Biola University BSN Programs
Biola University offers a unique nursing education that blends Christian principles with professional nursing practice. The university’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, equipping students with respected qualifications that lead to meaningful healthcare careers.
The university awarded 55 bachelor’s degrees in nursing through the 2021-2022 academic year, marking a substantial 90% increase from the previous year’s 29 degrees. The graduating class showed diverse representation – 85% women and 15% men. Students came from various backgrounds: 14 Asian, 1 Black or African American, 9 Hispanic or Latino, 23 White, 1 Non-Resident Alien, and 7 students from other racial backgrounds.
Students at Biola experience a distinctive 4.5-year program structure split into two phases. They start nursing school in a nursing pathway major—the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management—for their first two years. They then head over to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for the remaining 2.5 years. The university’s full-time nursing faculty members select BSN program candidates through a competitive process, and admission to the university doesn’t guarantee acceptance into the BSN program.
The program’s quality speaks through its rankings – #54 in California. Graduates benefit from this reputation, earning a median salary of $93,629, which stands substantially higher than the national median of $74,888 for nursing bachelor’s degree recipients.
Students gain hands-on experience through clinical partnerships with hospitals and agencies across Los Angeles and Orange counties, with special focus on underserved communities. The program ranked 10th on Niche’s list of “Best Colleges for Nursing in California” recently.
Graduates become eligible for the NCLEX-RN examination required by the Board of Registered Nursing for licensure as registered nurses. They can also apply for certification as public health nurses. Biola’s nursing students learn to merge Christian caring into their nursing practice, preparing them to serve in a variety of settings locally, nationally, and internationally.
Types of Programs Offered
Biola University offers a unique two-phase approach to nursing education. Students start with the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management program, which leads them into nursing. The clinical nursing program accepts students who complete their prerequisites with a “C” or higher.
Students need 4.5 years to complete Biola’s nursing program spans 4.5 years, which shows their dedication to detailed education. The program stands out because students must complete Biola’s Bible minor requirements. This combination creates graduates who blend Christian faith with professional nursing expertise.
Biola University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) holds prestigious credentials. The program has earned approval from the California Board of Registered Nursing and national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates can take the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed registered nurses and apply for public health nurse certification.
Students develop their skills through:
- Strong coursework in nursing specialties
- Practical training in skills and simulation labs
- Clinical experiences at healthcare facilities across Los Angeles and Orange Counties
The BSN program prepares students for both immediate employment and advanced education. Many graduates advance to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Ph.D. programs. These advanced degrees create paths to specialized roles like nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse administrator, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator.
Biola welcomes transfer students from licensed vocational, diploma, and associate degree nursing programs with personalized admission evaluation. While an Associate Degree in Nursing might speed up entry into the field, Biola’s BSN program offers deeper knowledge, professional recognition, and better career advancement opportunities.
Online and Hybrid Options
Biola University does not offer an online option for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The hands-on nature of nursing education demands in-person clinical experiences and laboratory work that virtual environments can’t fully replicate.
The university has a reliable online education platform for many other programs. These online degree and certificate programs combine a leading Christian university’s quality with the freedom to study from almost anywhere in the world. Students who want Biola’s educational approach and need distance learning might find these options worth looking into.
Students can take year-round classes in convenient 7-week course formats through Biola’s online bachelor’s degrees. The programs cost about one-third of traditional undergraduate programs. This makes a big difference for students in other fields. The same experienced Christian faculty who teach on-campus lead these online courses, which gives students the same quality education no matter how they study.
BSN students must complete their degree on campus, but they can access library resources, disability services through the Office of Student Accessibility, and other support systems through Biola’s online platform. The university maintains quality standards and follows state regulations while supporting different technical needs, from low bandwidths to assistive technology.
Biola has started testing hybrid delivery models for graduate-level healthcare programs. The university launched a hybrid Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program that combines monthly weekend campus visits with online coursework. This approach could shape how Biola develops future programs, possibly including nursing education.
BSN students still need to attend classes in person, but Biola’s success with online and hybrid models in other fields shows they’re actively looking at flexible ways to deliver education across their programs.
Admission Requirements
Biola’s nursing program follows a distinctive two-step process. You must first get accepted to Biola University as a Healthcare Management major. After that, you can apply to the Clinical Nursing program.
To qualify for the Clinical Nursing program, you need to complete several prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher:
- BIOS 254: Human Anatomy
- BIOS 281: Human Physiology
- BIOS 282: Microbiology
- CHEM 120: Bio & Organic Chemistry
- ENGL 100 or ENGL 112: Studies in Critical Thinking and Writing
- PSYC 200: Introduction to Psychology
- NURS 112: Introduction to Professional Nursing
- 3 credits of an approved communication course
First-time college students must maintain at least a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA. Transfer students face stricter requirements and need a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.2.
The Clinical Nursing program requires a score of 70 or above on the TEAS nursing pre-admission test. Your total science GPA should be 2.5 or higher for all required prerequisite sciences. You must complete at least three sciences before application review. Biola does not accept online science labs.
Students who repeat a prerequisite course after getting below a C- can exclude their original grade from their cumulative GPA. This applies only if they achieve a B or higher in their second attempt.
Many candidates can boost their chances of admission through:
- Healthcare work experience
- Volunteer experiences, especially in healthcare settings
- Leadership activities at church or school
- Missions or cross-cultural experiences
- Biola extra-curricular involvement
Note that acceptance to the university as a Healthcare Management major doesn’t guarantee a spot in the Clinical Nursing program. Nursing faculty evaluate applications using an all-encompassing approach rather than focusing solely on academic performance.
What’s Different about the BSN Programs at Biola University
Biola’s nursing program stands out from typical BSN offerings in several unique ways. The faith-based foundation spreads through every element of nursing education. Students learn to address their patients’ physical needs and spiritual concerns in a variety of healthcare settings.
Biola’s distinctive approach comes from integrating Christian principles into the entire curriculum. Biblical perspectives blend naturally with clinical training, ethical decision-making, and patient care philosophies. This all-encompassing approach helps students develop technical nursing skills and compassionate care based on Christian values.
The program structure makes Biola different from other schools. Most institutions require students to declare nursing majors immediately. Biola uses a two-phase system that starts with Healthcare Management before moving to Clinical Nursing. Students build a resilient foundation before specialization, which creates stronger candidates who understand healthcare systems in detail.
Faculty mentorship adds another unique element to the program. Full-time nursing faculty members handle the selection process and stay involved in student development throughout their academic trip. Students receive consistent guidance that’s rare in larger programs.
Clinical placements in Los Angeles and Orange counties give students exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings. Students gain broad clinical experience, especially when they have opportunities in underserved communities. This prepares them to handle nursing challenges in settings of all types.
Biola’s nursing program maintains high standards while keeping students at its center. The competitive selection process looks for candidates with academic excellence, healthcare experience, leadership potential, and cross-cultural participation. Outstanding nurses need more than textbook knowledge to succeed.
Students who want education focusing on professional competence and spiritual growth will find Biola’s BSN program valuable. The program creates an educational environment where faith and science work together rather than against each other.