Pre-Licensure Program
Who Can Apply?
This BSN program is for students brand new to nursing, who do not have an RN license. LVN students and Second Bachelor Degree candidates can apply to this program. Admission is highly competitive. The earliest you can apply is during your sophomore or junior year of college (not freshman).
MILITARY CANDIDATES or transfer students from another Nursing program - See Credit for Previous Education / Experience
Information below relates to the Fall 2020/Spring 2020 admission cycle only. Criteria for future admission cycles may change. Please review often and read carefully.
APPLYING TO THE PRE-LICENSURE PROGRAM
HOW TO START THE PROCESS
****Print this Application Checklist and read our Brochure to help you keep track of requirements and due dates.****
FALL ADMISSION PREREQUISITES DEADLINE - HAYWARD CAMPUS
All prerequisite courses must be complete by the end of FALL term when you apply, science prerequisites must be within 7 years of time of application.
SPRING ADMISSION PREREQUISITES DEADLINE - CONCORD CAMPUS
All prerequisite courses must be complete by the end of SPRING term before you apply, science prerequisites must be within 7 years of time of application.
All prerequisite courses must have a "C" or better. A "C" or "C+" grade (or better) is acceptable, as long as the 3.00 minimum GPA requirement is still met. A "C-" grade, however, is too low, and is not acceptable.
FIRST STEP
IF YOU MEET 3.00 GPA / PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS
Submit TWO applications:
1. Cal State East Bay University Application (if a transfer student)
2. Cal State East Bay NURSING Supplemental Application for Pre-Licensure/LVN program
SECOND STEP
Take and submit scores from the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE:
Minimum 70% overall score required for TEAS -and-
Minimum 65% required for English and Reading sections
Applicants can earn admission based on criteria listed below. Applicants with highest point totals are offered admission. Individual point scales and applicant point totals are kept confidential within the department.
Information below relates to Spring 2020/Fall 2020 admission cycles only. Criteria and categories for future admission cycles may change.
For information on Fall 2019 admission, please see our FALL 2019 BROCHURE.
SPRING 2020 ADMISSION
REQUIRED
- 3.00 Prerequisite GPA (based on submitted grades) up to 50 points
- 70% or higher TEAS Exam score (Adjusted Individual Total Score) up to 35 points
OPTIONAL
- Health and Community Related Experience (paid or unpaid) up to 15 points
- Military Service 15 points
- Cal State East Bay students that take all four nursing science prerequisites at Cal State East Bay 10 points
- Local Admission Area (majority of units completed at colleges in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Solano County) 10 points
- Second Language Skills - speaking / reading proficiency in language other than English 5 points
FALL 2020 ADMISSION - Please note changes
REQUIRED
- 3.00 Prerequisite GPA (based on submitted grades) up to 50 points
- 70% or higher TEAS Exam score (Adjusted Individual Total Score) up to 35 points
- Personal Statement (three short-answer questions) up to 20 points *NEW category
OPTIONAL
- Health and Community Related Experience (paid or unpaid) up to 15 points
- Military Service 15 points
- Cal State East Bay students that take all four nursing science prerequisites at Cal State East Bay 10 points
- Local Admission Area (majority of classes completed at colleges in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Solano County) 10 points
- Second Language Skills - speaking / reading proficiency in language other than English 5 points
Fall Admission = Hayward Campus
Spring Admission = Concord Campus
GPA REQUIREMENT - up to 50 points
To be eligible for admission, you must have a 3.00 average prerequisite GPA in the following:
- ALL EIGHT prerequisite courses combined, and
- Just the FOUR science prerequisite courses
A competitive GPA is 3.60 for all eight prerequisites combined.
Cal State East Bay Nursing applies +/- grades in Nursing Prerequisite GPA calculations.
PREREQUISITES
- Human Anatomy/Physiology I with lab (Biol 2010 or 270)
- Human Anatomy/Physiology II with lab (Biol 2020 or 271)
- Introduction to Microbiology with lab (Biol 2025 or 230)
- Chemistry with lab (Chem 1610 or 161 or 165 or 111 or 230)
Integrated Chemistry (highly preferred) OR
Inorganic/General Chemistry OR
Organic Biochemistry - Written Communication/English Composition (Engl 1001 or 102),
first year college level course, GE Area A2 (or AP / IB Exam) - Public Speech or Interpersonal (Comm 1000/4 or 100/4), GE Area A1
- Statistics (Stat 1000 or 100 or 110), GE Area B4 (or AP Exam)
- Critical Thinking/Logic, GE Area A3
If you are a Cal State East Bay student, follow the Nursing Degree Roadmap for a suggested prerequisite course sequence and list of associated classes.
