BS Nursing, Accelerated

Program Details

• ADMISSION

  How to Apply

  Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or U.S. equivalent for degree coursework completed outside of the U.S.
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units completed
  • Passage of the TEAS exam version six with a minimum 71.0 percent composite score.
    • For applicants unable to take the exam at a physical location, ATI is offering a virtually proctored exam which will also be accepted for the ABSN program.. More information about this can be found here: the ATI TEAS Exam with Proctorio
      
    • When you are completing your application, in the program materials section, please upload the PDF of your TEAS score that is sent to your email or download the PDF from the ATI website and upload the score to your application. (Example)
    • TEAS Version 6 is the only version that we are accepting for consideration into the ABSN program and we will not accept a photo of any kind for the TEAS score. Starting September 1st, all applicants must have version 7.
    • You may take the TEAS exam as many times as you’d like (although each testing site may have limits, you may use various sites if needed); your highest score is taken under consideration
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA in the pre-nursing core (see below)

  View ABSN application statistics

  Find out what happens after you apply

  Pre-Nursing Core

  You are required to fulfill the pre-nursing core prior to admission. The pre-nursing core can be fulfilled through coursework taken at other universities or community colleges. For a list of articulated courses at other institutions, please visit the Assist Website (CA Community Colleges only) OR TES also provides some course articulation information for many schools across the US. Please be aware that pre-nursing core courses for which you earn less than a grade of C (2.0) may be repeated only once. For more details about how we assess courses to meet the Pre-Nursing Core.

  Pre-Nursing Core Courses

  Courses

  Course (CSU GE area)	Course (units)	Co-requisite (C) Prerequisite (P)
  BIOL 175 (B2)	Intro to Anatomy/Physiology I (4)	None
  BIOL 176 (B2)	Intro to Anatomy/Physiology II (4)	P - BIOL 175
  BIOL 160 (B2)	Microbiology (4)	None
  CHEM 105 (B1)	General, Organic & Biochemistry for Life (4)	P
  CHEM 105L (B3)	General, Organic & Biochemistry for Life Laboratory (1)	C - CHEM 105
  MATH (B4)	Any CSU B4 Statistical Mathematics Course (3)	P
  GEO 102 (A1)	Oral Communication (3)	None
  GEW 101 (A2)	Written Communication (3)	None
  Choose One (A3)	LTWR 115 - Critical Reading & Thinking (3)	P - GEW 101
  	MATH 110 - Critical Thinking (3)	None
  	PHIL 110 - Critical Thinking (3)	None
  	PSYC 110 - Critical Thinking in Psychology (3)	None

  Please note: All science courses completed must include labs. CSUSM will accept online courses (for all requirements) from Regionally Accredited Institutions.

  International Applicants: Oral Communication, Written Communication and Critical Thinking must be taken in the United States.

  Special Requirements

  Health Insurance

  All students must provide proof of current healthcare insurance to the School of Nursing by the designated deadline. The deadline information will be provided at the School of Nursing orientation session. This is a mandatory requirement.

  Background Check and Drug Screening

  Additionally, you will be required to complete a background check upon conditional admission to the School of Nursing. Below is the background check and drug screen policy:

  • The Office of Extended Learning will email each student in the cohort a letter of conditional admission. Once offer is accepted, students will receive an email with instructions on how to place an order for a background check/drug screen. Students will have approximately two weeks to order their background check online and complete the drug screen. If this deadline is not met, the student will not be guaranteed a seat in the cohort.
  • Students who have a flagged background check will not be admitted to the nursing program. Students will be able to join a later cohort pending space available when their background check is unflagged.
  • In addition, some clinical sites will require students to complete a Live Scan clearance. If the student does not clear the Live Scan process, then s/he may not be permitted to attend the clinical rotation. The student risks dismissal from the program should this occur.

  View Catalog Page

  NOTICE TO STUDENTS re: PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
  California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

• COSTS

  Cost Breakdown

  Semester	Units*	Subtotal**
  Fall Semester 1	9	$5,391
  Spring Semester 1	16	$9,584
  Summer Semester 1	14	$8,386
  Fall Semester 2	14	$8,386
  Spring Semester 2	11	$6,589
  Summer Semester 2	10	$5,990
  Total	74	$44,326

  *Unit rate for this program is $599

  **University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.

  Funding and Financial Aid

  • This program is eligible for financial aid
  • Visit the Extended Learning funding page or call 760-750-4850 to learn more about your funding options
  • Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
  • Active duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
• COURSE SEQUENCE

  View course descriptions and specific program requirements on the ABSN Catalog Page. 

  Please note: This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.

