Bachelor of Science in Nursing Transfer (BSN)

 

Important Deadlines

Overview

Transfer Students from Universities and Colleges External to SDSU Imperial Valley

Students attending a regionally accredited college or university external to San Diego State University (SDSU) in pursuit of obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are Transfer Students. Additionally, graduates of regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States, and alumni of SDSU who are seeking a second bachelor’s degree in Nursing, are also considered Transfer Students.

Admission to the pre-licensed BSN program is highly competitive due to the high volume of applications received and the limited number of seats available. Transfer applicants must meet admissions criteria for both the University and the School of Nursing to be eligible for admission consideration to the School of Nursing. This program is accelerated over 2 years (fall, spring, summer, fall, spring, summer).

Current Admission Criteria - Fall 2026

  • Eligible for Admission to SDSU Imperial Valley as Transfer or 2nd Bachelor’s Degree
  • Admission Criteria Outlined Below: 80 Points Possible
  • Preference is given to Imperial County applicants

IMPORTANT!  Students admitted to SDSU as undeclared, or as a major other than Nursing, will not be able to change their major to Nursing during their tenure at SDSU.

Second Bachelor's Degree Students

Students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution of higher education are eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Science (BS) with a Major in Nursing program. Second bachelor’s degree candidates who meet the School of Nursing’s admission criteria will compete for a seat in the traditional (pre-licensure) program.

Second bachelor’s degree students, including SDSU Alumni, are considered Transfer Students and will follow the same admission criteria and application guidelines as Transfer Students.  Second bachelor’s degree students are not given preference or priority for admission and will be ranked according to the SON Admissions Points System. (pdf)

If offered admission, second bachelor’s degree students will complete 55 units in Nursing coursework.  General Education coursework is not required.

Per SDSU Admissions policy, applicants to the second bachelor’s degree in Nursing must have their first bachelor’s degree from an institution that carries United States regional accreditation.

Admissions

SDSU admissions requirements, can be found on the Office of Admissions website. If you have specific questions relating to University admissions after reviewing the website, you may contact the us via e-mail, at [email protected]. The Prospective Student Center will be able assist you with all inquiries related to University admissions and General Education requirements. The SDSU Transferology website can be utilized to determine if your coursework is transferable to SDSU.

SDSU is impacted at the undergraduate level in all majors and programs. Upper-division transfer applicants exceeding the minimum requirements will receive admission priority for available spaces.

Meeting the eligibility requirements for the BS program does not guarantee admission. Transfer applicants are selected by rank using the SON IV Admissions Points System (pdf). Prospective transfer students must complete all 8 prerequisite courses (preparation for the major) at a community college or four-year institution prior to being admitted to the University. Prerequisite coursework cannot be in progress during Spring 2026 if applying for Fall 2026 admission.

  • Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Score: Minimum overall score requirement is 80%. Please refer to the Admissions Criteria 80-point ranking system for further details and policies regarding attempts and scoring.
    • SDSU Testing Services administers the TEAS six days per week. Registration information can be accessed on the Testing Services website.
    • TEAS content information, study guides, etc. can be found on the ATI Testing website. 
  • Cumulative GPA: Minimum of 3.2
  • Prerequisites:
    • BIOL 261 – Human Physiology with Lab, 4 semester units (Minimum grade of C)
    • BIOL 212 – Human Anatomy with Lab, 4 semester units (Minimum grade of C)
    • BIOL 211/211L – Microbiology with Lab, 4 semester units (Minimum grade of C)
    • Chemistry (General, Organic, Inorganic, or Integrated with Lab) (Minimum grade of C)
    • COMM 103/CCS111A/AFRAS 140 – Oral Communication (or any CSU GE Area A1) (Minimum grade of C)
    • RWS 100/101 – Written Communication (or any CSU GE Area A2) (Minimum grade of C)
    • RWS 200 – Critical Thinking (or any CSU GE Area A3) (Minimum grade of C)
    • Statistics – STAT 119/STAT 250/PSY 280/SOC 201 (Minimum grade of C) Only one Statistics course is required for admission.

The SDSU School of Nursing does not implement a recency policy for science prerequisite courses (i.e., coursework does not have to be recently completed within a specific timeframe).

Students are required to complete Introductory Psychology (an AP Score of 3 or higher will suffice) and Developmental Psychology to satisfy the Nursing degree requirements and RN license requirements upon graduation. These courses are not prerequisites for admission and may be in progress during Spring 2026 or taken upon admission to SDSU.

  • NURS 202 - Client Assessment
  • NURS 206 - Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
  • NURS 208 - Pathophysiology
  • NURS 219 - Information Management for Professional Relationships
  • NURS 221 - Professional Formation A
  • NURS 300 - Nursing Care of the Acute and Chronically Ill Adult and Gerontologic Patient I
  • NURS 304 - Clinical Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
  • NURS 307W - Research, Evidence Based Practice, and Writing for Nurses
  • NURS 316 - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
  • NURS 321 - Professional Formation B
  • NURS 354 - Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family
  • NURS 356 - Pediatric Nursing
  • NURS 400 + 400L - Nursing Care of the Acute and Chronically Ill Adult and Gerontologic Patient II (lecture and lab)
  • NURS 415 + 415L - Community Health Nursing (lecture and lab)
  • NURS 421 - Professional Formation C

Questions?

Questions? For questions regarding Transfer admission including prerequisite requirements, TEAS requirements, the 80-point system, and application dates and deadlines, please contact [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you!

With about 1,200 students, SDSU Imperial Valley provides a uniquely intimate educational experience.

SDSU Imperial Valley
720 Heber Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231
560 CA-78, Brawley, CA 92227
760-587-4159
[email protected]

Welcome to SDSU Imperial Valley

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