Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Accelerated RN-Master of Science in Nursing Program
What is the application deadline? How often are students admitted?
The priority application deadlines for the Accelerated RN-MSN program are November 1 for Spring Admission and March 1 for Fall Admission. Complete applications are reviewed on a rolling basis year round. Applicants to the Accelerated RN-MSN program complete the Graduate not Undergraduate application for admission.
Paper-based applications can be downloaded from our website. The on-line application is available until November 1 for Spring and March 1 for Fall.
Students can be admitted for either Fall or Spring, however Fall admission facilitates program progression.
What are the program prerequisite courses? Can I complete the prerequisite courses at a community college?
The prerequisite courses for the BSN program are as follows:
Physiology with lab (4 semester units)
Chemistry with lab (4 semester units)
Microbiology with lab (4 semester units)
Intro to Psychology (3 semester units)
Intro to Sociology (3 semester units)
Developmental Psychology (3 semester units)
Elementary Statistics (3 semester units)
English Composition & Literature (3 semester units)
These courses may be taken at a university or community college. There is no time limit on these courses. Admissions Counselors are available to assist you with questions about transfer courses.
Can I complete the general education requirements at a community college?
All the lower division general education requirements can be completed at the community college. The upper division requirements can be completed at a four-year university, but they must be junior or senior level courses.
The School of Nursing strongly encourages applicants to complete as many of the lower division general education requirements as possible prior to application. Admissions Counselors are available to assist you with questions about transfer courses.
» Table of San Diego Community College Equivalent Prerequisite Courses
What is the GPA requirement?
The GPA requirement is 3.0. A cumulative GPA is calculated from your Associate Degree in Nursing or Diploma in Nursing program.
Can I apply to the Accelerated RN-MSN program if I am not a Registered Nurse?
The Accelerated RN-MSN program at the University of San Diego requires RN licensure. It is designed for the Associate Degree or Diploma prepared Registered Nurse.
Do I need to submit my Health Requirement Information and proof of Student Liability Insurance by the application deadline?
The Health Requirement Information along with the Student Liability Coverage does not need to be submitted by the application deadline. However, all information will be due by a specified date if accepted to the program. Failure to comply will void the admission offer.
Can I apply to the BSN program during my final semester in my Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing program?
You may apply as long as the Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing is conferred before the first day of class. An official transcript with the degree posted is required along with proof of RN licensure prior to enrolling in nursing courses at USD.
Please note that your Associate Degree or Diploma in nursing must be from an approved, accredited program. Diploma graduates are also required to take specific exams for nursing credit. Admissions Counselors are available to assist you.
How do I determine if my degree from another country is equivalent to a Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing?
Applicants who have earned a degree outside the United States are required to have their transcripts evaluated by World Education Services. (A course-by-course evaluation is required.)
Is there a work experience requirement?
There is no work experience requirement. However, we encourage new graduates to work part-time their first year in the program.
Can I attend the program on a part-time basis?
Full-time or part-time enrollment is available. Students who attend full time can complete both the BSN and MSN degrees in three or four years (depending upon track). Students who attend part time usually complete their degrees in three to five years.
Do I need to select a Master’s Specialty at the time of application?
Do I need to select a Master's Specialty at the time of application? Applicants are asked to select a specialty area at the time of application. The specialties offered include Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Executive Nurse Leader and Clinical Nursing.
Choosing a specialty area is an important decision and should be made with great care as you may NOT be allowed to change a given specialty once admitted. Applicants are expected to research the roles extensively before choosing an area of specialization. Speaking with or shadowing clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and nursing administrators is a critical step in your research. Applicants are expected to articulate in writing and conversation why they are applying to a specific specialty.
Can I work while attending the program?
The majority of nurses in the RN-MSN program work while in the program.
When are classes offered?
The BSN courses are offered Monday and Wednesday during the day. If you select full-time study, you will be coming to classes two days a week. If you select part-time study, you will be coming to classes one day a week. Each class meets one day a week for three hours. There is, however, a Thursday all-day clinical your third semester in the program.
During the second year of the Accelerated RN-MSN program, students attending full time will be taking BSN and MSN course work at the same time.
What is the length of the BSN component?
The BSN component of the program is 124 units in length. Applicants may transfer in up to 87 units.
How many units are in the MSN component of the program?
The MSN component of the program is 21-30 units depending upon the specialty selected. The unit value is lower than the traditional MSN program since the accelerated student completes graduate work that counts toward both the BSN and MSN degrees.
The specialties offered include Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nursing and Executive Nurse Leader. (Please click on the link to each specialty for specific admission requirements and course requirements.)
Where are the clinical placements? Are students responsible for finding their own clinical sites?
In the Master of Science in Nursing program, clinical experiences are tailored to met the learning objectives of the program and of the individual student. Clinical Nurse Specialist students have clinical experiences with clinical nurse specialists and physicians, usually in hospital settings. Students in the Nurse Practitioner program have the majority of their clinical experiences with nurse practitioners and physicians in primary care settings. These preceptors work in a variety of settings including HMOs, Medical Centers, Community Clinics, and private practices. Executive Nurse Leader students have preceptors who are in health care administration settings in hospitals and community agencies.There are currently over 400 preceptors available to students in the various programs. The Clinical Placement Coordinator consults with each MSN student regarding placement requests and then arranges clinical placements.