Dallas, Texas -- Dallas College continues to lead the way in workforce education by expanding its partnership with American College of Education® (ACE) to offer an accelerated, affordable pathway for nursing students pursuing advanced degrees. A signing ceremony marking the new agreement was held at Dallas College Administrative Offices on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
This new agreement allows students currently enrolled in Dallas College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to fast-track their journey toward earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) through concurrent enrollment at ACE. Under the agreement, credits earned at Dallas College will seamlessly transfer to ACE’s MSN program, making it possible for eligible students to complete their master’s degree with just 13 additional credit hours after earning their BSN.
“This partnership is another example of how Dallas College is building clear, affordable pathways that support our students and meet workforce needs,” said Dr. Shawnda Floyd, Dallas College provost and vice chancellor of workforce education. “We’re committed to helping current and future nursing leaders advance their education, deepen their expertise, and improve health outcomes in the communities they serve.”
Students in Dallas College’s BSN program can begin taking courses with ACE while completing their undergraduate studies at Dallas College, reducing both time and cost toward earning a graduate degree.
The expanded collaboration builds on an existing transfer agreement between Dallas College and ACE that began in 2021 and grew in 2024 to include specialized pathways for healthcare professionals. This latest development places a special focus on nursing education—a critical area as the healthcare industry faces mounting challenges related to workforce shortages and increased demand for qualified care providers.
“Together with Dallas College, we are creating solutions that address today’s nursing shortage crisis,” said Geordie Hyland, president and CEO of ACE. “We are honored to strengthen our partnership and create opportunities for nurses to step into leadership roles more quickly and affordably.”
About Dallas College
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, Dallas College consists of seven campuses — Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland — plus a dozen centers located throughout Dallas County. As one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., Dallas College offers online and in-person learning, serving more than 127,000 credit, workforce and continuing education students annually. Students benefit from partnerships with local school districts, four-year universities, industry and community leaders. Dallas College offers associate degrees and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as bachelor’s degrees in education, nursing and software development. As the largest provider of dual credit in Texas, Dallas College serves 30,000 high school students through 63 dual credit programs.
