Undergraduate

The Valley Foundation School of Nursing has two ways to earn your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN):

Use the quicklinks below to jump to the admissions requirements for the program you're interested in.

• ➡️ Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • All BSN application guidance is reached through the above link.
  • the BSN program is for students who are new to nursing
• ➡️ RN to BSN Program (Post-Licensure)
  • The RN to BSN program is for applicants who already have a California RN license who wish to earn their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    • The RN to BSN program is also for applicants currently in an ADN program who will earn a California RN license while in the program. See further details below.

The RN to BSN program is for licensed RNs (licensure before the start of their second semester is permissible) who wish to complete their Bachelor's of Science (BS) degree in nursing.

REMINDER: There is a two-step application process to be admitted to the RN-BSN program. Applicants must also meet CSU admission requirements.

Quick links menu:

• Application Process
• Eligibility and Prerequisites
• How to Apply
• Acceptance to the Program
• Tuition
• Pre-Application Advising
• Degree Requirements, Forms, Policies, and more

Application Process

RN-BSN program admits for Fall semster beginning, only. To be admitted to the program, there is a dual admission process.

Steps 

1. Complete all university transfer requirements. Transfer students must have a 2.75 minimum GPA in all college coursework.
2. Prior baccalaureate students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA in the last 60 units and be CSU eligible.
3. Complete nursing prerequisite courses
4. Complete university application through CalState Apply by deadline (requires a fee).

5. Next, apply to the RN-BSN program on NursingCAS (requires a fee).

Eligibility and Prerequisites

• Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a regionally accredited US college or university
• Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident with a valid green card. DACA students are eligible. 
• Valid California RN License, or will earn a California RN license before the start of the second semester of the program
• All college coursework must meet a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Complete all university transfer requirements. Post baccalaureate students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA in the last 60 units.
• Must receive a "C" minimum in all prerequisite nursing courses

Prerequisite Courses

Courses can be IN PROGRESS when applying to the program.

The university requires that the four basic skills courses and 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) must be completed by the end of the spring term to be eligible for fall admission. To be eligible for spring admission, you must meet all admission requirements by the end of the summer term. You must earn a “C” or higher grade in each basic skills course. For more information, please visit the Transfer Admission Requirements website.

Applicants can check for course equivalencies for California public colleges and universities through the university’s articulation website. Another resource is Assist.org.

How to Apply: Application Procedure and Deadlines

University Application on CalState Apply

• Transfer students — select the major: Nursing-RN
• Post baccalaureate students — first select Seeking Second Bachelor's degree in your extended profile. Then, select the major: Nursing-RN

The application will ask the following question: "Do you currently have a registered nurse license or will you have your license by the end of the semester that you are applying for?" Please answer "Yes"

If you cannot answer "Yes", then you may be looking for the Pre-Licensure BSN program. For more information, please visit the BSN program page.

You will receive further correspondence from the Admissions office through your MySJSU account regarding the university application.

University Application Deadlines

• Applying for Fall 2025: Application opens October 1, 2024-November 30, 2024

NursingCAS

Following your Cal State Apply application, begin preparing for the NursingCAS application. For general assistance with the NursingCAS application, contact the NursingCAS Applicant Help Center.

Official transcripts are required from each institution attended and reported on your NursingCAS application. Transcripts must be ordered through NursingCAS. For assistance, please review the instructions on NursingCAS. 

Transcripts turned in to NursingCAS are not shared with SJSU Admissions!

Applicants for the RN-BSN program will need to upload the following documents to their NursingCAS application: 

• Provide a copy of your valid California Driver's License
• Provide a copy of your valid U.S. Passport OR U.S. Birth Certificate OR Permanent Residency Card (green card)
• Provide a signed copy of the Functional Compentencies form [docx]
• Provide any Nursing Prerequisite Substitution Forms, if needed
• Submit a copy of your active RN License.
  • If you plan to obtain your license after starting the program, submit proof of your scheduled NCLEX exam that will result in you receiving your license prior to the start of the second semester of the program. Please note, students will not move on to the second semester of the program without their RN License.

NursingCAS Deadlines

• Applying for Fall 2025: Typically the RN-BSN NursingCAS application opens mid-January and close mid-February. Specific dates will be posted here by December 2024. 

Acceptance to the Program

Acceptance notifications from the university and the nursing department are sent separately and at different times.

The nursing department will notify applicants via email by late April.

Acceptance into the nursing program is conditional until an applicant completes and clears a drug screening and Health Statement clearance process (fee required); instructions will be provided after conditional acceptance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drug screening requirements that are consistent with the California Board of Nursing guidelines for safe nursing practices. Applicants must also be admitted to the university; being accepted by one office (SJSU Admission or School of Nursing) doesn't equate to admittion from the other. There is a non-refundable fee for the New Student Workshop.

Tuition

The tuition and campus fees for a full-time undergraduate student are $3,996 (fall 2023) + university fees, per semester.

Other additional program related costs include textbooks, uniforms, equipment, and learning materials.

Advising for RN to BSN

Register here for a live, online, pre-admission advising session. 

Read about degree requirements, student resources (including necessary forms and program policies), current events, and more on the RN to BSN program page.