RN to BSN

Admission Requirements

We make it easy to progress through the RN to BSN admission process. Our recruitment counselors will work with you each step of the way, coordinating the application and registration processes with you.

The program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete. In all cases, save copies of the documents you submit.

Note: This program is not recommended for students who lack proficiency in basic academic skills, especially collegiate-level English communication skills.

Applicants must have:

• 70 units or more of transferable credit, up to a maximum of 90 units (earned with a C- grade or better) from regionally accredited colleges or universities, documented on official transcripts from each institution attended. Transcripts must be mailed from the colleges or universities directly to APU. A maximum of 70 units may be transferred from a community college.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in transferred courses. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals who do not meet this criterion.
• RN licensure. Students will need to provide proof of their RN license in good standing before starting clinical courses.

Applicants must submit:

• Application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts sent to APU’s Student Services Center (SSC) for all college credit, degrees, certificates, or credentials earned prior to application to APU
  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Two letters of professional recommendation
• Current résumé. Your résumé must include your California RN license number or, if unlicensed, “exam pending.”

Send official transcripts to:

What to Expect

Once APU receives your application, application fee, and official transcripts, your paperwork will be reviewed to determine transfer credit. Once your application and transcripts are reviewed, you will be notified of your admission status. You will need to turn in all required documents in order to be considered for admission.

If you are applying for Financial Aid, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online for the corresponding academic year. Request financial aid transcripts from those institutions attended within the current calendar year. This is required by the U.S. Department of Education.

Qualified online program students will receive instructions for an invitation-only online registration process. Students will pay any outstanding fees and complete enrollment paperwork online with an enrollment counselor.

Some programs, including this one, begin as soon as enough students enroll to form a cohort. The students form a cohort and complete the program as a group. Students in cohorts need only register once for the duration of the program.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

See the table below for the tuition charges and fees that comprise your estimated total RN to BSN program cost. Prices will be held constant for continuously enrolled students for the 15-month time period.

Paying for Your Degree

APU offers a variety of ways to help you pay for your degree. From scholarships and grants to loans and company reimbursement, we’re committed to being sure that cost doesn’t keep you from reaching your education goals.

Learn more about the financial aid opportunities available to you.

• Scholarship, Grant, and Loan Options
• Nursing Tuition Discounts
• Nursing Scholarships
• Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)
• Making Payments
• Apply for Aid

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

Program Requirements

The APU experience is designed to uniquely facilitate development through solid intellectual inquiry, informed decision-making, and the application of ethical principles. A focus on Christian values and ethics is infused into the curriculum and the development of learners by providing direction, purpose, and evaluation of personal and professional life actions.

Convenient Format

In the RN to BSN program at APU, students may complete their degree in a minimum of 15 months. The accelerated 40-unit curriculum is concentrated into 60 weekly five-hour class sessions. Classes are offered in a lock-step format that considers students' class and work schedules and allows students to begin the program as it suits their schedules, either online or in a traditional classroom setting. For students' convenience, all texts and materials are delivered directly to their classroom or home (online students).

Learn more about the Online RN to BSN program format below.

Cohort Model

Courses are taught sequentially, and the rich diversity of experiences which students bring to the class result in lively discussions involving shared experiences. Because students stay with the same group throughout the program, they develop a strong rapport with other group members who act as a support system through the completion of the degree. Many students find the networking opportunities that arise through participating in the program to be invaluable.

Time Commitment

Each class requires that students meet for five hours, from 5–10 p.m., once a week or participate online for a comparable amount of time each week. The time you need to invest in order to be successful is very individualized. The time required varies with the student's experience and abilities, personal and work support systems, and course content. More hours may be required from those who have been out of school for many years and, for example, those who have limited experience in accessing research studies or advanced level writing. Time is spent each week applying new knowledge outside of the classroom and online in addition to the work setting and personal life.

Clinical Experiences

Students will most likely complete (either RNRS 448 or RNRS 449) clinical hours for at least one of the clinical courses at their place of employment. APU's School of Nursing has contracts with many facilities, but can also initiate new contracts if time allows. RNRS 448 requires a licensed acute care hospital (including psychology and rehabilitation) or outpatient experience. RNRS 449 will be a community placement in a school system and/or community health setting. California-licensed RNs will be qualified for a Public Health Certificate from the BRN upon RNRS 449 course completion.

Azusa Pacific’s online RN to BSN program is designed for adult learners wishing to complete their undergraduate degree without the on-campus class requirement.

The program allows students to take advantage of the convenience of online learning without sacrificing the quality of instruction or professor-student interaction. Students can accomplish their degree goals through the identical curriculum and cohort model that has been so successful in the traditional RN to BSN program.

