Online RN to BSN Completion Program - Major in Nursing

The Online RN to BSN Completion Program offers a nontraditional approach for Associate Degree Nurses (ADN) to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in as little as three (3), (4), or (5) semesters. The program is offered online through our Doheny Campus and admits twice per year: Fall and Spring.

The Program is designed so that Registered Nurses can work while continuing their nursing education. Each cohort is conveniently planned to offer theory classes online. However, there are two required clinical courses held in the second and third semester. The clinical rotations are held at different sites during the week; not during a weekend.

General Education requirements must be taken online through the Weekend/Evening & Online College.

Students considered for this program must hold a valid California RN license and have an overall GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants that do not hold a valid California RN license may be admitted as a Pre-RN to BSN student for (1) one semester while preparing to take the NCLEX examination. Individualized advisement is provided for all students to enhance program completion for fulfilling the BSN degree requirements.  

Program Objectives

1.  Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
2.  Basic Organizational & Systems Leadership for Quality of Care & Patient Safety
3. Scholarship for Evidenced-Based Practice
4.  Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology
5. Health Care Policy, Finance & Regulatory Environments
6. Inter-professional Communication & Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes
7.  Clinical Prevention & Population Health
8.  Professionalism and Professional Values
9.  Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

Program Admission Policy

Please refer to university application deadline dates. All applicants must have an advisement session prior to admission regardless of how they enter the program. Applications to the program may be submitted two ways:

1. A student who has obtained an ADN from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a GPA of 2.8 or better and has had no break greater than one (1) year between obtaining the ADN degree and starting the RN to BSN program may complete a Program Change Application form. The form will be available from the RN to BSN advisor. No University application is required.
2. All other students must apply to the University for the RN to BSN completion program.

In order to be eligible for review, applicants must be admitted to the University and then fulfill the nursing admission requirements. Admission to the RN to BSN Completion Program is considered for the fall semester and for spring semester with a specific deadline for each semester. Admission is based on:

• Completed application
• Satisfactory fulfillment of pre-requisite classes
• Official college transcripts from every college attended
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.8
• Cumulative Science GPA of at least 2.50,  If you are a working RN we will evaluate your Cumulative Science GPA on a case by case basis if it is between 2.0 and 2.49.
• Letters of reference
• Unencumbered, valid, active, RN license in the state of California.

Personal interviews may be scheduled for qualified applicants admitted directly to the RN to BSN Program.

Priority is given to students who:

• Meet the required criteria.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 for all transferable college work attempted.
• A GPA of 2.50 for college science courses is required for admission to the nursing program, unless otherwise stated as in for working RN's. The science GPA will consist of grades received from anatomy, physiology, microbiology and chemistry or scientific concepts.
• A student may repeat a course required for the nursing major no more than once.  A failure (C- and below) of any two required science or pre-requisite courses results in non-admission.

Students accepted in the RN-BSN program have up to one (1) year to start RN-BSN after graduating from  MSMU's ADN program. Students must submit a Leave of Absence (LOA) form should they chose not to start the RN-BSN program the semester following graduation from the ADN program.  

Note: It is the student’s responsibility to reach out to the RN-BSN program Staff before their Leave of Absence expires.  

Students who choose to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) must return within one–year post-graduation from the ADN program without any penalty; otherwise, students are withdrawn from the RN-BSN Program. 

RN to BSN Program Transfer of Credit

Transfer Credit

Credit for courses taken at other accredited colleges or universities is transferable provided that the transferred courses satisfy curriculum requirements at Mount Saint Mary’s University. A maximum of 70 lower division (or equivalent) semester units for course work taken in a regionally accredited college is transferable toward the Baccalaureate degree (see Advanced Standing section in the University Catalog). Students must discuss with the RN to BSN advisor all courses to be transferred in for credit. Forms and approvals must be completed prior to starting the program.

RN to BSN Program Entrance Requirement

Students consideration admission, must have the following completed by the first semester:

Necessary health forms and immunizations

Have a current CPR card (American Heart Association Health Care Provider BLS)

Have a fire safety card 

Complete a criminal background check as outlined in clinical policies

Drug screening prior to the start of coursework, and annually thereafter

Cost/Financial Aid

The cost of the program depends on tuition (found on the university website) and what courses students can transfer in that does not exceed the 70-unit limit. Students will need advisement to determine their plan of study prior to starting the program to ensure the correct numbers of General Education requirements are met. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and external scholarships.

General Education Courses

Students will receive credit for all General Education courses completed in the ADN program. In addition, students must complete 18 semester units of general education courses while enrolled in the RN-BSN program.  

*SOC 1, PHI 21 or RST 41, and PHI 168A or PHI 168B or RST 149 or HCP 158 are required as part of the LACE General Education requirements, starting with the Fall 2018 Catalog.

Credit for Nursing Courses

When a student is licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of California, credit for courses equivalent to MSMU lower division nursing courses are transferable. The courses must have been completed through an accredited junior or senior college to be accepted as transfer units. With a satisfactory rating on the Validation of Clinical Competence form, 27 units of upper division credit may be awarded for courses. The 27 semester units of upper division units is awarded for the following equivalent course work.