   Sample Schedule for Fall Start

  Example Semester

  Semester	Course (units)
  Fall Semester 1	ANTH 301 (3) BIOL 323 (3) PHIL 345 (3)
  Spring Semester 1	NURS 300 (4) NURS 301 (3) NURS 314 (4) NURS 315 (2) NURS 352 (3)
  Summer Semester 1	NURS 316A (2) NURS 322 (4) NURS 323 (4) NURS 360 (2) NURS 361 (2)
  Fall Semester 2	NURS 316B (2) NURS 324 (4) NURS 325 (4) NURS 330 (2) NURS 331 (2)
  Spring Semester 2	NURS 332 (2) NURS 333 (2) NURS 450 (3) NURS 451 (2) NURS 480 (2) NURS 493*
  Summer Semester 2	NURS 440 (3) NURS 442 (2) NURS 445 (3) NURS 490 (1) NURS 491 (1) NURS 493*

  *Optional

  Schedule is subject to change.

   Time Commitment

  • This is a full-time program and will require a major commitment of time to complete. You should consider the demanding nature of this program prior to submitting an application.
  • You will be required to complete approximately 74 semester units of study within the six-academic-term program, including two summer terms.
  • Approximately 27 units of the program consist of clinical study, which begins as early as 7:00 a.m. or extends as late as 11:00 p.m.
  • Students admitted to the Accelerated BSN cohort will enter with a pre-designated course of study and are guaranteed a space in every class.
  • Clinical rotations may vary by day and time each month, so you should not plan on working while enrolled in this program.
  • Classes and clinicals may be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

  Please note: you may not take courses independently or fulfill program course requirements by taking courses at other institutions.

  All CSUSM nursing students must:

  • Meet pre-nursing core requirements
  • Pass a background check and a drug test
  • Understand the program’s expectations of nursing students

  Additional Required Courses

  You are required to fulfill the following BRN specific courses by the end of the third semester in the program. Some may have been done as part of your first degree. For a list of articulated courses at other institutions, visit the Assist Website. For courses taken out-of-state, please consult your Extended Learning academic advisor.

  • Intro to Sociology for 3 units (SOC 101) or Cultural Anthropology for 3 units (ANTH 200)
  • Intro to Psychology for 3 units (PSYC 100)

  Program Support Courses

  You are required to take program support courses in residence at CSUSM. These courses are considered part of the ABSN program and will be scheduled through Extended Learning for the first semester of your scheduled cohort. For more information, please consult your Extended Learning academic advisor.

  • BIOL 323: Physiology of Nutrition and Disease (3 units)
  • PHIL 345: Bioethics and Medical Ethics (3 units)
  • ANTH 301: Culture and Medicine Healers and Healing Practices (3 units)
• FAQ

  What is a cohort?

  A cohort is a group of students who work through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree. Because they are accepted into the same program, take their classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts tend to form a strong support system and professional network that benefit them during their degree program and beyond.

  What services do you offer to active military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.

  Am I eligible to receive financial aid as a second bachelor degree student?

  Yes. Anyone seeking financial aid must submit a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA between January 1 and March 2 for the following academic year to receive priority consideration for funds. FAFSA Applications are accepted after March 2; however, funding options may be limited. Applications are available in the CSUSM Financial Aid and Scholarship Office and other colleges or local high schools. Be aware that in order to apply for any type of financial aid, all males between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the Selective Service. CSUSM’s Title IV School Code is 030113. Please visit CSUSM Financial Aid for more information.

  Do I have to wait to apply for the program?

  No. If you feel you have completed many of the required courses and may be eligible to enter the program, we recommend that you submit the program application, the application fee, and official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you’ve attended.  Each applicant will receive an individualized advising worksheet showing course requirements completed and outstanding requirements that need to be met.

  Can I apply even if I have not completed all of the Pre-Nursing Core coursework?

  Yes, you can apply to this program at any time. However, we encourage you to wait and apply when you have started your final semester of prerequisite courses. Because we operate on a rolling admissions process, your application will stay on file with us for one calendar year from the date you apply. Once your file is complete you can be ranked for admission and you will be considered for all cohorts we admit for during the 12 month period in which your file is active. If you do not complete your prerequisites or are not accepted within the 12 months, you may choose to reapply. When you reapply you will only need to complete a new application and pay the application fee. You do not need to resend transcripts unless you have completed additional coursework. Please be aware that any pre-nursing core courses for which you earn less than a grade of C (2.0) may be repeated only once.

  Is there a time limit on how long ago science prerequisite courses have been taken?

  No, there is no time limit. We will accept courses regardless of how long ago they were taken.

  What chemistry courses will articulate, or be equivalent, to your CHEM 105 and CHEM 105L?

  Articulation agreements with local community colleges for the pre-nursing core are available on the Assist Website. Select Cal State San Marcos from the first drop-down menu, select the community college you wish to attend from the second drop-down menu, choose Select By Major, and then select Nursing from the list of majors. If an integrated chemistry course with a lab that covers inorganic, organic and biochemistry is not available at your institution, ideally we are looking for a general chemistry course with lab (not an intro to general chemistry) or an organic chemistry course with lab.

  Will you accept separate anatomy and physiology courses?

  Yes. We will accept these courses for the pre-nursing core as long as each human anatomy or human physiology course is taken separately as a four-five semester unit course that includes a lab. We will not accept a single semester of combined anatomy/physiology intended as a stand alone course. It must be a two semester sequence of anatomy and physiology I and anatomy and physiology II, or separate semesters of human anatomy and physiology, both with labs.

