Accelerated
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Earn Your BSN in Just 5 Semesters

CSUSM’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a fast-paced, five-semester program for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree and no LVN or RN coursework. New cohorts begin every fall and spring in San Marcos, and every summer in Temecula.

Students complete approximately 67 semester units of lecture and clinical coursework, including required clinical rotations throughout San Diego and Riverside counties, preparing them to sit for the NCLEX upon graduation. 

Application Deadlines

Applications to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are reviewed on a rolling basis; apply at any time! However, priority is given to applications that are received by this deadline:

• Summer 2027: Nov. 4, 2026
• Fall 2027: Feb. 3, 2027

APPLY NOW

Admission Requirements

• Start with the ABSN admission guide
• Review ABSN admission statistics
• Learn about the program expectations for nursing students 

To be eligible for admission to the BS in Nursing program, you must complete the requirements listed below.

• General Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or U.S. equivalent for degree coursework completed outside of the U.S.
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 units completed
  • Passage of the TEAS exam version 7 with a minimum 71.0 percent composite score.
    • For applicants unable to take the exam at a physical location, ATI offers a virtually proctored exam which is also accepted for the ABSN program. More information: ATI TEAS Proctored Exam with Proctorio
    • When you are completing your application, in the program materials section, please upload the PDF of your TEAS score that is sent to your email or download the PDF from the ATI website and upload the score to your application. (PDF Example)
    • TEAS Version 7 is the only version that we accept for consideration into the ABSN program; we do not accept a photo of any kind for the TEAS score. 
    • You may take the TEAS exam as many times as you’d like (you may use various testing sites if needed); your highest score is taken under consideration.
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA in the pre-nursing core (see below) 
• Pre-Nursing Core Requirements

  You are required to fulfill the pre-nursing core prior to application. The pre-nursing core can be fulfilled through coursework taken at other universities or community colleges. For a list of articulated courses at other institutions, please visit the Assist Website (CA Community Colleges only). TES also provides some course articulation information for many institutions across the US. Here are more details about how we assess courses to meet the Pre-Nursing Core. 

  Pre-Nursing Core Courses 
   

  Course (CSU GE area)	Course (units)	Corequisite (C) Prerequisite (P)
  BIOL 175 (Area 5B)	Intro to Anatomy/Physiology I (4)	None
  BIOL 176 (Area 5B)	Intro to Anatomy/Physiology II (4)	P - BIOL 175
  BIOL 160	Microbiology (4)	None
  CHEM 105 (Area 5A)	General, Organic & Biochemistry for Life (4)	P
  CHEM 105L (Area 5C)	General, Organic & Biochemistry for Life Laboratory (1)	C - CHEM 105
  MATH (Area 2)	Any CSU A2 Statistical Mathematics Course (3)	P
  GEO 102 (Area 1C)	Oral Communication (3)	None
  GEW 101 (Area 1A)	Written Communication (3)	None
  Choose One (Area 1B)	LTWR 115 - Critical Reading & Thinking (3)	P - GEW 101
  	MATH 110 - Critical Thinking (3)	None
  	PHIL 110 - Critical Thinking (3)	None
  	PSYC 110 - Critical Thinking in Psychology (3)	None

  Minimum Grade: All pre-nursing core courses must be completed with a minimum of a C or better. We do not accept a grade of C- or below.  

  Science Courses: All science courses completed must include labs. CSUSM will accept online courses (for all requirements) from regionally accredited institutions. 

  International Applicants: Oral Communication, Written Communication and Critical Thinking must be taken in the United States. 

• Special Requirements

  Health Insurance 

  All students must provide proof of current healthcare insurance to the School of Nursing by the designated deadline. The specific deadline will be provided at the School of Nursing orientation session. This is a mandatory requirement. 

  Background Check and Drug Screening 

  You will be required to complete a background check upon conditional admission to the School of Nursing. Below is the background check and drug screen policy: 

  • Once the offer is accepted, students will receive an email with instructions on how to place an order for a background check/drug screen. Students will have approximately two weeks to order their background check online and complete the drug screening. If this deadline is not met, the student will not be guaranteed a seat in the cohort.
  • Students who have a flagged background check will not be admitted to the nursing program. Students will be able to join a later cohort pending space available when their background check is unflagged.
  • In addition, some clinical sites will require students to complete a Live Scan clearance. If the student does not clear the Live Scan process, then s/he may not be permitted to attend the clinical rotation. The student risks dismissal from the program should this occur. 
• Notice: Professional Licensure and Certification
  California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time. The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C). 

Courses

This program has a set schedule of courses that you are expected to follow as part of your cohort.

Course sequences are subject to change at the discretion of program faculty; the schedule shown here is intended as a representative sample.

Additional Required Courses 

You are required to fulfill the following BRN specific courses by the end of the third semester in the program. Some may have been done as part of your first degree. For a list of articulated courses at other institutions, visit the Assist Website. For courses taken out-of-state, please consult your Extended Learning academic advisor. 

• Social Science
• Behavioral Science (must be in psychology department) 

Program Support Courses 

You are required to take program support courses in residence at CSUSM. These courses are considered part of the ABSN program and will be scheduled through Extended Learning for your cohort. For more information, please consult your Extended Learning academic advisor. 

