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 105 and CHEM 105L?

Articulation agreements with local Community Colleges for the Pre-Nursing Core are available on the Assist Web site.  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 105 and CHEM 105L 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.

The University never accepts Area A courses (A1, A2, and A3) from institutions outside of the country. If you want to apply coursework completed outside of the United States, towards a degree at CSU San Marcos, please contact Colleen Manthey, with the University Office of Admissions & Recruitment, for details, at cmanthey@csusm.edu.

If you want the School of Nursing to consider any coursework completed outside of the United States, specific to the Nursing requirements, as opposed to just General Education credit, wewill not evaluate foreign transcripts which have not first been evaluated by an independent evaluation company.  Please check with Colleen Manthey, as referenced above, for a list of approved evaluation companies.

8.  Do you accept units from Maric/Kaplan 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/Kaplan 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/Kaplan University 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?

The Accelerated BSN program is designed specifically for 2nd Bachelor Degree Students.  Additionally, a recent decision by the CSU Chancellor's Office now allows students who have/will have completed a Bachelor's degree in the United States from a regionally-accredited institution (such as WASC or other regional affiliate) to also be eligible to apply for admission to our Generic/Basic BSN and/or LVN to BSN programs.

10.  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 and Accelerated BSN applicants; it is not required for LVN to BSN or RN to BSN applicants.  Generic/Basic BSN and Accelerated BSN  applicants must score a minimum composite score of 71.0% on this exam in order to be eligible for being admitted into either of these programs. Points are awarded from composite scores ranging from 71.0% to 100%, as part of the Supplemental Admission Criteria for admission to these BSN programs.  This test is created by ATI Testing, and their Web site (http://www.atitesting.com/) has information about review books and online practice exams.  See our TEAS Exam link for more information.