California State University-Los Angeles
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) · Los Angeles, CA · school's own site (opens the school's website in a new tab)
ActiveIn personlast verified Oct 2026
Prerequisites
The courses Cal State LA says you need before you start, as published on its own pages. Credits, labs, and minimum grades are shown where the school states them.
- 01Anatomy (standalone)Human Anatomy with lab · BIOL 2030Procedure PDF lists BIOL 2010/BIOL 2020 ('I & II'). Must be completed by end of preceding fall.
source · calstatela.edu
“Human Anatomy with lab and Physiology with lab (BIOL 2030- 4 semester units & BIOL 2040- 4 semester units, Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeB - 02Physiology (standalone)Physiology with lab · BIOL 2040Must be completed by end of preceding fall.
source · calstatela.edu
“Human Anatomy with lab and Physiology with lab (BIOL 2030- 4 semester units & BIOL 2040- 4 semester units, Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeB - 03MicrobiologyMicrobiology with lab · MICRO 2010 & MICRO 20203-unit lecture + 1-unit lab. General biology will not meet this requirement.
source · calstatela.edu
“Microbiology with lab (MICRO 2010 - 3 semester units & MICRO 2020 - 1 semester unit, Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeB - 04General ChemistryChemistry with lab · CHEM 1010Must be completed by end of preceding fall.
source · calstatela.edu
“Chemistry with lab (CHEM 1010 - 4 semester units, Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits4labrequiredmin gradeB - 05StatisticsInferential Statistics · MATH 2740
source · calstatela.edu
“Inferential Statistics (MATH 2740 - 3 semester units, Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits3labnomin gradeC - 06OtherCritical Thinking · COMM 1200, ENGL 1050Critical thinking course (e.g., COMM 1200 or ENGL 1050).
source · calstatela.edu
“Critical Thinking (e.g. COMM 1200, ENGL 1050, etc. - 3 semester units Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits3labnomin gradeC - 07Lifespan / Human Growth & DevelopmentHuman Growth and Development · PSY 1600Required for graduation, not admission; highly recommended before program start. Intro to psychology does not satisfy it.
source · calstatela.edu
“Human Growth and Development (PSY 1600 - 3 semester units, Cal State LA - Lifespan psychology course covering birth to later life or Equivalent)”
credits3labno - 08SociologyIntro to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology · SOC 2010 or ANTH 1500Required for graduation, not admission; highly recommended before program start.
source · calstatela.edu
“Intro to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (SOC 2010 - 3 semester units or ANTH 1500 - 3 semester units, Cal State LA, or Equivalent)”
credits3labno - 09NutritionHuman Nutrition · NTRS 2500 or NTRS 3170Required for graduation, not admission; highly recommended before program start. Roadmap lists NTRS 2500/3510/3570.
source · calstatela.edu
“Human Nutrition (NTRS 2500 or NTRS 3170 - 3 semester units, Cal State LA or Equivalent)”
credits3labno
Minimum prerequisite grade
C for all prerequisites; B for science with lab courses
source · calstatela.edu
“All prerequisites must be completed with at least a “C” grade or higher, with the exception of the science with lab courses which must be completed with a “B” grade or higher to be considered for the program.”
In-progress prerequisites
Sciences must be done by end of fall 2026; non-science prerequisites may be in progress with coordinator approval, completed before May 1, 2027
Priority may go to applicants with all courses completed.
source · calstatela.edu
“Any other prerequisites aside from the sciences that have not been completed by the end of fall 2026 must be discussed with the ABSN program coordinator.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Do prerequisites expire?
Repeats
Maximum two attempts per prerequisite; grades from both attempts averaged
FAQ: the averaged grade must be a B or higher to be eligible.
source · calstatela.edu
“Each prerequisite course may only be repeated once, and the course grades from both attempts will be averaged.”
Science course recency Not published. Confirm with the school. Our two readings of the page disagreed (“4 science courses within the past 5 years” vs “Possibly 5 years for the four science courses (conflicting sources)”), so we are not publishing a value yet.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
GPA and grades
Cumulative GPA for admission
3.0 preferred
Required: minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 semester / 90 quarter units.
source · calstatela.edu
“An official transcript awarding a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing with a preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher.”
Science with lab GPA
3.0 (B or higher in each of the four science with lab courses)
source · calstatela.edu
“Lastly, a grade of “B” or higher is required in each of the four science with lab pre-requisite courses (science with lab GPA of 3.0 or higher).”
Last 60 semester / 90 quarter unit GPA
3.0 minimum
source · calstatela.edu
“Transcripts must also show a strong academic record with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter units or 60 semester units.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Is there an entrance exam?