All prerequisite courses taken at campuses other than Cal State East Bay must be approved as equivalent. Candidates can check on www.assist.org for course equivalencies between California public colleges and universities. For international, out-of-state, or private campuses, another resource to view equivalencies is TES.
Email nursing@csueastbay.edu for information on prerequisites that do not appear on either of the listed equivalency websites.
ADDITIONAL CLASSES
The Nursing Department highly recommends completing these two additional classes before starting the Nursing program. They provide relevant background knowledge and a strong foundation for first-year Nursing courses, and are also Nursing major requirements. It is not necessary to complete them before submitting a Nursing application.
Class #1
General Psychology / Introduction to Psychology (Psyc 1000 or 100)
(Lifespan Psychology does not count for this requirement)
Class #2 - Choose only one from this list
Introduction to Anthropology (Anth 1000 or 100) OR
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Anth 1300 or 130) OR
Introduction to Sociology (Soc 1000 or 100)
RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFIC COURSES
SCIENCE PREREQUISITES HAVE A RECENCY REQUIREMENT OF 7 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF APPLICATION.
If you complete a combined "Anatomy & Physiology I" course, you must take PART II from the same campus. If you take a single-topic "Anatomy" course at any campus, you may take a single-topic "Physiology" course from any other campus.
The critical thinking prerequisite can only be satisfied by a specific logic-based class, with reference to inductive/deductive reasoning and/or evaluation of fallacies.
A higher level math course, such as Calculus or Trigonometry, CANNOT substitute for the statistics prerequisite.
Complete a separate course for each requirement - there is no "double-counting" requirements such as taking one class to meet both English composition and critical thinking.
Prerequisite courses that overlap with GE requirements are not waived for second bachelor degree candidates.
CREDIT/ NO CREDIT COURSES
ONE non-science prerequisite may be taken credit/no credit. All science prerequisites must be taken for a letter grade.
AP EXAM CREDIT
Our office accepts an AP Exam score of 3 or higher as a substitute for the following courses, as shown in table below:
| Nursing course | AP Exam equivalent |
|---|---|
| English composition (prerequisite) | English Language or English Literature |
| Statistics (prerequisite) |
Statistics |
| General Psychology (major requirement) | Psychology |
An approved AP Exam score will not be factored into the prerequisite or major GPA formula. To meet Nursing program application guidelines, send an official AP Exam score report to Cal State East Bay Admissions and upload an unofficial copy to NursingCAS as proof of the score by FEBRUARY 1 (for fall admission) or AUGUST 31 (for spring Admission). If a student earns AP credit for English and/or Statistics, that student may NOT take any additional non-science prerequisites for credit/no credit.
POLICY FOR REPEATING PREREQUISITE COURSES:
- For the Cal State East Bay Nursing application, ONE science prerequisite repeat within a seven-year time period is allowed without penalty. Each additional science prerequisite repeat for a higher grade within a seven-year time period results in a deduction of 3 points from the total application points. Non-science prerequisite repeats are allowed without penalty, and do not earn any point deductions, regardless of number of repeats.
- Cal State East Bay students are allowed ONE retake of a science prerequisite at a community college, if the first attempt of all four science prerequisites was at Cal State East Bay initially.
- Check with your campus what the guidelines and policies are for repeating a course that earned at least a 'C' grade (Academic Renewal).
- For the Cal State East Bay Nursing application, the higher grade is always considered for a repeated course, even if the student's own campus uses a different formula to calculate overall/cumulative GPA for repeated courses.
- Earning a "W" in a prerequisite course and then taking it again to earn a grade does not count as a retake for Cal State East Bay Nursing. The course that earned a "W" is disregarded during the Nursing application process and does not factor into any Nursing application GPA calculations.
