AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is seeking approval to offer its first nursing degree program in order to help Des Moines area nurses obtain bachelor degrees.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports university officials are seeking approval from the Iowa Board of Regents and the Iowa Board of Nursing to create the new program through which registered nurses who already have their associate’s degree can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

The university and Des Moines Area Community College have collaborated on the proposed program. It’s expected to be running by Fall 2018, attract about 50 students for its first year and bring in about 200 students after it’s established.

The regents’ Academic and Student Affairs Committee is scheduled to discuss the proposal during a meeting June 7.