• PHIL 345: Bioethics and Medical Ethics (3 units)
• ANTH 301: Culture and Medicine Healers and Healing Practices (3 units) 

FAQ

• What are the admission requirements for the ABSN program?

  The minimum requirements for ABSN admission include:  

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 2.5 GPA in last 60 semester units/90 quarter units
  • 71% on TEAS exam (version 7)
  • 2.75 in pre-nursing core
  • Completion of all pre-nursing core: 
  • Anatomy/Physiology I (with lab)*
  • Anatomy/Physiology II (with lab)*
  • Microbiology (with lab)
  • Chemistry (with lab)
  • Statistics
  • Oral Communication 
  • Written Communication
  • Critical Thinking  

  *We also accept the following sequence: Anatomy (with lab) and Physiology (with lab)  

  All minimum requirements must be met prior to applying. Requirements and additional details can be found in the admission section of this page.  

• How are admission decisions made?

  CSUSM uses a points system to assess candidates for admission. Learn more about our points breakdown. 

  Factors outside of the criteria listed on the points breakdown document (last 60 GPA, pre-nursing core GPA, and TEAS score) are not considered. 

• Do courses/prerequisites expire?
  No. Courses/prerequisites do not expire. We don’t have a recency requirement. 
• Can I apply if my prerequisites are in progress?
  No. To be fully considered for admission, all requirements must be met prior to applying; no exceptions. This includes the application, transcripts, grades for prerequisites and TEAS score.  
• Can I apply if my degree is in progress?
  Students can apply with their degree in progress as long as all minimum requirements are met and they can show proof of their degree prior to starting the program.  
• I have completed college coursework or a degree outside of the United States. How will I know which of these credits will be accepted at CSUSM?

  You will need to have your coursework evaluated by an independent evaluation company. You must use a CSUSM-approved foreign transcript evaluation agency from this list. Once you receive the official evaluation, please send a photocopy of the evaluation to: 
  

  Cal State University San Marcos  
  Office of Admissions and Recruitment  
  333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road  
  San Marcos, CA 92096  
  Attn: ABSN  

  *The university will not accept Area 1 courses (1A, 1B, and 1C) from institutions outside of the country. 

• I want to have my courses reviewed prior to applying, how can I meet with an academic advisor?

  Due to the number of inquiries and applications that we receive, we are unable to offer pre-admission advising. Students must apply in order to be reviewed for eligibility.  

  Please do not send inquiries regarding course approval or equivalencies; we only review courses when assessing applicants for eligibility.  

  We encourage students to self-assess using the following resources:  

  ASSIST.ORG 

  TES 

• Will I receive feedback on my courses or points after I apply?

  No. Due to the volume of applications and inquires received, we are unable to provide feedback to applicants. If you are denied admission, you are welcome to reapply.  

  Factors outside of the criteria listed on the points breakdown document (last 60 GPA, pre-nursing core GPA, and TEAS score) are not considered.  

  • Admission points breakdown 
  • ABSN admission stats 
• When does the program begin?
  The ABSN program admits one cohort (60 students) to our San Marcos location in the fall (August) and one 60-student cohort in the spring (January). Additionally, one cohort (60 students) is admitted in Temecula each summer. Please note that students can expect to attend classes/labs at both campuses (Temecula and San Marcos), regardless of which location they are admitted to.  
• Do I need to send all transcripts?
  Yes. We need a full academic record, including AP scores. Applications are not considered complete until all transcripts are received. Incomplete applications are not reviewed. All transcripts should arrive by the deadline.  
• I received a denial email, what are my next steps?

  Did you apply with pre-nursing coursework in progress or missing? 
  Reapply once all pre-nursing coursework has been completed. 

  Did you apply with a TEAS score below 71% or missing? 
  Reapply once you have received a 71% or higher. 

  Are your self-assessed points competitive (close to the averages)? 
  If not, consider retaking pre-nursing coursework and/or TEAS and reapply for another term. 

• What does a typical day look like for an ABSN student?
  This is a daytime, full-time, in-person program. Lectures/classes will be held 1-2 days a week. There is no set class schedule; it will vary each semester. Students can expect to attend classes/labs at both campuses (Temecula and San Marcos), regardless of which location they were admitted to. The schedule for clinical rotations will vary by student and it will look different each term. 
• What is a cohort?
  A cohort is a group of students who progress through a curriculum together to achieve the same academic degree. Because they are admitted to the same program, take classes together and graduate together, students in cohorts form strong bonds, creating a support system and professional network that is beneficial during and after the program. 
• Am I eligible to receive financial aid as a second-bachelor’s-degree student?
  Yes. To receive priority consideration for funds, applicants must submit a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA between January 1 and March 2 for the following academic year. FAFSA Applications are accepted after March 2; however, funding options may be limited. Applications are available in the CSUSM Financial Aid and Scholarship Office and other colleges or local high schools. Be aware that in order to apply for any type of financial aid, all males between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the Selective Service. CSUSM’s Title IV School Code is 030113. Please visit CSUSM Financial Aid for more information. 
• What services do you offer to active-duty military, veterans and dependents?
  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn how we can help.