CSUN Wordmark
Page Description

The following syllabus page is a three column layout with a header that contains a quicklinks jump menu and the search CSUN function. Page sections are identified with headers. The footer contains update, contact and emergency information.

Book Icon

A-BSN FRequently-Asked Questions

 

Admissions and program questions

1) How many students are accepted into the program, and what is the average GPA of the students who are accepted into the program?
2) I will complete my nursing prerequisites by the end of spring 2013, can I still be considered for summer and fall 2012 admissions?
3) Do you offer Informational Sessions?
4) Do you admit students for the spring semester?
5) Is there a waiting list?
6) What are the Admissions Requirements?
7) How long is the program?
8) May I attend as a part-time student?
9) Is acceptance to the A-BSN program based solely on my G.P.A.?
10) In addition to the A-BSN program admission requirements, how can I be a better candidate?
11) Are classes offered during the day or evening?
12) Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exams?
13) My undergraduate GPA was a 2.8; can I still apply to the program?
14) What are the application procedures and deadlines?
15) May I continue to work during the program?
16) Do we choose where we want to be placed for our clinicals?

Prerequisites

17) Do I have to complete all of my prerequisites to be admitted to the program?
18) Do I have to complete all of my prerequisites before applying to the program?
19) What are the Nursing prerequisites for the A-BSN program?
22) May I substitute courses I took elsewhere for the nursing prerequisite courses?
23) Do I have to complete the CSU GE Basic Skills Critical Thinking Requirement, Title 5, and the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Examination (UDWPE)?
24) May I complete nursing prerequisite requirements at a Community College?
25) Is there a time limit on completion of science courses (anatomy with lab, chemistry with lab, physiology with lab, and microbiology with lab)?
26) May I complete science courses which include online virtual labs?
27) How can I complete nursing prerequisite courses at CSUN before I am admitted to the A-BSN program?

Transcripts

28) Can I meet with an Advisor at Cal State Northridge to review and evaluate my transcripts?
29) I already submitted my official transcripts to CSUN Admissions & Records; do I need to submit them again with my department application?
30) If I received my Bachelor’s Degree from CSUN, do I include my official transcripts with my department application?

Other application material questions

31) How long should my personal statement be?
32) May I submit official transcripts or recommendation letters separately?
33) Do letters of recommendations have to be from professors?
34) Are there any exceptions to the application deadline?
35) What if my application packet is postmarked by the application deadline but the department receives it later, will it be accepted?
36) What is the mailing address for my completed A-BSN application?
37) May I submit my department application packet in person?

Interviews

38) Are all applicants interviewed?
39) When do the interviews take place?
40) When will I know if I have been accepted?

International Students

41) I am a foreign graduate, am I eligible to apply?
42) Where can I obtain more information about applying to CSUN as an International Student?
43) Where do I translate and evaluate my foreign transcripts?

Accreditation

44) What accreditation does your program hold?

Program Cost and Financial Aid and Scholarships

45) What type of financial aid is available to A-BSN students?

46) What is the cost of the program?

Nursing Information

47) What is the difference between an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN)?
48) What are the advantages of obtaining a BSN degree instead of attending a 2-year nursing program?
49) What other degrees can be pursued in the field of Nursing?
50) What other Nursing resources are available to me?

 

Admissions and program questions

1) How many students are accepted into the program, and what is the average GPA of the students who are accepted into the program?

40 students are chosen from our applicant pool, 20 for summer and 20 for fall. The average BA/BS GPA of students who are accepted into the program is over 3.5, and the average prerequisite science GPA is over a 3.9. Please be aware that this is a very competitive program. Applicants should take into consideration the demanding nature of the program prior to submitting an application.

2) I will complete my nursing prerequisites by the end of spring 2013, can I still be considered for summer and fall 2013 admissions?

No. All prerequisites must be completed by the end of fall 2012 semester/quarter to be considered for summer/fall 2013 admission. If one or more of your prerequisite courses are in progress during spring 2013, you will be eligible to apply for the following year--summer/fall 2014.

3) Do you offer Informational Sessions?

Yes. Information Sessions are offered twice a month for prospective students who are interested in learning more about the Accelerated BSN program. The Informational Sessions provide an excellent overview of the A-BSN program. These sessions are designed to assist prospective students, and usually answer the majority of questions. At the end of each session, additional time is provided for individual questions. No appointment is necessary to attend. Please visit our website: http://www.csun.edu/~nursing/ and click on A-BSN Info Session Schedule (on the right hand side).

