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School of Nursing College of Health & Human Services

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Traditional Pre-Licensure Program

Thank you for your interest in the Sac State Traditional BSN program! We hope you are successful in gaining admission to our program, or to one of the over 140 nursing programs in California! Please read the instructions on this page to the very end! The 20 minutes spent here will help ensure your application is submitted correctly. Note: We DO NOT use NursingCAS.

Up to 80 traditional pre-licensure students are admitted to the baccalaureate Nursing program each semester.

A competitive selection process has been established since applications exceed program space in the traditional pre-licensure program. Newly admitted students are selected from among candidates who meet the prerequisite requirements and follow the supplemental application procedures described below. Continuing Sacramento State, transfer students, and second baccalaureate degree applicants are given equal consideration in the selection process for available new seats.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing program and master's degree in nursing program at California State University, Sacramento are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791. https//www.ccneaccrediation.org. (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation)

Application Process - Two Step Process

  • Admission to the baccalaureate nursing program is a two-step process: 1) application to the University, and 2) supplemental application to the School of Nursing.
  • If you applied to the University, but have not received your admission decision yet—that is okay! You may apply to the School of Nursing pending receipt of your formal University admission decision.
  • Sacramento State students who have graduated are required to reapply to the University and meet the same deadlines.
  • Sacramento State students who have had a lapse of enrollment, may be required to reapply to the University and meet the same deadlines.

Apply to the University Through Cal State Apply

  • Spring – August 1 - due August 31 (Deadlines subject to change. Please refer to link above)
  • Fall – October 1 - due November 30 (Deadlines subject to change. Please refer to link above)
  • Second Bachelors - Apply to the University before you submit your supplemental nursing application—see Second Bachelors –University Application Instructions at the end of this section for special instructions.
  • Select Health Science as your major—do not select Nursing CCE Extension. Your major will be Health Science unless you either, get into the School of Nursing program, or if you decided to declare a different one.
  • Submit current transcripts for all colleges attended, other than Sac State, to the University — do not upload to Cal State Apply—do not send to the School of Nursing.
  • Select the Transcripts tab for detailed instructions and deadlines.
  • After you submit your University application, you will be prompted by email to create a Sac State, SacLink Username and Password—this may take a few days! You will need your SacLink Username and Password to submit your supplemental nursing application.
  • For additional information regarding University admission, please contact Admissions &
    Outreach, Lassen Hall - Room 1102, (916) 278-1000 (option 1), or admissions@csus.edu
    (include your first name, last name, and student ID number (if you have one) in your email.

Apply to the School of Nursing

  • Spring - September 1 - due October 1
  • Fall - February 1 - due March 1
  • Our application is processed in-house. The application will be available on our
    Traditional Nursing Program website during the application period—we do NOT use NursingCAS.
  • Do NOT submit ANY documentation to the School of Nursing.
  • Transcripts – current transcripts for all colleges attended, other than Sac State, must be on file with the University by the following deadlines:
    • New students—follow instructions provided by the University,
    • Continuing Sac State students—follow instructions provided with the supplemental nursing application.
  • Optional Criteria Documentation – scan and upload to the Nursing Document Submission site—detailed instructions and upload link will be provided with the application.
  • High School Transcripts – If needed, and not already on file, submit official (sealed)
    transcripts to the University. Do not upload with your Optional Criteria documentation —once opened they are no longer official! (This includes all AP/IB transcripts)

SECOND BACHELORS - UNIVERSITY APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

  • Apply to the University before you submit your supplemental nursing application.
  • After you create your Cal State Apply, ID and Password—select Undergraduate and
    Seeking a Second Bachelor’s Degree. Do not select "Graduate" Application!
  • Select Nursing, Second Bachelor as your major – do not select Health Science, Second
    Bachelor as this is a separate program.
  • Second Bachelors are not required to enter course work for all colleges attended in the
    Transcript entry section—please ignore multiple error messages. If you already entered course information, that is absolutely okay—do not delete! This exception is allowed for Second Bachelors only—all other applicants are required to enter ALL course information.
  • After you submit your University application, you will be prompted by email to create a Sac State, SacLink Username and Password—this may take a few days! You will need your SacLink Username and Password to submit your supplemental nursing application.
  • All applicants are required to submit one set of transcripts for all colleges attended, other than Sac State, to the University only—do not send any documentation to the School of Nursing.
  • Admission to the University is contingent on admission to the Traditional BSN program. If you are selected for admission, the BSN Admissions Coordinator will forward your name and Sac State ID to the University Admissions and Outreach Office for processing.
  • Nursing Second Bachelor applicants are not allowed to change their major at any time
    during the admissions process. In the event you select the wrong major please reach
    out to the School of Nursing sacstatenursing@csus.edu. We will do our best to assist
    you.
  • Continue to step 2 above for applying to the School of Nursing.

  • Deadline - March 1 for Fall, October 1 for Spring.
  • Due to impaction, application deadlines are strictly enforced and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered
  • It is your responsibility to submit all required documentation - due to the volume of applications received, you will NOT be notified if you are missing any documentation.
  • We regret that there is no option to save your application and return later to submit or view. We recommend you print a copy for your own records prior to submission.
  • If you change any Prerequisite/Corequisite course entries, optional criteria, or TEAS score be sure to click the Calculate button again before submitting!
  • Immediately after clicking SUBMIT the page will display, "Your application was submitted successfully" - Please print/save this for your records! A submission receipt will also be emailed to the address provided with your application.
  • Do not be alarmed if you log on to view your application and it is blank! Once submitted, a new blank application will appear.
  • If you discover you made a mistake on your application, please feel free to submit it again! We will automatically use your most recent submission. If you already paid the Non-refundable Evaluation fee, no need to pay again!
  • Email - The application will autofill your email with your Sac State email. This is the email we will be using to provide your admissions decisions to and all other communication. If you would like to use a different email, please make sure to change it in your application.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Clinical Nursing Application Timeline

