Saint Mary’s College of California BSN Programs

Saint Mary’s College of California has earned full accreditation for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The California Board of Registered Nursing gave its approval earlier. The first official group of students will join this accredited program in Fall 2025, while some students are already taking core curriculum courses on campus.

The BSN program reflects Saint Mary’s College’s Lasallian traditions through an all-encompassing approach and compassionate education. The program delivers high-quality education based on professionalism, role clarity, diversity, inclusion, breakthroughs, research, and ethics. These elements center around the basic principle of “Do No Harm” to serve others.

The nursing program stands out by using Dr. Maria O’Rourke’s framework that supports ‘Role Clarity’ with an all-encompassing approach. This unique method encourages role accountability and leadership, which helps graduates succeed in complex healthcare settings while serving different populations.

BSN program students master eight core learning outcomes: Strong Clinical Reasoning, Transfer of Knowledge, Accountable, Empowered Leaders, Role-Driven Practice, Strong Advocates, Critical Thinkers, and Global Citizens. The curriculum puts relationship-centered nursing care at its heart, guided by professional nursing standards.

Students complete the program in five semesters, including summer sessions. They can start in fall or spring. This schedule works well for both new and transfer students.

Graduates are ready to take the National Council of Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses. The nursing field continues to grow with an expected 11% increase in nursing opportunities, better salaries, and career growth over the next decade.

A new healthcare training facility opened in 2021 to give nursing students exceptional clinical experience. The Center for Healthcare Education comes equipped with multiple simulation labs, advanced medical mannequins, and observation rooms. These features make Saint Mary’s the leading nursing program in the region.

The program builds on rich history. Saint Mary’s provided nursing education with Samuel Merritt University for many years. Their Intercollegiate Nursing Program started in 1981. The program became hugely popular, teaching more than 350 students at its height.

Types of Programs Offered

Saint Mary’s College of California’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has several paths that match different student needs. Students can complete the program in five semesters, including summer sessions, and start either in fall or spring.

Traditional Four-Year Track

Students begin with the Pre-Nursing Curriculum and complete Saint Mary’s Core Curriculum requirements. They move on to full-time nursing classes and clinical rotations in their third and fourth years. This approach combines liberal arts foundation with specialized nursing education. Graduates will be ready to take the NCLEX exam and become registered nurses.

Two-Year Transfer Pathway

Saint Mary’s offers an accelerated two-year completion option if you have finished your science and social science nursing prerequisites at another school. You’ll still experience the signature elements of Saint Mary’s Core Curriculum before starting your nursing classes and clinical rotations.

LVN 30 Unit Option

California-licensed LVNs who are in good standing with the California Board of Registered Nurses can take this non-degree path to become eligible for the NCLEX-RN exam. While this option doesn’t lead to a BSN degree, it offers an efficient way for LVNs to get RN licensure in California. Remember that licensure through this option might not work in all states outside California.

Advanced Placement Options

The program gives advanced placement opportunities if you have:

• Prior military healthcare training and experience
• Previous nursing courses from accredited RN schools
• Healthcare education completed within the past year

Challenge by Examination

You can earn up to 15 units of credit through examination if you have previous healthcare education or experience. This option works great for qualified military healthcare specialists like Basic Medical Technician Corpsman, Army Healthcare Specialists, and Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technicians.

The nursing program uses Dr. Maria O’Rourke’s theories as core curriculum elements, among the National Council of State Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN Blueprint and American Association of Colleges of Nursing Domains. This approach helps students learn current nursing standards while preparing for their licensure examination from day one.

Saint Mary’s steadfast dedication to high-quality nursing education shows in these diverse pathways that work well for students from different educational backgrounds and career stages.

Online and Hybrid Options

Today’s nursing students need more flexible ways to learn. Saint Mary’s College of California has built a strong digital education presence over the last several years. Their experience could shape future nursing programs.

The 2019-2020 academic year saw a major shift toward online learning at Saint Mary’s College. 617 students (39.03% of the total student population) enrolled in at least one online class, and 74 students completed their entire coursework online. These numbers show remarkable growth. Back in 2015-2016, only 60 students took online classes, but this number jumped to 617 by 2019-2020.

