Due to the impacted status with California State University, prospective applicants must meet the Department of Nursing's policies, progression, and eligibility. Details are referenced in the Pre-Licensure Student Handbook on the Traditional BSN Program home page.
Freshman
Freshmen (entering first-time first-year students) cannot be directly admitted to the nursing program. They instead can be admitted with a designation for the Pre-Health track.
- Upon general admission to the university, the Pre-Health track does not guarantee admission into the nursing program.
- Pre-Health students work with the Pre-Licensure Nursing Academic Advisor in the areas of academic advising, and prerequisite/cognate completion to plan on readiness to apply to the nursing program.
- The Pre-Licensure Nursing Academic Advisor will also determine the student's status of eligibility to apply based on the supplemental criteria for admissions during the student's first semester at CSUB to determine the expected year to apply to the program.
Prospective Applicants
Prospective applicants include current CSUB students, transfers, or students seeking a second baccalaureate degree.
Transfers and second baccalaureate applicants must meet university admission requirements in addition to the criteria for the nursing program. General admission to the university does not mean admission to the nursing program.
Prospective applicants must meet the minimum expected requirements included in the supplementary criteria for admission. Admission to the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at CSUB is based on the following criteria:
- Overall prerequisite GPA (3.0 or higher)
- Science & Statistics prerequisite GPA (3.0 or higher)
- TEAS Score (72% minimum)
- 2 seats are reserved each year for military veterans
- This does not apply to military dependents
- Local preference is considered for the Bakersfield service area and continuing CSUB
or Alumni
- Local preference is based on high school area code
- Healthcare Experience (highly recommended, optional ways to boost your application
are listed below)
- Option 1: Current healthcare licensure/certification in Home Health Aid, CMA, CNA, EMT, RT,
Medic, LVN, or Paramedic
- Applicant will need to upload a copy of their current licensure/certification to their NursingCAS applicaiton.
- Option 2: Current healthcare licensure/certification from list above and work experience (6
months of consecutive healthcare exployment with current licensure/certification).
This must be a paid experience, volunteer work does not count.
- Applicant will need to upload a copy of their current licensure/certification and provide a letter of employment for the duration (at least 6 months) on their NursingCAS application.
- Option 3: COPE Health Scholars Program (ONLY VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE ACCEPTED)
- Applicant will need to provide a letter from COPE Health Scholars Program supervisor
stating they have completed the program on their NursingCAS application.
- Applicants who are currently completing the program will need to submit a letter of employment and a letter of completion.
- Applicant will need to provide a letter from COPE Health Scholars Program supervisor
stating they have completed the program on their NursingCAS application.
- These options are highly recommended will boost the applicants chances of getting into the program. If the applicant do not have healthcare experience, they can still apply to the program.
- Option 1: Current healthcare licensure/certification in Home Health Aid, CMA, CNA, EMT, RT,
Medic, LVN, or Paramedic
- Interview
- After submission of their supplemental nursing application (NursingCAS application), applicants must complete a virtual interview component. Applicants will be notified via email (email listed on their NursingCAS application) during the admissions period and will be provided a link to the assessment. CSUB Nursing Faculty will review answers to determine who will be conditionally accepted into the program.
2nd Degree Students
Students seeking a 2nd Bachelor's Degree in Nursing must complete ALL prerequisite courses before applying for the program. Cognate courses can be taken before or during the program.
Students applying for the program will need to complete a graduate application indicating they are applying for a 2nd bachelor's degree. These applicants will not be considered transfer students, as they are not required to complete general requirements. Students must have a minimum overall (or last 60 units) GPA of 2.50 at the time of application.