Undergraduate

It is recommended to review the Pre-Application Slides (for BSN or RN-BSN) prior to applying.

Use the links below to jump to a specific section:

• • NursingCAS Admission Process
  • ➡️ Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) (Pre-Licensure)
  • ➡️ RN to BSN Program (Post-ADN and Post-Licensure)
  • Transfer Course Information
  • Military and DACA/AB540
  • Admission Decisions

Dual-application Process

To apply to a nursing program, you must submit both a Cal State Apply application (SJSU Admissions) and a NursingCAS application (School of Nursing). Failure to submit both makes you ineligible. Current SJSU students only need to submit the NursingCAS application. 

• STEP 1: University Application

  • If you are not a current SJSU student, you must meet CSU eligibility requirements and apply for admission to the university. Visit the Admissions Website for details on requirements, deadlines, and how to apply. Direct any questions about university admission to the Admissions Office.

    Please note: This university application is separate from the nursing department’s application but is required for admission to any nursing program. Deadlines for SJSU (via the Cal State Apply system) differ from those for the NursingCAS application.

• STEP 2: Nursing Application

  • Apply to the BSN or RN-BSN Program via NursingCAS. Information on the NursingCAS application is below

NursingCAS

Both the BSN and RN-BSN program require a NursingCAS application. 

We only consider and review "Verified" applications. It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor their application status and ensure everything is submitted correctly to become verified. If your application status does not get verified within 3 weeks of submission, your application will not be reviewed. 

For assistance with the NursingCAS application, contact the NursingCAS Applicant Help Center.

• Submitting Transcripts to NursingCAS

  • Official transcripts are required from every institution listed on your NursingCAS application, regardless of course relevance to the program. Composite transcripts (from one school listing courses from another) are not sufficient—you must also submit transcripts from the original institution.

    Transcripts must be ordered through NursingCAS. Review their instructions and contact NursingCAS directly with any questions.

    NursingCAS and SJSU Admissions do not share transcripts. Current SJSU students must also submit their official SJSU transcript.

• NursingCAS Deadlines

  • NursingCAS operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST). All deadlines are based on EST, so applicants must calculate and adjust their submission time according to their own time zone.

    Late applications are not accepted. To ensure successful submission, it is strongly recommended to apply at least 24 hours before the deadline. An application fee is required at the time of submission.

    BSN Spring 2026

    Application is open from August 15th, 2025 - September 15th, 2025 and decisions will be sent by late November 2025.

    Only current SJSU students and post-baccalaureate students may apply for Spring terms. 

    BSN Fall 2026

    Application is open from January 15th, 2026 - February 15th, 2026 and decisions will be sent by late April 2026.

    Only current SJSU students and transfer students may apply for Fall terms. 

    RN-BSN Fall 2026

    Application is open from January 15th, 2026 - March 15th, 2026 and decisions will be sent by late April 2026.

BSN

The BSN Program is for applicants who are not already a Registered Nurse or in an ADN program. Review BSN Admission Requirements and Eligibility and the BSN Pre-Application slides or info session recording before applying.

Admission to the SJSU BSN program is highly competitive. If you are not accepted into our program after two application attempts, we strongly encourage you to explore and apply to other nursing programs to continue pursuing your goals.

• Required Documents

  • All requirements will be listed in detail on the NursingCAS application.

    Documents that you are required to submit are listed below:

    - A copy of your valid California Driver's License OR CA ID Card

    - A copy of your valid U.S. Passport OR U.S. Birth Certificate OR Permanent Residency Card (green card)

    - A copy of the official TEAS exam score. Review the ATI website on how to find your TEAS Score. You will submit page 1 of your Individual Performance Profile.

    - If applicable, submit the Healthcare Experience form (see below)

    - If applicable, submit Letters of Recommendation (see below)

     

• BSN Healthcare Experience

  • Applicants with previous healthcare experience may receive an increase in points towards their total nursing application score. We strongly encourage applicants to gain healthcare experience and submit this form, as doing so can provide a advantage in the application process.

