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RN-BSN Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to the RN-BSN pathway? How often are applicants accepted to the RN-BSN pathway?

The RN-BSN pathway admits twice a year: Fall and Spring.

Applicants must submit a complete application through Cal State Apply by the application deadline. Late applications are not accepted. Without an application, students cannot be considered for admission.

When is the application open for the RN-BSN pathway?

Fall Application Period
Cal State Apply Application: October 1 – November 30

Spring Application Period
Cal State Apply Application: August 1 – August 31

Can I apply for both formats (campus and distance)? Can I switch to the other format once admitted into the pathway?

No, you must select either Campus or Distance on your application. Make sure to select the correct format for you. If space is available, you may petition to switch formats once you complete a semester of the pathway.

How many students are admitted into the RN-BSN pathway?

The RN-BSN pathway is not currently impacted. Therefore, we can admit as many qualified applicants that apply. 

How does an applicant know if the School of Nursing received the application?

Five to seven days after submitting the Cal State Apply application, the CSUF Office of Admissions should send a confirmation email along with your Campus-Wide ID (CWID). When you receive this email, create your Student Portal and CSUF email address.

In the meantime, the Pre-Enrollment Advisor will review all applications submitted during the application period. Please do not email about the status of your application as the review process does take time. We recommend checking your personal and CSUF email address on a daily basis. You will receive emails, including the admission decision, through both email addresses.

Do you need to be a California resident to be eligible for the RN-BSN pathway?

No, an applicant may apply to the RN-BSN pathway as a non-resident. However, we recommend applicants be licensed as an RN in California prior to the start of the pathway. In addition, there are two in person lab components that must be attended. The labs are located within a 50 miles radius of the Cal State Fullerton.

Do I need to submit my official transcripts to the University and the School of Nursing?

Please refer to the Apply Now tab for more information regarding the submission of official documents.

Can I be admitted in to the RN-BSN pathway without or before being admitted to the university?

No, the School of Nursing and the Office of Admissions work closely together when reviewing applications. You must meet both the University and the School of Nursing requirements to be eligible for the RN-BSN pathway.

When will an applicant be notified of admission?

Applications for the RN-BSN pathway are processed after the deadline has passed. The Pre-Enrollment Advisor will review all complete applications. A review cannot take place until all official transcripts have been received.

General admission decision dates are as follows:

Admission Decision Date

  • Applying for Fall: March
  • Applying for Spring: October

Can I apply if I still have prerequisites to complete?

Yes, applicants can apply with prerequisites in progress. However, all prerequisites need to be completed a term prior to the start of the pathway. We recommend having all prerequisites completed prior to applying. 

  • If applying for Fall admission consideration, all prerequisites must be completed by the end of the spring term prior to the start of the application period.
  • If applying for Spring admission consideration, all prerequisites must be completed by the end of the summer term prior to the start of the application period.

What needs to be completed prior to applying to the RN-BSN pathway?

Prospective applicant must complete 60 semester/90 quarter transferable units from a regionally accredited institution. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is also acceptable. In addition, we recommend applicants complete the 8 required prerequisite courses prior to applying to the RN-BSN pathway.

Am I eligible to apply to the RN-BSN pathway with a foreign degree or coursework?

Yes, an applicant may apply with a foreign degree and/or foreign coursework. Applicants with foreign degrees/coursework must meet the same admission criteria. In addition, prospective students with foreign degrees/coursework must submit an official copy of the original foreign transcript/marksheet, foreign evaluation, and an English translation (if applicable) to the CSUF Office of Admisisons by the official transcript deadline.

Am I required to have my RN license prior to staring the RN-BSN pathway?

No, an RN license is not required to apply or begin the pathway. However, to be eligible for the Full-Time (2 semesters) Study Plan, students must obtain a CA RN license within the first semester of the pathway.

Will a degree or any coursework completed at a nationally accredited institution transfer to CSUF?

