Military veterans with medical training will soon have the opportunity to earn a nursing degree in two years thanks to a $1 million grant given to the University of Southern Mississippi.

The university says the grant will provide funds for its accelerated veterans' bachelor of science in nursing degree program. The degree program incorporates military experience and medical training obtained in the field with the required coursework.

“This program is exciting for The University of Southern Mississippi because it allows us to serve those who serve others—veterans who have sacrificed more than many of us will ever know,” said University President Rodney D. Bennett.

The program will open the spring of 2015 at the university's campuses in Long Beach and Biloxi and the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport.

Prerequisites can be taken at an any accredited college or university in the nation. The university says out-of-state tuition will be waived for students in the program.

The University of Southern Mississippi's nursing program was one of nine in the nation to be selected for the grant through a competitive application process.

The program is supported in part by funds from the Division of Nursing, Bureaus of Health Professions, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services.