California State University-Long Beach

California State University Long Beach (CSULB) was founded in 1949 by the governor of California Earl Warren. The original campus included just two apartment buildings. The following year, the citizens of Long Beach purchased 322 acres for the new campus and enrollment grew steadily. From 1959 to 1964, the student body increased from 10,000 to 30,000. CSULB is part of the California State University school system that includes 23 different campuses. It is also one of the largest universities in the state, with a student body of 37,776 students for the 2016 Fall semester. For in-state students, CSULB is also one of the most affordable choices.

The School of Nursing at CSULB is accredited and recognized locally and nationally. They have full national accreditation by the CCNE and state accreditation by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Students that are interested in a nursing career can start with the BSN program. The school offers a traditional BSN degree to prepare students for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. The MSN program includes six different specialty tracks, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and several other paths. CSULB nursing programs also give students the chance to gain clinical experience at nearby healthcare facilities.

Updated on: 10 Nov, 2025

Program Length & Format

Full-time,
typically 12 to 24 months

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet CSU transfer applicant requirements and indicate "Second Bachelor’s Degree" in Cal State Apply
Hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution by the end of the term prior to enrollment
Be in good standing at the last college or university attended
Meet minimum university GPA requirements via one of: hold an advanced degree; cumulative baccalaureate GPA at least 2.5; or GPA at least 2.5 in last 60 semester/90 quarter units
Provisional admission allowed if cumulative GPA at least 2.7 or last 60 semester/90 quarter units GPA at least 2.5

Entrance Exams

TEAS may be required
National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Exam (NLN PAX) may be required

Prerequisites

General biology with lab, one year
General chemistry with lab, one year
Organic chemistry with lab, one year
General physics with lab, one year
Human anatomy and physiology with lab and microbiology
Statistics and calculus (calculus: one semester or one year; statistics: one course)
English composition and behavioral science courses

Deadlines

Spring admission on August 1
Fall admission on October 1
Final official transcript deadlines for provisional admits: Spring admits by January 15; Fall admits by August 15

Application

Submit online university admission application via Cal State Apply and pay $70 nonrefundable application fee
Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to Enrollment Services
Indicate "Second Bachelor’s Degree" in the Cal State Apply application
Official transcripts may be mailed to: Office of Admissions, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840

Selection Process

Eligible applicants offered admission on a space-available basis after review of eligible transfer students
Appeals of admission denials must be submitted in writing within 15 days of denial notification to: 2nd Bachelor's Appeal Committee, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-0106
Appeal response notification by email within 4 to 6 weeks

Cost & Financial Aid

$70 nonrefundable application fee
Payment due within 30 days of registration or by the pre-semester payment deadline unless a financial aid deferment is approved

Credit Transfer

All official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required for transfer credit evaluation
Admission offers contingent on verification of eligibility and space availability