An applicant can complete a nursing degree from a nationally accredited institution as long as the program is approved by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Please note that Cal State Fullerton cannot accept the credit from a nationally accredited institution. Cal State Fullerton can only accept transfer units from regionally accredited institutions.

If you receive your nursing degree from a nationally accredited institution, you will still need to complete at least 60 semester/90 quarter units, along with the required (transferable) prerequisites.

To verify the accreditation of a degree, please visit the institution’s website and search for the institution’s accreditation page. Regionally accrediting organizations include: MSCHE, NEASC, NCA-HLC, NWCCU, SACS and WSCUC.

Are letters of recommendation required for the RN-BSN pathway?

No, the School of Nursing does not require letters of recommendation for admission into the RN-BSN pathway.

Can I defer my admission if I cannot begin the RN-BSN pathway during the semester I was admitted into?

No, the University does not offer an option to defer admission. If an admitted student is unable to start the pathway, they will need to reapply to the RN-BSN pathway for the next application cycle.

What are the prerequisite requirements for the RN-BSN pathway?

University Prerequisite Courses:

  • Oral Communication (CSU, GE: A.1)
  • English Composition (CSU, GE: A.2)
  • Critical Thinking (CSU, GE: A.3)
  • College Level Math (CSU, GE: B.4)

School of Nursing Prerequisite Courses:

  • Human Anatomy (or Human Anatomy & Physiology I) with a lab
  • Human Physiology (or Human Anatomy & Physiology II) with a lab
  • Microbiology with a lab
  • Chemistry (General or Intro)
  • Statistics

Will I be ineligible if a science prerequisite was completed more than 5 years ago?

No, the School of Nursing does not have expiration dates on any prerequisite coursework for the RN-BSN pathway.

How do I know if a course will fulfill the prerequisite requirement?

You can review the detailed information on the Prerequisite Courses page or visit your counselor at the Community College to determine if the courses you completed will transfer and count toward the prerequisite requirements.

Will I be ineligible if my grade point average is below the minimum 2.75 in both my last 60 semester units and cumulatively?

Yes, an applicant not meeting GPA requirements will be deemed ineligible for the pathway. Since the last 60 unit GPA calculation takes into account only an applicant's most recent coursework, applicants can continue to take additional courses to raise this GPA.

Note: The more credit hours acquired, the more credit hours with higher grades needed to raise your GPA.

  • REPEAT A COURSE(S): Applicants with low grades (C- or lower) in any coursework, should consider repeating the course. Please consult with a counselor/advisor at the institution you are attending for more information about repeating a course for a higher grade.
  • ENROLL: Enrolling into a 3-unit course and receiving a high grade (A or B), can slowly raise your GPA.

Each institution has different policies. We recommend discussing all options with a counselor or advisor at the institution you plan on attending to raise the grade point average.

How long is the RN-BSN pathway?

Students can progress at their own pace in both formats of the pathway. The RN-BSN pathway can be completed in as few as 2 semesters (Fall and Spring or Spring and Fall).

When are courses offered during the semester?

Courses are held in the morning or afternoon during the weekday. There are a limited amount of courses that are available on the weekend. These are generally lab courses.

Am I able to take a semester off or attend the RN-BSN pathway part-time?

Yes, an applicant is able to take a semester off or attend the RN-BSN pathway part-time. Once enrolled, we recommend communicating any desired schedule change with the RN-BSN advisor. 

Where will the NURS 402 lab course be completed?

This is the Population Health Nursing lab and it will be completed outside of the hospital setting. The course is held at a public health/community health agencies. We have partners within Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.

How much is the RN-BSN pathway? Is financial aid available?

The School of Nursing recommends reviewing the Tuition and Campus-Based Fees details listed on the Student Financial Services website. Please note all CSU listed fees are regarded as estimates that are subject to change. Tuition is based on the amount of units a student registers for that semester.

To review previous tuition fees, please visit: Tuition and Campus-Based Fees. The School of Nursing encourages students to review information on the CSUF Financial Aid website. The first step in the university financial aid process is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Califiornia Dream Act Application.