CARBONDALE, Ill. (WJPF) — SIU Carbondale’s long-awaited nursing program has received the final state approval needed to begin classes this fall.

54 students are expected to be a part of the inaugural class, with the program growing to 300 students over the next four years.

The new nursing program will have three separate tracks: a traditional four years BSN program, an accelerated BSN program for students who already have an associate’s degree in a different field, and an RN to BSN program for registered nurses already holding an associate’s degree.

The latter two programs are expected to start in 2021.