  Applying to Begin in the Fall Applying to Begin in the Spring
Attend a BSN Group Advising Session Strongly recommended as Freshmen, but not required Strongly recommended as
Freshmen, but not required
University application due to Admissions and Records October 1 - November 30
(Deadlines are subject to change, always confirm with
admissions for dates)
August 1 – 31
(Deadlines are subject to change, always confirm with admissions for dates)
Link to Supplemental Nursing Application available on the Traditional BSN homepage
(We do not use NursingCAS)
February 1 – March 1 September 1 – October 1
Supplemental Nursing Application
due to the School of Nursing
February 1 – March 1 September 1 – October 1
Deadline to complete the ATI, Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) March 1 October 1
For TEAS tests completed at a non-Sac State location - deadline to submit official TEAS transcript to the School of Nursing March 15 October 15
Selected/Alternate/Ineligible
admission decisions emailed
End of April (tentative) End of November (tentative)
Mandatory Nursing New Student
Orientation
Wednesday before the first day
of instruction
Wednesday before the first
day of instruction

  • There is a BSN Non-Refundable Evaluation Fee of $35
  • IMPORTANT! Do NOT pay the evaluation fee until AFTER you submit your application. This fee is non-refundable. If you are ineligible for any reason, instructions will appear after you click the "Submit" button at the end of the application.
  • Your application will not be considered if the fee is not paid - or is paid after the deadline.
  • It is your responsibility to verify the fee is deducted from your account.
  • We regret we do not offer a waiver for the evaluation fee.
  • You do not need to submit a payment receipt with your application - payment information is provided to the School of Nursing by report.
  • The University and Nursing application evaluation fee may not be transferred or used to apply to another term.
  • Deadline - March 1 for Fall, October 1 for Spring.
  • Click here to submit BSN Non-Refundable Evaluation Fee

  • Selected, alternate, and ineligible admissions decisions will be emailed in late April for Fall, late November for Spring - just before the start of registration.
  • All correspondence, including your admissions decision, will be emailed to the address provided with your Supplemental Nursing Application.
  • If you have not received your admission decision by your registration date, register for the courses you would take if you were not selected to the Nursing program - do NOT miss your opportunity to register for courses!
  • We admit from the alternate list until the week before the School of Nursing's Mandatory New Student Orientation.
  • If you are selected for admission, you will receive detailed information regarding additional admission requirements such as immunizations, background screening, and more with your orientation materials. Please do not complete until you receive instructions.

Admissions Criteria & Eligibility

  • Candidates are selected based on the rank order of total points earned.
  • A maximum of 71 points are possible.
  • Points Assignments - For your reference to see where all your points are coming from
    • SAT or TEAS (only for Spring 2027) = up to 20 points
    • Casper = up tp 10 points
    • "Adjusted" Nursing GPA = up to 30 points
    • Optional Criteria = up to 11 points

Same Point Tiebreakers

  • "Non-Adjusted" Nursing GPA (no courses ommitted)
  • If needed, fewest prerequisite/corequisite course repeats
  • If needed, SAT/TEAS score
  • If needed, Casper score

  • All science courses are calculated as 4 units. Even if you completed a 5 unit science course, it is still calculated as 4 units (Anatomy or A&PI, Physiology or A&PII, Chemistry, and Microbiology).
    • Seperate lab - 3 units/1 unit lab (Only if you have a seperate lab grade)
    • A&P 3 course series - 2.666 for each course
  • All other courses are calculated as 3 units.
  • Life Span Human Developement:
    • 1 course - 3.0 units
    • 2 course series - 1.5 units for each course
    • 3 course series - 1.0 unit for each course
  • Credit/Pass - Select CR/P under "Grade" column, still enter units. (For credit/pass grades from Spring 2020 - Spring 2021).
  • Plus & Minus Grades - Pluses and minuses are not included in any of the Nursing GPA calculations. For example, a B- or B+ is calculated as a B grade.

  • AP/IB Credit - Select AP/IB Credit under "Grade" column, do not enter any units. No worries if you enter units in error, the system will automatically omit!
  • Omit - Enter grade for all courses completed to date, then click the omit button on the far right to indicate which courses you wish to omit from your Adjusted Nursing GPA (maximum 2 courses).
  • Please refer to the Prerequiste Requirements section for Adjusted Nursing GPA guidelines.
  • When you press Calculate, the application platform will calculate your Science, Nursing, and Adjusted Nursing GPAs and Total Points.

  • Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test (SJT). It asks what you would do in a tough situation, and more importantly, why. It is administed by Acuity Insights.
  • Casper is an online only test that takes about 65-85 minutes to complete
  • Casper scores are sent directly to us
  • Must score in the top 2 quartiles to be eligible
  • Maximum 10 pioints
  • Only 1 attempt allowed per year

How to sign up for Casper

  • Go to casper.com to create an Acuity Insights account and register to complete the Casper.
    • You will register under “Nursing – Undergraduate” and select California State University, Sacramento - School of Nursing as the program.
    • Please register with the same email address you are using for your School of Nursing application.
  • Select a Casper test date from the available testing dates and times for Sacramento State
    • These are the only testing dates available for applying to our program
  • Register for your test at least 3 days before your preferred test date and time to allow time to perform a system requirements check and take the sample test.
  • Ensure you have selected Sacramento State for distribution before the distribution deadline listed on the Dates and Fees page.

