SFSU BSN Programs

San Francisco State University’s BSN Programs rank among the most competitive nursing education choices available. Each academic year, the program receives over 1000 applications for just 60 spots. Students who take the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing path will find a complete two-year program that prepares them for healthcare settings of all types – from hospitals and community clinics to long-term care facilities.

SFSU’s Accelerated BSN Program at the College of San Mateo lets students graduate in just 15 months through four semesters, including summer session. This SF State nursing program has seen high demand since fall 1992, with about 200 candidates competing yearly for only 40 spots. The San Francisco State University’s nursing acceptance rate shows its strong reputation in nursing education. Students who complete their BSN become eligible for California’s public health nursing certification once they become Registered Nurses. The program serves as a solid stepping stone toward leadership roles and advanced education opportunities in nursing.

Types of Programs Offered

San Francisco State University’s School of Nursing has education paths that fit every student’s background and career goals. You’ll find program options that prepare you to practice nursing in a variety of healthcare settings.

The Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the cornerstone of SFSU’s nursing education. Students can start this program in fall or spring. It works best for those working toward their first bachelor’s degree. Once you graduate, you can take the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) and qualify for public health nursing certification in California.

Already have a bachelor’s degree in another field? The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSNA) might be right for you. This 15-month program spans four semesters including summer at the College of San Mateo. You’ll learn the same material as traditional BSN students but at a faster pace. This prepares you for similar career opportunities in maternity, pediatrics, medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, psychiatric/mental health, and community health nursing.

The ADN-BSN Program shows how SFSU works with California Community College partners like College of San Mateo and City College of San Francisco. This smart approach makes shared admission possible for both the Associate Degree Nursing Program and the BSN program. You can earn both degrees with two and a half years of full-time study.

The Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELM) works great for people who have non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and want advanced practice opportunities. This six-semester program gets you ready for the NCLEX-RN exam while you work toward specialized graduate-level nursing education. The best part? You’ll earn both BSN and MSN degrees when you finish.

The School of Nursing also offers several specialized graduate paths:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for California RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Post-Master’s Certificate programs including the Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
• School Nurse Services Credential Program designed specifically for California RNs with preliminary credentials

Graduate specializations cover Clinical Nurse Specialist roles in adult-gerontology and pediatrics, nursing administration, women’s health, public/community health, and psychiatric/mental health nursing. These programs are a great way to get advanced practice roles and specialized certifications through the California State Board of Registered Nursing or American Nurse Credentialing Center.

Your academic background or career goals in nursing don’t matter – SFSU has educational paths that line up with professional growth and specialized practice opportunities.

Online and Hybrid Options

Students choosing a nursing program should think over learning flexibility as a key factor. The College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) at San Francisco State University – which used to be the College of Extended Learning – gives students multiple online learning choices to reach their academic goals.

CPaGE helps adult learners through weekend, evening, and online classes. Working professionals and students with other responsibilities find these adaptable schedules helpful. Students can head over to online courses, degree completion programs, and certificate options that improve their career outlook or make academic progress easier.

Remote education seekers have a chance to earn their bachelor’s degree completely online through CPaGE. Transfer students and those with existing college credits find this path attractive while they balance other life commitments. Notwithstanding that, nursing education’s core clinical parts usually need in-person attendance because healthcare training requires hands-on practice.

SFSU’s online education comes in several forms:

• Online Degree Completion Programs – Options to complete your bachelor’s degree entirely online
• Online Certificate Programs – Full certificate programs available through remote learning
• Hybrid Courses – Programs offering one or more online courses integrated with traditional instruction

Yes, it is possible to use these adaptable learning options to support your nursing education trip, especially when you have prerequisite or general education requirements. CPaGE’s mission centers on helping students advance careers, switch professions, or grow personally through available educational paths.

Students looking into San Francisco State University BSN Programs should explore how online and hybrid options fit their nursing education goals. The SF state nursing program upholds strict standards that often require extensive in-person clinical training to build crucial hands-on skills, despite some online components being available.

SFSU’s nursing acceptance rate shows both academic excellence and a steadfast dedication to creating skilled healthcare professionals through detailed education. Therefore, BSN students might find value in certain online components while they engage in essential hands-on training that shapes quality nursing education.

Admission Requirements

Getting into San Francisco State University BSN Programs just needs you to meet specific criteria and timelines. California residents or those eligible for in-state tuition can apply to the program.

BSN pathways share the same academic standards. You’ll need a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher[144]. On top of that, you must score at least 78 on the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) within three attempts[144]. The School of Nursing accepted online remote proctored TEAS tests during the pandemic.

You must complete these prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before submitting your application:

• Human Anatomy with Lab (4 semester units)
• Human Physiology with Lab (4 semester units)
• Survey of Chemistry with Lab (4 semester units)
• General Microbiology with Lab (4 semester units)
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Statistics (3 semester units)

Science courses must be completed within seven years of application[144]. Your prerequisite GPA calculation will include the four science courses and statistics.

The application happens in two steps. Submit your application through Cal State Apply during specific periods: August 1-31 for spring admission or October 1-November 30 for fall admission. Complete the School of Nursing supplemental application through NursingCAS next: August 1-September 1 for spring or October 15-January 15 for fall.

Extra materials can make your application stronger. These could include veteran or active duty military status verification, health-related work or volunteer experiences (minimum 120 hours), service to underserved communities, and multi-linguistic fluency[144].

Accelerated BSN applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. ELMSN program candidates need a bachelor’s degree plus health-related work experience and three recommendation letters.

Timely submission is vital—the school won’t accept late applications or materials under any circumstances.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at San Francisco State University

The San Francisco State University BSN Programs stand out from other nursing education options through several unique features. Students experience a perfect blend of academic rigor and hands-on clinical practice opportunities in healthcare facilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

SFSU’s School of Nursing takes a comprehensive approach to healthcare education. The curriculum helps you master both technical nursing skills and culturally responsive care. This combination becomes crucial when working with San Francisco’s multicultural population. You’ll learn to work with patients from different backgrounds and address healthcare gaps in various communities.

The program’s faculty brings something special to the table. Their mix of clinical experience and academic credentials gives students both theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom. This combination keeps your education aligned with today’s healthcare practices and challenges.

The program’s partnerships with prestigious Bay Area healthcare institutions create exceptional learning opportunities. Students get access to:

• Advanced medical technologies and procedures
• Diverse patient populations across socioeconomic backgrounds
• Specialized healthcare settings from trauma centers to community clinics

The BSN program features simulation-based learning in advanced laboratories. These facilities let students practice complex procedures safely before working with actual patients.

While SFSU’s nursing program maintains competitive acceptance rates, admitted students receive strong support. The university provides dedicated academic advisors, peer mentoring programs, and career development resources. These elements lead to better completion rates and successful NCLEX-RN examination results.

The program’s focus on public health and community-based care makes it unique among the BSN nursing schools. Students learn more than just hospital-based practice – they prepare to tackle broader health challenges. This approach proves valuable in today’s healthcare environment.

These distinctive elements create nursing programs that prepare students for immediate clinical practice and career growth in healthcare’s changing landscape.