School of Nursing

Basic BSN Program Info and Policies

Admission Policies for CSU, Chico Nursing

CA Residency: Applications from California residents and students eligible to pay in-state tuition are considered prior to any non-resident applications.

Local preference: Priority will be given to applicants from our local CSU, Chico admission area as defined by the CSU. In addition, in accordance with CSU Enrollment Management Policy, when a major/program (e.g. nursing) is not offered at an adjacent CSU, the neighboring CSU is required to treat applicants as local. Therefore, local preference will also be given to applicants from the admission area of CSU, Humboldt.

  • First-Time Freshmen local admission area preference: Students who graduate from high school from one of the following counties or school districts: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Modoc, Northern Mendocino (north of Ukiah), Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Yuba and four school districts in Trinity: Mountain Valley, Southern Trinity, Western Trinity, Trinity Alps and Trinity High School, are considered our local admission area.
  • Transfer Student local admission area preference is defined as  30 or more transferable units from one or more of the following counties or community colleges: Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Modoc, Northern Mendocino (north of Ukiah), Plumas, Shasta, Sierra College (coursework completed through Tahoe-Truckee and Nevada County Campuses only), Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Western Trinity, and Yuba.
  • CSU, Humboldt (Service Area): In accordance with CSU Enrollment Management Policy, when a major/program (e.g. nursing) is not offered at an adjacent CSU, the neighboring CSU is required to treat applicants as local. Therefore, first-time freshmen who graduate from a high school located in the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Northern Mendocino (north of Ukiah) and Western Trinity, or students with  30 or more transferable units from Humboldt State University service area community colleges will receive local preference points.
  • For CSU, Chico Enrolled Students: Applicants who have completed a minimum of 30 units at CSU, Chico at the time of application will be awarded three local preference points. Applicants who have already earned this advantage through their local admission area status are not eligible for additional points*.

    *NEW! Beginning Spring 2024 for the Fall 2024 semester application, students earning points for local admission area status can receive these points.

Provisional Acceptance: Acceptance into the basic nursing program is provisional until final transcripts are reviewed for meeting minimum GPA requirements in all areas specified in the admission criteria. Furthermore, for final acceptance to the nursing program, applicants accepting a seat must pass a background check and drug screen consistent with California Board of Registered Nursing guidelines for safe nursing practice. The drug screen must be negative for cannabis. Testing positive for cannabis will result in the loss of your seat in the nursing program. You will need to re-apply to the nursing program when you have a negative drug screen.

For details on points please visit Pre-Nursing Information.


Program Info

Impaction Status

We admit 40 students each fall and spring semester but receive many more applicants than can be accommodated, thus making the Basic BSN program impacted. A supplemental application and point system is used to rank qualified applicants for admission. Applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements before completing the supplemental NursingCAS application. For further information, please visit  Pre-Nursing Information.

Post Baccalaureates 

Students who already have a Bachelor's degree may apply for the Basic BSN program. Post baccalaureate students do not need to repeat general education courses from their prior degree.* For further information please visit  Pre-Nursing Information.

 *Currently enrolled Chico State students who are graduating the same semester in which they are applying for a second Bachelor's degree in nursing, must re-apply to the university in addition to completing the supplemental NursingCAS application.

Military Service Rewarded

Veterans with previous medical/corpsman experience may be eligible to receive additional points on their supplemental nursing applications. For information about priority status and points, please visit  Pre-Nursing Information

 For information about receiving academic credit, please visit  Ex-Military Students

Licensing Disclosure

Admission into programs leading to licensure does not guarantee that students will obtain a license. Licensure requirements are set by agencies not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure requirements. Information concerning licensure requirements are available from California State University, Chico, School of Nursing Director, Trinity Hall Room 121, Chico, CA 95929-0200, 530-898-5891.

LVN Placement and LVN Option

Applicants who hold LVN licenses may qualify for advanced placement upon admission to our on-campus BSN nursing program. LVNs may also choose an LVN 30-unit option, which meets the requirements for taking the RN licensing examination in California but does not lead to a BSN degree.

LVN applicants must apply to the University during the first month of the initial filing period (November for the following fall semester and August for the following spring semester). A supplemental nursing application must be submitted by March 1 (for Fall semesters) or by October 1 (for Spring semesters).

Special selection criteria are used to determine which students will be admitted.