preview_program.php?catoid=13&poid=3518&returnto=336
Accredited: Yes — Brock University’s Bachelor of Nursing Generic program is listed among CASN (Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing) accredited baccalaureate nursing programs. Source
Unique distinction: Canada’s first and only concurrent BN/MN program. No other Canadian university offers both a bachelor’s and master’s in nursing in a single accelerated program. Source

Admission Requirements

GPA

Minimum GPA: 75% average over the final two years of undergraduate study (equivalent to mid-B)
Competitive GPA: Not published. Likely well above 75% given small cohort.
GPA calculated on: Final two years of full-time undergraduate study, consistent with Brock Graduate Studies general requirements
GPA scale used: Percentage

Verified March 2026 from the program page and academic calendar. The program page states: “Applicants must have completed a four year (non-nursing) bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, or equivalent, with a minimum average of 75% over the final two years of study.” The academic calendar specifies: “Successful completion of a non-nursing Honours Bachelor degree from an accredited university, or equivalent, with a minimum average of 75% in the last two years of study.” Source Source

⚠️ ‘Final two years of study’ likely refers to the final two years of the completed bachelor’s degree. Post-degree upgrading courses may NOT be included in this window. Confirm with the Graduate Program Coordinator before planning upgrading courses.

Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of B or higher. Applicants must also hold a completed four-year (non-nursing) Honours bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (the academic calendar specifies “Honours Bachelor degree”). Verified March 2026 from both the program page and academic calendar.

Note on grade B: The academic calendar states students “must achieve a minimum of a B grade (70 percent) in all courses” within the program itself. This suggests Brock defines B = 70%. However, this is for in-program grading, not prerequisite grading. The prerequisite minimum is stated as “B grade” without a percentage equivalent.

Course	Subject Area	Credit Equivalent	Minimum Grade	Notes
Introductory Psychology	Psychology	1.0 full course (or 2 half-courses)	B	Broad introductory psychology
Developmental Psychology (infant to adolescent OR infant to older adult)	Psychology	0.5 half-course	B	Must cover lifespan from infancy; “infant to older adult” also accepted
Human Anatomy	Anatomy	0.5 half-course	B	Separate from physiology
Human Physiology	Physiology	0.5 half-course	B	Separate from anatomy
Microbiology	Microbiology	0.5 half-course	B	No specific topic coverage published
Statistics	Statistics	0.5 half-course	B	No specific topic coverage published
Research Methods	Research Methods	0.5 half-course	B	No specific topic coverage published

Total prerequisite credits: 4.0 half-course equivalents (2.0 full-course equivalents) plus introductory psychology (1.0 full-course equivalent) = 3.0 full-course equivalents total.

Can prerequisites be taken online? Not explicitly stated. The program does not appear to prohibit online prerequisites, but this should be confirmed directly with the program. Athabasca University or other accredited online institutions may be accepted — contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for confirmation.

Prereq source URL: https://brocku.ca/applied-health-sciences/nursing/bn-mn/ — Verified March 2026. Prerequisites confirmed directly from the program page and academic calendar. Both sources list identical prerequisites.

Source Source

Prior Degree Requirement

Minimum degree required: Completed four-year (non-nursing) Honours bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, or equivalent. The academic calendar specifies “Honours Bachelor degree.” The program page says “four year (non-nursing) bachelor’s degree.” The calendar is the more authoritative source and adds the Honours qualifier. Source
Degree field restrictions: Must be a non-nursing degree; any other field accepted. The calendar states: “Admission to the BN/MN program is not available to students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Brock or elsewhere.”
Specific undergraduate courses required beyond prereqs: No

CASPer

Not required (CASPer is required for Brock’s Teacher Education program but no evidence it is required for the BN/MN program)

Supplementary Requirements

GRE: Not required
Interview: May be required. The academic calendar states: “An admission interview may be required.” This likely means interviews are conducted for shortlisted candidates, not all applicants. Verified March 2026. Source
Personal statement / written component: Yes — a Prerequisite Form and Statement of Intent/Interest must be submitted. The program page states: “Prerequisite Form and Statement of Intent/Interest. You can access a copy of the form here.” Specific word limits and prompts are not publicly published — the form must be downloaded from the program page. Verified March 2026. Source
Resume / CV: Not listed as a required document on the program page. The three required supplementary documents are: (1) transcripts, (2) two academic references, and (3) Prerequisite Form and Statement of Intent/Interest.
References: Two academic references required. The program page states applicants must submit “Two academic references” along with their transcripts and Prerequisite Form. Verified March 2026. Source
Volunteer / work experience: No stated minimum requirement found
Language proficiency: IELTS overall score of 7.0 with no band below 6.5 (if applicable). English proficiency waivers are NOT accepted by this program — this is stricter than many other Brock graduate programs. Source
Other: Current immunization requirements include proof of immunization for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis B, and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis. TB screening is also required (likely required before clinical placements begin, not at application).

