Admission Requirements

Admission to the Program

• A valid California registered nursing license (RN License must be received 45 days prior to the first day of class)
• California state resident
• Admission to Sacramento State
• Completed RN to BSN online application
• Official transcripts of all institutions attended
• A cumulative G.P.A of 2.6 based on the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of graded transferable course work
• Applicants who are currently employed as an RN will have priority for admission
• Supplemental writing or oral communication  may be required
• Program admission is contingent upon meeting requirements outlined and passing drug screening and background check.

The following classes must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better.

REQUIRED Preadmission courses

In Progress Policy:  Classes may be in progress prior to admission.  Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for in-progress classes but must be replaced with official transcripts.

• Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I (with a lab)
• Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology II (with a lab)
• Microbiology (with a lab)
• Chemistry (integrated or organic chemistry is not required)
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Statistics
• Critical Thinking

Licensure, Credentialing, and Certification Requirements

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 any time. 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 Sara Niekamp, School of Nursing, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819-6096; 916-278-6714.

RN to BSN ELEMENTS

Completion of the BSN requires a minimum of 120 units. Additional units may be required to fulfill GE requirements not completed at the ADN level.  This includes 50 units in the upper division Nursing major, 9 units of upper division GE taken at Sacramento State and lower division GE and Nursing courses transferred from another college or taken at Sacramento State. You are required to complete a minimum of 30 units in residence on the Sac State campus.*

Required Nursing Courses

• NURS171: Transitional Concepts for Professional Nursing (6 units)
• NURS173: Theoretical Foundations for Leadership and Management (6 units)
• NURS174: Community Health Nursing (4 units)
• NURS174C: Community Health Clinical (2 units)
• NURS170: Nursing Research (3 units)
• NURS179: Reasoning and Critical Thinking (3 units)
• NURS178: Culminating Project (3 units)
• Completion of NCLEX (19 Units)
• Total Units 46

Please note that applying to our RN to BSN program is a 2 step process.

First step:  Apply to the University at www.Calstate.edu/Apply 

All transcrips will need to be submitted to the university.  

Univeristy deadlines for applications are as follows:

Application period for fall: Ocober 1- November 30

Application period for spring: August 1- August 31

Second step:  Apply to the School of Nursing.  The nursing application link will be posted on our website beginning the first day of the application period.

Application period for fall: December 1- February 15

Application period for spring: September 1- October 15

Please use the application checklist as a tool to guide you through the application process.

Application Checklist

It is recommended that students complete the CSU General Education pattern to fulfill the general education requirements for the Associate's Degree in Nursing.  Please visit the link below for the Sierra College, Sacramento City College, and American River College ADN to BSN Roadmaps

Collaborative Roadmaps 

Learn how to start with a California Community College associate degree in nursing (ADN) and complete a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) at the California State University. Completion of an ADN degree does not guarantee admission to a CSU BSN degree program.

 California State University ADN-BSN Nursing Degree Pathways