TWO ONLINE APPLICATIONS
FALL NURSING DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30
SPRING NURSING DEADLINE: AUGUST 1 - AUGUST 31
Submit applications approximately a year in advance. Submit both applications at the same time.
APPLICATION #1
Cal State East Bay UNIVERSITY application (requires a fee)
Please choose Nursing as choice of major (for transfer students) and also select an alternate major at time of application.
See University Admission Deadlines for fall and spring admission each year
This application is evaluated separately by the Cal State East Bay Admissions Office. Follow university deadlines for admission requirements. The university will notify you of university admission status after the Nursing Program evaluates and makes its decision.
Candidates who are currently attending Cal State East Bay need not complete an application for university admission UNLESS they will graduate in another major before the term when they would BEGIN the Nursing Program. For example, if applying for Fall 2021 admission, Cal State East Bay students must fill out a Cal State East Bay university application if they will graduate Fall 2020, Spring 2021 or Summer 2021.
APPLICATION #2
CAL STATE EAST BAY PRE-LICENSURE/LVN "NursingCAS" APPLICATION (requires a fee)
FALL Applications OPEN October 1 - November 30
SPRING Applications OPEN August 1 - August 31
CLOSES 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time
*This application is NOT for freshman - college-level coursework required before applying - see prerequisites.*
*This application may take several hours to complete - please plan ahead*
Some personal email accounts have filtered our Nursing Department emails into Spam folders. Please check your Spam folder regularly during the application process. We send important updates and reminders via email through the NursingCAS system and Cal State East Bay email system and we do not want you to miss these. Emails may also include offers of admission. Thank you!!
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS FOR NURSING
FALL ADMISSION - DUE FEBRUARY 1 TO NursingCAS
SPRING ADMISSION - DUE AUGUST 31 TO NursingCAS
- All official transcripts, from every college or university attended including Cal State East Bay, are due to NursingCAS.
- All official transcripts, from every college or university attended,except Cal State East Bay, are due to Cal State East Bay Admissions Office by published deadlines (if applying as a new transfer student)
FOR FALL ADMISSION ONLY
Official transcripts for courses in progress fall term are accepted up until the February 1 deadline, even after the NURSING application deadline passes. We highly encourage you to send these to NursingCAS immediately after final fall grades are posted, so your application can continue to move forward in our evaluation process. For any classes already completed at schools you previously attended, please send to NursingCAS now.
ALSO...IMPORTANT REMINDERS
- Do NOT send any transcripts to the Nursing Program.
- FOR HAYWARD FALL ADMISSION - all nursing prerequisites must be completed by the end of the fall term when you apply. You can have prerequisite courses in progress for that fall term only when you submit the application. (approximately a year in advance of when you want to begin the program)
- FOR CONCORD SPRING ADMISSION - all nursing prerequisites must be completed by the end of the spring term before you apply. No in-progress prerequisites are considered when you submit the application. All must be completed previously. (approximately a year in advance of when you want to begin the program)
- FOR NURSING APPLICANTS ONLY: to remain eligible for Nursing Program consideration, nursing candidates must meet the document deadline of February 1, even if it is different than the document deadline posted on the main university website.
- The Cal State East Bay Admissions Office and NursingCAS must receive all required admission documents, not just transcripts, by required dates. **Postmarked documents do not count as received.**
- If preferred by the student, official transcripts for Cal State East Bay may be hand-delivered in sealed envelopes to the Enrollment Information Center on the Hayward campus or Academic Services Center on the Concord campus.
- Applicants already done with prerequisites are encouraged to send their transcripts to the Cal State East Bay Admissions Office and NursingCAS as early as possible.
- If you are using an AP Exam score to satisfy the English or Statistics prerequisite, please also send Cal State East Bay Admissions Office an official copy of your AP Exam score report and upload an unofficial copy of your AP Exam score report to NursingCAS by February 1 (FALL) or August 31 (Spring).
- Check your MyCSUEB or NursingCAS account for updates on whether or not your documents were received.
TEST OF ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC SKILLS (TEAS)
- up to 35 points
FALL ADMISSION - DUE NOVEMBER 30 - SEND DIRECTLY TO NURSING
SPRING ADMISSION - DUE AUGUST 31 - SEND DIRECTLY TO NURSING
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Cal State East Bay requires ALL of the following minimum scores to qualify:
- minimum 70% overall TEAS score (Adjusted Total Individual Score)
- minimum 65% English and Language Usage -AND- Reading sections
A competitive TEAS score is 80%.
