Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution of higher education are eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Science (BSN) with a Major in Nursing program. Second bachelor’s degree candidates who meet the School of Nursing’s admission criteria will compete for a seat in the traditional (pre-licensed) program. This program is not an Accelerated BSN program. Due to the sequencing of clinical courses, the duration of the program is 6 semesters (3 academic years).
Second bachelor’s degree students, including SDSU Alumni, are considered Transfer Students and will follow the same admission criteria and application guidelines as Transfer Students. Second bachelor’s degree students are not given preference or priority for admission and will be ranked according to the SON Admissions Points System (pdf).
If offered admission, second bachelor’s degree students will complete 55 units in Nursing coursework. General Education coursework is not required and students do not have to complete the International Experience requirement.
Per SDSU Admissions policy, applicants to the second bachelor’s degree in Nursing must have their first bachelor’s degree from an institution that carries United States regional accreditation. Please contact the Office of Admissions at (619) 594-6336 for more information about this policy.
Admission Standards for Transfer Students
Admission to the School of Nursing is for fall semester only. There is no spring admission cycle.
Second Bachelor’s Degree Students Must Meet SDSU Admission Criteria
If the applicant’s first bachelor’s degree was earned from an institution of higher education that carries United States regional accreditation, all admissions criteria to the University have been met. Additional General Education coursework is not required and all courses completed under the first bachelor’s degree will be transferable to SDSU.
If you have specific questions relating to University admissions after reviewing the website you may contact the Prospective Student Center by phone at (619) 594-6336 or via e-mail at admissions@sdsu.edu.
Second Bachelor’s Degree Transfer Students Must Meet School of Nursing Admission Criteria
Meeting the eligibility requirements for the BSN program does not guarantee admission. Transfer applicants are selected by rank using an 80-point system. Prospective transfer students must complete all 8 prerequisite courses (preparation for the major) at a community college or four-year institution prior to being admitted to the University. Prerequisite coursework cannot be in progress during Spring 2019 if applying for Fall 2020 admission.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Score: Minimum overall score requirement is 80%. The School of Nursing will accept Version 5 and 6 (ATI TEAS) for Fall 2020 admission. Please refer to the Admissions Criteria point ranking system for further details and policies regarding attempts and scoring.
- SDSU Testing Services administers the TEAS six days per week. Registration information can be accessed on the Testing Services website.
- ATI TEAS (Version 6) Content Breakdown (pdf)
Cumulative GPA: Minimum of 3.2
Prerequisites:
- BIOL 261 – Human Physiology with Lab, 4 sem units (Minimum grade of B-)
- BIOL 212 – Human Anatomy with Lab, 4 sem units (Minimum grade of B-)
- BIOL 211/211L – Microbiology with Lab, 4 sem units (Minimum grade of B-)
- Chemistry (General, Organic, Inorganic, or Integrated with Lab) (Minimum grade of C)
- COMM 103/CCS111A/AFRAS 140 – Oral Communication (or any CSU GE Area A1) (Minimum grade of C)
- RWS 100/101 – Written Communication (or any CSU GE Area A2) (Minimum grade of C)
- RWS 200 – Critical Thinking (or any CSU GE Area A3) (Minimum grade of C)
- Statistics – STAT 119/STAT 250/PSY 280/SOC 201 (Minimum grade of C). Only one Statistics course is required for admission.
The SDSU School of Nursing does not implement a recency policy for science prerequisite courses (i.e., coursework does not have to be recently completed within a specific timeframe).
All 8 Nursing prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of Fall 2019 if applying for Fall 2020 admission. Nursing prerequisite courses may not be in progress in Spring 2020 if applying for Fall 2020 admission. Exceptions will not be granted under any circumstances.
Additional Requirements for the Nursing Degree and RN License
Students are required to complete Introductory Psychology (an AP score of 3 or higher will suffice) and Developmental Psychology to satisfy the Nursing degree requirements and RN license requirements upon graduation. These courses are not prerequisites for admission and may be in progress during Spring 2020 or upon admission to SDSU.
New Application Process for Transfer Students
San Diego State University Enrollment Services and the School of Nursing have streamlined the application for admission to the University and the Nursing major. Under the new application process, students will be required to submit an application to the University via Cal State Apply and complete SDSU’s Supplemental Application in January 2020. The School of Nursing no longer has a separate application process. The University will accept Fall 2020 admission applications from October 1 – November 30, 2019. See SDSU’s Transfer Admission website for additional information.
Important Application Dates and Deadlines
| Application Requirements | How to Meet Requirements | Timeline for Fall Admission |
| Submit Application to SDSU | Apply via Cal State Apply. Select “Nursing (BS)” as intended major. If you apply and are admitted under a different major, you will not be able to switch your major to Nursing during your tenure at SDSU. |
October 1 – November 30, 2019 |
| Submit Supplemental Application for the Nursing Major | In early January, the Office of Admissions will provide eligible applicants a link to the Supplemental Application which will be accessible via your WebPortal account. | Deadline: January 22, 2020 |
| Nursing Prerequisite Courses | All 8 Nursing prerequisite courses (including repeated coursework) must be completed by the end of Fall 2019 semester. Applicants will be required to self-report their grades on the Supplemental Application. Submission of official transcript(s) is not due at this time. | Deadline: January 22, 2020 |
| Test of Essential Academic Skills | A minimum score of 80% is required. Applicants are required to self-report TEAS score on the Supplemental Application.
If offered admission, applicant will be required to submit proof (photocopy or official ATI transcript) of their score directly to the School of Nursing via email, at pstrachw@sdsu.edu or via mail at the following address: SDSU School of Nursing, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4158, Attn: Undergraduate Program Coordinator. |
Deadline #1: Self-report TEAS score by January 22, 2020.
Deadline #2: If offered admission, submit documentation of TEAS score directly to the School of Nursing by May 1, 2020. |
| Letter of Verification for Paid Work Experience and Health Care Certification (Optional, Not Required for Admission) | An additional 5 points will be awarded to applicants who possess a health care certification/license and have been paid to work a minimum of 100 hours. Applicants will self-report they have obtained certification and have worked a minimum 100 hours on the Supplemental Application.
If offered admission, applicant will be required to submit a letter of verification on agency letterhead for paid work experience from employer and photocopy of certification/license directly to the School of Nursing via email, at pstrachw@sdsu.edu or via mail at the following address: SDSU School of Nursing, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4158, Attn: Undergraduate Program Coordinator. |
Deadline #1: Self-report possession of certification and 100 hours of paid work experience on the Supplemental Application due January 22, 2020.
Deadline #2: Submit letter of verification of paid work experience and certification to the School of Nursing by May 1, 2020. |
| Official Transcripts from ALL Colleges and Universities attended | Submission of official transcripts is only required if offered admission. Please DO NOT send in transcripts before admission notifications are sent out. Official transcripts are required to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. | Deadline: June 30, 2020. |
Questions specific to the Nursing program can be directed to the School of Nursing Program Advisor at pstrachw@sdsu.edu.
