RN to BS in Nursing

Fall 2025 Admissions are currently being considered on a case by case basis. If interested in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 Admission please email our Student Success Coordinator, Lindsi Panarelli, at [email protected] for guidance.

Transfer Planner

Program Information

Minimum GPA for Admission

3.0 GPA

Program Start

Fall Semester ------- August Spring Semester ----- January

Program Duration

12 to 15 months

Approximate Tuition Cost

$13,000

Nursing Course Units

26 units

Required General Education Units

9 Units

Course Format

Hybrid, mostly online

Clinical Experience

Assigned clinical sites

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Diploma from a regionally accredited school
• Students can start with eligibility for RN licensure pending NCLEX exam.
• Cumulative GPA: Minimum of 3.0
• Completion of the Following Courses, or their equivalents:
  • Human Anatomy with Lab, 4 semester units, minimum grade of C
  • Human Physiology with Lab, 4 semester units, minimum grade of C
  • Microbiology with Lab, 4 semester units, minimum grade of C
  • Chemistry (General Chem or Organic Chem or Integrated Chem or Inorganic Chem), minimum grade of C
  • Oral Communication 
  • Written Communication 
  • Critical Thinking 
  • Statistics, 3 semester units, minimum grade of C
  • General Education Requirements
    (See SDSU General Catalog or consult the SDSU Prospective Student Center at 619-594-6336 for General Education Requirement information)

Contact advisor for course equivalencies. 

Curriculum Overview

The following upper division nursing courses are required of all RN-BS candidates (Prerequisites for upper division nursing courses are not applicable to the RN-BS program.):

• NURS 312 Concepts in Professional Nursing Units: 3
• NURS 307W Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Writing for Nurses Units: 3
• NURS 320 Applied Health Assessment Across Lifespan for the RN to BS Units: 4
• NURS 415 Community Health Nursing Units: 3
• NURS 415L Community Health Nursing Laboratory Units: 2
• NURS 458 Nursing Management and Leadership Units: 3
• NURS 458L Nursing Management and Leadership Laboratory Units: 1
• NURS 437 Care Management of People with Complex Health Needs Units: 4
  or
• NURS 444 Advanced Care of the Acute/Chronically Ill Adult and Gerontological Patient for the RN to BS Units: 4

A total of 120 units are required for the degree. Up to 70 transfer credits from ADN or diploma programs may be granted. Upon passing NCLEX, 18 units will be credited to the student's transcript.

SDSU Requirements

In addition to the nursing-specific coursework, all candidates for a degree in applied arts and sciences must complete the requirements listed in the “Graduation Requirements” section of the SDSU General Catalog. For additional information on general education and graduation requirements, students must meet with an academic advisor in The Office of Advising and Evaluations.

The general education requirements do not apply to second baccalaureate students.

Please note: SDSU requires students to enroll in a minimum 6 units their first semester at SDSU.

Learn More about Cross Enrollment
If you are a nursing student in an ADN program, and meet the requirements, you can take one course per semester at SDSU toward your BSN while enrolled in your ADN program. The cost is $52 per course. 

Application Process

Submit an application via Cal State Apply and complete SDSU’s Supplemental Application. SDSU will accept Fall and Spring admission applications from October 1 – November 30.

For additional information and guidance on admissions, check out the Admissions Contact Page to get in touch with a specialist at SDSU.

Need help with your Cal State Apply Application? View SDSU's Application Page for Transfer students for upcoming dates of Zoom Cal State Apply Transfer Workshops.
If you have questions about your application to CSU call (857) 304-2087 or visit the Cal State Apply Help Center.

See SDSU’s Transfer Admission Website for additional information.

FAQ

• How long will the RN to BS in Nursing Program take?
  Most students will complete the program in twelve to fifteen months.
• What if I have my Bachelor’s Degree in another field?
  Second baccalaureate degree students are able to quickly move through our program, usually within 6 to 12 months because the general education courses are waived.
  You also may be eligible for our Master's degree program in the Leadership specialty. Please see our  Graduate Program website for more information.
• How much does it cost to attend SDSU?
  Cost depends upon if you are a full time or part time student. The RN to BS in Nursing program typically takes two semesters full time or three to four semesters part time depending upon the number of classes taken per semester. Please review the Tuition and Fee Schedule.

Questions?

If you have any questions please contact RN to BSN Coordinator Tess Maloney at [email protected]