4) Do you admit students for the spring semester?

No. We admit students in the summer and fall semesters.

5) Is there a waiting list?

No, there is no waiting list. New applications must be submitted for any given application period.

6) What are the Admissions Requirements?

The admission requirements can be found by visiting our website: http://www.csun.edu/~nursing/

Requirements for admission to the A-BSN track include the following:

7) How long is the program?

The A-BSN is a 15-month (4 semesters) program.

8) May I attend as a part-time student?

No. The A-BSN is a full-time, intensive program.

9) Is acceptance to the A-BSN program based solely on my G.P.A.?

No, it is based on a number of items:

A. BA/BS from an accredited institution;
B. BA/BS GPA (Minimum of a 3.0 or higher);
C. Completion of all necessary nursing prerequisite courses (minimum grade of C);
D. Grades for science courses (anatomy with lab, physiology with lab, chemistry with lab, and microbiology with lab);
E. Experience/Volunteer work

10) In addition to the A-BSN program admission requirements, how can I be a better candidate?

Repeat your science courses if you wish to raise your current grades-the highest grade will be counted; experience or volunteer work in the health care field over time is important; and letters of recommendation from both a former Supervisor/Employer and a Faculty person who know you well enough are important, too.

11) Are classes offered during the day or evening?

Depending on the clinical rotation schedule of availability, classes may be held during the day and/or evening.

12) Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and/or the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Exams?

No the GRE and/or TEAS Exams are not required for the A-BSN program.

13) My undergraduate GPA was a 2.8; can I still apply to the program?

The minimum BA/BS GPA is a 3.0 or higher. You may still apply but please note that the average BA/BS GPA of students who are accepted into the program is over a 3.5, and the average prerequisite science GPA is over a 3.9. Given that, please be aware that many who qualify for admission are not necessarily admitted. The nursing prerequisites and requirements and the interview and experience in the field are all qualifiers, but do not guarantee admission--even for those with high grades.

14) What are the application procedures and deadlines?

The A-BSN program only accepts applications once a year. There are two basic steps for applying:

15) May I continue to work during the program?

No. This is a full-time, intensive program and you are expected not to be employed during the program. Please take into consideration the demanding nature of this program. Classes and clinical experiences may be scheduled at any time during the 7 days of the week or 24 hour nursing care times. The program must schedule clinical times in collaboration with clinical agencies, who are constrained by patient census, presence of other students in their facility, and other variables not under the control of the University.

16) Do we choose where we want to be placed for our clinicals?

Geographic location is taken into account when clinical placement decisions are being made; however, your first choice is not guaranteed.

Prerequisites

17) Do I have to complete all of my prerequisites to be admitted to the program?

Yes. All nursing prerequisites must be completed by the end of fall 2011 semester/quarter to be considered for Summer/Fall 2013 admission.

18) Do I have to complete all of my prerequisites before applying to the program?

No, nursing prerequisites do not have to be completed at the time of application-they may still be in progress; however, they must be completed by the end of fall 2012. Please request a progress report from your professor(s) (e.g., grade after midterm) and submit it along with your application materials. Please send your official transcripts to CSUN Admissions and Records and the Department of Nursing, as soon as your final grade(s) are posted.

19) What are the Nursing prerequisites for the A-BSN program?

CSUN Nursing Prerequisite Courses Semester
Units CSUN Course CSUN Catalog Descriptions
http://www.csun.edu/catalog/

 

CSUN Nursing Prerequisite Courses

Semester

Units

CSUN Course

CSUN Catalog Descriptions

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/

1

**Introductory Chemistry WITH lab

4

Chem 103

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/chemistryandbiochemistry.html#CHEM103L

2

**Human Anatomy WITH lab

2 + 1 = 3

Bio 211 & 212

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/biology.html#BIOL100L

3

**Human Physiology WITH lab

3 + 1 = 4

Bio 281 & 282

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/biology.html#BIOL100L

4

**Introductory Microbiology WITH lab

2 + 2 = 4

Bio 215 & 215L

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/biology.html#BIOL100L

7

Introduction to Sociology

3

Soc 150

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/sociology.html#SOC150

8

Principles of Human Behavior (this is an Introductory Psychology course)

3

Psy 150

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/psychology.html#PSY150

9

Introduction to Lifespan Psychology

3

Psy 200

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/psychology.html#PSY200

10

Introductory Statistics

4

Math 140

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/mathematics.html#MATH140

11

+Epidemiology

3

HSCI 488

http://www.csun.edu/catalog/healthsciences.html#HSCI131


22) May I substitute courses I took elsewhere for the nursing prerequisite courses?

