Last Updated: October 1, 2026
Program Overview
SF State’s 15-month accelerated BSN combines four semesters of nursing study, including summer, with clinical preparation and eligibility to apply for California Public Health Nurse certification after RN licensure.
San Francisco State University’s Accelerated BSN (BSNA) serves students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. The program is offered through the College of Professional & Global Education, with its program page identifying the College of San Mateo as the instructional location.
The School of Nursing reports 40 spaces annually and more than 200 applicants. Admission is competitive and limited to California residents or applicants eligible for CSU in-state tuition; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.
Accreditation and Licensure
SF State’s baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and may apply for California Public Health Nurse certification after meeting the licensing requirements.
The degree prepares students for nursing in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, home care and public health, as well as further nursing study. The School of Nursing provides its accreditation information.
Admission and Prerequisites
Minimum Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, completed by application; degrees in progress are not eligible.
- California residency or eligibility for in-state tuition.
- 3.0 minimum prerequisite GPA, calculated from the four science courses and statistics.
- ATI TEAS score of at least 78, achieved within three attempts. Use the current TEAS version; remote proctored testing is accepted.
- Completion of the required prerequisites before the supplemental application deadline.
Optional supplemental evidence includes military service, health-related work, service to underserved communities and multilingual proficiency. Volunteer experience may earn consideration when it exceeds 50 hours within the past two years; supporting verification letters should document the relevant experience.
Prerequisite Coursework
These admission courses are separate from the 56-unit nursing curriculum:
- Human anatomy with laboratory: BIOL 220, 4 units.
- Human physiology with laboratory: BIOL 212 and 213, 4 units combined.
- Survey of chemistry with laboratory: CHEM 101 and 102, 4 units combined.
- General microbiology with laboratory: BIOL 210 and 211, 4 units combined.
- Statistics: MATH 124 or an approved equivalent, 3 units.
The four sciences must be completed with a C or better within seven years. Online courses, including laboratories, are accepted. Statistics must carry a letter grade, rather than credit/no credit.
Written communication, oral communication and critical thinking requirements are considered fulfilled by a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Use the program’s equivalency guidance and ASSIST to check transfer coursework.
Applications and Deadlines
The accelerated-program admissions page lists an August 1–September 7 application period for both required applications. The catalog identifies spring entry for the accelerated track.
- Cal State Apply: select undergraduate admission, seeking a second bachelor’s degree, and Nursing BS.
- NursingCAS: submit the supplemental application, personal statement, transcripts from every college attended, TEAS documentation and any optional verification letters. The listed closing time is 8:59 p.m. Pacific on September 7.
- Send the official TEAS report from ATI directly to SF State in addition to uploading the score report as instructed.
Both applications must be complete by their deadlines; late applications are not accepted.
Curriculum
Students complete 56 nursing units across four semesters, including the required summer term. This is a full-time, in-person program. The sequence starts with assessment, prevention and evidence-based practice, then pairs specialty theory with practical work in reproductive, mental-health, pediatric and adult nursing.
The final semester brings together critical care, chronic and end-of-life care, community health and a clinical capstone. The current nursing curriculum supplies the required courses and credits below.
Required Courses and Credits
First semester: 13 units
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NURS 310 — Human Development and Health Assessment Theory | 3 | Physical assessment, screening, interviewing, development, dosage calculations and basic interventions. |
NURS 311 — Human Development and Health Assessment Lab | 2 | Practice assessment, medication administration and basic nursing skills while protecting patient information. |
NURS 312GW — Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing | 3 | Research methods, clinical evidence and writing that meets the university’s graduation writing requirement. |
NURS 314 — Health Promotion in Nursing | 3 | Prevention, health literacy, behavior change, advocacy and disaster preparedness. |
NURS 315 — Health Promotions in Nursing – Practicum | 2 | Apply health promotion and basic interventions in community and primary-care settings. |
Second semester: 14 units
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NURS 326 — Reproductive Health Theory | 3 | Pregnancy, reproductive health, disparities, genetics and nursing care from preconception through postpartum. |
NURS 327 — Reproductive Health Practicum | 3 | Apply reproductive-health knowledge and nursing skills in care settings. |
NURS 328 — Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Theory | 3 | Mental illness, pharmacologic and nursing interventions, communication, policy and ethical responsibilities. |
NURS 329 — Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum | 3 | Use mental-health assessment and interventions in patient care. |
NURS 350 — Nursing Interventions Practicum I | 2 | Practice aseptic technique, IV management, venipuncture, catheter care and assessment in the laboratory. |
Third semester: 14 units
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NURS 410 — Nursing Care of Children Theory | 3 | Pediatric illness, pathophysiology, medication therapy and nursing care. |
NURS 411 — Nursing Care of Children Practicum | 3 | Apply pediatric theory and pharmacology to the care of children. |
NURS 420 — Nursing Care of Adults Theory | 3 | Acute and chronic adult conditions, medication therapy and nursing interventions. |
NURS 421 — Nursing Care of Adults Practicum | 3 | Apply adult-health knowledge in patient care. |
NURS 450 — Nursing Interventions Lab II | 2 | Refine assessment, safety, patient-centered care and evidence-based interventions through laboratory practice. |
Fourth semester: 15 units
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NURS 520 — Advanced Medical Surgical and Critical Care Nursing | 3 | Critical illness, quality improvement, teamwork, leadership and safe, evidence-based care. |
NURS 521 or NURS 523 — Advanced Medical Surgical and Critical Care Nursing Capstone Practicum | 3 | Complete one capstone: NURS 521 uses a cohort model; NURS 523 uses a preceptorship model. |
NURS 522 — Chronic Care and End of Life Care Theory | 3 | Palliative care, symptom management, hospice, communication and cultural and ethical considerations. |
NURS 530 — Community Health and Global Perspectives Theory | 3 | Epidemiology, health systems, environmental health, program planning and disaster preparedness. |
NURS 531 — Community Health and Global Perspectives Practicum | 3 | Work with a community agency to apply population-health assessment, resources and program evaluation. |
Clinical Integration and Capstone
Practical learning runs throughout the sequence, beginning with assessment and health promotion and continuing through specialty placements and nursing-interventions laboratories. The final capstone requirement is NURS 521 or NURS 523, not both: the catalog distinguishes a cohort model from a preceptorship model.
Community-health theory and practice address population needs, local resources, epidemiology and program evaluation. The catalog also identifies behavioral and social-science requirements for nursing licensure; any remaining requirement depends on prior coursework and should be reviewed separately from the 56-unit nursing sequence.
Tuition and Costs
SF State publishes $799 per unit for the accelerated program. At 56 nursing units, estimated tuition is $44,744: 56 × $799. Quick Facts shows this tuition-only estimate.
This calculation uses the rate currently published on the program page across the full nursing sequence. It excludes prerequisites, other applicable fees and living expenses; future rate changes may increase actual charges.
Budget separately for books, clinical supplies, transportation and compliance requirements. The catalog specifically identifies an additional fee and nursing kit for NURS 311 and an additional fee for NURS 315, without listing amounts in those course descriptions. These charges are not included in the tuition estimate.
Registration and payment are handled through SF State’s College of Professional & Global Education.
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