How to Apply
Take the next step toward your degree in Nursing.
Reach out to us to learn more about Saint Mary's Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.
Current and Transfer Students
Apply through the Fall 2025 Form.
Nursing Programs
First-year students interested in Nursing are admitted to Saint Mary’s College to follow the Pre-Nursing Curriculum, including the Saint Mary’s Core Curriculum. Students who meet the nursing program admissions criteria will transition into full-time nursing classes and clinicals in their third and fourth years, inclusive of one summer term. Upon completion of the BSN degree, Saint Mary’s students will be well-prepared for the NCLEX exam to become registered nurses.
Transfer students having completed the science and social science nursing prerequisites and IGETC or transferable general education requirements at another institution can complete the B.S. in Nursing degree in two years, inclusive of summer term(s). Transfer students will experience the signature program requirements of the Saint Mary’s Core Curriculum prior to their full-time nursing classes and clinicals. Upon completion of the BSN degree, Saint Mary’s students will be well-prepared for the NCLEX exam to become registered nurses.
Transfer Policy Summary:
The nursing program accepts academic credit from regionally accredited institutions for comparable pre-licensure courses, with transfer credit eligibility based on course equivalency in registered nursing courses or other relevant coursework. Equivalency is determined by reviewing catalog course descriptions, syllabi, course hours, and unit values to ensure alignment with the nursing program's curriculum. All applicants must meet general admission requirements, and transfer acceptance is subject to space availability.
Advanced Placement Eligibility is granted to individuals who have completed nursing courses from an accredited RN school or equivalent coursework within the past year. Applicants must submit official transcripts, catalog descriptions, syllabi, and letters of reference, and successfully pass competency exams (ATI and SafeMedicate drug calculation). Students will enter the program at the point where equivalency and competency are confirmed.
Challenge by Examination allows students with previous healthcare education or experience to earn up to 15 units of credit by examination. Students must submit a written request, provide transcripts, employer references, and a statement of intent, and schedule an eligibility meeting with the Director of Nursing. Upon approval, students must complete a petition for credit and pay the required fees before receiving preparation materials. To earn credit, students must score at least Level 2 on ATI exams, pass a clinical simulation and skills test with 80%, and achieve 100% on SafeMedicate exams. All challenge exams are conducted in person and supervised, and successful candidates will receive written confirmation of credit awarded. Please see SCC Transfer/challenge/advanced Placement into the undergraduate Nursing Program for more information and direction.
The nursing program offers an Advanced Placement opportunity for individuals with prior military healthcare training and experience. Eligible candidates, such as Basic Medical Technician Corpsman, Army Healthcare Specialists, and Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technicians, may qualify for entry into the second semester of the program by successfully completing challenge exams for first-semester courses.
Please see Challenge/Advanced Placement for Military and Trained Healthcare Professionals Policy for further directions on how to pursue this option.
You may also contact the director of nursing PVS4@stmarys-ca.edu for more information and support in navigating the process.
Saint Mary’s College offers the 30-Unit Option for licensed LVNs in good standing with the California Board of Registered Nurses (BRN).
This is a non-degree pathway designed for California Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) who wish to become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in California. This option does not lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) but allows LVNs to gain RN licensure through a streamlined curriculum.
Key Considerations:
- This pathway does not confer a degree upon completion.
- Licensure obtained through this pathway is specific to California and may not be recognized in other states.
- Admission is limited and competitive based on space availability in the nursing program.
Please see SMC 30 Unit Option Policy and Procedure In Compliance with CCR 1429 for further directions on how to pursue this option.
You may also contact the director of nursing PVS4@stmarys-ca.edu for more information and support in navigating the process.
Application Process
There is a two-step process for applying to Saint Mary’s College and to the BSN program.
First-Year students begin their process by applying to Saint Mary’s College. While completing the pre-nursing curriculum and the Core Curriculum, students apply to the BSN. Classes may be in-progress when you apply to the BSN, and admission would be contingent on successful completion of those courses before beginning the BSN curriculum.
Transfer students to Saint Mary’s begin their process by applying as a Transfer Student to Saint Mary’s College. An additional application to the BSN is also required. Transfer students may have pre-nursing courses (prerequisites) to complete, as well as Core Curriculum courses, before beginning the BSN curriculum.
Application Requirements
First-Year Students
- Common Application
- Official High School Transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (Optional)
- SAT or ACT Test Scores (Optional)
Transfer Students
- Official evidence of a High School diploma or G.E.D.
- Official College Transcripts
- A minimum 2.8 GPA calculated from all prerequisite coursework
BSN Requirements
- Minimum grade of B or higher in Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Sociology, and Psychology
- Minimum grade of C or higher in Chemistry, Microbiology, Statistics, and Writing
- 70% or higher score on the ATI-TEAS Test
- Two academic letters of recommendation
- Completion of all pre-nursing required coursework
2025-2026 First-Year Admissions Deadlines
For important, first-year student admissions information and deadlines, please visit our Admissions page.
First-Year Admissions2025-2026 Transfer Admissions Deadlines
Summer Transfer Admissions
May 1: Summer Term Application Deadline
Summer Term application deadline for students who have successfully completed all nursing prerequisites and plan to take Saint Mary’s required Core Curriculum courses in Summer Term, starting June 2.
Fall Transfer Admissions
August 1: Fall Term Application Deadline
Fall Term application deadline for students who have successfully completed nursing prerequisites except for the Saint Mary’s Core Curriculum.
Spring Transfer Admissions
December 1: Spring Term Application Deadline
Spring Term application deadline for students who have successfully completed most, if not all, nursing prerequisites. The remaining requirements, including the Saint Mary’s signature program requirements of the Core Curriculum, may be completed in the Spring and Summer Terms.