The New York Regents external degree programs for the associate and baccalaureate degrees in nursing are described. An interview with the program coordinator and information about the educational requirements and about several students are presented. The coordinator defines the program as a degree awarded by one institution for learning that was acquired elsewhere and subsequently validated through a total assessment program. The New York Regents program is the only total assessment program for nurses, with a major in nursing, developed and controlled by nursing faculty. The interview discusses the program's philosophy, cost, and accreditation, and compares it to traditional programs. The general education requirements and nursing components of the baccalaureate program are described, and a profile of candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for June l977 is presented. The associate degree program attracts mostly licensed practical nurses who seek to become licensed as registered nurses. (SW)