CSUF's Upper Division Transfer BSN Pathway prepares eligible transfer students for nursing practice through a full-time, in-person cohort. Applicants complete transferable coursework and specified science and non-science prerequisites before entry. Admission uses a holistic review that includes Casper and may consider documented clinical work or volunteering. Students complete nursing lectures, labs and clinical placements as they progress toward the BSN.
- Program
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Pathway
- Credential
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Location
- Fullerton, California, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- November 30, 2026 (Cal State Apply submission deadline)
- Length
- Three years, six semesters
Casper Requirement for California State University, Fullerton Nursing
California State University, Fullerton Nursing requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Casper Situational Judgment Test, Nursing - Undergraduate
Upcoming Casper test dates
- October 20, 2026
- November 12, 2026
- December 3, 2026
- January 16, 2027
- February 4, 2027
Test dates can change: confirm availability in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Select California State University, Fullerton - School of Nursing and use the same email address as the Cal State Apply application. This requirement is for the Upper Division Transfer BSN pathway, not a statement about every CSUF nursing pathway.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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California State University, Fullerton Nursing Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Cal State Apply
- Applications open
- August 1, 2026, to begin the application
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Cal State Apply submission deadline | November 30, 2026upcoming |
| Official transcript and applicable AP/IB score-report deadline | January 31, 2027upcoming |
Select Nursing - UDT BSN Pathway; submission begins October 1, 2026. Admission to CSUF requires admission to the nursing major.
Eligibility Requirements for California State University, Fullerton Nursing
- Degree / credits
At least 60 semester or 90 quarter units of transferable college-level coursework completed by the end of Fall 2026; applicants must also qualify for CSUF transfer admission and be in good standing at their last institution. Winter or spring coursework after Fall 2026 does not count toward the unit threshold.
- Residency
Only California residents may be considered for this impacted pathway.
- Citizenship
An SSN or ITIN is required for background checks upon admission and for California RN licensure; applicants without one cannot be admitted.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose primary language is not English need TOEFL 550 paper-based or 80 internet-based unless eligible for a waiver; foreign college coursework requires an approved transcript evaluation.
Admission pathways
- Upper Division Transfer BSN: Pre-licensure pathway for eligible transfer applicants
- Accelerated BSN: Separate pathway for applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree; its Fall 2027 requirements also include Casper
- Traditional BSN: Separate direct-entry first-year pathway; its published admission requirements do not list Casper
Other requirements
- Official records: Transcripts from every college attended and official AP/IB scores if applicable
- Post-admission clinical clearance: Health insurance, California driver's license, auto insurance, CPR certification, health clearance and background checks
Selection Factors California State University, Fullerton Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy with lab | B or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. For Fall 2027 admission, science courses must have been completed in 2022-2026. |
| Human Physiology with lab | B or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. For Fall 2027 admission, science courses must have been completed in 2022-2026. |
| Microbiology with lab | B or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. For Fall 2027 admission, science courses must have been completed in 2022-2026. |
| Chemistry | B or higher; lab if required where taken Complete by the end of Fall 2026. For Fall 2027 admission, science courses must have been completed in 2022-2026. |
| Written Composition | C or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. |
| Critical Thinking | C or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. |
| Oral Communication | C or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. |
| Statistics | C or higher Complete by the end of Fall 2026. |
| Introduction to Psychology | C or higher Required for licensure, if not already completed, during the first nursing semester. |
| Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology | C or higher Required for licensure, if not already completed, during the first nursing semester. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Most recent 60 semester or 90 quarter units of graded transferable college-level coursework through Fall 2026; winter or spring coursework after Fall 2026 is excluded from this calculation.
- Minimum
- 3.25
Admissions tests
- TOEFL (required for some applicants): Minimum 550 paper-based or 80 internet-based, unless waived
- TEAS (not required): Not accepted for admission
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
Applicable work OR volunteer experience may receive consideration, but not both. Qualifying work requires medical clinical certification or licensure; qualifying volunteering generally involves patient interaction under a physician or RN or in specified care settings. Upload the required proof or volunteer-hours letter by the application deadline; resumes are not accepted as proof.
Supplementary application
Upload documentation in Cal State Apply if claiming qualifying work or volunteer experience; letters of recommendation are neither required nor accepted.
How applicants are ranked
Eligible applications receive holistic review of all application components; admission is competitive and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. CSUF describes planned GPA bracketing of approximately 40% of admits at 3.85-4.00, 25% at 3.65-3.84, 25% at 3.45-3.64 and 10% at 3.25-3.44. These are selection brackets, not historical admission statistics.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at California State University, Fullerton Nursing
- Program length
- Three years, six semesters
- Structure
Full-time, cohort-style, with no required summer semesters
- Campuses
- CSUF campus, Fullerton
Nursing lectures, labs and clinical courses progress through assessment, professional practice, specialty nursing, leadership, population health and a capstone.
Campus and facilities
Lectures are in person at the Fullerton campus; clinical placements may be within 50 miles and include day or evening shifts.
California State University, Fullerton's Mission and Values
To educate nurses to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care in dynamic healthcare environments serving diverse populations through teaching, scholarship and service.
How to Prepare Your California State University, Fullerton Nursing Application
- Confirm California residency, transfer eligibility and the 60-semester-unit threshold
- Check every prerequisite grade, science-course age and Fall 2026 completion date
- Begin Cal State Apply and select Nursing - UDT BSN Pathway
- Book an approved Casper date using the application email and select CSUF for score distribution
- Upload qualifying experience documentation if claiming it
- Arrange official transcripts and applicable AP/IB scores for CSUF Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions About California State University, Fullerton Nursing
Is Casper required?
Yes, for Fall 2027 Upper Division Transfer BSN applicants.
Is the TEAS required?
No; it is not accepted for this pathway.
What is the minimum GPA?
3.25 across the most recent 60 semester or 90 quarter units of graded transferable coursework through Fall 2026.
Can prerequisites be completed in Spring 2027?
No; they must be complete by the end of Fall 2026.
When is the application due?
November 30, 2026, through Cal State Apply.
When are official transcripts due?
January 31, 2027, to CSUF Admissions.
Is work or volunteering mandatory?
No; qualifying experience may be considered if documented.
Sources
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Admission Requirements
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Prerequisite Courses
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Selection Process
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Application Process
- Upper Division Transfer BSN Curriculum
- Accelerated BSN Admission Requirements
- Traditional BSN Admission Requirements
- School of Nursing Mission, Vision, and Values
Last updated: September 26, 2026