Technical requirements for Casper

To take the assessments, you will need:

  • Valid email address (the same one you will use to submit your application).
  • Desktop or laptop computer, with a supported browser (Chrome or Firefox)
    • Smartphones and tablets are not supported.
  • Working webcam and microphone.
  • Reliable high-speed internet connection (≥)1.5 Mbps

Learn more about technical requirements.

Accommodations

Applicants requiring testing accommodations to complete Casper should submit a Casper Accomodations Request Form (Part 1 and 2) at least four (4) weeks prior to your scheduled Casper test date.

Learn more about the accommodations policy.

Casper Test Dates for Sacramento State
Test Dates Test Times
May 19, 2026 5:00 PM PDT
May 23, 2026 10:00 AM PDT
June 9, 2026 5:00 PM PDT
July 19, 2026 10:00 AM PDT
August 4, 2026 5:00 PM PDT
September 3, 2026 5:00 PM PDT

  • The last semester TEAS will be accepted is Spring 2027
  • Important TEAS Information: The last day we will accept online proctored TEAS exams will be August 1, 2023. After this date, the Sacramento State School of Nursing will only accept in-person proctored TEAS exams unless taken prior to August 1, 2023. Any version is acceptable. (1.0 - 7.0 or future version).
  • TEAS tests completed after the deadline will not be considered - no exceptions
  • TEAS transcript deadline:
    • TEAS completed at Sac State: TEAS scores are automatically submitted to teh School of Nursing - no additional documentation required.
    • TEAS completed at another location: You must complete the assessment by March 1 for Fall, October 1 for Spring. If your official TEAS Transcript is not purchased and sent to CSU Sacramento or CSU Sacramento TEAS, your application will not be considered.
    • There are two options on the ATI website to send your TEAS transcripts; either one of these options will work!
      • CA State Sacramento
      • CA State Sacramento TEAS
  • Maximum 20 pioints
  • Three attempts allowed, any version (1.0 - 7.0 or future versions).
  • Average TEAS score for students selected for admission Fall 2025 was 93.22%
  • The TEAS score range for students selected for admission Fall 2025 was 85.3% - 98.7%
  • Minimum score 75%
  • Please refer to the Prerequisite Requirements section for more detailed information.

Contact University for all academic transcript questions

  • Do not submit any transcripts to the School of Nursing - send all transcripts, including high school transcripts for any Optional Criteria categories, to the University.
  • Please review the University Transcript guidelines for detailed transcript submission instructions.
  • Transfer credit for one college included on another college transcript is not acceptable.
  • Sac State - No need to submit transcripts for Sac State course work - we have access to your transcripts!
  • Official transcripts from ALL colleges you previously and currently are attending with Summer/Spring/Fall grades in-progress must be submitted to the University. Please contact admissions with any academic transcript deadline questions, not the School of Nursing.
  • Official test score credits (e.g. AP and IB) are considered transcripts - send to University.
  • Active/Continuing Sac State Students - Current transcripts for all colleges attended must be available in your Student Center no later than October 15 for Spring, March 15 for Fall. Failure to meet the transcript deadline may result in your application being withdrawn from consideration.
  • Active/Continuing Sac State Students - Official trasncripts are only retrieved electronically from a select group of community colleges when you apply to the University. For a list of the colleges select After You Have Applied for Admission section. If you completed course work after admission to Sac State, check your My Sac State, Student Center, & Transfer Credit records to ensure all course work completed is displaying. If not, submit current, official transcripts to the University.
  • Academic Transcripts (not TEAS transcripts) are handled through the University and not the School of Nursing. Please contact Admissions and Records with any transcript questions.

  • Do not submit any transcipts to the Nursing Document Submission site - submit all transcripts, including high school transcripts for any Optional Criteria categories to the University (see Transcripts section above for submission instructions).
  • Click here to upload any Optional Criteria & Miscellaneous documentation.
  • You will be prompted to sign in with your Saclink username & password.
  • Choose the type of document from the drop-down menu.
  • Please be sure to upload documents to the correct category. If you make a mistake, please upload again to the correct category - no worries if a document is uploaded twice!
  • If you have several pages for the same category, you may scan and upload them as a single document - no need to upload one a page at a time!
  • If you have any difficulty uploading a document, review the Upload Requirements at the top of the Nursing Document Submission site.
  • You may upload documents after you submit your applicaiton, just do not miss the March 1 for Fall, October 1 for Spring deadline. Documentation uploaded after the deadline will NOT be considered.
  • Bilingual Proficiency Information - Please review the Bilingual Proficiency Testing - Instructions section, which provides you information about submitting your Bilingual Proficiency form. Please also reference our Optional Criteria Documentation as well.

  • Per School of Nursing policy, candidates who were not in "good" standing at the time of withdrawal are not eligible to apply to any program in the Sac State School of Nursing for a period of 5 calendar years.
  • If you withdrew from a nursing program within the last 5 years, please have the Director of your prior nursing program email a letter directly to Heidi Travis stating you were in "good standing" at the time of withdrawal.
  • If we do not receive the "good standing" letter directly from your director, your application will not be considered. Please note: we will not accept letters uploaded or emailed from the the student.

Due to impaction, California residency is required to apply to the Traditional Pre-Licensure BSN program.

  • There is an exception for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and AB 540 students; and students with an approved military fee waiver.
  • For additional information, please contact the Residency Screening Office, Lassen Hall, Room 1102, (916) 278-1000 (option 1) or via email at caresidency@csus.edu.

Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

  • You may apply to the BSN program without a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN); however, a SSN/ITIN is required by the California Board of Regsitered Nursing (BRN) for RN licensure, https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml

  • Applied Spring 2018 and after - No worries! You will need to submit a new application and $35 BSN Non-Refundable Evaluation fee, but you do not need to resubmit any documentation we already have on file (transcripts, TEAS results, or Optional Criteria Documentation). If you had any courses in-progress during the last application cycle, it is your responsibility to ensure current transcripts are on file with the University.
  • Applied Prior to Spring 2018 - We regret to inform you that, since we have moved to an online platform, you will need to resubmit all optional criteria documentation.
  • If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email Heidi Travis at heidi.travis@csus.edu with APP in all caps in the subject line.

  • Nursing students must satisfactorily complete all clinical, community and laboratory requirements in order to progress in courses, progress in the program and to receive their degree.
  • In order to make an initial determination as to whether there are any current barriers to admitted students qualifying for and/or participating in clinical programs, all admitted students must submit to a background check and drug screen under the direction of the nursing program prior to enrollment.
  • Results of background checks and drug screens will be provided to the nursing program's affiliating clinical agencies (partner agencies) which must approve the background checks and drug screens in order for students to qualify for participation in and fulfillment of the required clinical component.
  • Students will be advised of any identified issues impacting their eligibility for participation in required clinical and community placements prior to making their decision to enroll.
  • The full policy concerning background checks and drug screening in the nursing program can be found within the student handbook located on the Traditional Nursing Program website.
  • Students should also be aware that the State of California Board of Registered Nursing makes determinations for licensure based in part on background checks. Students who have concerns regarding their background checks should review the BRN website for information related to initial licensure before determining whether to apply and/or enroll in the nursing program.

  • Please review the instructions & resources one more time!
  • Use the Application Checklist to make sure you have compelted everything successfully.
  • Attend an Application Workshop for in-person help on filling out your supplemental application.
  • If you still have questions, please email Heidi Travis at heidi.travis@csus.edu with APP in all caps in the subject line. If you emailed us earlier, please resend your email to Heidi with APP in the subject line. Our priority during February and September is admissions advising!

Prerequisite Requirements Information

The following prerequisites are required for application to the Traditional BSN program:

  • University Admission
  • California Residency (DACA, AB 540, Military Fee Waiver exception
  • Prerequisite courses - 8
  • Corequisite courses - 4 (strongly recommend completion before admission, not required)
  • Minimum Science GPA - 3.3 (anatomy or A&P I, physiology or A&P II, chemistry, and microbiology)
  • Minimum Nursing GPA - 3.5 (on the 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses completed at the time of application)
  • Minimum ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Score – 75.0% - Spring 2027 admission only
  • Minimum SAT Score – 1000
  • Minimum Casper Score - 50
  • Supplemental Nursing Application – We do not use NursingCAS
  • BSN Non-Refundable Evaluation Fee $35

These guidelines are intended for the Sac State Traditional BSN program only. We recommend you seek advisement from each program you are considering—policies vary!

  • Recommended courses at Sac State
  • California community college ASSIST articulation agreements.
  • High School Advanced Placement (AP) credit information (select Credit by Examination, may need to scroll down).
    • Course equivalency for written communication, statistics, and introductory psychology is absolutely acceptable.
    • AP score of 3 or better required.
    • Treated as a pass in the Nursing GPA calculation—no units/grade points.
  • Chemistry
    • Any college-level general OR inorganic OR organic OR integrated course (with
      associated lab if required at the institution where the course was taken; otherwise not required). An overview or preparatory course for college-level chemistry is not
      acceptable.
    • Chemistry lab optional; if completed still must include it on application.
  • Anatomy or A&PI, Physiology or A&PII, and Microbiology
    • In-class, virtual, or online labs are acceptable (effective Fall 2018, EO 1100).
    • We recommend you seek advisement from each program you are considering—policies vary!
  • Statistics
    • A GE Area B4 statistics course completed within your major is absolutely acceptable
      (e.g. Los Rios, PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences).
    • We recommend you seek advisement from each program you are considering—policies vary!
  • Life Span Human Development
    • Adult content required.
    • A birth through adolescence course alone is not acceptable.
  • Societal-Cultural Patterns
    • A study of multiple societies and the cultural norms of those societies.
    • Awareness of cultural norms is very important in-patient care.
    • For example, Introductory Sociology or Cultural Anthropology.
    • Physical Anthropology is not acceptable.
  • Equivalency
    • Equivalent course work completed at any regionally accredited college is acceptable.
    • Confirm the course title matches the content area and the total units are 3 for
      non- science and 4 to 5 for science lab courses.
    • Quarter-system courses may be slightly less when converted to semester units.
    • If you completed a course with a lab titled Anatomy you’re all set! If you completed a unique course such as Zoology, or the units are less than noted above, please contact the School of Nursing.
    • If you have any specific course related questions you cannot find on assist or with your current college counselor, please email us and include the following: course name and number, where you took the course, and the year and semester you took it.

  • No points awarded, eligibility only.
  • A minimum Science GPA of 3.3 is required to apply.
  • Science Courses - Anatomy or A&P I, Physiology or A&P II, Chemistry, and Microbiology.
  • The GPA must include a minimum of 3 grades.
  • Only 1 course may be in progress at the time of application.
  • Only 1 course may be a repeat.
  • All science courses are calculated as 4 units ; even if you had a 5 unit science course, on the application you will list it as 4 total.
  • Pluses and minuses are not included in any of the Nursing GPA calculations (for example, a B- or B+ is calculated as a B grade).
  • A grade of C- or better is required in each course.

