Online RN to BSN - Major in Nursing

The RN to Bachelor of Science Degree Program offers a nontraditional approach for the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in as few as three (3) semesters. The program is offered through our Doheny Campus and is 100% online.  

General Education course requirements may be taken online or in person through the Weekend/Evening & Online College.

Students considered for this program must hold a valid/active RN license, and an overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.  Applicants who have not obtained a RN license may be admitted while preparing to take the NCLEX examination, and must obtain an RN license in order to complete the program.  

A valid/active RN license is a prerequisite to enroll in third semester RN-BSN courses. In order to take the option clinical component to pursue a Public Health Certificate you must be a resident of California and have a valid/active RN license for the state of California.  

Individualized advisement is provided for all students to ensure successful completion of the BSN degree requirements.  

Program Objectives

1.  Liberal Education for Baccalaureate the 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 upon admission.  Admission to the RN to BSN Program is considered for the fall and spring semesters with a specific deadline for each semester. Admission is based on:

• Completed application
• Satisfactory fulfillment of pre-requisite courses
• Official college transcripts from every college attended

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.50

• 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 or successful completion of an ADN program. Note:  ADN candidates must pass their NCLEX prior to the third semester otherwise they may not enroll in third semester RN-BSN nursing courses.  

Priority is given to students who:

• Meet the required criteria.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 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. 

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 completed in a regionally accredited college is transferable toward the Baccalaureate degree (see Advanced Standing section in the University Catalog). Students should meet with the RN to BSN Advisor upon acceptance for review of transferrable credits.  

RN to BSN Program Entrance Requirement

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

Necessary health forms and immunizations when taking the optional clinical component for Community & Public Health Nursing.  

Have a current CPR card (American Heart Association Health Care Provider BLS) when taking the optional clinical component for Community & Public Health Nursing.  

Have a fire safety card when taking the optional clinical component for Public & Community Health Nursing.  

Complete a criminal background check.  

Drug screening prior to the start of coursework, and annually thereafter until successful completion of the BSN degree.  

Cost/Financial Aid

The cost of the program depends on tuition (found on the university website) and the courses a student can transfer 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 General Education requirements are met. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and external scholarships.

General Education Courses

Students will receive credit General Education courses completed in their ADN program if courses are transferrable. In addition, students must complete 18 semester units of general education courses while enrolled in the RN-BSN program unless previous coursework credits have been applied to the BSN degree. General Education courses may vary from student to student and is dependent upon transcript evaluation.    

Note: Credit for general education courses completed at other institutions may be transferrable to complete the general education requirements.   

Credit for Nursing Courses

When a student is licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in, credit for courses equivalent to MSMU’s former ADN Program 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.