Possibly. To get an idea of what course(s) may satisfy our prerequisite course requirements, you can utilize the following resources:

  1. www.assist.org - is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California College or University can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s public colleges and universities. Select California State University, Northridge from the first drop-down menu, select the Community College you wish to attend or have attended from the second drop-down menu, choose Select by Major, and then select Nursing from the list of majors.
  2. If you have other classes (from out of the region, state, or country), you can try to compare the course descriptions with CSUN’s (i.e., compare catalogs). There is an online version of the catalog on the CSUN website http://www.csun.edu/catalog/.
  3. You may also write to our A-BSN Advisor, Joanne Moreno, at absn@csun.edu, including the name of the course, a course description, and the college/university name, to check for prerequisite course equivalencies before the application period.

23) Do I have to complete the CSU GE Basic Skills Critical Thinking Requirement, Title 5, and the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Examination (UDWPE)?

No. According to Education Code 66055.8 (2nd Baccalaureate BSNs and Higher), we are no longer to hold 2nd Baccalaureate candidates in Nursing for the Critical Thinking and Title 5 requirements in American Institutions, nor for the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam.

24) May I complete nursing prerequisite requirements at a Community College?

Yes. Articulation agreements with California Community Colleges for prerequisite requirements are available on the Assist website (www.assist.org). Select California State University, Northridge from the first drop-down menu, select the Community College you wish to attend from the second drop-down menu, choose Select by Major, and then select Nursing from the list of majors.

25) Is there a time limit on completion of science courses (anatomy with lab, chemistry with lab, physiology with lab, and microbiology with lab)?

Yes, all science courses must have been completed within the past seven (7) years at the time of application.

26) May I complete science courses which include online virtual labs?

No. Online labs are not accepted for science courses.

27) How can I complete nursing prerequisite courses at CSUN before I am admitted to the A-BSN program?

You may complete the prerequisites by enrolling through our Open University option-a program of the Tseng College of Extended Learning- Please call (818) 677-2786 or you may refer to their website: http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/openuni.html for enrollment information.

Transcripts

28) Can I meet with an Advisor at Cal State Northridge to review and evaluate my transcripts?

Unfortunately, there is no mechanism to sit down with an evaluator for individualized assessment. Transcripts are evaluated by Admissions & Records upon applying to CSUN. The evaluation process occurs when you apply to CSUN on www.csumentor.org and send your official transcripts to CSUN. Furthermore, since there are typically hundreds of applicants interested in the A-BSN program, we do not meet with prospective students to provide individualized advisement; however, to get an idea of what course(s) may satisfy our prerequisite course requirements, you can utilize the above-stated three (3) resources (please refer to question #22).

29) I already submitted my official transcripts to CSUN Admissions & Records; do I need to submit them again with my department application?

Yes. The Department of Nursing also requires official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

30) If I received my Bachelor’s Degree from CSUN, do I include my official transcripts with my department application?

Yes. The Department of Nursing will need official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including CSUN.

Other application material questions

31) How long should my personal statement be?

Your personal statement should be no longer than two pages-double spaced-describing your background and professional goals.

32) May I submit official transcripts or recommendation letters separately?

Yes; however, since there are typically hundreds of applications, it is highly advised that you put all materials listed on the “Application Checklist Form” together in one packet. The application packet must arrive by the application deadline. We do not want you to be at a disadvantage in the admissions process if you submit materials separately.

33) Do letters of recommendations have to be from professors?

No, not necessarily. Letters of recommendations from both a former Supervisor/Employer and a Faculty person who know you well enough to answer the questions on the recommendation forms are important.

34) Are there any exceptions to the application deadline?

No. Late applications will NOT be accepted. No exceptions. Application packets must be received by - not postmarked by – November 30 no later than 4:00 PM, in the Department of Nursing.

35) What if my application packet is postmarked by the application deadline but the department receives it later, will it be accepted?

No. There are no exceptions. Please ensure that your application packet is mailed early enough to arrive in the Department of Health Sciences Office--not the campus mailroom--by the deadline.

36) What is the mailing address for my completed A-BSN application?

