Step-Up Bridge Program

The Step-Up Bridge Program is designed to allow students currently attending an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program* in good standing to start taking courses at CSULB with the plan to apply and enroll in the RN-BSN online completion program.  

*The nursing program must be nationally accredited, and the college must be regionally accredited.

There is no formal roadmap for the CSULB Step-Up Bridge Program.  Students must take NRSG 309 as their first course in the program.  Students may take courses through Open University, once admitted to the program, which ultimately will be articulated and accepted for progression in the RN-BSN online program.  The RN-BSN online program is a separate and distinct program requiring a separate application. 

Summer Start Only

At this time, students can take Step-Up Bridge courses only during the Summer semester.  Students interested in taking summer coursework, should complete the following application.

Step-Up Bridge Application  April 1^st each year

Students must meet the following requirements for eligibility to this program:

• Currently in a fully accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program*,
• 2.75 GPA or higher—both nursing and overall GPA

*Associate Degree program should hold national nursing accreditation and the college must be regionally accredited. 

General Information

• All application materials are online.  All communication is via email.  Due to the volume of inquiries, we will make our best attempt to answer any questions you have in a timely manner.
• Prospective applicants should read through this information thoroughly. 
• Admissions notices to the Step-Up Bridge program will be sent every two weeks until the start of the semester. 
• If you have any questions about the Step-Up Bridge program, please email RN-BSN@csulb.edu.

There are no specific pre-requisite courses that are required prior to starting the Step-Up Bridge program.  However, you must be enrolled in an Associate Degree Nursing program that is nationally accredited and housed in a college with regional accreditation and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher, both in nursing and overall. 

The Step-Up Bridge program is offered by the School of Nursing in conjunction with the College of Professional and Continuing Education at CSULB.  This is a self-supported program with differing tuition and fees than courses offered solely through the university.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to assure financial aid applies; financial aid should not be assumed. 

Can high school students enroll in this program? 

No.  This program is intended for those individuals already enrolled in an Associate Degree nursing program to progress toward the BSN degree.

What are the requirements to be accepted into this program?

You must be enrolled in a nationally accredited Associate Degree Nursing program, a regionally accredited college, and hold a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher in nursing courses and your overall GPA.

*Associate Degree program should hold national nursing accreditation and the college must be regionally accredited. 

How do I apply to the Step-Up Bridge program?

The application process is a two-step process.  First, you must submit your Step-Up Bridge Application to the School of Nursing.  The School of Nursing will assure you meet the criteria as outlined above and notify you of their decision.  Once you receive your acceptance from the School of Nursing into the Step-Up Bridge Program, you will be instructed to register through Open University. 

Will the classes I take through the Step-Up Bridge program count toward a degree?
 

The nursing courses offered through CPaCE are intended to be used as requirements in the RN-BSN online degree program.  However, a separate application is required to be admitted to the RN-BSN online program and admission is not guaranteed. 

Can international students take these courses?

This program is not available for F-1 international students.

If I have any questions about this program, who should  I contact?

The School of Nursing can assist with some of your questions and you may contact them at RN-BSN@csulb.edu.   Many questions about open university are on their FAQ website.  

Once accepted into the program, it means I’m in the RN-BSN program?

No.  The RN-BSN online program requires a separate application and admissions from this program to the RN-BSN is not guaranteed. 

Will my non-nursing courses transfer to CSULB?

Since this is a unique circumstance that doesn’t fully admit you to a degree seeking program of study.  You must submit your CalStateApply application and send all of your transcripts to Enrollment Services.  A transcript evaluator will determine if your courses articulate to courses at CSULB.  You may also go to www.assist.org to help determine articulation of courses.