How Applications Are Evaluated

No published weightings or rubric. The program states:

“Qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in admission.”

Beyond this, the selection process is not detailed publicly. It appears to be a holistic review of GPA, prerequisites, Statement of Interest, and possibly an interview for shortlisted candidates.

Graduate Program Coordinator: Kimberly Anderson, 905-688-5550 x6721, [email protected]

Out-of-Province Considerations

Residency restrictions or quotas: None found. The program does not appear to restrict admissions to Ontario residents. Out-of-province applicants with equivalent credentials appear eligible. Verified March 2026 — no residency restrictions mentioned on the program page or academic calendar. Source
Out-of-province tuition differential: The Brock SAFA tuition page was accessed March 2026 but does not list program-specific rates for nursing. The page references undergraduate and graduate fee schedules. Brock uses a three-tier domestic fee structure (Ontario / Out-of-Province / International) at the undergraduate level; the same structure likely applies to graduate programs. Confirm exact graduate nursing rates directly with Brock Student Accounts. Source

Cost

Tuition (total program, approximate): ~CAD $39,835 total for the 20-month program (2026 intake, per IDP listing). This figure likely includes tuition + fees for all 5 terms. Source
Alternative estimate: Global Admissions lists ~USD $7,834/year (~CAD $10,700/year), which over 20 months would be ~CAD $17,800 total for domestic students. This figure appears to represent domestic tuition only (without ancillary fees). Source
Application fee: $140 CAD (non-refundable)
In-province vs out-of-province: Likely a differential exists (see Out-of-Province section above). Confirm with Brock.
Additional fees: Nursing students are assessed per credit (excluded from flat fee charges) and are charged a practicum fee broken down across specific courses. Exact amounts not publicly listed.
Note: The two tuition estimates above diverge significantly. The $39,835 figure from IDP may reflect international tuition or include all ancillary fees. The exact domestic tuition should be confirmed directly with Brock’s Student Accounts & Financial Aid office at https://brocku.ca/safa/tuition-and-fees/

Competitiveness

Cohort size: The inaugural class (graduated December 2023) had 18 students. The program may have expanded slightly in subsequent years given Ontario government investment of $2.4 million to expand Brock nursing enrolment, training up to 60 additional nurses by 2029. Current cohort size is not publicly confirmed but is likely in the range of 20–30 students. Source, Source
Acceptance rate: Not published for the BN/MN specifically. One third-party source cited ~2.7% for Brock nursing overall, though this figure is unverified and may not be specific to the BN/MN stream.
Number of applicants: Not published

Program Structure

The program runs over 5 continuous terms (20 months, year-round, no summer break). Students begin in May and graduate approximately 20 months later (December of the following year). The academic calendar describes it as a “full-time, May-start program” that “includes 20 mandatory courses.” Verified March 2026. Source

Five Competency Areas

The curriculum addresses: (1) professional responsibility and accountability, (2) knowledge-based practice, (3) ethical practice, (4) service to the public, and (5) self-regulation.

Program Components

Theory and simulation: Students learn to apply theory to practice from the onset of the program through simulation laboratories
Clinical placements: Three concentrated clinical experiences integrated throughout the program. Clinical placements begin in the first term — “it’s nice there isn’t a lull period — everything you learn is put into practice right away” (student quote). Source
Master’s-level leadership: Two mentored experiences in the final term focused on leadership and relationship building, preparing graduates for nursing roles in education and administration. Students work alongside long-term care administrators and other health-care leaders applying knowledge about strategic planning, team management, policy development, and budgeting. Source
Specific course codes: NURS-prefixed courses (e.g., NURS 4L01, NURS 5P24). Undergraduate courses are 4(alpha)00-level; graduate courses are 5(alpha)00-level. Verified March 2026 from the academic calendar. Source

Term-by-Term Course Listing (Verified March 2026)

Undergraduate Terms (Terms 1-3): 13 courses, 11 credits total

Term 1: NURS 4L01 (Care of Adults and Older Adults), NURS 4P02 (Assessment of Adults and Older Adults), NURS 4P07 (Pathophysiology: Common Health Disorders), NURS 4P15 (Relational Care: Basic Relational Skills), NURS 4P20 (Critical Analysis of Evidence)

Term 2: NURS 4L03 (Care of Families and Communities), NURS 4P08 (Pathophysiology: Families and Communities), NURS 4P16 (Relational Care: Promoting Change and Health), NURS 4P21 (Epidemiology in Nursing)