Entrance exam
ATI TEAS required; 70th national percentile or higher in each of four categories; one attempt per cycle
Procedure lists the TEAS window as June 1, 2025 through January 06, 2026, which appears to be stale for the Summer 2027 cycle.
source · calstatela.edu
“Completion of the specific standardized examination (ATI TEAS- Test of Essential Academic Skills) is required (we do not accept the GRE).”
TEAS minimum
70th national percentile or higher in each of the four TEAS categories
source · calstatela.edu
“Your national percentile rank score must be 70% or higher in each of the four categories, to be considered an eligible applicant.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Where can courses be taken?
Online labs
Online courses and labs accepted; in-person recommended
StraighterLine and Sophia not accepted; Portage Learning, GCU, WGU accepted.
source · calstatela.edu
“We do accept online prerequisites including labs, but strongly recommend in-person courses as we find they do a better job of preparing students for our program.”
Community college courses
Accepted and recommended; any accredited US-based institution
source · calstatela.edu
“We highly recommend prerequisite be taken at a local California community college.”
Pass/fail courses Not published. Confirm with the school.
Credit by exam (AP/CLEP) Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Application deadlines and start dates
Upcoming cycles Cal State LA publishes. A date without a year on the school's page is noted rather than guessed.
Summer 2027 start (June)Deadline Jan 6, 2027opens Nov 1, 2026 · prerequisites done by May 1, 2027Program admits in June only. The procedure PDF says 'The ABSN summer 2026 program will begin Monday, June 1' (stale year), so no dated 2027 start is printed. Second step: Cal State Apply window February 1 - 28, 2027 (invitation only). Transcript deadline March 19, 2027; final documents deadline June 1, 2027. Non-science prerequisites must be completed before May 1, 2027 (with coordinator approval); the four science prerequisites must be completed by end of fall 2026. Decisions communicated on or before March 27, 2027; mandatory orientation tentatively April 16, 2027.
source · calstatela.edu
“The application window for NursingCAS is November 1, 2026 to January 6, 2027 .”
NursingCAS
Yes, plus invitation-only Cal State Apply application in February
source · calstatela.edu
“All ABSN Program application materials must be submitted via NursingCAS.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Cost
Tuition and fees as the school publishes them. Living costs vary; the source link has the full table.
Tuition
$695 per semester unit, about $39,615 total tuition
FAQ/procedure state 53 units and ~$37,000; cost sheet estimates ~$46,515 including non-tuition costs. Same tuition for in-state and out-of-state US residents. Cal-Vet Fee Waiver cannot be used.
source · calstatela.edu
“The ABSN Program consists of 57 semester units and costs $695/unit, plus related program fees and expenses, totaling approximately $39,615 for the 15-month program.”
Application fee Not published. Confirm with the school.
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Other requirements
What the school asks for beyond courses and scores.
Prior degree
Bachelor's in a field other than nursing, awarded by end of preceding fall term
RNs with an ADN are not eligible.
source · calstatela.edu
“Prospective students must have graduated by the end of the preceding fall quarter or semester in order to apply for that summer's ABSN program.”
Interview
Zoom interview by invitation
source · calstatela.edu
“Based upon the quality of their application materials, the most competitive applicants will be invited for an interview on zoom.”
Personal essay
Typed essay, max two double-spaced pages
source · calstatela.edu
“A typed essay (NO more than two pages, double-spaced) highlighting professional goals, including your reason for entering the nursing profession and qualifications to do so.”
Letters of recommendation
Two, written within the past year, on letterhead
Work, academic, or healthcare related; uploaded by recommender to NursingCAS.
source · calstatela.edu
“Two letters of recommendation written within the past year on official company letterhead (there is no designated recommendation letterform for the ABSN program).”
CNA
Not required; CNA listed as an example of encouraged experience
source · calstatela.edu
“Non-RN health care experience is strongly encouraged to be a competitive applicant (e.g. CNA, MA or EMT certification/work experience, hospital volunteer experience that includes direct patient care, paid researcher or college research assistant, college teaching assistant in the sciences, medical missions, and other community service/volunteer experience related to healthcare).”
Healthcare experience
Strongly encouraged
Resume outlining paid and volunteer healthcare experience is required in the application.
source · calstatela.edu
“Non-RN health care experience is strongly encouraged to be a competitive applicant (e.g. CNA, MA or EMT certification/work experience, hospital volunteer experience that includes direct patient care, paid researcher or college research assistant, college teaching assistant in the sciences, medical missions, and other community service/volunteer experience related to healthcare).”