ATTENTION: Accelerated BSN Admissions
Department of Nursing, Jacaranda Hall 2515
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8285

37) May I submit my department application packet in person?

Yes. Application packets may be submitted directly to the Department of Nursing in Jacaranda Hall, Room 2515.

Interviews

38) Are all applicants interviewed?

No. You will be notified in late February or early March if you are to be interviewed or not.

39) When do the interviews take place?

We cannot guarantee, but anticipate interviews will begin in March and the selection process will be completed as soon as possible.

40) When will I know if I have been accepted?

By mid-April, you will be notified.

International Students

41) I am a foreign graduate, am I eligible to apply?

If you are a student who has completed a Bachelor’s degree equal to a U.S. Bachelor's degree, then you are eligible to apply for a second Bachelor's degree at CSUN. You must submit EVALUATED and TRANSLATED transcripts: 1 with the A-BSN application and 1 to CSUN Admissions and Records.

42) Where can I obtain more information about applying to CSUN as an International Student?

Please contact International Admissions and Evaluations, Bayramian Hall, Room 150 at (818) 677-3760. You may also visit their website for more information- http://www.csun.edu/anr/intl/apply/intlapplygrad.html.

43) Where do I translate and evaluate my foreign transcripts?

You must contact independent international evaluation services. A few of these services are listed below.

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute
P.O. Box 6908
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Telephone: (310) 275-3530, (800) 234-1597
Fax: (310) 275-3528
Website: http://www.acei1.com

Academic & Professional International Evaluations, Inc.
P.O. Box 5787
Los Alamitos, CA 90721-5787
Telephone: (562) 594-6498
Website: www.apie.org

American Education Research Corporation
P.O. Box 996
West Covina, CA 91793-0996
Telephone: (626) 339-4404
Fax: (626) 339-9081
Website: www.aerc-eval.com

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
Telephone: (414) 289-3400
Fax: (414) 289-3411
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Website: http://www.ece.org/

Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES)
601 University Avenue, Suite 127
Sacramento, CA 95825
Telephone: (866) 411-3737, (916) 921-0790
Fax: (916) 921-0793
E-mail: edu@eres.com
Website: http://www.eres.com/

International Education Research Foundation, Inc. Credentials Evaluation Service (IERF)
P.O. Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
Telephone: (310) 258-9451
Fax: (310) 342-7086
E-mail: info@ierf.org
Website: www.ierf.org

Accreditation

44) What accreditation does your program hold?

The program is accredited by the Collegiate Commission for Nursing Education (CCNE), approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), and is administered within the Department of Nursing. In addition, the University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Program Cost and Financial Aid and Scholarships

45) What type of financial aid is available to A-BSN students?

Financial assistance as well as a variety of scholarships is available to qualified students. For information, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (818) 677-4085 or visit their website at http://www.csun.edu/finaid/. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is located in the Student Services Center on the 1st floor of Bayramian Hall, west of the Oviatt Library.

46) What is the cost of the program?

The cost of the program is roughly $17,000 (excluding housing, books, and supplies), although this amount is subject to change. Please visit http://www-admn.csun.edu/ucs/docs/tuition-fees.pdf for tuition fees.

Nursing Information

47) What is the difference between an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN)?

The BSN is a 4-year degree obtained from a 4-year college or university, whereas the ADN is a 2-year degree obtained from a 2-year college. Basic nursing content is the same; however, there are some areas that are covered more extensively, such as leadership, nursing research, and community health.

48) What are the advantages of obtaining a BSN degree instead of attending a 2-year nursing program?

According to recent surveys, nurse executives in U.S. hospitals are seeking more staff nurses with Baccalaureate-level preparation in order to meet the complex demands of today’s health care environment. Other study outcomes suggest that patient morbidity and mortality may be reduced by increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses on staff. Most hospitals will hire RNs with associate's degrees, but prefer RNs with BSN degrees. BSN prepared nurses also have more career options and job flexibility available to them. With a BSN, you are more marketable in the health care arena. Also, earning your BSN may be a stepping-stone to earning your MSN.

49) What other degrees can be pursued in the field of Nursing?

Beyond the Baccalaureate degree is the Master’s degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Nursing Doctorate Degree (PhD), and the Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc).

50) What other Nursing resources are available to me?

Discover Nursing
California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
Scholarships for Nursing
AfterCollege/American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Scholarship
Healthcare Careers