In addition to the requirements and prerequisites listed below, you should have computing skills sufficient to complete graduate work including word processing and statistical software programs. Admission decisions will be influenced by the strength of the undergraduate program, academic achievement, community service, and the educational goals of individual applicants.
Admission Requirements
- BSN degree from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units of undergraduate coursework
- Proof of licensure as a California registered nurse
- A current résumé with one year of recent nursing experience
- Two letters of reference from undergraduate nursing faculty and nursing supervisor
- One- to two-page essay outlining professional and educational goals
A complete application consists of:
- Application form
- One set of official transcripts from colleges and universities attended
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree conferred
- Evidence of satisfactory completion (grade of C, 2.0 or better) of:
- A physical assessment course
- An inferential statistics course
- A nursing research course
- Proof of licensure as a registered nurse in California
- A current résumé with one year of recent nursing experience
- Two letters of reference (one academic and one professional)
- A one- to two-page essay outlining professional and educational goals
Special Requirements
Health insurance
All students must provide proof of current healthcare insurance to the School of Nursing by the designated deadline. The deadline information will be provided at the School of Nursing orientation session. This is a mandatory requirement.
Malpractice Insurance
Students in the MSN program must carry their own malpractice insurance, pass a physical health examination, and demonstrate a sufficient immunization record consistent with that required of clinical placement in local health.
Background check and drug screening
Additionally, 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:
- The Office of Extended Learning will email each student in the cohort a letter of conditional admission. Soon after, 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 screen. 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.
- Students are required to have a negative urine drug screening and background check which includes a state, county, and federal screening. This background check is accessed by the clinical agencies for approval for clinical placement. If a student receives a dilute reading on his/her drug screen results, then the student is required to go back and re-test within a twenty-four hour time period. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in dismissal from the program.
- 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.