Our program limits consideration of TEAS scores to the first three attempts, ANY version. The highest score (Adjusted Total Individual Score) will be considered.
Cal State East Bay does not enforce a minimum time requirement between repeated TEAS tests. If an applicant decides to take the TEAS again to raise a score, we encourage enough time between tests to study and improve, and do not encourage rushing to take the test again to meet a deadline.
The Nursing Program automatically receives all official scores of TEAS tests taken at Cal State East Bay.
If the TEAS test is taken elsewhere, order and send an official score report from ATI Testing (requires a fee). A photocopy or printout of test scores, or a scanned test score document uploaded to NursingCAS is not official.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR TEAS AT CAL STATE EAST BAY
The Testing Office at Cal State East Bay offers the ATI TEAS exam every month.
Study guides are available at the Cal State East Bay Bookstore (510-885-3507) and at the online store on the ATI website.
TEST DATES AND INSTRUCTIONS
To view information about the TEAS exam on Cal State East Bay campus and available dates and times to take the TEAS at Cal State East Bay, please visit the Testing Office TEAS webpage and TEAS Exam Dates and Student Charges web page. If you want to request testing accommodations related to a disability, contact Accessibility Services at (510) 885-3868.
To take the ATI TEAS exam, visit www.atitesting.com and 'Create an Account' to obtain an ATI Paper/Pencil ID number that looks like: A12345678 (it starts with the letter "A" followed by eight digits). Print and bring your ID number on the day of the test. Students are required to insert this number on their answer sheet. This ID number is used for you to access your test score(s).
This is a unique ID number for each candidate taking the TEAS test.
Calculators: The ATI TEAS will allow for the use of a four function calculator. For paper pencil version, students are responsible to bring their own permitted calculator. For the online version, a calculator is embedded within the exam.
TOEFL REQUIREMENTS
If Cal State East Bay Office of Admissions requires TOEFL as an entry requirement as proof of English Language Proficiency, the Nursing program will also review an applicant's TOEFL score. The score must be within two years from the time of application to be considered.
Cal State East Bay requires the following minimum score to qualify, if an applicant takes this exam:
- minimum 80 total score on internet-based exam
- minimum 26 on speaking portion
More information will be provided soon on minimum scores for IELTS.
PERSONAL STATEMENT - up to 20 points
Beginning fall 2020 admission. Not required for spring 2020 admission.
DUE NOVEMBER 30 TO NursingCAS
All applicants are required to answer all three questions on the form below and upload to the NursingCAS system once the application cycle opens. The application will be incomplete without the Personal Statement. Feel free to plan ahead and practice!
Once the nursing application is officially submitted, you cannot edit or update your personal statement, even if the application deadline is extended.
Personal statement points are awarded up to 5 points each for the depth and relevance of responses to each of the three questions (up to 15 points maximum), plus an additional 5 points for grammar/writing skill.
- DOWNLOAD and SAVE to your computer (Word Document).
- Type directly into the form.
- Do not include your name anywhere on the document.
- Pay careful attention to maximum word count.
- UPLOAD final version as PDF copy to NursingCAS before application deadline.
ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES
FALL ADMISSION - DUE NOVEMBER 30 TO NursingCAS
SPRING ADMISSION - DUE AUGUST 31 TO NursingCAS
We strongly encourage applicants to explore life experiences beyond the academic setting. Listed below are categories that may earn additional nursing application points. Submit all forms and documents to NursingCAS only.
Listed below are categories, instructions and assigned points for the Spring 2020/Fall 2020 admission cycle.
For information on Fall 2019 admission, please see our FALL 2019 BROCHURE.
Health and Community Related Experience (Paid or Unpaid)
You may qualify for additional admission points if you have an experience that contributes to the wellness of the community.
- up to 15 points
- paid or unpaid experience accepted
- minimum 75 hours required
- must be within 3 years from time of application
- can combine multiple experiences to meet minimum hour requirements
- points can be earned within these categories
Submit to NursingCAS by deadline:
- Health and Community Related Experience Form
- Signed letter on company letterhead confirming your hours
Health and Community Related Experience Forms and associated letters can be accepted up to one year only from date of first submission (if re-applying).