  • No points awarded, eligibility only.
  • A minimum Nursing GPA of 3.5 is required to apply.
  • The Nursing GPA includes the 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses completed at the time of application only—a maximum of 12 courses.
  • All science courses are calculated as 4 units.
  • All other courses are calculated as 3 units.
  • Science Courses - Anatomy or A&P I, Physiology or A&P II, Chemistry, and Microbiology.
  • Only 3 of the 12 prerequisite and corequisite grades may be repeats.
  • Only 1 of the 3 repeats may be a science course.
  • If you repeat a course, but you use your first attempt, it is not considered a repeat.
  • One non-science and one science prerequisite course, two total, may be in progress at the time of application.
  • There is no limit on the number of in-progress corequisite courses.
  • Candidates are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete the corequisite courses prior to admission.
  • All 8 prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of the Spring term when applying for Fall; Fall when applying for Spring—no exceptions.
  • Pluses and minuses are not included in any of the Nursing GPA calculations (for example, a B- or B+ is calculated as a B grade).
  • A grade of C- or better is required in each course.

  • Maximum 30 points.
  • Same guidelines as Nursing GPA with exceptions noted below.
  • Under the conditions outlined below, candidates may omit up to two courses from their Adjusted Nursing GPA.
  • The Adjusted Nursing GPA must include at least 2 science grades.
  • Science Courses - Anatomy or A&P I, Physiology or A&P II, Chemistry, and Microbiology.
  • Candidates with 10-12 grades may omit 2 grades from their Adjusted Nursing GPA.
  • Candidates with 9 grades, may omit 1 grade from their Adjusted Nursing GPA.
  • Candidates with 8 or fewer grades, may not omit any grades.
  • AP examination credit is considered a grade (no units/grade points)
  • In-progress courses are not considered omissions.

Courses are acceptable regardless of date completed—no recency requirement. Courses must be completed with a C- or better grade.

  1. Oral Communication (any G.E. Area A1 course)
  2. Written Communication (any G.E. Area A2 course)
  3. Critical Thinking (any G.E. Area A3 course)
  4. Statistics (any G.E. Area B4 statistics course)
  5. Chemistry
    • Any college-level general OR inorganic OR organic OR integrated course (with associated lab if required at the institution where the course was taken; otherwise not required). An overview or preparatory course for college-level chemistry is not acceptable.
  6. Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I (with in-class, virtual, or online lab)*
  7. Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology II (with in-class, virtual, or online lab)*
  8. Microbiology (with in-class, virtual, or online lab)*
    *Effective Fall 2018 per EO 1100

Prerequisites For Sac State

  1. “Life Span” Human Development (adult component required)
  2. Introductory Psychology
  3. Nutrition
  4. A Societal-Cultural Patterns Course must be completed before graduation (e.g. SOC 1,
    ANTH 2, ANTH 101, ANTH 186, ETHN 011, ETHN 100, or HRS 161 or equivalent).
  • Courses are acceptable regardless of date completed—no recency requirement.
  • Courses must be completed with a C- or better grade.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to complete the corequisite courses prior to admission to the clinical major—not required.
  • The number of corequisite courses completed is not a factor in the selection process.
  • Life Span Human Development, Introductory Psychology, and Nutrition must be completed prior to enrollment in the second semester of the clinical nursing program.
  • A Societal-Cultural Patterns course must be completed prior to graduation.
  • Pharmacology has been integrated across the Nursing curriculum. Students do not need a separate, pharmacology course. Pharmacology is recommended, but not required.

  • One science and one non-science prerequisite course, two total, may be in progress at the time of application—no exceptions allowed.
  • The science prerequisites include: anatomy or A&P I, physiology or A&P II, chemistry, and microbiology.
  • The non-science prerequisites include: oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, and statistics.
  • All 8 prerequisites must be completed by the end of the Spring term when applying for Fall; Fall when applying for Spring.
  • When applying for a Fall term, course work taken in-progress during the summer will not be considered during that applicant period.
  • You are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete the corequisite courses prior to application.
  • Nutrition, life span human development and introductory psychology must be completed prior to the second semester of the clinical nursing program. A societal-cultural patterns course must be completed prior to graduation.
  • There is no limit on the number of in-progress corequisite courses.
  • Quarter-System Schools - Candidates attending quarter-system schools may apply for fall with winter and spring courses in progress; application will not be processed until winter grades are submitted to the School of Nursing. Candidates attending quarter-system schools may apply for spring with summer and fall courses in progress; application will not be processed until summer grades are submitted to the School of Nursing.

  • Only 3 of the 12 prerequisite and corequisite grades may be repeats.
  • Only 1 of the 3 repeats may be a science course (Anatomy or A&P I, Physiology or A&P II, Chemistry, and Microbiology).
  • A third attempt will not be considered. You will not be ineligible if you have a third attempt, you just will need to use your first or second attempt grade.
  • Courses over 7 years old on the first day of instruction are acceptable, but not included in repeat count. (However, you will not receive the “no repeat” optional criteria points).
  • Repeats are evaluated based on content; not course numbers. Any course which satisfies a content area is considered an attempt.
  • If you repeat a course, but you use your first attempt, it is not considered a repeat.
  • The In-Progress Policy above applies to repeated courses.
  • Withdrawals (W/WU/EW grades) are not considered repeats.
  • We recommend you seek advisement from each program you are considering—policies vary!

  • Students admitted to the Clinical Nursing program are required to have specified immunizations by the Student Health Center or a private physician prior to beginning nursing coursework.
  • Drug and alcohol screening is required before beginning clinical nursing (see below for details).
  • Health insurance is required.
  • Complete information on health requirements for nursing students may be secured from the School of Nursing.

  • To be successful in the curriculum, students must be able to demonstrate competency in computer technology, such as word processing, use of the Internet, e-mail, and database searches.
  • Clinical nursing students are required to own a personal computer.

