Pepperdine University BSN Programs

Pepperdine University will launch its first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Fall 2025. This launch stands as a key milestone that shows the university’s commitment to healthcare education. The new program reflects Pepperdine’s mission to create healthcare leaders with a curriculum based on academic excellence, Christian values, and service.

The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) has given full approval to Pepperdine’s BSN program. This makes Pepperdine one of California’s most respected nursing education institutions. The approval lets the university start training tomorrow’s nursing professionals.

The Pepperdine School of Nursing wants to create caring nurse leaders who will shape the nursing profession. These leaders will change healthcare systems and make a difference in communities worldwide. Students will learn the skills and compassion they need to excel in the ever-changing world of nursing.

The program has core foundation courses that build a strong base while developing critical thinking and communication skills. The nursing courses follow a unified theme that includes the nursing process. Students learn all the competencies required by the registered nurse scope of practice.

Students will learn in state-of-the-art facilities at Pepperdine’s Calabasas campus. The campus features 30,000 square feet of simulation and clinical learning laboratories. These labs have the latest medical technology and new simulation manikins. The manikins range from adult to infant sizes and can simulate many clinical conditions.

The Fall 2025 program will start with 56 four-year pathway students and 16 two-year pathway students. First-year students from high school can take the four-year path. Transfer students who have finished their prerequisites can choose the two-year path.

Graduates will be ready to work as registered nurses and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The program teaches evidence-based care throughout the care continuum and lifespan. This prepares graduates to work in different settings with people from all backgrounds and communities.

Pepperdine University’s new BSN program carries forward its tradition of excellence while meeting healthcare’s growing needs.

Types of Programs Offered

Pepperdine University has created several nursing education pathways that fit different student needs. The School of Nursing, launching in 2025 as part of the new College of Health Science, gives students two program options.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program comes with two entry paths based on your educational background. The Four-Year Pathway lets students start their nursing education right after high school. Students spend their first two years at the beautiful Malibu campus. They complete general education and core natural and social sciences courses before moving to the Calabasas campus. The final two years focus on specialized nursing education.

The Two-Year Transfer Pathway works best for students who finished their prerequisites at other schools. These students start directly at the Calabasas campus where they focus on nursing courses and hands-on learning. Pepperdine will welcome its first nursing class in Fall 2025 with 56 four-year pathway students and 16 two-year pathway students.

The university also offers an Entry Level Master’s in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader (ELM-CNL) program. This advanced option helps people with bachelor’s degrees in other fields switch to nursing. The ELM-CNL takes three years to complete. Students spend their first two years preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam. The final year covers graduate-level nursing leadership coursework.

Both programs put strong emphasis on practical training. BSN students complete more than 750 clinical hours, while ELM-CNL students get even more intensive training with 850+ clinical hours. Clinical experiences cover five key areas:

• Medical/surgical
• Psychiatric/mental health
• Obstetrics
• Pediatrics
• Gerontology

The nursing curriculum builds a strong foundation for nursing practice. Students develop critical thinking and communication skills through core courses. Graduates from both programs are well-prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN examination and begin their careers as registered nurses.

ELM-CNL graduates get additional career benefits. They can qualify for Clinical Nurse Leader certification and meet public health nurse certification requirements. This preparation helps them take on leadership roles like manager, director, or chief nursing officer in healthcare settings of all sizes.

Online and Hybrid Options

As you think about the different BSN pathways at Pepperdine University, program flexibility becomes a key factor for many future students. Pepperdine understands its students’ diverse needs and so offers classes at different times, locations, and formats.

Pepperdine’s nursing education takes place at several locations throughout Southern California. The university’s campuses spread across Malibu, West Los Angeles, Calabasas, and Irvine. Students can choose the campus that best fits their location and travel needs.

BSN students in the four-year program start their education at the beautiful Malibu campus. Here, they complete two years of general education and prerequisites. After that, they move to the Calabasas campus for specialized nursing courses in their final two years. The Calabasas facility features state-of-the-art nursing equipment, including 30,000 square feet of simulation and clinical learning labs that provide essential hands-on training.

Pepperdine’s reputation includes offering hybrid learning models in programs of all types. However, the BSN program focuses on in-person learning experiences because nursing education requires hands-on practice. BSN students must complete over 750 clinical hours[link_1], which makes physical presence crucial.

The university’s educational approach reflects its steadfast dedication to academic excellence and student achievement. Pepperdine structures its nursing programs to blend theory with practical application. Students need to be present for labs, simulations, and clinical rotations.

Your nursing education at Pepperdine benefits from a well-planned program that values both educational quality and student convenience. This balanced approach helps you develop the skills and experience needed to succeed in California’s competitive nursing field.

Admission Requirements

Students who want to join Pepperdine’s nursing programs need to meet specific academic requirements based on their chosen path. You can apply through the Common Application portal with a non-refundable $65 fee along with your completed materials.

The four-year BSN pathway looks at first-year students’ academic excellence in high school. The admission committee will review your academic record, GPA, service and leadership background, and character that you express in references and personal statements. Your application package should include official high school transcripts, an academic recommendation from a core subject teacher, and your responses to both the Common App Personal Essay and Pepperdine-specific essay question.

The two-year BSN pathway has different requirements for transfer students. You need to complete 64 credit hours of prerequisite coursework and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. These prerequisites include:

• Communication Skills (7 credits): Including English Composition and Speech/Rhetoric
• Natural, Behavioral, and Social Sciences (22 credits): Covering Human Anatomy with lab, Human Physiology with lab, Chemistry with lab, Microbiology with lab, Introduction to Psychology, and Introduction to Sociology
• General Education (25 credits): Including statistics, developmental psychology, humanities, fine arts, and religion courses
• Additional electives (10 credits)

The Entry-Level Master’s in Nursing program needs applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. Your science prerequisites must show a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and at least a ‘C’ grade in each course.

The College of Health Science is still getting federal approvals, so international students cannot join the Entry Level Master’s program for fall 2025-spring 2026 cohorts. These applications will automatically move to fall 2026.

Pepperdine stands out from other nursing programs because it doesn’t require TEAS scores. This test-free process lets the school focus on your academic achievements and personal qualities.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine’s BSN programs stand out uniquely among California’s nursing education options. The program builds on Christian values that create a special learning environment. Students learn ethical considerations and service to others throughout their coursework. This faith-based approach helps create compassionate care providers who treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Pepperdine focuses on developing nurse leaders instead of just clinical practitioners. You’ll get leadership skills from day one. This prepares you not only for bedside roles but also positions where you can shape healthcare systems and policy.

Pepperdine outshines many nursing programs with its exceptional facilities built specifically for nursing education. The Calabasas campus houses 30,000-square-foot simulation and clinical learning laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment. Students work with sophisticated simulation manikins from adult to infant that mimic various clinical conditions. These resources create realistic practice environments that connect classroom learning with actual patient care.

The program’s cohort model adds another great advantage. The inaugural class limits enrollment to 56 students in the four-year pathway and 16 in the two-year pathway. This smaller size means you get customized attention and can build strong connections with faculty and peers.

Southern California’s location gives students access to clinical settings throughout the region. Students gain exposure to different patient populations and healthcare environments that enrich their clinical experience.

The program combines thorough academic preparation with evidence-based practice across all care levels. Graduates leave with theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to care effectively for people of all backgrounds throughout their lives.

Pepperdine’s BSN program takes an all-encompassing approach to nursing education. It values technical skills and compassionate care equally. Critical thinking pairs with ethical decision-making, while individual excellence works hand in hand with shared practice.