ADN-BSN Community College Collaborative Program
CSUN’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Community College Collaborative program at CSUN is a dual enrollment program that expedites the process of earning your bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
Our program allows you to simultaneously complete your ADN coursework at one of our partner community college campuses and begin your BSN coursework online at CSUN.
Through CSUN’s ADN-BSN Collaborative, you can earn both degrees in as few as 2.5 years — saving you time and money, and giving you a competitive advantage when you enter the workforce.
Why Earn Your BSN?
With a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you’ll be:
- More likely to qualify for leadership roles.
- A stronger candidate for employment at Magnet® recognized hospitals.
- Eligible to pursue advanced practice roles.
- Better qualified to move into non-bedside roles — providing greater career flexibility.
Online Learning that Accommodates Your Schedule
CSUN’s ADN-BSN Collaborative program is fully online and asynchronous, giving you the flexibility you need to manage your coursework and personal responsibilities. Log in and learn on a schedule that works for you!
Have questions about your path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)?
Whether you're just getting started, transferring from another program, or considering a non-traditional route, the Department Chair is here to help.
Schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your academic goals, course planning, and personalized pathways to earning your BSN.
Program Progression
For the most efficient path to earning your BSN through this program, we recommend applying to CSUN as early as possible once you begin an ADN program at a partner community college. Your BSN coursework at CSUN will start in the summer and you’ll complete remaining degree requirements after you earn your ADN. (Nursing courses are offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters.)
Program Requirements
To enroll in the ADN-BSN Collaborative, you must first be admitted to an ADN program at a partner community college. Be sure to let your community college counselor know you’re interested in the CSUN collaborative.
You must also meet CSUN’s Transfer Admission Requirements and have completed the following prerequisite courses with a C grade or better, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
- Anatomy (with Lab
- Chemistry (with Lab)
- Critical Thinking
- Microbiology (with Lab)
- Oral Communication
- Physiology (with Lab)
- Statistics
- Written Communication (English)
Visit assist.org to see which courses transfer from a community college to CSUN.
How to Apply
CSUN accepts applications to the ADN-BSN Community College Collaborative program in the fall. Apply for transfer admission beginning Oct. 1 using Cal State Apply.
Note: Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the ADN-BSN Collaborative.
Visit After You Apply for what to expect after submitting your Cal State Apply application.
Sequence of Coursework
This program is designed to help you earn your ADN and BSN in as few as seven semesters (four semesters at community college and three semesters at CSUN). The typical progression of coursework at CSUN is as follows:
- NURS 302 Pathophysiology – 3 units
- NURS 307/311L Health Assessment – 2/2 units
- Upper-Division General Education Course – 3 units
- NURS 309 Professional Nursing – 3 units
- NURS 410 Nursing Research – 3 units
- NURS 426 Nursing Systems Issues – 3 units
- Upper-Division General Education Course – 3 units
- NURS 427/427L Dynamics of Nursing Leadership – 3/1 units
- NURS 428/428L Community Health Nursing – 3/2 units
- Upper-Division General Education Course – 3 units
Frequently Asked Questions
If your community college is not on this list, please share your interest in CSUN’s ADN-BSN Community College Collaborative with your ADN program administrator. CSUN Nursing is always interested in exploring new partnerships to help make this program available to more students.
Prerequisite courses may be repeated if a grade of C or better was not already earned.
No. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is not required to apply to CSUN Nursing programs.
No. The lecture and lab portion of each prerequisite must be taken concurrently to satisfy the prerequisite requirements for the CSUN Nursing program.
Each student transfers with a different set of completed courses, however most transfer students will complete the Nursing classes, Upper-Division General Education courses, the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam and elective units. After being accepted, each student will meet with the academic counselor to go over their specific requirements for graduation.
To find out about CSUN’s tuition and other fees, visit Cost of Attendance.
If you receive federal or state financial aid (FAFSA/CADAA) to help pay for your ADN program, it is unlikely that aid will extend to cover your first two summer semesters at CSUN. Once you complete your ADN, you can apply for financial aid at CSUN.