  • All students enrolled in clinical laboratory courses in the nursing major must pay the University fee for professional liability insurance, provide proof of automobile insurance, and have a means of transportation to extended campus facilities.
  • Professional liability insurance is mandatory prior to beginning clinical experiences.

Admission Criteria Point Breakdown

GPA Point Breakdown (3.5-4.0) - 30 points

Points GPA Range Points GPA Range Points GPA Range
1 3.500-3.516 11 3.670-3.686 21 3.840-3.856
2 3.517-3.533 12 3.687-3.703 22 3.857-3.873
3 3.534-3.550 13 3.704-3.720 23 3.874-3.890
4 3.551-3.567 14 3.721-3.737 24 3.891-3.907
5 3.568-3.584 15 3.738-3.754 25 3.908-3.924
6 3.585-3.601 16 3.755-3.771 26 3.925-3.941
7 3.602-3.618 17 3.772-3.788 27  3.942-3.958
8 3.619-3.635 18 3.789-3.805 28 3.959-3.975
9 3.636-3.652 19 3.806-3.822 29 3.976-3.992
10 3.653-3.669 20 3.823-3.839 30 3.993-4.000

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Point Conversion - 20 points

Points TEAS % Points TEAS % Points TEAS %
1 75.00-76.24 8 83.75-84.99 15 92.50-93.74
2 76.25-77.49 9 85.00-86.24 16 93.75-94.99
3 77.50-78.74 10 86.25-87.49 17 95.00-96.24
4 78.75-79.99 11 87.50-88.74 18 96.25-97.49
5 80.00-81.24 12 88.75-89.99 19 97.50-98.74
6 81.25-82.49 13 90.00-91.24 20 98.75-100.00
7 82.50-83.74 14 91.25-92.49    

SAT Score Conversion - 20 points

Points SAT Score Points SAT Score Points SAT Score
1 1000-1029 8 1210-1239 15 1420-1449
2 1030-1059 9 1240-1269 16 1450-1479
3 1060-1089 10 1270-1299 17 1480-1509
4 1090-1119 11 1300-1329 18 1510-1539
5 1120-1149 12 1330-1359 19 1540-1569
6 1150-1179 13 1360-1389 20 1570-1600
7 1180-1209 14 1390-1419    

Casper Score Conversion - 10 points

Points Score Points Score
1 50-54 6 75-79
2 55-59 7 80-84
3 60-64 8 85-89
4 65-69 9 90-94
5 70-74 10 95-100

  • Maximum Points – 71
    • Adjusted Nursing GPA – 30
    • SAT Score or TEAS Score (Spring 2027 ONLY) – 20
    • CASPer (Top two quartiles) - 10
    • Optional Criteria – 11
  • Same point total – tiebreakers:
    • Non-Adjust Nursing GPA
    • If needed, fewest prerequisite/corequisite course repeats
    • If needed, SAT/TEAS score
    • If needed, Casper score

Spring 2026

  • 215 applicants (78 enrolled, 14 declined, 20 ineligible, 54 qualified alternates, 78 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 20
  • Statistics for 78 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.925 (range 3.65 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.992 (3.862 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 92.44% (range 88.7% – 98.7%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Mode Total Points earned – 74 (Highest points 83)

Fall 2025

  • 249 applicants (80 enrolled, 24 declined, 23 ineligible, 49 qualified alternates, 109 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 28
  • Statistics for 80 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.931 (range 3.595 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.996 (3.875 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 93.22% (range 85.3% – 98.7%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Average Total Points earned – 76 (Highest points 85)

Spring 2025

  • 233 applicants (79 enrolled, 23 declined, 8 ineligible, 53 qualified alternates, 103 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 32
  • Statistics for 79 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.918 (range 3.658 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.998 (3.87 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 92.67% (range 86% – 98.7%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Average Total Points earned – 75 (Highest points 86

Fall 2024

  • 251 applicants (79 enrolled, 16 declined, 9 ineligible, 56 qualified alternates, 116 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 24
  • Statistics for 79 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.946 (range 3.625 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.996 (3.9 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 91.11% (range 86% – 98.7%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Average Total Points earned – 74 (Highest points 86)

Spring 2024

  • 222 applicants (74 enrolled, 12 declined, 12 ineligible, 49 qualified alternates, 93 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 16
  • Statistics for 74 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.905 (range 3.55 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.997 (3.879 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 93.1% (range 87.3% – 98.7%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 12
    • Average Total Points earned – 74 (Highest points 85)

Fall 2023

  • 264 applicants (76 enrolled, 20 declined, 8 ineligible, 51 qualified alternates, 134 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 70 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 21
  • Statistics for 76 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.945 (range 3.725 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 4 (4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 92.24% (range 84.7% – 98.7%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 12
    • Average Total Points earned – 74 (Highest points 84)

Spring 2023

  • 238 applicants (74 enrolled, 11 declined, 16 ineligible, 39 qualified alternates, 110 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 70 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 11
  • Statistics for 74 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.918 (range 3.568 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.998 (range 3.862 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 90.86% (range 85.3% – 96%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Average Total Points earned – 73 (Highest points 83)

Fall 2022

  • 353 applicants (75 enrolled, 21 declined, 13 ineligible, 54 qualified alternates, 212 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 20
  • Statistics for 75 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.947 (range 3.7 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.996 (range 3.875 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 92.29% (range 84.7% – 98%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 12
    • Average Total Points earned – 74 (Highest points 85)

Spring 2022

  • 273 applicants (77 enrolled, 17 declined, 9 ineligible, 53 qualified alternates,141
    with admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported
    data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 22
  • Statistics for 77 enrolled students
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.944 (range 3.6 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.999 (range 3.912 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 92.07% (range 87.3% – 97.3%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Average Total Points earned – 74 (Highest points 84)

