Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Is there a time limit on how long ago science pre-requisite courses have been taken and can still      be used to meet your entrance requirements to the program?

No, there isn't any time limit.  We will accept courses no matter how long ago they were taken.

2.  What Chemistry courses will articulate, or be equivalent, to your CHEM 100 and CHEM 100L?

Articulation agreements with local Community Colleges for the Pre-Nursing Core are available on the Assist Web site (www.assist.org).  Select California State University San Marcos 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.  If an integrated chemistry course with lab, covering inorganic, organic and biochemistry, is not available at your institution, ideally we are looking for an Intro to Chemistry course with lab (not an Intro to General Chemistry) and an Intro to Organic and Biochemistry with lab.  We will also accept an Intro to Chemistry or General Chemistry course (not an Intro to General Chemistry course) and lab and Organic Chemistry and lab as equivalents to our CHEM 100 and CHEM 100L.

3.  If I have completed, or will complete, the required Chemistry course somewhere other than CSU San Marcos, can I take any CSU certified B4 Math course for admission purposes to the Nursing Program?

Yes, we will accept any CSU GE B4 math course.  Our CHEM 100 and CHEM 100L no longer have a pre-requisite of College Algebra, specifically.

4.  I notice that your Anatomy and Physiology courses at Cal State San Marcos are offered as a year- long sequence.  Will you accept separate Anatomy and Physiology courses?

Yes, provided each Human Anatomy or Human Physiology course is taken separately as a 4-5 semester unit course and includes a lab, we will accept these for the Pre-Nursing Core.  We do not accept a single semester of combined Anatomy/Physiology intended as a 'stand alone' course.  It must be a two semester sequence of A & P I and A & P II, or separate semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology, both with labs.

5.  Can I meet with a Nursing Counselor or Advisor at Cal State San Marcos?

Unfortunately we don't have the "manpower" to meet individually with prospective students.  Nursing Information Sessions are presented by Nursing Advisors at regular times throughout the year. At the end of each session, additional time is provided for individual questions and a review of unofficial transcripts, if needed.  No reservations are required to attend one of these sessions.  Seating is on a space-available basis.

6. How do I know if a course that I've previously taken will meet the entrance requirements for the program? 

If you have completed coursework at Community College(s) and have questions about course equivalents, check with your Community College Counselor. If you attended an out-of-state or  private school, or the University of California, we recommend that you attend one of our Nursing Information Sessions. Individuals can bring unofficial copies of their transcripts to these sessions and if time permits, Nursing Advisors will meet with you to discuss course equivalents.

First, you'll need to have this coursework evaluated by an independent evaluation company.  Within our Nursing Admissions Web page we provide a list of foreign transcript evaluation companies which have been approved by CSUSM. You may choose any evaluation company on the list.  Once you receive the official evaluation from one of these companies, send a photocopy of the evaluation to:  Laurie Lindeneau, Cal State San Marcos, San Marcos, CA  92096-0001, along with a cover page including your name, desired nursing program and email contact information.

The University never accepts Area A courses (A1, A2, and A3) from institutions outside of the country.

The School of Nursing will not evaluate foreign transcripts which have not first been evaluated by an independent evaluation company.

8.  Do you accept units from Maric College?

The CSU campuses (Cal State San Marcos included) only accept units from institutions which are regionally accredited through WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges), or other associated regional accrediting agencies such as Middle States, North Central, etc.  This same criteria applies to any post-secondary institution.  We, therefore, cannot recognize any academic units earned through Maric College for the pursuit of any Nursing Licensure, to be applied towards a BSN degree here at Cal State San Marcos, until such time as the institution achieves WASC accreditation.  Furthermore, if Maric College obtains WASC accreditation in the future, only those units completed by a student after the date of accreditation was awarded could be considered for transfer credit here.   
 

9.  Do you accept 2nd Bachelor Degree students for Nursing at California State University San Marcos?

Yes, 2nd Bachelor Degree students can be admitted to the University, once you are also officially admitted into a specific Nursing program:  Generic/Basic BSN, RN to BSN, LVN to BSN, and Accelerated BSN programs.  Please refer to the University Admissions Web site for information on the admissions requirements for being admitted to the University as a 2nd Bachelor Degree Student.

10.  Will you be admitting any students in Spring 2008 to any of your Nursing Programs?

We are admitting students in Spring 2008 for our RN to BSN program only.

11.  Who has to take the TEAS exam?

The TEAS exam, or Test of Essential Academic Skills, is designed as a predictor of success for Nursing program applicants.  This exam is only required for Generic/Basic BSN applicants; it is not required for LVN to BSN or RN to BSN applicants.  Generic/Basic BSN applicants must score a minimum composite score of 71.0% on this exam in order to be eligible for being admitted into the Generic/Basic BSN program.  Points are awarded from composite scores ranging from 71.0% to 100%, as part of the Supplemental Admission Criteria for admission to this BSN program.  This test is created by ATI Testing, and their Web site (www.atitesting.com) has information about review books and online practice exams.  The University Career Center administers this test on campus throughout the year for applicants of the Generic/Basic BSN program. You do not need to be an admitted student at the University in order to take the exam here. For more details on this exam, please visit the Prospective Students link, and then select the Generic/Basic BSN program link from the list of Nursing Programs.  This exam can be taken anywhere it is offered.  It is recommended that you wait to take this exam until you are in your final semester of Pre-Nursing Core Science courses. 

12.  I have heard that all Bachelor degree students at the University must complete a Language Other Than English requirement.  Is this true?

Yes, a graduation requirement for all Bachelor Degree students at the University is the Language Other than English requirement.  This requirement applies to 2nd Bachelor degree students, as well, who are pursing the B.S. in Nursing degree.  Please visit the following University Web site to learn more about this requirement:  http://lynx.csusm.edu/llc/

If you are a Generic/Basic BSN applicant and choose to fulfill this requirement by the end of the prior spring semester for a fall admit to the program or by the end of the summer term for a spring admit to the program, you will receive points, according to the Supplemental Admission Criteria.  We do not award points for partial completion of the requirement.