    Previous experience must meet the following requirements to be considered:

    - a minimum of 100 hours completed within 3 years of the application deadline

    - experience must include hands-on interaction with human clients

    - does not include time spent in a classroom or clinicals for a training course

    - proof of employment or volunteer experience required

    To receive points, you must complete both sections of the Healthcare Experience Form and upload it to your NursingCAS application. Supporting documents alone (such as letters) will not be considered without the completed and signed Healthcare Experience Form. 

    If you hold a license or certificate (such as CNA, LVN, etc.) but do not have any experience, you may still submit a copy to receive points. If you have both a license and verified hours of experience, be sure to submit both the copy and the required form to earn additional points.

    Incomplete or missing forms will result in your healthcare experience not being evaluated.

• Letters of Recommendation

  • Beginning in the Fall 2026 application cycle, BSN applicants have the option to submit letters of recommendation to enhance their application score. While not required, submitting a recommendation is strongly encouraged.

    Applicants may provide one Academic Reference, one Character/Employer Reference, or both (one of each) for additional points. Multiple letters of the same type — more than one Academic Reference or more than one Character/Employer Reference — will not be considered. All letters must be signed by the author.

    Academic Reference Letters may be written by an instructor, academic advisor, program director/coordinator, or any other academic professional familiar with your educational background.

    Character/Employer Letters must be written by a non-family member such as your employer, coach, volunteer supervisor, counselor, or another professional who can speak to your character, work ethic, or responsibilities. Personal references from friends are not accepted.

RN-BSN

The RN-BSN program or applicants who already have a California RN license who wish to earn their Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or applicants currently in an ADN program who will earn a California RN license while in the program. 

Review RN-BSN Admission Requirements and Information Slides before applying.

• Required Documents

  • All requirements will be listed in detail on the NursingCAS application.

    Documents that you are required to submit are listed below:

    - A copy of your valid California Driver's License OR CA ID Card

    - A copy of your valid U.S. Passport OR U.S. Birth Certificate OR Permanent Residency Card (green card)

    - A copy of your active RN License (if applicable). Students who obtain their RN license after starting the program must provide proof before advancing to the second semester.

Transfer Course Information

Applicants are responsible for ensuring courses from other institutions (not SJSU) used for prerequisite and corequisite courses are equivalent. 

You may check for course equivalency by visiting SJSU Articulation. Please visit Transferring Credits from Other Schools to SJSU or contact the Office of the Registrar if you have any questions. You can find the direct contact for the University Articulation Officer here.

The nursing department does not give credit for courses taken outside of the U.S. unless the degree is accepted through university admissions and the coursework is deemed as equivalent by the Admissions office.

Military and DACA/AB540 Applicant Forms

Complete as directed and submit to your NursingCAS application. If either document is applicable to you, it is required in your BSN application.

• DACA/AB540 form [pdf]
• Military Members Applying for the BSN Program

Admission Decisions

• Decision Notification

  • Acceptance notifications from the university and the nursing department are sent separately and at different times. 

    The nursing department will notify applicants via the email connected to their NursingCAS application. For Fall terms, you can expect an email by late April. For Spring terms, you can expect an email by late November. 

• Acceptance to the program

  • Acceptance into the BSN or RN-BSN program is conditional until an applicant completes and clears a drug screening, background check, and Health Statement clearance process (fee required); instructions will be provided after provisional acceptance.

    Applicants must also be admitted to the university to be fully admitted to any nursing program. Being accepted by one office (SJSU Admission or School of Nursing) doesn't equate to admission from the other. 

• Tuition, Fees, and Financial Support

  • SJSU Tuition

    Tuition and fees are calculated based on enrollment units and residency. For complete details, please visit the Bursar's website.

    Program Related Fees

    Upon admission to the BSN program, students will be expected to pay additional fees on top of SJSU tuition to cover miscellaneous expenses. These fees include Health Documents Tracker, Kaplan learning, N95 Mask Fit Testing, uniforms, etc. 

    Financial Support

    All accepted students are encouraged to explore scholarship and other opportunities for financial support. This list can servce as a tool to help begin a scholarship search; it should not be considered comprehensive - rather, a jumping off point to begin a search.