Prescott, Arizona — Yavapai College (YC) recently joined forces with the American College of Education (ACE), to create a new educational pathway that supports aspiring nurses and nurse leaders. Students enrolled in YC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program can take select graduate-level courses through ACE’s concurrent enrollment, allowing students to start a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) sooner and shorten completion time. 

The colleges share a mission to build nursing pipelines and address critical workforce shortages across the healthcare landscape by making advanced nursing education more accessible and affordable. 

“Creating clear pathways for students to continue their education is an important part of Yavapai College’s mission,” Dr. Lisa Rhine, President of Yavapai College said. “Partnering with ACE allows our nursing students to move quickly into advanced degrees and leadership roles while keeping their education accessible and affordable.” 

Dr. Marylou Mercado, vice president of workforce development, health sciences, and public services at Yavapai College, emphasized the importance of aligning education with workforce needs.

“Effective workforce development happens when education keeps pace with the realities of the field. Collaboration allows us to innovate how nurses advance their education while supporting healthcare organizations that depend on a strong, well-prepared workforce.”

In addition to the BSN-MSN pathway, YC students and employees who enroll in ACE programs are eligible for reduced tuition. Both institutions will work together to provide advising and program support to help students successfully transition from undergraduate studies into graduate-level coursework. 

“We’re thrilled to team up with YC and create pathways that support gaps in today’s workforce, especially in critical spaces like nursing,” ACE Chief Growth Office Monica Carson said. “The partnership also creates an accessible development opportunity for their employees, which is something we embody in our own teams and aspire to encourage within higher education as a whole.” 

American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, fully online private college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, healthcare and nursing. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 60 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, specialist, master’s or bachelor’s degree, along with graduate-level certificate programs.