The data reveals that 33.57% (474) of undergraduate students participated in at least one online class during 2019-2020. Graduate students showed an even stronger preference for digital learning. Almost every graduate student who chose online classes took them exclusively online, which shows a well-developed fully-online system at the graduate level.

Saint Mary’s College of California’s experience with online education spans many disciplines. This matters to prospective BSN students looking for flexible study options. The college’s online MBA programs have earned national recognition (#265 in Best Online MBA Programs according to U.S. News).

The numbers show that fully online programs haven’t caught on as much at the undergraduate level. Only 0.07% (1) of undergraduate students completed all their classes online in 2019-2020. BSN students might find hybrid learning options instead of fully online programs.

The college’s online education growth tells an interesting story:

• 2015-2016: 60 students took at least one online class
• 2017-2018: 68 students took at least one online class
• 2019-2020: 617 students took at least one online class

Saint Mary’s College of California keeps expanding its digital education capabilities. This growth could lead to more flexible options for future nursing students.

Admission Requirements

Saint Mary’s College of California BSN program looks at several important factors during admissions. The selection process takes an all-encompassing approach that lines up with the college’s Lasallian Mission and steadfast dedication to diversity.

First-Year Students should submit these materials:

• Common Application
• Official high school transcripts
• Optional SAT/ACT scores
• Optional letters of recommendation

Transfer Students need these documents:

• Evidence of high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Minimum 2.8 GPA calculated from all prerequisite coursework

BSN-specific requirements set higher standards and just need:

• B grade or higher in Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Sociology, and Psychology
• C grade or higher in Chemistry, Microbiology, Statistics, and Writing
• 70% or higher score on the ATI-TEAS Test (within 2 attempts)
• Two academic letters of recommendation
• Completion of all pre-nursing coursework

Students must complete all science courses within the last 7 years. More importantly, the college runs a direct entry program for select incoming first-year students with a 3.6+ cumulative high school GPA and B average in biology, chemistry, and precalculus.

Different deadlines apply based on enrollment type. Fall admission deadlines for first-year students are November 1 for Early Action and January 15 for Regular Decision. Transfer students can choose Priority Decision (March 1) or Regular Decision (June 1) for fall enrollment.

The admission team reviews intellectual preparation, purpose’s seriousness, and moral integrity carefully. Each applicant’s potential contribution to class experience and nursing profession matters beyond academic scores.

Students with military training, prior nursing education, or LVN licensure can get special consideration through transfer and challenge options.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at Saint Mary’s College of California

Saint Mary’s College of California’s BSN program distinguishes itself from other nursing programs through several unique features that showcase its educational philosophy and approach.

Role-Driven Framework

Saint Mary’s employs Dr. Maria O’Rourke’s trailblazing theoretical framework centered on “Role Clarity.” This unique approach enables students to build professional identity and accountability from their first day. Students learn not just nursing techniques but grasp the full scope of professional responsibility through role-driven practice.

Lasallian Integration

Lasallian values run deep throughout the curriculum and create an educational experience that combines technical competence with compassionate care. This integrated approach gives graduates both clinical expertise and the ethical foundation they need to deliver patient-centered care.

Detailed Facility Resources

The Center for Healthcare Education opened recently and offers learning environments beyond industry standards. Students gain ultra-realistic clinical experience right on campus through simulation labs with high-tech medical mannequins and dedicated observation rooms.

Flexible Entry Pathways

Saint Mary’s offers multiple program tracks and makes the program available to more students through twice-yearly admissions cycles (fall and spring). This scheduling flexibility helps students from various educational backgrounds and life circumstances.

Cohort-Based Learning Model

The program groups students into cohorts that encourage strong professional relationships and create built-in support networks. This structure mirrors real-life healthcare settings where teamwork and collaboration matter most.

Interdisciplinary Preparation

Liberal arts education blends seamlessly with specialized nursing training in the curriculum. Students develop clinical competencies along with critical thinking, communication, and cultural competence skills.

Professional Development Focus

The program emphasizes lifelong learning and career advancement from first semester through graduation. Students create portfolios that show their professional growth and prepare them for immediate jobs plus future specialization opportunities.

Saint Mary’s approach to nursing education produces graduates with technical skills, adaptability, ethical grounding, and professional identity needed to succeed in healthcare environments that change faster than ever.