Fall 2021

  • 408 applicants (78 enrolled, 22 declined, 19 ineligible, 57 qualified alternates, 262 with
    admission point totals below the alternate range based on student-reported data.)
  • Point cut off – 71 (maximum 88 points possible)
  • Last Alternate selected - 28
  • Statistics for 78 enrolled students:
    • Average “Non-Adjusted” Nursing GPA* – 3.934 (range 3.676 – 4.00)
      *GPA of 8 prerequisite and 4 corequisite courses.
    • Average “Adjusted” Nursing GPA – 3.999 (range 3.962 - 4.00)
    • Average TEAS test score – 92.37% (range 86.7% – 97.3%)
    • Average points earned for Optional Criteria – 13
    • Average Total Points earned – 75 (Highest points 86)

Optional Criteria Point Breakdown & Information

The following Optional Criteria are not required for admission to the clinical nursing program—they are an opportunity to raise your total admission points. There are nine total points; however, students can only qualify for seven out of the nine (“no omit” points and “no repeat” points are not included as part if the nine).

  • There are five categories and points for no repeats and no omits
    1. Health Related Work Experience (1-3 points)
    2. Bilingual Language Proficiency (1 points)
    3. Local Priority (3 points)
    4. Military Service (1 point)
    5. Foster Youth (1 point)
  • Additional Points for GPA and Curriculum (Bonus Points)
    1. No Courses Omitted from Adjusted Nursing GPA (2 points)
    2. No Repeated Courses Included in Prerequisite/Corequisite Course GPA (2 points)
  • Points are awarded based on the review of documentation submitted with your supplemental nursing application—points are not guaranteed!
  • You will have an opportunity to select the categories you would like to be considered for when you submit your online supplemental nursing
  • Due to impaction, deadlines are strictly enforced. Candidates are not permitted to apply for Optional Criteria after the application deadlinedocumentation received after the document deadlines outlined below will not be considered.

  • Candidates may receive a maximum of 3 points for documentation of paid or volunteer work in an acute, long- term, clinical, or community setting involving direct human-client/patient.
  • We will only be accepting remote or virtual volunteer/work hours from Spring 2020 – Spring 2022.
  • Minimum 100 hours
  • 100 to 149 hours – 1 point
  • 150 to 199 hours – 2 points
  • 200 or more hours – 3 points maximum
  • Hours may be combined from multiple
  • Agency documentation must include your name, brief description of duties, total hours completed, and agency representative signature.
  • Do not submit any documentation to the School of Nursing.
  • We do not accept paystubs as proof of hours and duties.
Work Experience Form

Documentation Required  Completion Deadline Documentation Deadline Submit To
Health Related Work Experience Form OR
Agency documentation, OR
Copy of LVN, CNA, EMT license;
MA certificate
Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Work Experience hours may not be in progress
Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Upload here when you submit your supplemental nursing application

  • Candidates may receive a maximum of 1 point
  • Points are awarded for oral proficiency in a different language (including American Sign Language).
  • Oral proficiency examination or foreign transcript required.
  • Oral proficiency examination must be completed by March 1 for Fall, October 1 for Spring.
  • If your last approved form is over 5 years from the date of submitting your nursing application, you will need to complete the proficiency test again and follow the same steps.
  • Questions regarding scheduling an assessment? See instructions included in Bilingual Proficiency Testing form below.
  • American Sign Language – Completion of a 4th-semester, college-level ASL course required (Sac State DEAF 154 or equivalent, may not be in progress); or 3 years of high school course work.
  • See Bilingual Proficiency Testing Instructions sections below for more information

Method Documentation Required Completion Deadline Documentaion Deadline Submit To
Oral Proficiency Bilingual Proficiency Testing form -available below
Questions? Review instructions included with Bilingual Proficiency Testing form
Fall - March 1 Spring - October 1 Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Upload here when you submit your supplemental nursing application (Please note: we no longer require you to submit your form to the WLL department).
Foreign Transcript Transcript Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Fall - March 15
Spring - October 15
New University Applicants - follow university transcript deadlines
College transcript - University
Secondary transcript or other documentation- University
If your transcript is already on file with the University— no need to submit again!
American Sign Language Transcript Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Fall - March 15
Spring - October 15
University
If your transcript is already on file with the University— no need to submit again!

  • Candidates may receive a maximum of 1 point
  • These points are awarded based on an Executive Order by the CSU Chancellor’s office to provide a local student advantage.
  • Local student is defined by the university; not the School of nursing.
  • These points are awarded to students who attended a local high school or who have earned the majority of their transfer credits locally (local community college).
  • If you are requesting these points, please indicate if requesting:
  1. Based on your high school (must submit official high school transcript as evidence) or
  2. Based on transfer credits.
  • Sac State students who did not graduate from a local high school or transferred from a local community college can receive the full three points if they completed 5 out of the 12 prerequisites and corequisites here at Sac State.
  • Second Bachelor Students – Can only earn two points if they graduated from Sac State (can no longer receive the points for local high school)

Documentation Required Documentaion Deadline Submit To
High School Transcript, OR
Transcripts from all colleges attended
Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Transcript - University
Continuing Students - If you submitted your high school transcript when you applied to the University— no need to submit again!

  • Candidates may earn 1 point for military service.
  • Family members of a person who served in the military do not qualify.

Documentation Required Documentaion Deadline Submit To
DD-214 Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Upload here when you submit your supplemental nursing application

  • Candidates may earn 1 point if they were part of the foster youth system.

