The Pre-licensure track is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in Nursing. Once a student satisfactorily completes this baccalaureate program and is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, they are eligible to apply for licensure by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Regarding immunizations: While the University allows for medical and religious exemptions for some vaccines, most of our clinical facilities require nursing students to be fully vaccinated, including the Covid vaccination. While we attempt to accommodate exemptions, lack of vaccination may render the student unable to attend clinicals and thus will delay or stop their program completion.
TEAS Update:
The Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) has notified us that finalized TEAS scores should be available within three business days (excluding weekends and major holidays) from your exam date. Be sure to take the TEAS in a timely manner as we need to receive your official ATI TEAS score from ATI by our application deadline.
Shared: Friday, June 27, 2025
Important Information
Nursing Roadmap – Pre-Licensure.pdf
PL Application (for current students
FAQs for Pre-Licensure
- Sciences: Chemistry (Organic, inorganic, general, OR biochemistry 3 units, Anatomy w/lab = 4 units, Physiology w/lab = 4 units, and Microbiology w/lab 4 units.
- Non- Science: English Composition, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Statistics
- Review for the pre-licensure “Information Roadmap” on the Pre-licensure webpage
- Yes! Check the Equivalence Grid (HECCC) on the website to see which local community college courses match up with the Stanislaus State requirements, or log onto Assist.org website to check other community college equivalencies for the state. If you cant find an equivalency on either of those two sites, email the School of Nursing with a copy of the course descriptions and ask if they are equivalent.
- The nursing major is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. Nursing is a science based discipline with a foundation in evidence based practice.
- Applicants earn points based on overall GPA, Science & non-science GPA, and a TEAS test score. Optional points are awarded for 2nd language ability, healthcare experience, residing within the 6 county service area, and completing your pre-requisite courses at Stan State.
- A score is assigned for each of the areas, and an overall score is calculated. The admission list is generated by the overall score, with 30 top candidates and the remainder are alternates. All applicants will receive a letter notifying them of their status.
- Traditionally, we do go into the alternate list. Because nursing is an impacted program everywhere, students apply from all over the state. Often times students accept offers closest to their home - resulting in an opening for another student.
- If you are an alternate and still need to complete a course for admission, complete that course as you may be the next candidate on the alternate list when a space opens up. If you haven’t completed all the pre-req’s you won’t be able to begin the program.
- This is a multiple-choice assessment of your basic academic knowledge in reading, mathematics, science, English, and language usage. The objectives assessed on the TEAS exam are those which nurse educators nationally deemed most appropriate and relevant to measure entry level skills and abilities of nursing program applicants.
- There is a time limit of 209 minutes to take the computerized test. The questions are “four-option” multiple-choice with 170 total questions. Calculators may be used for the test beginning in late Summer 2016.
- Average admission scores range: 84% - 87%. A minimum of 70% (TEAS) is required to apply.
- You may retake the TEAS test only twice (a total of 3) for admission to our program. If your first three attempts resulted in scores less than 70%, you do not qualify to apply
- Follow the link to the ATI-TEAS website by clicking on “What is the TEAS & How Do I Register” found on the pre-licensure page
- The test is scheduled on at Stanislaus State and is also held on other university and community college campuses that use TEAS testing.
- Fall applications number typically between 150-250
- Spring applications number typically between 100-200
- Currently 30 students are admitted each Fall & Spring
- Overall GPA score: 3.7-3.8
- Science GPA score: 3.7-3.8
- Non-Science GPA score: 3.8-3.9
- The actual nursing courses take 3 years to complete; however, completion of prerequisites is NOT included in those 3 years.
- There is time “built-in” to the nursing program for the completion of General Education requirements. Review the Roadmap on the Nursing website to see where you might be able to fit extra classes into your schedule.
- If the Roadmap is followed exactly - the timeframe including pre-requisites is exactly 4 years. However, taking all 8 of your pre-requisites in one year is difficult to accomplish.
- No, the program is sequential; each course builds upon another throughout the program.
- You may not take any nursing courses until you are accepted into the program.
- If you leave the program for personal or medical reasons and wish to return, you may apply to rejoin the next cohort where you left off, on a “space available” basis.
- If you leave the program for course failure, you may petition to return to the program at the start of the semester you failed. Return to the program is based on the reasons for failure, the corrective actions planned, and space available. Your petition is brought before faculty and a majority vote to return must occur in order to return.
- A cohort is what we call a group of students admitted together each semester based on the year & semester that they will graduate. You move through the 3 year program as a cohort, with the same students in each class/semester.
- You begin clinical at the end of the 1st semester. The classes you complete in the first semester prepare you with the essential skills and knowledge you need to be safe in the clinical setting.
- There is a school uniform and it costs about $150.00 for the set of scrub pants, scrub top and lab coat that are purchased in the University Bookstore.
- You will also need a black pair of leather work shoes, a watch with a second hand and a stethoscope for the clinical setting
- Our clinical placements are as far south as Madera and as far north as Stockton. We do not place you in clinical sites based on where you live. We want you to experience as many facilities as possible.
- No. We strive to rotate students through each of the clinical sites in order to provide students with diverse experiences available within the Central Valley.
- Our passing rate for first time test takers is between 95-100%!
- We are proud to say that we were accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2006. Our program received a 10 year accreditation, which is the highest recognition earned.
- Many RN positions, especially those with supervisory roles, require applicants to have a B.S.N.
- The B.S.N. curriculum gives students a broad knowledge of professionalism, nursing theory, and research, which lays the foundation for further study and prepares you to be tomorrows nursing leaders.
