Undergraduate
The Valley Foundation School of Nursing has three ways to earn your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN):
- the BSN program, for students who are new to nursing
- the RN-to-BSN program, for California licensed nurses who wish to earn their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Use the quicklinks below to skip to admissions requirements for the program you're interested in.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN to BSN Program (Post-Licensure)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Admissions
The Bachelor's of Science in Nursing is an impacted major, which imposes supplemental criteria that all students must meet. The impaction criteria changed as of Summer 2022.
UPDATE: CHANGES TO BSN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR FALL 2023 APPLICATION (Nursing application requirements only)
The admission requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will change for the Fall 2023 application period. Please carefully read the information below.
All prospective students are highly encourged to attend a group advising session before applying to the program to receive detailed information about the application process. Access the new information in the updated BSN Info Packet. Download the updated Advising Slides [pdf].
Quick links menu:
Application Process
Eligibility and Prerequisites
Prerequisite Substitution Form
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
How to Apply, Deadlines
Acceptance to the Program
Tuition
Advising for BSN Pre-Nursing
Degree Requirements, Forms, Policies, and more
Application Process
To be admitted to the program, there is a two-step application process:
Apply to the University (if a transfer or prior baccalaureate student)
- Complete all university transfer requirements.
- Complete university application through CalState Apply by deadline (requires a fee).
Apply to the Nursing Program (Change in Requirements for Fall 2023 Application)
- Complete all nursing prerequisites and the TEAS exam prior to completing Nursing application (No courses can be in progress during nursing application period).
- Complete nursing program application through NursingCAS by deadline (requires a fee).
Eligibility and Prerequisites
Students that are brand new to nursing may apply. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. DACA students need to complete an additional form (DACA/AB540 Form [docx]).
Prerequisite Courses
For the Fall 2023 Application and beyond, the minimum GPA accepted will increase to 3.3 for all eight (8) prerequisite courses combined (see BSN Info Packet for details).
The following courses must be completed prior to applying, with a “C” grade or better:
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 5 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
|
CHEM 30A: Intro to Chemistry-Inorganic (or general chemistry equivalent) |
3 |
|
COMM 20/COMM 96PS: Public Speaking |
3 |
| CSU GE Area A3: Critical Thinking Course | 3 |
*BIOL 65, BIOL 66, MICR 20 must be completed within five (5) years of nursing application deadline. Courses may be repeated only once for academic forgiveness or recency requirements to achieve a minimum “C” grade. If a combined “Anatomy & Physiology” course is taken, all courses in the sequence should be taken at the same campus.
Corequisite Courses
The following corequisite courses are recommended to be completed prior to applying, but may be in progress during the semester an applicant completes the nursing application.
A minimum “C” grade or better is required:
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| 3 | |
|
CHAD 70: Lifespan Development in the 21st Century (development from birth to death) |
3 |
| 3 |
Course Articulation
All prerequisite courses taken at campuses other than SJSU must be approved as equivalent. Applicants can check for course equivalencies for California public colleges and universities through the university’s articulation website. Another resource is Assist.org. Online coursework with labs will be accepted as long as the course articulates.
Course Substitutions
For courses that do not appear on either articulation websites or if you seek approval of a course substitution of a nursing prerequisite, applicants will complete a nursing substitution form, which must be submitted with course descriptions to the nursing undergraduate coordinator for approval before completing the nursing application. The signed form will be included in the nursing application. For more information, please see Advising Slides (found in Resources).
The substitution form is completed using Docusign. To submit the form, please follow these steps:
1. Click on the link to access the form. Enter your name and email address. Then, select "Begin Signing"
2. Enter the requested information into the appropriate field. A SJSU ID is not required to complete the form.
3. Attach an official course description for each course from the institution the course was taken at. Then, select "Finish."
Please note, it may take several weeks to review the form. Please submit forms as early as possible.
Credit/No Credit Courses
The department strongly recommends receiving a letter grade for prerequisite courses, only letter grades are calculated in the prerequisite GPA. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, prerequisite courses with CR/NC grades during Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 semesters will be accepted. A course with a CR grade will not be included in the prerequisite calculation.
AP Exam Credit
The department accepts an AP exam score of 3 or higher as a substitute for the following courses:
- English Composition
- Statistics
- Introduction to Psychology
If the AP scores cannot be identified on a transcript, please complete a nursing substitution form.
Policy for Repeating Courses
- No course may be repeated, unless for academic forgiveness at the same school that a “C-” or below was received the first time.
- BIOL 65, BIOL 66, MICR 20 may be repeated only once for academic forgiveness or recency requirements.
- Earning a “W” in a prerequisite course and repeating it to earn a grade does not count as a retake. The course that earned a “W” does not factor into any nursing application GPA calculations.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
The SJSU testing office offers the Test of Essential Academic Skills version 6.0 or 7.0 for students applying to any nursing program, including SJSU. Please visit the testing office website to register for a test date at SJSU. Applicants may take the TEAS exam at other locations. The nursing office will accept remote TEAS taken online through an approved ATI site, though it is strongly encouraged to take the test in-person when possible. Visit the ATI Testing website to find an approved site.
The nursing department requires a minimum score of 84% to be eligible for admission, either version 6 or 7 will be accepted. A competitive overall TEAS score is 90%. The department will only consider the TEAS score of the first two attempts regardless of version. The highest overall score of the two attempts will be counted.
