Pre Licensure FAQ's 
Please read these before submitting an application
Q: What are the requirements to apply?
A: 3.0 GPA overall and in sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Integrated Chemistry) and completion of the TEAS exam. Starting in Fall 2011, The Department of Nursing will require a CNA license to be complete by August 1 of your starting semester.
Q: I am an undeclared major and I can’t get into the Pre requisite courses to apply to the Nursing program. What do I do?
A: The prerequisite courses are restricted for Pre-Nursing majors. These classes typically fill up every semester. It is very difficult to get into one of these courses as an undeclared major.
Q: How can I declare Pre Nursing my major?
A: Beginning in Fall 2010, students admitted as "undeclared" or as a major other than "prenursing" will not be able to request and receive a change of
major to prenursing. Only students admitted to the university prior to Fall 2010 will be considered for a change of major to the prenursing category. The academic qualifications and required paperwork to request a change of major are available in the Nursing Department. These requests are only reviewed before each semester begins.
Q: I took my prerequisites at a community college in another part of the state. How do I know if these meet your requirements?
A: If you went to a California public or private college, please look at www.assist.org to check your courses against SSU. If the courses are not listed, contact the Nursing department with a course description.
Q: Can I have outstanding prerequisites when I apply?
A: Yes, as long as these are completed by August 1st of your first semester. It is not recommended to have more than 2 outstanding prerequisites when applying.
Q: How can I establish California Residency?
A: please read this information regarding determining California Residency
Q: What is the TEAS?
A: The TEAS is the “Test of Essential Academic Skills” used by CSU nursing programs as an admission criteria. You can find more information at atitesting.com
Q: Where can I take the TEAS exam?
A: we will offer one opportunity to take the exam on campus. Nearly every nursing school requires this exam, so if you cannot take the test here, you can take it elsewhere and have your scores sent here. For Fall 2011 admission cycle we will be using version 5.
Q: What score do I need to get for SSU Nursing department?
A: We require a minimum score of 75 points.
Q: Can I retake the exam?
A: Yes. You can take the exam for our school as many time as you want our need. We will only look at your highest score. Other schools policies may differ.
Q:What is a CNA?
A: Certified Nursing Assistant
Q: Where can I get this certification?
A: Local community colleges offer courses, as well as local chapters of the Red Cross.
Q:How are Admissions decided?
A: Admission to the Nursing Program is based on a point system. There are 4 sections of your application to give you 25 points each: Science GPA, Overall GPA, Essay and a standardized entrance exam TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). You must score a 75 on the exam to score any points on your application.
Q: How many people do you admit?
A: We admit 24 students once a year beginning in the fall. We receive approximately 200 applications.
Q: Do you have a waiting list?
A: No. We use an alternate list from the day our decisions are made until the day school starts. On the first day of school our Alternate list is thrown out and everyone on the list still interested needs to reapply for the next year.
Q: When are applications available?
A: University Applications are available through the end of November at csumentor.edu. Apply early!
Department applications will be available to download from our website from December through February. Applications are due at the end of February. Postmarked applications with the deadline date will be accepted.
Q: When are admissions decisions final?
A: We try to get admissions decisions completed by the end of March. All admission notifications will be sent via email.
Q: Do you give extra points to SSU students?
A: We consider SSU students, and transfer students from Sonoma and surrounding counties (Marin, Solano, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties) first.
Q: How do you prove residency in the surrounding counties?
A: We will verify your residency by your most recent transcripts.
How long is the program?
A: The Pre Licensure BSN program is three years.
Q: If I have a Bachelors degree already, will I be able to get through the program faster?
A: There is an option for students to graduate early if they have all of their GE requirements complete. The information is provided at the end of your first semester.
Q: Can I meet with an instructor/ advisor to go over the courses I need to get admitted?
A: The Pre Nursing advisor does not meet with students individually. Please try to attend a monthly information session with the advisor. You can find these dates listed on our website: www.sonoma.edu/nursing.