- B.S.N. graduates can work in almost any setting, including traditional health-care facilities such as clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals; in businesses such as book publishers, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, and law firms; and in other places, such as schools, psychiatric units, and home-care agencies.
- The B.S.N. degree also opens the door for professional certification in specialty areas of nursing practice and leads to an expanded role as a provider, designer, manager, and coordinator of patient care as well as provides the foundation for graduate education.
- You will also earn Public Health Nurse Certification which allows you to apply/work in the Public Health setting.
- The main difference in study between an A.D.N. and B.S.N. is the emphasis on additional education in professionalism, leadership and management, wellness, research, and community nursing.
- B.S.N. prepared nurses possess greater knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction as well as illness and disease management, and are prepared to assist individuals, groups, and communities to prevent disease and achieve optimum levels of wellness.
- That’s an individual choice each person needs to make for themselves, but there is an increased emphasis on baccalaureate education for nursing.
- Increased education leads to increased responsibilities and increased career opportunities which give rise in turn to increased pay.
- Our small cohort size encourages closeness and provides support for students in the difficult major of nursing.
- Our NCLEX passing rate is in the 95-100% range.
- We have very little attrition from our program, most students who start in our program – finish our program.
- You will complete 810 hours of clinical experience in our program, which gives you lots of “hands-on” patient care practice.
- We have a diverse makeup in our student cohorts, with about 50% of our students coming from ethnic minorities.
- The faculty will support you through your journey to becoming a registered nurse.
- Tuition for 4 years approximately $22,000 but can change each year.
- Books cost approximately $100 - $500.00 semester
- Course Fees – range from $9.00 to $150.00 each semester.
- Miscellaneous fees are your uniform & shoes, a watch with a second hand, a stethoscope, and gas to & from clinical.
- The University Financial Aid department has many resources available. Their information and forms are located on the University website under financial aid.
- There also are scholarships available through the Financial Aid/Scholarship Department and the School of Nursing.
PL Admissions Policy
Admission into the Nursing Pre-licensure Track
Purpose: To describe the requirements and process of admission into the pre-licensure nursing programs (traditional or accelerated).
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- Applicants to the nursing program must first be admitted to the University as freshman or transfer student thus meeting admission criteria for California State University, Stanislaus (CSUStan).
- A complete application includes the following:
- Acceptance to the University
- Completed online supplemental application to the Nursing Program by the deadline.
- Official college transcripts by the deadline
- Application fees if applicable
- Course descriptions for courses that do not appear on our equivalency/articulation grid.
- CSUStan access to TEAS scores
- The application period to the traditional nursing program in Turlock opens bi-annually. Annually for ASBSN in Stockton. Dates for the application periods are available on the program websites.
- Applicants who are disqualified are given the opportunity to dispute the decision up to one week after notification (via email to the School of Nursing). After that time, the selection process begins.
- Admission criteria for the nursing program, outlined in the nursing application, include the following:
- Completion of the eight prerequisites (General Chemistry, Human Anatomy with lab, Human Physiology with lab, Microbiology with lab, English, Critical Thinking, Speech, and Statistics) before the program begins.
- A grade of C or better in each of the prerequisite courses. (Covid exception will accept CR/NCR for Spring 2020 only)
- No more than two prerequisites may be repeated one time each (one science and one non-science).
- At least four of the prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application to the traditional prelicensure program in Turlock, including at least two prerequisite science courses and two non-science courses. ASBSN Stockton students must complete all prerequisites and have a conferred degree prior to application. Transcripts must be submitted by close of ASBSN application cycle
- For the Fall start applications, be sure to include your fall transcript with grades posted by transcript deadline (last day of application cycle).
- All courses must be completed prior to the start of the semester for admission. Official transcripts for all courses that were in progress or planned must be received at least one week before classes begin. If students do not earn a C or better, admission will be rescinded, and space will go to the next student on the alternate list. The student can reapply for admission the following year if they are still eligible.
- GPA requirements include: Overall GPA of 3.0, a science GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite science courses, and a non-science GPA of 3.0 in the non-science prerequisites.
- Completion of the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum test score (Adjusted Individual Total Score) of 70% on the ATI TEAS test. Only the highest of the first three TEAS test scores will be used for admission evaluation. Verify the correct TEAS version on the website/roadmap.
- Points are awarded to each applicant based on individual evaluation of the following:
- ATI TEAS score: 0- 25 points
- Overall GPA: 0- 25 points
- Science GPA: 0-25 points
- Overall Non-Science GPA 0-25 points
- Additional points are awarded for:
- Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, or Statistics completed at CSU Stanislaus (traditional students only): 0 to 10 points (2 points each)
- Permanent residency in one of the six counties in the CSU Stanislaus service region: 0 or 5 points
- Health care experience: volunteer, paid, or course work, with points varying between 0 to 5 points. Refer to application Bilingual (including American Sign Language): Points vary from 0 to 5 points based in fluency. Refer to application
- ASBSN students only: California State University Graduate: 10 points
- The highest scoring students are admitted, and the remaining eligible applicants are placed on an alternate list. There is no waiting list, and any alternates not gaining admission may reapply.
- In the case of multiple students having the same score, the decision is based upon the following:
- Military experience
- Science GPA
- Overall GPA
- Non- science GPA
- All applicants are notified of selection, alternate status, or disqualification with the reason(s) listed. All are invited to call the nursing office if they feel a discrepancy has occurred.
Updated: June 27, 2025