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California State University Los Angeles School of Nursing RN to BSN Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) 1.
What degree options are available for a student with an RN license?
The RN to BSN program results in a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) when the student finishes
all required course work for this degree. The program takes 8 quarters (summers included) to complete.
2.
What are the prerequisites for applying for the BSN program at CSULA?
All of the following courses (or equivalent) must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
• Human Anatomy (with lab component)
• Human Physiology (with lab component)
• English Composition I
• Microbiology (with lab component)
• Oral Communication (Public Speaking)
• Critical Thinking
• Chemistry (with lab component)
• Statistics-Inferential Statistics
In addition to the course work, students in the must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in the
last 90 units attempted or higher, The final requirement is that the student must hold a current license as a
registered nurse to practice in the state of California.
3.
How do I apply to the program?
• Application to Nursing is a 2 Step Process:
1. Admission to the University: Unless you are currently enrolled at CSULA, you must APPLY for
ADMISSIONS to the university online at www.csumentor.edu. Note: You must adhere to the POSTED
DEADLINES FOR APPLYING to the university. Please check the above website for the deadlines. You will
need to send a separate complete set of transcripts to the University of all the colleges you have attended.
2. Admission to the School of Nursing: This requires a second supplementary
application that can be downloaded at the following site:
http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/hhs/nursing/
4.
How many students apply every year? What are my chances of being accepted?
As many as 100 – 200 students apply each year and we accept 30 from that applicant pool. Applicants are
selected based on their overall GPA and their GPA in selected pre-requisites.
5.
How long will it take me to complete the RN-BSN?
The program is 2 years.
6.
How many units do I need to graduate with a BSN?
To graduate with a BSN degree the student must complete 180\ (quarter) units. The university accepts up to 105
units from a community college. 44 of the 105 units are awarded for your ADN program course work.
7.
Other than nursing classes, what other classes do I have to take to receive a BSN degree?
In addition to the required nursing courses, students must meet the CSULA graduation requirements for both
lower and upper division education. These requirements are clearly outlined in the university catalog or class
schedule. These can be picked up in the CSULA bookstore or found online. Additional classes required by the
School of Nursing include:
• Sociology 201-Principles of Sociology (minimum 4 sem/3 qtr units)
• Nutrition 250 or 317-Human Nutrition (minimum 4 sem/3 qtr units)
• Electives (As needed)
8.
What are elective classes and how many will I need?
Elective classes are classes that are needed by students who do not have enough units to meet the 180 unit
graduation requirement. We encourage students to take their elective units through the School of Nursing, but it
is not required.
Please note that if students need to meet lower division GE requirements, those units will count toward the
elective unit number.
9.
Is the BSN program at CSULA impacted (meaning there are more applicants than seats
available)?
Presently the BSN program at CSULA is impacted. That means that any student who meets the prerequisite
course work and meets admission requirements can start our program. This, of course, could change depending
on the number of applicants received.
10.
How many times per year do you accept students into your BSN program?
The CSULA School of Nursing accepts students once per year starting fall quarter.
11.
How do I know if the classes I took at the community college I attended are equivalent to the
ones required at CSULA?
One can easily determine if the classes one took at the community college will be accepted at CSULA by using
the Assist option on the CSULA homepage. That page can be accessed at the following web address:
http://www.calstatela.edu or on assist.org. After accessing the main page click on Attend Cal State LA and
again on Transfer Student Services. This will bring up the Assist website: click on the assist image. Under
Institution, click on the drop down box and find Cal State LA and click on that. When you see agreements with
other campuses, click on the drop down box and find the community college you attended and select that
college. After identifying this you can click on department and locate the class you wish to compare. A table
will appear that shows you which class at CSULA articulates with the class you took at the community college
you attended. If you are an international student, you must have your transcripts reviewed by the International
Student Admissions department before you meet with an advisor.
12.
What is the difference between the unofficial and official transcript?
Students will have to pay for their official transcripts from the universities they attended, and they are in seal
envelopes. Once you open the official transcript then it will become unofficial. You can also print your
unofficial transcript in the school/university website that you attended or currently attending.
13.
When can I apply to the School of Nursing?
The nursing application will be on line in September. It will be on the School of Nursing website.
Note-you will need to apply one year in advance, and you can have your prerequisite courses in progress.
14.
I won’t have all of my prerequisites completed by the application deadline. Can I still apply to
the nursing program?
If you will not have your prerequisites due on time, then you should wait to apply for the following year.
15.
Are there any time limits of the prerequisite courses for the nursing program?
We do not have time limits for our prerequisite courses.
16.
Is C- (minus) a passing grade at CSULA School of Nursing?
A C- (minus) grade in any required courses is not acceptable.
17.
Can I repeat prerequisites for higher grades?
The CSULA SON will not recognize repetition of a course when the original grade was a C or better.
18.
Does CSULA School of Nursing accept international students?
Yes, as long as the international admissions criteria is met.
19.
Do international students need to take the TOFEL exam?
All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than
English, must demonstrate competence in English. Test scores are to be turned in to the international admissions
office and must be no more than 2yrs old.
20.
If I have an international transcript, which department evaluates my transcripts first?
The University International Admissions office.
21.
When entering to the nursing program what documents will students need?
Students in the nursing program must carry university liability insurance, personal insurance, current RN
license, and valid California driver’s license.
22.
Does CSULA SON require students to do a background check before they begin the Nursing
program?
Nursing students must have a cleared background check that is acceptable to clinical agencies after acceptance
to the School of Nursing.
23.
Does the CSULA’s nursing program have a waiting list?
Only during the application cycle, any waitlisted applicants who do not get admitted must re-apply.
24.
I am a LVN, do I apply for the RN-BSN program?
No, you will apply to the BSN Basic Nursing Program.
25.
Does CSULA SON accept second baccalaureate students?
Yes
26.
Once I am admitted to CSULA, am I accepted into nursing program?
No, it is a 2 steps process. The University and the SON will have to accept you before you can begin the nursing
program.
27.
What happens if I do not get accepted to the nursing program?
You can apply again or change your major. While you are waiting to re-apply, you can take the
following courses at CSULA (if you have not already) needed for the Nursing program and
University Requirements:
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NTRS 250/317
SOC 201
HHS 301
ENGL 102
UNIV 400 (WPE)
Upper Division Theme (3 courses)
Note: you should also apply for other nursing programs.
28.
Where can I find the University Deadlines?
It is important that you abide by University deadlines or your application will be invalid. Go to the following
website and select the appropriate term: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/admiss/deadlines/
29.
What happens to my application if I do not get in?
Once you apply your application becomes the property of the School of Nursing. If you re-apply you may
indicate that you are re-applying on your application and your previous materials can be used. Applications
are only kept for 1 year then shredded at the end of following the application window.