Selection Information
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for both first-time freshman
and transfer students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.
192 students are selected for the BSN program annually, 96 students for the fall semester
that starts in September, and 96 students are selected for the spring semester that
starts in January.
Minimum Criteria:
All minimum criteria must be met by the application deadline.
- 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
- Students may use their last 60 semester unit GPA if their cumulative GPA is not eligible
- 2.8 GPA or higher in prerequisite science courses
- Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
- Human Microbiology with Lab
- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Organic and Biochemistry with Lab
- Completion of ATI's Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) within 6 months of application deadline and receive a minimum score of 64% composite
- Acceptance as a pre-nursing student to CBU
- Submission of NursingCAS application with all required elements (see application requirements webpage for details) by the application deadline
Selection is made through holistic admission, and includes a combination of metrics, attributes, and experiences. The committee evaluates applications based on the strength of evidence of the items that are represented on the student’s submitted application. Note: none of the following items that are being evaluated are required outside of the minimum criteria.
Metrics evaluated include (in order of weight):
- Science GPA
- TEAS science score
- Cumulative GPA
- TEAS composite score
- Passing science prerequisites on first attempt
Experiences evaluated include (in order of weight):
- Certifications or licenses in healthcare (with 400 hours experience minimum)
- Non-certification patient care experience (with 200 hours experience minimum)
- Military experience
- Community enrichment experience- community service volunteer (with 100 hours experience minimum)
- Academic Degrees (Bachelor's or Associate's)
- Customer Service Experience (with 400 hours experience minimum)
- Leadership experience
Attributes evaluated include (in order of weight):
- All prerequisites completed at CBU
- Completed 12 units or more at CBU
- Met early application deadline
- Professionalism and communication
- Other (self-identified unique attributes you are bringing to the table)
- Bilingual abilities
- 1st-generation college
- Low-income family (as defined by NursingCAS)
- Reapplicants (if first application is eligible)
Students can showcase their personal and academic achievements through the various
application requirements such as transcripts, test score reports, letters of recommendation,
experience and employment history, and personal statement essay.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN):
BSN applicants with an LVN license in the state of California must apply for the program and meet the above minimum criteria. An LVN license is a benefit to your application in both the healthcare experience, and the certifications and licenses category. Once admission is granted, the nursing student services team can consider advanced placement based on the accepted transfer courses, and/or challenging courses by examination. These decisions are made on a case by case basis in accordance with the policy listed in the Undergraduate & Pre-licensure handbook.
A 30-unit LVN option is available on a space and course available basis.
Military Healthcare Education & Experience:
Nursing students with relevant military healthcare coursework and experience may be granted credit for previous education or other acquired knowledge through a validation process. This process will be completed upon acceptance to the BSN program. For more information, please see the Undergraduate & Pre-licensure handbook.