Nursing Major

General Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Select an option below:

• First-time Freshman
• Transfer
• International

School of Nursing Admission Requirements

Admission to the university does not guarantee admission into the School of Nursing. Students interested in being considered for admission into the nursing major must indicate their desire on their application to the university.

Applicants will first be reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for general admission to APU. If an applicant meets the minimum requirements for consideration for the BSN program, they will then be reviewed by the School of Nursing Admissions Committee for possible admission into the BSN program.

Determinations will be made by March 1, and letters will be sent to applicants who met minimum requirements and were reviewed by the School of Nursing Admissions Committee, indicating whether they have been accepted into the BSN program. Once accepted into the program, students must remain in that program for the duration of the nursing program.

The BSN program is designed with a specific course sequence; when a student is accepted into a program, a progression schedule is reviewed by the student and the advisor. Since the traditional BSN program is based on a cohort model, all coursework assigned to a specific semester is prerequisite for progression to the next semester. Students admitted from high school to the traditional BSN program will be placed in either a fall (4½-year program) or a spring (4-year program) cohort.

Applicants who are not accepted into one of the School of Nursing BSN programs may still be admitted to the university. These applicants may consider coursework in preparation for application to the Entry-Level Master’s in Nursing program (ELM) designed for students who have completed a baccalaureate degree in another major but are interested in pursuing a career in nursing.

Nursing Major Requirements

Applicants interested in the traditional nursing program must meet the following admission requirements:

1. Submit an application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions indicating interest in becoming a nursing major and pursuing the BSN. When you submit your application, be prepared to provide the following:
2. Copies of all transcripts.
3. The name and email address of a person who is able to provide a professional recommendation on your behalf. This should be an employer or community leader for whom you have worked or volunteered.
4. A one-page statement of professional goals in nursing.
5. A résumé or list of activities reflecting volunteer plus work experience within the past three years. Include leadership positions in volunteer organizations, community service, and/or employment where applicable.
6. Note: The deadline to apply and submit all required documents in order to be eligible for consideration is November 15.Complete the applicable prerequisite courses with a grade of B (3.0) or better including the following:
7. One year of high school chemistry (or CHEM 101 Introduction to Chemistry);
8. One year of high school biology (or BIOL 101 Fundamentals of Biology);
9. Two years of high school math (algebra or geometry). A math placement assessment is required unless the placement assessment is waived. For more information about how to waive the college algebra requirement, visit the ALEKS assessment page.
10. Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing. Students will take an online survey before course registration to learn about the different course options for this requirement.
11. Submit proof of achieving the minimum high school, college, or university cumulative grade-point average of B (3.0).
12. Once a student has received a letter of acceptance into the School of Nursing, proof of the following must be provided prior to the beginning of the first nursing course (UNRS 105):
13. Successful completion of anatomy with lab (4 units) and organic chemistry with lab (4 units), with no lower than an overall B- (2.7) grade-point average, and no lower than a C in each course. Note: A student is allowed only one opportunity to repeat a single science course to try to raise his/her grade prior to beginning nursing (UNRS) courses. Students must maintain a B- (2.7) average in all subsequent science coursework or be placed on academic probation.
14. Credit or waiver for college algebra.
15. A current full physical examination clearance done within the past 12 months. This report is to be submitted the APU Student Health Center.
16. Current two-step TB test, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, and Tdap (evidence must be submitted either from a current immunization record or from recent titer results. The School of Nursing highly recommends that all students receive quantitative titers for proof of immunity.).
17. A current background check.
18. Ability to meet physical sensory technical standards required for safe and competent performance of the duties and skills needed for the nursing profession.
19. Current CPR with AED certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support for Health Care Providers for adults and children from the American Heart Association.

International Students

Note: International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are not currently eligible to apply for the 2+2 program, but may apply to the Traditional BSN program.

International students are required to meet the same academic and admission requirements as other students, as well as the following:

1. Completion of Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing and one of the four required sciences taken at an accredited U.S. university with a minimum grade of C (2.0), and achievement of a cumulative grade-point average of B (3.0) in all college courses completed at Azusa Pacific University after two semesters of full-time enrollment.
2. The admission requirement for international students with English as a second language (ESL) is a minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT. For more information about other ways to provide proof of English proficiency, view the English proficiency requirements.

Note: Check with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions regarding residency requirements prior to application.

Although a private college education may seem out of reach for many, recent research from Kiplinger reveals that the actual value of some private universities may prove this assumption wrong. In 2010, Kiplinger selected Azusa Pacific University for its Top 100 Best Values in Private Colleges rankings. Read more about APU’s ranking in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Private Colleges.

APU students may take advantage of three types of financial aid: scholarships and grants, education loans, and student employment.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are considered “gift aid” and do not require repayment. They can come from federal, state, or private sources. Scholarships are typically merit-based, meaning they are awarded depending on demonstrated academic ability or other specific talents.

Scholarships are often available from sources outside of APU. You can search for these scholarships through websites such as finaid.org or fastweb.com. The Student Services Center is sometimes notified of scholarships available through APU departments or local organizations, and can provide information about any available scholarships on request.

Education Loans

Education loans are usually repaid after graduation, may be deferred until after graduate school, and often have very low interest rates.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Student Employment

On-campus student employment is available for students needing additional income to pay for education-related expenses. APU students also find work off campus in the surrounding community.

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To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

• Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). 
• The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Azusa Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. 
• The traditional baccalaureate nursing program, upper-division transfer (2+2/LVN to BSN) programs, entry-level master’s program, and the nurse practitioner program are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.