  Can I meet with a counselor or advisor at CSUSM to review my transcripts?

  Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to meet individually with all prospective students to review transcripts. If you feel you have completed many of the required courses, we recommend that you visit the Extended Learning website, submit the School of Nursing Application, the application fee, all official transcripts and your TEAS scores. Once we receive the application, transcripts and TEAS scores you will be evaluated and we will be able to help you develop your educational plan.

  I have completed college coursework or a degree outside of the United States. How will I know which of these credits will be accepted at CSUSM?

  You will need to have your coursework evaluated by an independent evaluation company. You must use a CSUSM approved foreign transcript evaluation agency. You may choose any evaluation company on this list. Once you receive the official evaluation, please send a photocopy of the evaluation to:
  Cal State University San Marcos
  Office of Admissions and Recruitment
  333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road
  San Marcos, CA 92096
  Attn: ABSN
  *The university will not accept Area A courses (A1, A2, and A3) from institutions outside of the country.

  Do I need to take the TEAS exam?

  Yes. The TEAS Exam, or Test of Essential Academic Skills, is one of the admissions criteria and is required for a complete application. The TEAS Exam is designed as a predictor of success for nursing program applicants. Applicants must score a minimum composite score of 71.0% on this exam in order to be eligible for being admitted into the ABSN program. Points are awarded from composite scores ranging from 71.0% to 100%, as part of the Supplemental Admission Criteria for admission to the program. Please see ATI Testing for information about review books and online practice exams. Please note the current version of the TEAS exam is version 6.

  Do all bachelor’s degree students at the university have to complete a Language Other Than English?

  No. A graduation requirement for all bachelor degree students at the university is the Language Other Than English Requirement. However this requirement DOES NOT apply to the second bachelor degree students.

  Since I already have a bachelor’s degree, will I be required to complete any other classes aside from nursing courses at CSUSM?

  Yes. Students admitted to the ABSN program are required to complete the THREE CSU upper division GE courses in residence at CSUSM. These courses are considered part of the ABSN program and will be scheduled through Extended Learning for the cohort. Each cohort will begin the ABSN program during fall semester by taking the required upper-division courses listed below:
  BB BIOL 323 The Physiology of Nutrition & Disease (3)
  CC PHIL 345 Bioethics and Medical Ethics (3)
  DD ANTH 301 Culture & Medicine Healers & Healing Practices (3)

  Is acceptance to the program based solely on GPA?

  No. Acceptance to the program is based on a number of items:

  • Completion of the Pre-Nursing Core
    
  • Completion of the Additional BRN, lower division GE coursework and Additional
    
  • GPA in the Pre-Nursing Core
    
  • GPA in the last 60 units
    
  • Score on TEAS Exam
    
  • Grades for science courses

  Please see the Point System for more information regarding the admissions point system.

  I still have biology and chemistry courses to complete. Can I start the program and finish these classes later?

  No. The pre-nursing core must be completed prior to being admitted into the program. Furthermore, we anticipate that students will have completed the Additional BRN, lower division general education and additional graduation requirements prior to being accepted into the program.

  Will you accept a degree from Maric College?

  The CSU campuses only accept units from institutions which are regionally accredited through WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges), or other associated regional accrediting agencies such as Middle States, North Central, etc. We do not recognize any academic units earned through Maric College for the pursuit of any Nursing Licensure, to be applied toward a BSN degree at Cal State San Marcos, until such time as the institution achieves WASC accreditation. Furthermore, if Maric College obtains WASC accreditation in the future, only those units completed by a student after the date of accreditation will be accepted.

  When does the program begin?

  At this time, the ABSN program accepts two cohorts (60 students) to our San Marcos location in the fall (August) and spring (January) and one cohort (60 students) in Temecula each summer.

  May I continue to work during the program?

  No. The Accelerated BSN is a full-time program and will require a major commitment of time to complete. You will be required to complete 74 semester units of study within the five-academic-term program. Approximately 25 units of the program consist of clinical study, which begins as early as 7:00 a.m. or extends as late as 11:00 p.m. Prospective students should take into consideration the demanding nature of this program prior to submitting an application for admission. Clinical rotations may vary by day and time each month; therefore, you should not plan on working while enrolled in this program.

  Are classes offered during the day or evening?

  Depending on the semester class schedule and clinical rotations, courses will be held during the day and in the evening.

  What professional organizations are available to students?

  • California Board of Registered Nursing
  • Discover Nursing
  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing
  • Sigma Theta Tau International (Honor Society of Nursing)
  • Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA)
  • National Black Nurses Association, Inc. (NBNA)
  • National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Inc. (NAHN)
  • National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, Inc. (NANAINA)
  • Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc. (AAPINA)
  • California Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA)
  • National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, Inc. (NANAINA)
  • Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc. (AAPINA)

  What are the NCLEX pass rates?

  To view CSUSM’s passing rates for the NCLEX, please visit the California Board of Registered Nursing website and look for CSU San Marcos.