Documentation Required Documentaion Deadline Submit To
Guardian Scholar Fall - March 1
Spring - October 1
Upload here when you submit your supplemental nursing application

  • Candidates may earn 2 points if no courses are omitted from their “Adjusted” Nursing GPA.
  • Must have more than 8 grades to calculate in “Adjusted” Nursing GPA to earn 2 points.

  • Candidates may earn 2 points if the courses included on their supplemental nursing application are all first attempts.
  • The seven-year rule does not apply – courses over 7 years old are considered.
  • Repeats are evaluated based on fulfilling the content area of the prerequisite/corequisite, not course numbers.

Bilingual Proficiency Testing Instructions

Bilingual Language Proficiency is an opportunity to raise your total admission points for the Sacramento State Nursing Program application. Points are awarded for the following skills in a foreign language at the intermediate skill level based on ACTFL standards:

  1. Speaking Proficiency
  2. Listening Comprehension

Not all languages qualify for evaluation; please refer to the School of Nursing Optional Criteria guide for a current list. Testing is given on an individual basis with an approved evaluator and is conducted in an interview-style format. A list of approved evaluators is available below. It is the sole responsibility of the student to contact an evaluator for a proficiency test appointment. No fee is required through this department. However, evaluators outside the department may elect to charge a fee. Students are encouraged to verify any fees in advance of their evaluation appointment.

1. Download the Bilingual Language Proficiency Testing for Nursing Form and contact an Approved Evaluator. If the evaluator is not included on the WLL/School of Nursing list of recommended and approved evaluators, they must provide a written statement to be printed on company, agency or institutional letterhead briefly describing their qualifications as well as the intermediate-level skills tested and an overall assessment.

2. Completed forms (and written statement if non-Sac State-affiliated evaluator) must be submitted to the Nursing Document upload site when submitting your nursing application. Please note students are no longer submitting their completed forms to the Department of World Languages & Literatures.

Testing is performed on an individual basis with an authorized examiner to be conducted in an interview-style format. This test may be re-taken no less than two academic years after a failed result.

Intermediate level: Listening & Speaking Samples:
All of our proficiency tests are based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 4th Edition) standards. These standards should be used when evaluating students. Below is an example of the Interpretive Mode: Performance Descriptors samples for listening & speaking at the intermediate range.

Interpretive Mode – Listening
Intermediate Mid Learners can understand the main idea in messages and presentations on various topics related to everyday life and personal interests and studies. They can understand the main idea in conversations that they overhear.

Intermediate Mid Learners can (sample indicators):

  • Understand basic information in ads, announcements, and other simple recordings
  • Understand the main idea of what they are listening to for personal enjoyment
  • Understand messages related to their everyday life

Interpretive Mode – Speaking
Intermediate Mid Learners can successfully handle various uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social situations.

Intermediate Mid Learners can (sample indicators):

  • Understand simple personal questions related to self, family, home, daily activities, physical & social needs, etc.
  • Respond to direct questions or requests for information and assistance
  • Obtain simple information to satisfy basic needs, such as directions, services, and cost
  • Combine and recombine known elements of the language to produce clear sentences and strings of sentences

Appointments

WLL does not schedule appointments during the summer or winter. You may contact their office at wll@csus.edu to schedule an appointment with a Spanish instructor in the Department of World Languages & Literatures.

If you cannot schedule an appointment with one of their faculty, you may seek an evaluator on your own* — please read the qualifications for evaluators criteria.

If you wish to test in languages other than Spanish and you cannot find an evaluator on the list of authorized examiners, you may seek an evaluator on your own*.

Please read the registration form carefully for instructions and requirements for testing. Be sure to include a signed letter by your evaluator on their company or institutional letterhead and the required registration form provided on this webpage. Please refer to the School of Nursing's Optional Criteria guide for submission deadlines and a complete list of languages that qualify for points.

Qualifications for Evaluators

  • If the evaluator is located within WLL or is employed elsewhere in the university or by its affiliates, the completed evaluation form is the only document necessary for submission.
  • Approved Evaluators - all evaluators on this list do not require any additional documentation other than the official department form.
  • If the evaluator is not included on the list of recommended and approved evaluators, they must provide a written statement to be printed on company, agency, or institutional letterhead briefly describing their qualifications as well as the intermediate-level skills tested and an overall assessment. The evaluator’s contact information must be accurate and up-to-date. It is recommended that the evaluator has some experience as an instructor of the language to be evaluated and is also in good standing with their community.
  • Non-Approved Evaluator Letter Example - if the evaluator is not included on the Approved Evaluators list, they must provide a written statement to be printed on company, agency, or institutional letterhead.

Tools & Resources

Eligibility Point/GPA Calculator- (Fall 2026 applicants only)

Community College - ASSIST Articulation Agreements

Informational Group Sessions

  • Admission into programs leading to licensure, credentialing, or certification eligibility does not guarantee that students will obtain a license, credential, or certification.
  • Licensure, credentialing, or certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at anytime.
  • For example, licensure, credentialing, or certification 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, credentialing, or certification requirements.
  • The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure, credentialing, or certification requirements.
  • Information concerning licensure, credentialing, or certification requirements are available from our Office Manager, at 916/278-6714. Mailing address: 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819- 6096. Physical address: 7667 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95826

  • The School of Nursing offers the opportunity of petitioning certain nursing courses for credit by examination.
  • Students who by reason of special study, experience or training, already possess the skills, knowledge, and attitudes which are the objectives of the given course, may petition for credit by examination.
  • Licensed Registered Nurses, Licensed Vocational Nurses, and Corpsmen are examples of students who may be eligible to challenge specific nursing courses.
  • Additional information may be obtained by referring to "Credit by Examination" in the College Catalog or by contacting the School of Nursing.

Current Students

Traditional BSN Student Handbook

Traditional BSN CANVAS Advisement Site