Second Language Proficiency
You may qualify for additional admission points if you speak and read one of these languages at an intermediate level: American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese (any dialect), Hindi, Persian (Farsi, Dari,Tajik), Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese.
- 5 points
- submit proof with one of options listed below
- language skills must be observed within the past year
- only languages on list above approved for points
- if you speak multiple languages, you can submit separate forms for each language, but you will still only earn a maximum of 5 points overall
Submit:
- Language Proficiency form * AND
- Signed letter from a language instructor or individual with proof of bilingual certification (if not a language instructor, include the person's proof of bilingual certification along with the form and letter)
OR
- Proof of your own Bilingual Certification (see list below for examples of accepted certifications)
Types of Accepted Certifications:
Federal Interagency Language Roundtable
Defense Language Proficiency Test
Language Testing International (Licensed by American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)
Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD)
Seal of Biliteracy on high school transcripts
Others may be evaluated/reviewed on case-by-case basis
The Nursing Department Language Proficiency Form and associated letters can be accepted up to one year only from date of first submission (if re-applying).
Cal State East Bay Students
You may qualify for additional admission points if you complete all four science prerequisites at Cal State East Bay.
- 10 points
- must earn passing grades
- one retake permitted under certain circumstances
Local Admission Area
You may qualify for additional admission points if the primary college you attended (where you earned a majority of units) is within one of the six counties defined as the local admission area for Cal State East Bay: Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano
- 10 points
Veterans or current members of the military
Submit a copy of your DD214 form or other official proof of military status to NursingCAS.
- 15 points
- contact our office for more information
LVN applicants
Submit a copy of your current LVN license to NursingCAS.
- no additional points during application cycle for license alone
- if admitted, option to challenge certain first year courses
- may earn points through the health-related experience category
The LVN-BSN Pathway is part of the Pre-Licensure Program. Students apply to the Pre-Licensure Program following the regular application process. The pathway is offered to any applicant with extensive medical knowledge and/or experience in the following field: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
Students graduate from this program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree and are eligible to take the RN license exam.
Learn more about the LVN-BSN Pathway and what courses can be challenged (if admitted) within the first year of the Pre-Licensure program.
SELECTION OF STUDENTS FOR PRE-LICENSURE NURSING PROGRAM
Cal State East Bay Nursing selects candidates on a merit-based points system. Applicants with highest point totals are offered admission.
Candidates that submit an incomplete application or do not meet minimum GPA or TEAS requirements may be notified of their admission status earlier than other candidates.
NOTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSION
FALL ADMISSION NOTIFICATION
All offers of conditional admission to the Nursing Program and Waiting List notices are sent via email by April.
SPRING ADMISSION NOTIFICATION
All offers of conditional admission to the Nursing Program and Waiting List notices are sent via email by early November.
**University admission offers for transfer students will not be released until the Nursing Program makes its admission decisions.
WAITING LIST
Remaining eligible candidates are placed in ranked order on a waiting list according to total admission points. If a candidate on the waiting list does not gain entry into the program and wishes to be considered for the following year or following term, a new application must be submitted.
WHAT IF THERE IS A TIE IN NUMBER OF POINTS?
In case of equal points ranking, tie-breakers will be 1) science score on TEAS Exam, then 2) cumulative GPA in all Baccalaureate level coursework, then 3) California residency status.
WHAT IF YOU THINK THERE'S AN ERROR?
Notify Nursing Admissions at nursing@csueastbay.edu within 15 calendar days of receipt of the notification. Write a thorough explanation why you believe an error occurred. Provide written documentation to support your claim upon request.
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS AFTER NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSION
- Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening - must be clear for entry into program
- Attend one-day Nursing Orientation in Mid June (fall admission) or early December (spring admission)
- Attempt WST (Writing Skills Test) one time or confirm already satisfied before entry into program.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES TO HELP YOU PREPARE:
HEALTH DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these requirements and be ready to submit proof of them on short notice. We provide exact deadlines and directions along with our offer of admission. Please do not submit any documents or proof to the Nursing Department until requested.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES for orientation requirements, future courses and clinical rotations