The nursing department does not enforce a minimum time requirement between repeated TEAS tests. We encourage enough time between tests to study and improve. Study guides are available online at the ATI website.
Submitting Your TEAS Score
Applicants do not need to send scores through ATI to SJSU. Please upload a copy of your TEAS score to your NursingCAS application by the deadline. (see details below)
How to Apply
1. Complete the University Application on CalState Apply
(Current SJSU students do not submit a second Cal State application. Please refer to the nursing application process below).
- Transfer students select the major: Pre-Nursing, Undeclared
- Postbaccalaureate students: first select Seeking Second Bachelor’s Degree in your extended profile. Then, select the major: Nursing
- Follow the instructions to complete the Cal State application. For assistance with the Cal State application, please contact the Applicant Help Center directly by phone or email. The nursing department does not oversee this application and cannot provide assistance.
You will receive further correspondence from the Admissions office through your MySJSU account regarding the university (Calstate) application.
2. Complete the Nursing Application on NursingCAS
- Complete the application by following the instructions on NursingCAS.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools attended must be requested through the NursingCAS application by the deadline, see instructions for details. Transcripts must be requested by the deadline.
- Transcripts sent to NursingCAS are not shared with the university. Applicants must send official transcripts to SJSU admissions if requested through your MySJSU account.
- Applicants will upload the following documents to the application:
- Scanned copy of the front and back of CA Driver’s License
- Scanned copy of U.S. Passport or U.S. Birth Certificate or Permanent Residency Card (Green Card)
- Functional Competencies form [docx]
- Copy of page 1 of highest TEAS exam score
- Nursing Substitution forms (if needed)
- Postbaccalaureate students: upload a document that states you are a Postbaccalaureate, including your full name, name of school attended, and date of graduation
- Healthcare Experience Form [pdf] (if applicable)
Application Deadlines
University Application Deadlines
- Applying for Spring 2023: closed
- Applying for Fall 2023: CalState application opens October 2022. Refer to the admissions website for dates. Post-baccalaureate students may only apply for Spring semesters beginning fall 2022.
Nursing Application Deadlines
-
- Applying for Spring 2023: application closed (transfers not admitted for spring terms)
- Applying for Fall 2023: application opens mid January - February 15, 2023 (Post-baccalaureate students may not apply for fall semesters, see announcement above)
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 by email.
- Spring 2023: Late November
- Fall 2023: 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).
Note: These are drug screening requirements that are consistent with the California Board of Nursing guidelines for safe nursing practices. For details, please see the Advising Slides [pdf] or BSN Information Packet. Applicants must also be admitted to the university; being accepted by one office doesn't equate to being admissible 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 $3,926 (fall 2022).
Other additional program related costs include textbooks, uniforms, equipment, and learning materials.
Advising for BSN Pre-Nursing
Group advising is offered for students interested in applying to the program. Sessions are offered monthly during the fall and spring semesters. Not able to make a live info session? You can watch a recording of the latest info session here (passcode: %eexb1^* ) updated 3-3-23
Pre-Nursing, Undeclared SJSU students can receive additional advising through the CHHS Student Success Center for assistance with GE advising and major prerequisites.
Future students that attended (or viewed) a group advising session can schedule a quick online 20-minute appointment with an advisor to clarify specific questions. Students must review the BSN Info packet and Advising Slides prior to scheduling an individual session. Due to the limited time available, please come prepared to the advising appointment. Students are expected to review the application requirements before attending the appointment.
Student must provide the following required information in the description box while booking:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
Note: If you run into any issues please email: nursing@sjsu.edu
Read about degree requirements, student resources (including necessary forms and program policies), current events, and more on the BSN program page.
RN to BSN Program Admissions
The RN to BSN program, sometimes called the accelerated program, is for licensed RNs who wish to complete their Bachelor's of Science (BS) degree in nursing.
Quick links menu:
Application Process
Eligibility and Prerequisites
How to Apply
Acceptance to the Program
Tuition
Advising for BSN Pre-Nursing
Degree Requirements, Forms, Policies, and more
Application Process
To be admitted to the program, there is a dual admission process:
Apply to the University
- Complete all university transfer requirements. Transfer students must have a 2.75 minimum GPA in all college coursework.
- Prior baccalaureate students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA in the last 60 units and be CSU eligible.
- Complete university application through CalState Apply by deadline (requires a fee).
Apply to the Nursing Program
- Complete nursing prerequisite courses
- Complete nursing program application through NursingCAS by deadline (requires a fee).
Eligibility and Prerequisites
- Associate's Degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited US college or university
- Valid California RN License, or will earn a California RN license by the end of the first semester in 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
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
| COMM 20/COMM 96PS: Public Speaking | 3 |
| CSU GE Area A3: Critical Thinking Course | 3 |
| STAT 95: Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| CHEM 30A: Intro to Chemistry-Inorganic (or general chemistry equivalent) | 3 |
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 Spring 2023: application now closed
- Applying for Fall 2023: application now open October 1, 2022-November 30, 2022
Nursing Application on NursingCAS
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to NursingCAS. Instructions can be found on the NursingCAS website. Transcripts must be requested by the application deadline. Please note these transcripts are not shared with the university.
Nursing Application Deadlines
- Applying for spring: application open August 17-September 30
- Applying for fall: application open December 1-February 1
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 by email.
- Spring 2023: Late November
- Fall 2023: 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).
Note: These are 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 doesn't equate to being admissible 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 $3,926 (fall 2022).
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.
