Bachelor of Science Degree – Major in Nursing

Traditional BSN Program

The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to the California RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states.  

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements, acceptance into the BSN Program is determined by the BSN Admission Committee. Admission is based upon a consideration of the student's academic achievement. There is a formal review of the student's high school achievement record, grade point average, University Entrance Examination scores, previous college experience (if any). Students who intend to major in nursing are advised to take high school chemistry. A student may repeat a course required for the nursing major no more than once. Failure (C- and below) of any two required science or pre-requisite courses results in non-admission.

In order to be eligible for review, applicants must be admitted to the University and then fulfill the nursing admission requirements. Admission to the sophomore nursing courses is considered for the fall semester only and is based on:

• Cumulative GPA
• Science GPA
• English GPA
• Social Science GPA
• Entrance Exam

LVN to BSN Admission Policy

LVNs that have been accepted by the University and have completed the general studies requirements of the first two years may challenge sophomore level nursing courses and move directly into junior level nursing courses.

LVN to RN Non-Matriculation 26 unit Option

A non-degree R.N. option is available for applicants licensed as LVN’s in California. After completing 26 units of prescribed courses, the student is eligible to take the California examination for the R.N. Licensure. The student is not a graduate of the BSN Program and does not receive a Degree. This option is available in any of the pre-licensure programs at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Practice as a Registered Nurse with a CA license outside the State of California may be limited.

RN to BSN Admission Policy

Registered Nurses who apply to the BSN program may be given transfer credit for previous nursing courses equivalent to the sophomore and junior level nursing courses. Validation of clinical competence and completion of a Roy Adaptation Model theory course are required prior to entry into the program. In addition, applicants need to meet university admission requirements and BSN program admission policies for RN to BSN applicants.

Criteria for Guaranteed Admission for High School Students

Mount Saint Mary’s University Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program extends eligibility, to be reviewed for admission at the end of freshman year, to high school student applicants who qualify for guaranteed admission consideration by meeting the following requirements. Meeting the following requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program.

1. Complete two science advanced placement courses with AP or IB test scores of four or five or complete three years of science in high school with a GPA of 3.5 or greater on a four point scale or 4.25 or greater on a five point scale. Of these three years of science requirements, the student must complete at least one year of chemistry and one year of biology.
2. Achieve an overall high school GPA of 3.8 or greater on a four point scale or 4.25 or greater on a five point scale.
3. Complete three years of math with pre-calculus as the minimum attainment.
4. Achieve a total score greater than 1170 on the new SAT, including a minimum score of 600 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (SAT-EBRW) and a minimum score of 570 in Math (SAT-M) OR an ACT composite score of 24 or greater. For applicants submitting old SAT scores, they must achieve a total score greater than 1650, including a minimum score of 550 in Critical Thinking (SAT-CR), a minimum score of 550 in Math (SAT-M), and a minimum score of 550 in Writing (SAT-WR).

Once the student is accepted and enters the University under the direct to nursing admission consideration program, the student will declare nursing as their baccalaureate major and be considered a part of the Department of Nursing. To progress into nursing courses in the sophomore year, the student must do all of the following:

1. Complete and pass (C or higher) all nursing prerequisite courses at the University during the first (freshman) year.
2. Maintain an overall Science GPA of 3.2 and Cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Obtain a minimum score of 70 or above on the Kaplan evaluation taken during the freshman year.

Once a direct to nursing admission student has completed nursing pre-requisites and achieves the above requirements, the student will move into the sophomore nursing courses.

Should a guaranteed admission student fail to meet the minimum requirements above in the freshman year, she or he will not progress to the sophomore nursing courses. The student will then be eligible to be added to the general pool of pre-nursing admission candidates for that academic year, provided they meet the Traditional BSN admission requirements.

If a student does not meet the Traditional BSN admission requirements, they have an option to do a second year as a pre-nursing major and reapply to the program the following spring.

TBSN Curriculum Requirements

Nursing Requirements

Freshman Year (Pre-requisite Requirements)

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

AccBSN Program

The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing meets the standards for and has been approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, leading to the California RN license. Mount Saint Mary’s is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states.  

AccBSN Application Procedure 

AccBSN applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed admissions application
• Personal statement of intent
• Official transcripts of all college work
• Two recommendations by those acquainted with the applicant's ability to succeed in an accelerated curriculum.
• Personal interviews may be scheduled.
• Complete the ABSN Math Test with a score of 100%. Remediation through the MSMU Learning Resource Center (LRC) will be required for those students who have been accepted into the ABSN option but did not score 100% on the math exam.

AccBSN Program Admission Requirements

The AccBSN program is open to persons who have previously completed a Baccalaureate degree and who meet specific admission requirements. Admission to the program is open twice a year. Please see the website for specific deadlines.

To be considered for admission, students must be graduates of an accredited four-year college or university with an earned cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

AccBSN Entrance Requirements

Before admitted students begin the program, they must:

• Complete the necessary health forms and immunizations (See Health Policies, Department of Nursing.).
• Be current in CPR (Healthcare Provider BCLS/Professional Rescuer CPR).
• Carry malpractice insurance.
• Complete a First Aid Course.
• Submit a successful completion of a Criminal Background check as outlined in clinical policies
• Drug Screening
• Have achieved a score of 100% on the ABSN math test. Remediation through the MSMU Learning Resource Center (LRC) will be required for those students who have been accepted into the ABSN option but did not score 100% on the math exam.

LVN to RN Non-Matriculation Option (26 unit option)

See option under the Traditional BSN option.

Transfer Articulation for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science – Major in Nursing

Mount Saint Mary's University accepts completed Baccalaureate degrees from accredited colleges and universities as evidence of fulfillment of MSMU General Studies requirements with the exception of philosophy and religious studies. To fulfill these requirements, students must complete two courses in each discipline.

Costs/Financial Aid/Registration

Tuition for the AccBSN program is the same as the standard Mount Saint Mary’s University undergraduate tuition and fees for three semesters. There is a nursing fee for each of the three accelerated sessions. Please refer to the Fees and Expenses for exact figures and guidelines.

While AccBSN students are not eligible for Mount Saint Mary's grants or scholarships, students may be eligible for federal, state, or private grants or loans. In order to qualify, students must send the FAFSA forms to the processor no later than January 15. Information on financial aid eligibility will be sent prior to the deposit deadline. A non-refundable deposit fee of $400.00 is due on the date specified in the acceptance letter.

Nursing Pre-requisite Requirements (starting Summer 2016)

An eligible applicant entering the ABSN option Fall 2015 or thereafter, must have also completed the following requirements prior to beginning the program:

Nursing Pre-requisite Requirements:

*Must have been completed within five years prior to admission

General Studies Requirements

AccBSN Degree Curriculum Requirements for Students Entering Fall 2015 and thereafter

The AccBSN program requires 127 units which includes 60 Nursing department units and 3 units of upper division Bioethics. Admitted students must complete their total curriculum plan at Mount Saint Mary’s University. They may not take required nursing courses at other institutions. A sample program is listed below.

Courses

1st Semester

2nd Semester

3rd Semester