The Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke intends to merge with Radford University.
Roanoke-based Carilion Clinic currently owns and operates Jefferson College, which has about 1,150 students.
The health sciences school offers 25 degree options on the graduate, bachelor and associate levels, as well as certificate and professional and continuing education programs. It has about 70 full-time faculty members.
Radford is a comprehensive public university of more than 9,400 students
The merger is expected to create the second-largest nursing program in Virginia.
