BSN Admission Policies

Please read and complete the following steps:

1. Complete an online application for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. Click here to apply now and start your admissions application process for an early decision.

If you are not ready to apply, but would like more information, please attend a virtual information session and campus tour offered on campus. Click here to view the info session schedule. Please note, all prospective students must apply online before moving on to the entrance exam step.

2. After submitting your online application, take the Next Generation Accuplacer examination. Secure online testing for the Accuplacer is now available. Please contact your Admissions Representative to learn more. The following preferred minimum scores on each test of this examination are required: Reading Comprehension 250; Sentence Skills 237; Arithmetic 237; and Elementary Algebra 237. Scheduling your exam will be coordinated by your dedicated Admissions Representative.

The applicant may take each of the Accuplacer tests required for admission to a program up to three times initially, with at least 48 hours between attempts. If the applicant does not achieve a passing score on the required tests after three attempts, the applicant must wait two months before retaking the failed test(s). After the two-month waiting period, the applicant may take the failed Accuplacer test(s) up to three more times. If the applicant does not achieve a passing score after these three attempts, the applicant must wait one calendar year before retaking all of the Accuplacer tests required for admission to the program. The applicant will be allowed to take each of the Accuplacer tests up to three times after the one calendar year waiting period. If the applicant does not achieve a passing score on each of the required test(s) after these three attempts, the applicant will not be able to take the Accuplacer tests again for admission to a program at the university.

The university will also accept the TEAS VI admissions test scores from applicants, taken at outside institutions, for consideration of admission into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

• For the TEAS VI to be considered for admission into the program, the applicant must have achieved a TEAS score of 70% or higher composite (proficient level).
• The TEAS VI must have been taken and passed within three years from the date of acceptance by the university

3. Take the ATI Critical Thinking Assessment Entrance Exam and achieve a minimum score of 68% to be eligible for an interview. Applicants may take the ATI Critical Thinking exam up to two times, with at least 5 days between attempts. If the minimum score is not achieved after two attempts, applicants are required to wait 30 days before retaking the exam up to two more times. After the fourth failed attempt for ATI the applicant must wait six months to test again.

Upon completion of steps 1 through 3, applicants may proceed to the following:

4. Submit an official transcript of record showing possession of a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as GED, from an accredited secondary school or an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
5. Complete a background check.
6. Schedule and attend a meeting with a Financial Aid Officer.
7. Submit Official Transcripts of all courses taken at all high schools, colleges, and/or universities.
8.  Interview with the Program Director or designee. Interviews are offered virtually through Zoom video conferencing meeting temporarily.

The interviewer will use a Candidate Interview form for the interview and will award points for the applicant’s essay and responses during the interview according to a departmental rubric. The interviewer will also award points according to the departmental rubric for the applicant’s score on the Accuplacer examination; completion of an academic degree; completion of relevant prerequisite courses; grade point average for the completed prerequisite courses; and current certificates and/or work experience or volunteer work. The interviewer will combine these points with the points awarded for the interview into a total score according to the departmental rubric. Based on the total score, the applicant will be ranked among the other applicants who are applying for admission to the program with the current cohort.

9. Submit the Transfer of Credit Request form and related documentation for evaluation of possible transfer credit. Transfer credit will only be granted under the following conditions:

• Required prerequisite science courses must have been completed within two (2) years of the start date of program with a grade of B or higher.
• All transfer credit policies of the institution have been met.

Applicants will be notified of admission to the program by a letter of invitation. An applicant may only decline the letter of invitation twice and must repeat steps 2-10 above when reapplying for admission to the program.

The thirty (30) applicants who have met the minimum requirements for admission to the BSN program, and who have the highest number of combined points awarded according to the departmental rubric, will be accepted for admission to the current cohort. Should an opening occur, the applicant who has the next highest number of combined points may be accepted for admission. If there are more than thirty (30) individuals qualified for admission to a given cohort, those who are not admitted to the current cohort may reapply to be considered for admission to a subsequent cohort.

Applicants reapplying for admission only have to resubmit official transcripts of record if they have taken additional courses since the previous application for admission.

Applicants with Criminal Convictions

Background Check and Licensure

California law allows for the denial of registered nursing licensure on the basis of any prior convictions substantially related to nursing practice. The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) requires that all convictions be reported, except for minor traffic violations, on applications for licensure. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions must be reported. This includes “driving under the influence.” Convictions must be reported even if they have been expunged. All prior or current disciplinary action against a healthcare related license must be reported, whether it occurred in California or in another state or territory. The BRN reviews all prior convictions substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a registered nurse. Each application for licensure is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. See the California Board of Registered Nursing website at http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-faqs.shtml#disc for further information.

Background Check and Clinical Facilities

Some clinical facilities require background checks for all employees, volunteers, and students working in the facility, independent of the required licensure background check (see below). Students will be required to submit their personal information for a background check in order to attend clinical sessions.

• Each facility judges the background of student nurses with misdemeanors or felonies on an individual basis. Denial of admission to the BSN program for students with convictions will be based on a pattern of convictions, felonies, or certain misdemeanors which will bar a student from completing a clinical rotation.
• Failure to disclose a previous conviction is typically viewed as seriously as the conviction itself, if not more so.
• Some clinical facilities may require submission of fingerprints as part of the background check.