RN Program

The Palm Desert Campus offers two Nursing programs. The three year BSN program is for students who have completed the prerequisite courses either through CSUSB or a community college. The BSN program is very impacted and admits a limited number of students for Fall each year.

Information Sessions:

Wednesday April 4, 4:00 pm, Health Sciences Building room 115

Wednesday May 2, 4:00 pm, Health Sciences Building room 115

Wednesday June 6, 4:00 pm, Health Sciences Building room 115

** Please bring your unofficial transcripts of previous college coursework completed. RSVP in advance to Karina.

Summer Information Sessions TBA

3-Year Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN)

As a first-time freshman, you MUST be accepted to both COD and CSUSB as a Pre-Nursing major in order to complete all of the pre-requisite courses through a special program at COD.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

CSUSB, Palm Desert Campus BSN Program is available for Freshmen who are residents of the Coachella Valley.

This special opportunity is a coordinated effort between College of the Desert (COD) and the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. Students will complete their prerequisite courses at COD. Transfer students are also encouraged to apply after completing these prerequisite courses and meeting other eligibility requirements:

Required Courses:
COD Course Title:
Microbiology Biology 15
Anatomy & Physiology I Biology 13
Anatomy & Physiology II Biology 14
Chemistry Chemistry 3 or 4
Biochemistry Chemistry 5 or 6
Developmental Psychology Psychology 3
English Composition English 1A
Public Speaking Speech 4
College Algebra  Math 10 or 13
Critical Thinking Sociology 4, Philosophy 10 or 11, Speech 7

Students should follow the General Education Courses for California State University Certification (and Requirements for COD Associate Degree) available in the Transfer Center. Students should have a minimum of 60 transferable units completed or in progress by the time of transfer.

(Please refer to this system wide online program to determine if your previous coursework will satisfy the prerequisites.)

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS:

  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 in Prerequisite Courses 
  • TEAS Test score of 70% or better
  • Attend one information session within 12 months of applying
  • Submit official transcripts (TWO sets from ALL Colleges/Universities attended)
  • Submit letters of recommendation (TWO: One Academic, One Personal/Professional)

Non-Academic Considerations:

  • Regional residency (Coachella Valley)
  • Experience in a healthcare setting (volunteer or paid) verified by letter of recommendation or other documentation
  • Foreign language proficiency (bilingual) verified by letter of recommendation, 3 years of High School foreign language, 2 semesters of intermediate level foreign language in college
  • MUST BE a California resident

All students applying to the Department of Nursing must submit all documentation before March 1 in the year for which they are applying to begin in Fall. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN:

  • High school graduate with 0 units of transferable college credit
  • Minimum CSU eligibility index (SAT or ACT Scores plus overall GPA in A-G college preparatory subject requirements)
  • Completed all courses in A-G subject requirements with letter grade of C or better

Courses must be completed prior to first enrollment in CSUSB courses.

CSUSB SUPPLEMENTAL PRE-NURSING IMPACTION CRITERIA:

The CSUSB Pre-nursing Program, offered in collaboration with COD, is an impacted program for first-time freshmen applicants and will employ supplemental admission criteria.

Academic Considerations:

  • High school GPA: minimum 2.5 without Advanced Placement weighting
  • Eligible to enroll in CSUSB ENGL 101 & MATH 110

Non-Academic Considerations:

  • Regional residency (Coachella Valley)
  • Experience in a healthcare setting (volunteer or paid)
  • Foreign language proficiency (bilingual)
  • MUST BE a California resident

ADMISSION PROCESS

  1. Apply to the University through CSUMentor  
  2. Check Off List
  3. Student Screening Form
  4. Admission Criteria
  5. ATI-TEAST Test  (Offered in January and/or February at the Palm Desert Campus)
  6. Submit All Application Materials By March 1st Deadline (late applications will not be considered) to:

Karina Quintanilla, Admissions & Retention Counselor

CSUSB-Palm Desert Campus

37-500 Cook Street

Palm Desert, CA  92211 

(760) 341-2883 ext. 78135