Prospective students applying to the Traditional BSN program will need to complete the 8 required prerequisite courses listed below. Cognate and General Education courses can be completed before or during the BSN program.
Prerequisite Courses
Before applying for the Traditional BSN Program, students must complete the 8 prerequisite courses and meet the minimum GPA requirements listed below:
- A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required in all 8 prerequisites.
- A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required in the science and statistics courses.
The science and statistics courses must be completed within the last 10 years. Prerequisite courses may not be completed on a credit/no-credit basis.
Progression Policy: Students are ineligible to apply to the Traditional BSN program if the following failure progression occurs: Achieve less than a "C" twice in the same required prerequisite or cognate course.
Repeat Policy: The Department of Nursing will allow applicants to repeat a maximum of two (2) prerequisite courses only one time, regardless, of whether they are science or non-science courses. Effective Fall 2023 and beyond, this policy applies to the following courses determined to be equivalent:
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2210 | Human Anatomy w/ lab (required) | B2, B3 | 4 |
| BIOL 2220 | Human Physiology w/ lab (required) | B2, B3 | 4 |
| BIOL 2230 | Microbiology w/ lab (required) | B2, B3 | 4 |
| CHEM 1000 or CHEM 1003 | Chemistry* | B1 (B3) | 3 or 4 |
| MATH 1209 or PSYC 2018 or SOC 2208 | Statistics (required) | B4 - Approved B4; must be Statistics | 3 |
| COMM 1008 or THTR 1009 | Public Speaking | A1 - CSU GE Certified (Public Speaking course recommended) | 3 |
| ENGL 1109 | Writing & Research | A2 - CSU GE Certified | 3 |
| PHIL 1019 or PHIL 2019 or SOC 1018 | Critical Thinking | A3 - CSU GE Certified (Critical Thinking/Logic course recommended) | 3 |
* Effective 1/1/2024, CSUB Nursing will no longer be accepting an introductory chemistry course [CHEM 1010 or equivalent] for the Chemistry prerequisite requirement. Students looking to attend the Traditional BSN program must complete a chemistry course that is equivalent to [or higher than] CHEM 1000 or CHEM 1003. For the list of CHEM 1010 or equivalent courses, please go to the Chemistry FAQs section at the bottom of the page or check ASSIST.
** If multiple Chemistry courses were taken, the second attempted Chemistry course will be used for eligibility. Taking multiple Chemistry courses counts as a repeat. CHEM 1010 will not count as a repeat.
Cognate Courses
A minimum grade of a "C" is required in the cognates. Cognate courses may be taken before or during the BSN program. These courses may not be taken on a credit/no-credit basis as they are required for the nursing major.
Progression Policy: Students are ineligible to apply to the Traditional BSN program if the following failure progression occurs: Achieve less than a "C" twice in the same required prerequisite or cognate course.
Repeat Policy: Each cognate can be repeated once, students must pass on their second attempt.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 1018 | Explorations in Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 2240 | Principles of Nutrition | 2 |
| NURS 2190 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| BIOL 3220 | Human Pathophysiology* | 4 |
*Human Pathophysiology taken outside of CSUB will need to be evaluated by the Department of Nursing, please provide a course syllabus to hli7@csub.edu for review.
General Education Requirements
A minimum grade of a "C-" or higher is required in the general education requirements. General Education courses may be taken before or during the BSN program.
| Course | General Education Areas | Met with program |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Seminar | CSUB 1029 or Transfer Student | x |
| Areas A (A1, A2, A3) | Foundational Skills | Satisfied by prerequisites |
| Areas B (B1, B2, B3) | Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Satisfied by prerequisites |
| Area C1 | Arts | x |
| Area C2 | Humanities | x |
| Area AI - AG | Government | x |
| Area AI - AH | History | x |
| Area D | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Satisfied by cognate |
| Area F | Ethnic Studies | x |
| SELF | Student Enrichment and Lifelong Fulfillment | Satisfied by nursing course |
| JYDR | Junior Year Diversity and Reflection | Satisfied by nursing course |
| Upper Division B | Upped Division Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Satisfied by nursing course |
| Upper Division C & GWAR | Upper Division Arts & Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement | PHIL 3318 (recommended) |
| Upper Division D | Upper Division Social and Behavioral Sciences | Satisfied through an approved waiver |
| Capstone | Senior Seminar | Satisfied by nursing course |
Transfer Resources
Assist
Articulation Chart
Have you attended a community college and think you may have completed a prerequisite? Are you planning on completing courses at another CSU, UC, or CC?
Check out our Articulation Chart to determine which courses are accepted as Nursing Prerequisites!
Chemistry Requirement