Accelerated BSN Programs in California

Program Length & Format

• 12 months (3 semesters)
• on campus
• Campus locations: Oakland; Sacramento; San Francisco Peninsula (San Mateo, CA); Fresno

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required (non-nursing baccalaureate)
• Grade of C or better required in all prerequisite courses
• Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 semester/90 quarter units of coursework
• Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA in the four science prerequisite courses
• Two letters of reference required: one from a faculty member (preferably math or science) and one from a healthcare professional
• Transfer from another nursing program requires a written statement plus a letter from the dean confirming good standing and eligibility for continued enrollment

Prerequisites

• Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or better and cannot be taken concurrently with the ABSN program
• Required courses and semester units: English Composition 3.0; English Literature/Critical Thinking 3.0; Communication or Speech elective 3.0; Introduction/General Sociology or Cultural Anthropology 3.0; Social Science elective 3.0; Lifespan Developmental Psychology 3.0; Nutrition 3.0; Statistics 3.0; Human Anatomy with Lab 4.0; Human Physiology with Lab 4.0; Chemistry with Lab 4.0 (semester) or 6.0 (quarter); Microbiology with Lab 4.0; Pharmacology (approved course list); Pathophysiology (approved course list)
• Combined Anatomy & Physiology may meet requirements only if two combined A&P courses are completed (e.g., A&P I and A&P II)
• AP scores of 3, 4, or 5 and IB scores of 5, 6, or 7 may meet prerequisites only if scores are noted on an official university transcript

Deadlines

• Fall term: application deadline April 1; application opens December; prerequisite completion deadline August 15 prior to program start; program start months vary by campus (August, October, November)
• Spring term: application deadline July 1; application opens April; prerequisite completion deadline December 31 prior to program start; program start January (Sacramento and San Francisco Peninsula)
• Summer term: application deadline December 1; application opens August; prerequisite completion deadline December 31 prior to program start; program start May or June depending on campus
• Specific upcoming dates: November 15, 2025 (Spring 2026 application deadline); December 1, 2025 (Summer 2026 application deadline)

Application

• Apply via NursingCAS; application fee payable to NursingCAS: $60
• Official transcripts must be sent directly from each registrar to NursingCAS (NursingCAS, P.O. Box 9201, Watertown, MA 02471)
• Official, sealed transcripts required for courses that were in progress at time of application and not updated through NursingCAS Academic Update
• Non-refundable tuition deposit upon offer of admission: $350 to secure seat

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed against published admission criteria (degree, prerequisite grades, GPA, references, short answer responses)
• Acceptance contingent on meeting all course requirements and submission of required official transcripts

Cost & Financial Aid

• Application fee to NursingCAS: $60; non-refundable tuition deposit if admitted: $350
• ABSN students eligible for scholarships and student loans; federal and state grants not available for a second bachelor's degree
• Scholarships listed for ABSN students: Sharon Clark Diaz; Employee Campaign; Alumni Scholarship; Highsmith Scholarship; Huber Scholarship; Steele Scholarship; Osher Scholarship; Lewis Scholarship
• Financial aid application start: submit FAFSA; financial aid office phone: 510.879.9200

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical rotations required; participation requires completion of criminal background check and drug screening prior to clinical placement
• Criminal background check and drug screening initiated via CertifiedBackground.com and must be completed within 30 days per program instructions
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required (adult, infant, child with AED) prior to clinical participation
• Health insurance and required health documentation must be submitted by stated deadlines (health forms to be uploaded via the university health system; not accepted by mail/fax/email)

Credit Transfer

• Official transcripts required from all colleges attended for transfer credit evaluation; transcripts must be sent directly to NursingCAS
• Course equivalency tool available for local CSU, UC, and community college courses for ABSN prerequisites
• For prerequisite courses not listed in approved lists, applicants must submit course syllabus to the Office of Admission for approval
• AP and IB credit accepted only if exam scores appear on an official university transcript

Contacts

• Admission counselor: Joe Schaffernoth
• Admission counselor: Vanesa Sierra
• General phone for admissions/financial aid inquiries: 510.879.9200

Program Length & Format

• 15-month program spanning four semesters including the summer session
• 56 total nursing units
• Program offered through the College of Professional & Global Education at San Francisco State University

Admission Requirements

• Must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Must be a California resident or eligible for CSU in-state tuition
• Prerequisite GPA minimum 3.0 at time of School of Nursing supplemental application
• Minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses
• Seven of eight prerequisite courses must be completed at time of School of Nursing supplemental application
• Four science prerequisite courses must have been taken for a letter grade of C or better within the last seven years

Entrance Exams

• ATI TEAS required
• Minimum TEAS score: 78
• TEAS score must be within three attempts at time of application
• Online remote proctored ATI TEAS accepted
• Applicants for Fall 2017 or later must take the ATI TEAS newest version

Prerequisites

• Human Anatomy with Lab (4 semester units) or first half of combined A&P with lab
• Human Physiology with Lab (4 semester units) or second half of combined A&P with lab
• Survey of Chemistry with Lab (4 semester units) or comparable general/organic/biochemistry
• General Microbiology with Lab (4 semester units)
• Written Communication (Freshman or Sophomore Composition; GE Area A2)
• Oral Communication (public speaking or interpersonal communication; GE Area A1)
• Critical Thinking (logic, argumentation, or advanced composition; GE Area A3)
• Statistics (3 semester units; business or psychology statistics acceptable)
• Science courses counted in prerequisite GPA: the four science courses plus statistics

Deadlines

• Cal State Apply submission window: August 1 to September 2
• NursingCAS application window and supplemental submission: August 1 to September 2, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time
• Applicants must submit both Cal State Apply and NursingCAS materials by these deadlines

Application

• Submit Cal State Apply as "Undergraduate" and "Seeking a Second Bachelor's Degree," select "Nursing BS"
• Submit NursingCAS supplemental application to School of Nursing
• Request ATI Testing to send TEAS score directly to "San Francisco State University"
• Official transcripts from each college or community college attended
• Personal statement required (School of Nursing supplemental)
• Optional verification letters (must be on letterhead):
  • Veteran or active duty military status
  • Health-related work or volunteer experience (volunteer experience scores only if >50 hours within past five years)
  • Service to underserved community or related volunteer experience
  • Multi-linguistic fluency within health-related or service-to-underserved experiences

Selection Process

• Enrollment capacity: 40 spaces per year
• Typical application volume: over 200 applications per cycle
• Prerequisite completion, prerequisite GPA, TEAS score, residency, and required documents used in selection
• Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission

Cost & Financial Aid

• Program tuition rate: $799 per unit
• Students register and pay for classes via the College of Professional & Global Education

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Practicum or lab components included in multiple courses across semesters (examples):
  • NURS 311 Human Development and Health Assessment Lab
  • NURS 315 Health Promotions in Nursing Practicum
  • NURS 327 Reproductive Health Practicum; NURS 329 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum
  • NURS 350 Nursing Interventions Practicum I; NURS 411 and NURS 421 practicums
  • NURS 531 Community Health and Global Perspectives Practicum; NURS 521 or NURS 523 Capstone Practicum
• California Board of Registered Nursing requirement: minimum 16 semester units comprising natural, behavioral, and social sciences prior to RN licensure application

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite comparability and articulation resources available via Assist.org and SF State articulation pages
• Applicants must complete prerequisites at regionally accredited institutions or use comparable coursework approved by the School of Nursing

Contacts

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: (415) 338-1802
• Location: 1600 Holloway Avenue, Burk Hall 357, San Francisco, CA 94132
• Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.