The Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing at SF State is a six-semester program. This program prepares students who possess a non-nursing bachelor’s degree for the national licensing exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a Registered Nurse. Students are eligible for the NCLEX-RN upon completion of four semesters and the program culminates with an applied research course or a master’s thesis. The BSN and MSN degrees are awarded after successful completion of the ELM program. Additional information about the program, including student learning outcomes, can be obtained in the nursing section of the SF State bulletin.
Emphases/Specialty Areas
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
This emphasis offers students in both the Entry Level MSN and the regular MSN programs the opportunity to take courses for certification by the California State Board of Registered Nursing and/or the American Nurse Credentialing Center. The CNS is an advanced practice nurse holding a master’s degree with an emphasis in a specific area of clinical nursing such as adult and pediatrics. Students will need to select an emphasis at the time of application. The role of the CNS is defined by the needs of a select client population and clinical expertise of the nurse.
Nursing Administration
This emphasis enables students in both the Entry Level MSN and the regular MSN programs to combine the nursing perspective and principles of business to become effective and successful managers and administrators. Elective courses can be taken through the College of Business with the advice and approval of an academic advisor.
Women's Health
Students completing this MSN emphasis may go on to pursue nursing roles in the areas of pregnancy and birth, reproductive health, reproductive justice, and gender-related health issues.
Public/Community Health
Students completing this emphasis are prepared to assume nursing roles in a variety of care settings including public health, home health, and schools. Upon passing the NCLEX-RN students become eligible for Public Health Nurse certification in California.
Admissions Requirements
- Residency
Must be a California resident or be eligible for in-state tuition - Bachelor's Degree
- GPA 3.0 or above in the last 60 semester units earned
- Provide evidence of health related work or volunteer experience
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Prerequisite Coursework
Must complete all prerequisite courses below from an accredited College or University by the time of NursingCAS application submission. Four science courses and statistics must be taken for a letter grade of C or better within the last seven years.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, online courses, including lab, taken during shelter-in-place are acceptable. These courses must be C or better.
| Course Title | Description | SF State Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| Human Anatomy with Lab | Human Anatomy w/Lab; or Part 1 of a combined Anatomy & Physiology series. | BIOL 220 (4 semester units) |
| Human Physiology with Lab | Human Physiology w/Lab; or Part 2 of a combined Anatomy & Physiology course series. | BIOL 212/ 213 (4 semester units) |
| Survey of Chemistry with Lab | General, inorganic, organic, or integrated (any combination of general, organic, or biochemistry) chemistry courses are acceptable | CHEM 101/ 102 (4 semester units) |
| General Microbiology with Lab | A Microbiology and corresponding laboratory course | BIOL 210/ 211 (4 semester units) |
| Statistics | Statistics. Business Stats or Psych Stats are also acceptable. | Math 124 (3 semester units) |
Please consult Assist to determine comparable or articulated coursework taken at California community colleges or CSUs. If the course in question was taken at institutions other than California community colleges, please visit Articulation page.
Cal State Apply Application
October 1 - January 15, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time
We strongly recommend that prospective students complete the Cal State Apply application as early as possible during the application period to allow time for an SF State ID number to be issued and all required university documentation, including a set of official transcripts, residency status information, etc., to be submitted, received and processed.
NursingCas Application
December 15 - January 17, 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Prospective students must submit both applications and the required materials by the deadline. Late application/ required materials will not be accepted.
Step One: Submit a Cal State Apply application
- We recommend that applicants complete the Cal State Apply application early in the application period because you will need the SFSU ID number for Step Two. The Division of Graduate Studies will assign applicants an SFSU ID number once you submit your Cal State Apply application but it may take a few days. Applicants must have this number ready and provide it on your NursingCAS application.
For detailed information on admission requirements to San Francisco State University, please go to Division of Graduate Studies and Q&A page.
Step Two: Submit a NursingCAS application
- Personal statement; Will be available on NursingCAS when application cycle opens.
- A set of official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended. If courses are taken during fall, transcript should be requested in January.
- Three references (letter and reference score); At least one of the letters must address health-related work or volunteer experience. Reference must submit the letters themselves electronically. We don't accept other form of submission. For more information on this process, please go here.
For NursingCAS supplemental application guidance and instructions, please visit NursingCAS Applicant Help Center.
For frequently asked questions about application cycle, including the Re-applicant feature, please visit NursingCAS Application FAQs page.