Convenient Schedule

Courses are taught sequentially, and the accelerated format means new courses begin every five to ten weeks. Students find the rich diversity of experiences which students bring to the interactive online environment result in lively discussions involving shared experiences.

Committed to Your Success

Successful students in this online format clearly recognize that, while there is flexibility in asynchronous learning, a strong commitment to consistent participation, communication, and completion of all work is critical. A Student Orientation, part of a non-credit preseminar, is mandatory for all online students prior to the start of their online course/cohort.

Through this online program, students will engage with the School of Nursing and APU staff in one-on-one communication for academic and financial advising. A nurses lounge will also be available to facilitate community within the cohort and between cohorts, faculty, and staff.

How do I get started?

Online degree programs may include requirements, procedures, and policies that vary from the university’s more traditional programs. For more information on how to get started in an APU online program, contact us at (877) 816-6546 or at [email protected].

How many units are in this program?

The program requires 40 semester units. A total minimum of 120 units are required for graduation with the BS degree.

Are scholarships available?

Several types of financial aid are available. The resources range from federal loans and state grants, to fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid programs, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at (626) 815-2020.

How often do I need to be online for the online program?

You must be online sufficiently throughout each week to participate in threaded discussions and to complete all assignments by their designated deadlines. However, there is no prescribed amount of time that you will be required to be online because assignments and their deadlines will vary throughout each course.

Will I have to complete any part of my Online RN to BSN program at an APU campus location?

No. You can complete your degree entirely online. No campus visits or meetings are required. Clinical experiences will be at local facilities with which APU has contracted.

How soon can I finish this program?

This program can be completed in 15 months.

How many hours a week do I need to study?

There is no one answer that fits all students. The time a student needs to invest in order to be successful depends on the individual. The time required varies with the student’s experience, abilities, personal and work support systems, and course content. More hours may be required from those who have been out of school for many years and from those who have limited experience in accessing research studies or advanced level writing.

Where will I complete my clinical experiences?

You will most likely complete (either BNRS 448 or 449) your clinical hours for at least one of the clinical courses at your place of employment. APU’s School of Nursing has contracts with many facilities, but can also initiate new contracts if time allows. BNRS 448 requires a licensed acute care hospital (including psychology and rehabilitation) experience. BNRS 449 will be a community placement in a school system and/or community setting.

What happens if I get behind and need to withdraw from a course or the program?

First, let your professor and the director know immediately. There may be an option to take an incomplete grade in that course. The program is designed in a lock-step format, meaning courses typically follow in sequence and build upon each other. While there are some exceptions, a student will usually retake the course the next time it is offered either online or on campus. If it becomes necessary to withdraw, students must immediately communicate with the School of Nursing to avoid financial impact. The School of Nursing will assist them to determine the best approach for them academically, personally, and financially.

Several scholarship aid options are available to make your RN to BSN affordable.

Academic Agreements

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students and graduates can advance their nursing education with the help of a partial tuition scholarship for Azusa Pacific’s accelerated RN to BSN program.

APU’s School of Nursing offers this preferential pricing to ADN graduates from community colleges that have entered into an academic agreement with APU for that purpose.

Through these academic agreements, ADN graduates of qualifying schools who enroll in the RN to BSN program receive a 10% partial tuition scholarship. View the list of eligible colleges below, and include the name of your school when you apply to the RN to BSN program.

Current Eligible Community Colleges

• Antelope Valley College
• Chaffey College
• Citrus College
• Cypress College
• Glendale Community College
• Imperial Valley College
• Los Angeles City College
• MiraCosta College
• Moorpark College
• Mt. San Jacinto College
• Palomar College
• Pasadena City College
• Rio Hondo College
• Riverside City College
• San Bernardino Community College District
• Southwestern College
• Ventura College
• Victor Valley College

Don’t see your school on the list? Have your school officials contact Ethel MacGregor, academic partnership specialist, at [email protected] for details on setting up an academic agreement. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

Academic Practice Partner Discount

For employees of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Rady Children's Hospital, Redlands Community Hospital, and Riverside University Health System, Azusa Pacific pays 10 percent of tuition for the RN to BSN program or 15 percent for the MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, MSN in Nursing Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) programs (limited to three doctoral DNP or PhD students) for the duration of the agreement with the employer.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, be continuously enrolled in fall and spring terms at least half-time, and must submit an MOU Discount Form along with verification of employment. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact student financial services for complete eligibility details.

Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) Discount

For members of the Association of California Nurse Leaders, Azusa Pacific pays 10 percent of tuition for the RN to BSN program, MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, MSN in Nursing Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) programs for the duration of the agreement with the association.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, be continuously enrolled in fall and spring terms at least half-time, and must submit an MOU Discount Form along with verification of membership. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.

• 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.