St. Mary’s Health Care System Partnership

Unlock an exclusive pathway to a nursing career
10% tuition reduction
CCNE accredited
3 start dates per year
99% NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022-2024)*
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Save on tuition as you begin your journey to nursing
Your experience in allied health provides an excellent foundation for a nursing career. Now that St. Mary’s Health Care System has partnered with Brenau University, you have a cost-effective pathway to essential nursing roles with competitive salaries.
Brenau’s pre-licensure nursing programs enable you to earn your BSN or MSN — even if your previous education was in another area. As a St. Mary’s employee, you’ll receive a 10% tuition reduction for your undergraduate or graduate courses.

- Finish faster: Complete your nursing program in as few as 16 to 20 months
- Credentials that matter: Get on track for RN licensure
- Designed for diverse backgrounds: Nursing experience is not required
- Seamless experience: Satisfy each prerequisite course at Brenau
- In-demand career: About 189,000 RN openings are projected annually through 20341
Discover three pathways to a nursing career
Brenau delivers empowering nursing programs to accelerate your journey to this field. Each of these pathways prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN national licensure exam, opening the door to a broad range of registered nurse roles.
- Modality: On Campus
- Credit Hours: 60
- Duration: As few as 16 months
Available to students with an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in another field of study, the ABSN program equips you for bedside patient care in various health care settings.
- Modality: On Campus
- Credit Hours: 60
- Duration: As few as 16 months
Ideal for students with 60 transfer credits, this pathway puts you on track for RN roles within health care systems, home health organizations and beyond.
- Modality: On Campus
- Credit Hours: 68
- Duration: As few as 20 months
Designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, the ELMSN program prepares you to become a professional nurse.
Elevate your impact. Increase your earning potential.
Throughout your St. Mary’s career, you’ve seen how nurses transform lives. Beyond making a difference for patients, registered nurses benefit from strong earning potential — the median RN salary is nearly 90 percent higher than the average for other positions.1
Career outlook for registered nurses in the U.S.
Employment growth 5% through 20341
Median annual salary $93,600 in May 20241
Prepare for careers beyond the nursing field
No matter your professional interests or educational background, Brenau’s partnership with St. Mary’s can help you advance with a 10% tuition reduction for non-nursing programs.
Reach your potential by attaining a bachelor’s degree in an area that reflects your passions and prepares you for a bright future.
Education undergraduate programs
Begin your education career with one of Brenau’s GaPSC-approved undergraduate degrees. Bachelor’s programs also prepare you for initial certification in the state of Georgia.
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education
- Bachelor of Science in Special Education
Psychology undergraduate program
Understanding human behavior and cognition is a valuable skill set you can apply across industries. Psychology is an ideal choice for those interested in serving their community through careers in human resources, criminal justice, behavioral health, sales and more.
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Engage in advanced education to master career competencies and position yourself for success in rewarding fields.
Education graduate programs
Whether you want to transition to teaching or continue your education for professional development as an educator, Brenau’s graduate programs focus on the latest teaching strategies and instructional methods to support learners at different points in their careers.
- Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Grades Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education
- Master of Education in Elementary Education
- Master of Education in Middle Grades Education
- Master of Education in Special Education
Interior design graduate program
Advance your design knowledge and explore your creative interests while earning a valuable credential for advanced practice or teaching.
- Master of Interior Design – Interior Design
Gerontology graduate program
The field of gerontology takes an interdisciplinary approach to meet the needs of an aging population. Study aging across the lifespan and gain skills you can immediately apply in a range of social service, health care and administrative careers.
- Master of Science in Applied Gerontology
Acquire an Education Specialist degree as you prepare to take on leadership positions that focus on boosting learning outcomes in elementary, middle or special education.
Education post-graduate programs
Become a subject matter expert and prepare for continued success in the classroom and beyond through specialized training.
- Education Specialist in Elementary Education
- Education Specialist in Middle Grades Education
- Education Specialist in Special Education
Brenau’s graduate certificates help you develop specialized skills without committing to a full master’s program. You can also pursue an endorsement to prepare for highly focused career paths in education.
Education endorsements
Brenau’s endorsement programs impart specialized knowledge in one year, empowering you to excel in the following areas.
- Autism Endorsement
- English to Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement
- Reading Endorsement
Together, we’ll empower your success
St. Mary’s Health Care System and Brenau University have joined together to provide direct paths to nursing careers. Through our partnership, you’ll access pre-licensure programs that align with diverse academic backgrounds. Plus, the 10% tuition reduction helps make your journey more affordable.
About Brenau University
With a strong tradition of transformative learning, Brenau University expands access to education for first-generation students, military members, veterans and traditional and nontraditional students. Whether you want to transition to a new field or expand your skills, Brenau is invested in your success.
Ready to take the next step?
Request InfoSources and disclaimer
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Registered Nurses.” Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/.
* Brenau University’s ELMSN graduates achieved a 99% average pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam from 2022-2024.