English proficiency
TOEFL 61 iBT, PTE 44, or IELTS 5.5 for applicants educated principally in another language; within 2 years of program start
source · calstatela.edu
“Acceptable English Language Exams and Scores: (institution code 4399)”
- Resume outlining paid and volunteer healthcare experience.
source · calstatela.edu
“A resume outlining health care experience both paid and volunteer”
- Official transcripts from every college attended to NursingCAS (earliest order date June 1, 2026); a second set to the university during Cal State Apply.
source · calstatela.edu
“ONE official/sealed transcripts from each college attended, even if our ABSN program does not require the coursework.”
- Computer literacy required.
source · calstatela.edu
“All applicants are required to be computer literate and must be able to use word processing (Word, PPT), email, and data search programs.”
- Mandatory in-person orientation tentatively April 16, 2027.
source · calstatela.edu
“A mandatory in-person orientation day for those admitted to the ABSN summer 2027 program will tentatively take place on Friday, April 16, 2027.”
- Background check, AHA BLS card, immunizations, driver's license, car insurance, and health insurance after admission.
source · calstatela.edu
“Admitted individuals should be ready to provide an American Heart Association BLS health care provider (CPR) certification card, documentation of their immunization records, and proof of driver's license, car insurance and health insurance.”
- Admission also requires acceptance to Cal State LA.
source · calstatela.edu
“Admission to the school of nursing/ABSN program is also dependent on acceptance to the university itself.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Good to know
What the school says about the program that is not a requirement: how it selects, how many it admits, what to expect.
Format
Full-time, in person
Part-time attendance not allowed.
source · calstatela.edu
“The ABSN program requires full-time study and in-person participation.”
Start term
Summer (June) only, once per year
source · calstatela.edu
“The ABSN Program admits in June only (Summer term).”
Cohort size
Up to 45 students per year
FAQ says ~200 applications and up to 40 admitted.
source · calstatela.edu
“We expect to admit up to 45 students once each year, who begin their program at the start of summer.”
Last verified Oct 2026 · Something wrong here? Report an error
Sources
Every page we read for Cal State LA, with when we last checked it. Tier 1 is the program's own pages; tier 2 the nursing school's general pages; tier 3 university-wide pages.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Cal State LAtier 1 · program page · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/ABSN%20Prerequisite%20Courses_2026.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/ABSN_Roadmap_2026.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/ABSN_Summer_2027_Application_Procedure_Final_.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/ABSN_FAQs_Fall_2026_092826%20%281%29.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
- Admissions and Recruitment | Cal State LAtier 1 · how to apply · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/ABSN%202027%20Estimated%20Program%20Costs%20Sheet.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
- https://www.calstatela.edu/sites/default/files/ABSN_FAQs_Fall_2026.pdftier 1 · pdf · checked Oct 15, 2026
Open questions we're still checking
- Two FAQ versions both dated September 2026 disagree on science course recency: one says no recency requirement, the other says the 4 sciences must be completed within the past 5 years.
- Procedure PDF mixes 2026 and 2027 dates (TEAS window June 1, 2025–January 06, 2026; English proficiency deadline January 06, 2026; Cal State Apply in February 2026; start June 1, 2026); the actual Summer 2027 TEAS window and start date are unconfirmed.
- Anatomy/Physiology course codes differ: BIOL 2030/2040 (prerequisite sheet, FAQ) vs BIOL 2010/2020 'I & II' (procedure).
- Program units/tuition differ: 57 units ~$39,615 (program page, cost sheet) vs 53 units ~$37,000 (FAQ, procedure).
- Cohort size stated as up to 45 (procedure) vs up to 40 (FAQ).
- Application fee amount not published.
- Two FAQ versions, both dated September 2026, conflict on prerequisite recency: one says there are no recency requirements, the other says the four sciences must be completed within the past 5 years.
- Unit count and tuition differ by page: the program page says 57 units and $39,615; the procedure PDF and FAQ say 53 units and about $37,000.
- The procedure PDF's TEAS window (June 1, 2025 – January 06, 2026) and some summer 2026 references look stale for the Summer 2027 cycle.
- Anatomy and physiology course codes differ by page: BIOL 2030/2040 on the prerequisite sheet versus BIOL 2010/2020 in the procedure.
- Cohort size differs by page: up to 45 (procedure) versus up to 40 (FAQ).
- The exact Summer 2027 start date is not printed.
- The application fee amount is not published.
- Two readings of the page disagreed on course_age_limit: 4 science courses within the past 5 years | Possibly 5 years for the four science courses (conflicting sources).
Something wrong here? Report an error
ABSNcheck summarizes requirements that schools publish on their own websites, with a link to each source and the date we last verified it. Schools change requirements, sometimes contradict themselves, and make individual decisions. Results show whether you meet published minimums; they are not an admission decision or a guarantee, and are not official advice from any school. Always confirm requirements with each program before you apply or enroll in a course.
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