Term 3: NURS 4L04 (Care of Persons with Chronic Health Concerns), NURS 4P09 (Pathophysiology: Mental Health Disorders), NURS 4P17 (Relational Care: Working with and Leading Groups), NURS 4P22 (Qualitative Inquiry and Analysis)

Graduate Terms (Terms 4-5): 7 courses, 7.5 credits total

Term 4: NURS 5L05 (Advancing Practice: Emergent and Critical Illnesses), NURS 5P10 (Basis of Nursing Practice and Inquiry), NURS 5P18 (Relational Care: Understanding the Context), NURS 5P23 (Applied Research)

Term 5: NURS 5L07 (Preparation for Graduate Practice), NURS 5D19 (Practice of Relational Leadership and Management), NURS 5P24 (Translating Research into Practice)

Source

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

Placements guaranteed? Yes (built into the 5-term curriculum)
Total required hours: Not published as a single number
Placement settings / locations: Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Niagara Region (primarily Niagara Health) and Hamilton. Clinical specializations include cardiac care, kidney care, women’s and children’s health, respirology, and emergency services.
Master’s practicum: In addition to clinical placements, the master’s portion includes practical leadership experiences working alongside health-care administrators in long-term care and other settings.
Student experience: One student reported: “By my pre-grad placement, I was independently caring for up to 12 patients with minimal help from my nurse instructor.” Source
Can placements be done out of province? Not indicated; appears to be Niagara/Hamilton-based

Licensing & Career Path

Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes (NCLEX-RN is accepted across Canada). Graduates satisfy entry-level nursing competencies as defined by the College of Nurses of Ontario.
Any known issues with credential recognition? None. Graduates hold both a BN (which qualifies for RN registration) and an MN (which provides advanced standing for leadership, education, and administrative roles).
Career pathways: Registered Nurse, Nurse Educator, Nurse Researcher, Nurse Manager, roles in acute care, public health, research, and administration. The MN degree provides a competitive advantage for leadership positions that typically require a master’s degree.

Reputation & Notes

Canada’s first and only concurrent BN/MN — no other Canadian program offers both degrees in 20 months
The first graduating class of 18 students celebrated with a pinning ceremony in December 2023
All 14 fourth-year nursing students interviewed by Niagara Health in spring 2024 received job offers Source
Brock’s nursing program overall has tripled enrolment in recent years
Clinical placements start from Term 1, which students highlight as a strength
The program is extremely intensive — 20 months continuous, no breaks
The MN component is a significant differentiator: graduates enter the workforce with a master’s degree, which is increasingly required for leadership and education roles in nursing
Brock’s undergraduate nursing (BScN) program has a strong CRNE/NCLEX pass rate — one student cited >95% pass rate on AllNurses forums Source
From AllNurses: “I really like Nursing at Brock” and “my program has only less than 70 students in it and I feel like we are a family” (referring to BScN, but indicative of department culture)
The program was approved through the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance (OUCQA) Source
No Reddit-specific reviews found for the BN/MN program as of March 2026. The program is still very new (first cohort graduated December 2023).

Key Advantages of the BN/MN vs. Other Accelerated Programs

Two degrees in 20 months — other accelerated programs (e.g., U of T, McMaster, Western) grant only a BScN in a similar timeframe
Master’s degree at entry — graduates enter the workforce with an MN, which is increasingly valued for advancement, education roles, and leadership positions
Immediate clinical exposure — placements begin in Term 1
Leadership training built in — the MN component includes mentored leadership experiences not found in BScN-only programs
Small cohort — ~18–30 students means personalized attention and strong peer bonds

Information Not Found

The following details could not be confirmed from publicly available sources (as of March 2026 re-verification):

~~Exact application deadline~~ RESOLVED: October 20 (for entry the following May)
Exact domestic tuition (conflicting third-party estimates; confirm with Brock SAFA)
Statement of Interest prompts and word limits (available on the downloadable form from the program page)
~~Whether references are required~~ RESOLVED: Two academic references required
~~Whether a resume/CV is required~~ RESOLVED: Not listed as required
Total clinical placement hours
~~Detailed term-by-term course listing~~ RESOLVED: Full 20-course listing verified from academic calendar
Whether prerequisites can be taken online
Competitive GPA (minimum is 75%, but the effective competitive average is unknown)
Current cohort size (inaugural class was 18; may have grown)
Whether an interview is always conducted or only for select candidates — the calendar says “An admission interview may be required,” suggesting it is not always conducted

For all of the above, contact: Kimberly Anderson, Graduate Program Coordinator, 905-688-5550 x6721, [email protected]