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Accelerated BSN Admission Requirements

Beginning with the Fall 2024 application cycle, we will no longer accept in-progress prerequisite courses.

All prerequisites must be completed by the end of Fall 2025 in order to apply and be considered for Fall 2026 admission.

Applicants to this pathway will only be considered if they have met all of the below requirements. Please be aware that a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required for background checks upon admission to this pathway, as well as for applying for a license as a Registered Nurse in the state of California. Students without an SSN or ITIN cannot be admitted to this pathway.

Non-Resident Applicants: This pathway is under impaction, therefore, we may only consider California residents for admission.

We will accept CR/NC or P/NP grades for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020, if the institutions grading policy was changed or altered due to COVID-19. If the institution's standard grading policy is in place for Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 the student should complete the required prerequisite course for a letter grade, per our admission requirements. We strongly encourage students to speak with their counselor/advisor prior to changing their grading option.

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Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degree can be in any field, and must be from a regionally accredited higher education institution. Bachelors degree must be conferred no later than the end of the Fall semester of the application period.

If you have completed any college-level coursework outside of the United States, you must have your official transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency for equivalency.

TOEFL: Students whose primary language is not English must earn a minimum of 550 on the paper Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 80 on the Internet Based TOEFL. You may click here to see if you qualify for a waiver (and will not need to take the English Proficiency test). Please note that the Accelerated BSN pathway falls under "graduate" on this waiver.

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Applicants must have at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA in all of their transferable college-level coursework by the end of the Fall 2025 semester.

Transferable coursework is college-level coursework that comes from a regionally accredited institution.

Regional accrediting organizations include HLC, MSCHE, NECHE, SACSCOS, andWASC. Regional accreditation is granted to the university, not specific programs/ majors. National accreditation alone is not sufficient.

Minimum Prerequisite GPA

Applicants must have at least a 3.25 GPA in their prerequisite coursework by the end of the Fall 2025 semester.

The prerequisite course GPA is calculated using the applicant's required prerequisite coursework: CSU GE A.1, CSU GE A.2, CSU GE A.3, Statistics, Human Anatomy + Lab, Human Physiology + Lab, & Microbiology + Lab.

If AP/IB Credit was earned for CSU GE A.2 or Statistics, those courses will not be factored into the GPA calculation.

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants must earn a “B-” or higher in each science prerequisite course, and earn a "C" or higher in each non-science prerequisite course.

Courses do not expire. All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Fall 2025 semester.

Please visit the Prerequisite Courses page for more information.

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PLEASE NOTE:
Letters of recommendation and entrance exams (i.e.: TEAS, HESI) are not required or accepted for admission to this pathway.

Academic Programs Leading to Licensure
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements.

Veteran Admission Considerations
CSUF SON will accept qualified CSUF student applicants who have completed relevant military education and experiences, have met the admission requirements, and who present documented equivalency courses. These individuals are eligible for consideration of taking a challenge exam as outlined in the CSUF University Catalog and the BSN Student Handbook once admitted to the nursing program.

Executive Order 1036 Article 1 Credit by Examinations and Article 2.3 Verification and Evaluation of Learning, Knowledge, or Skills Acquired through Experience fulfills BRN regulations related to Military Credit in nursing. The Executive Order is clear that evaluation of courses is “in accord with legitimate academic standards by faculty who are competent in the appropriate disciplines.” As applicable, previous education for all military candidates is evaluated for transfer credit. The School of Nursing will verify and evaluate nursing content. Appropriate disciplines will verify pre-requisites to admission and other non-nursing but required coursework.

Previous Health Related Experience Admission Considerations
Candidates who have taken courses related to nursing with a theoretical foundation and are currently practicing in the healthcare setting and those with military experience related to nursing, may challenge specific courses. The student must make an appointment with the Nursing Advisor and Program Coordinator to discuss this option and his/her qualifications. Eligible candidates will be given the challenge process for specific courses. The University policy for challenge exams will be followed.

Previous Nursing Education Considerations
Candidates with previous Registered Nursing education may be given transfer credit for previous nursing courses equivalent to the School of Nursing courses. The student must make an appointment with the Nursing Advisor and Program Coordinator to discuss this option and his/her qualifications. The School of Nursing will verify and evaluate nursing content. Appropriate disciplines will verify prerequisites to admission and other non-nursing but required coursework. Admission consideration for qualified applicants will be according to availability of space.

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