International Students

Fact Fact Sheet for International Students

Effective Spring 1999

International Student Applicants to the Undergraduate BSN Program

The undergraduate program in the School of Nursing is an impacted program. We must give priority to California residents. In practice, this means that we usually cannot admit international students to the BSN program.

International nurses can be admitted to the Advanced Placement Option Program if they have a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in California.

We will admit nurses educated in other countries to courses through the College of Extended Learning on a space available basis to complete their requirements for California RN licensure.

The application period for admission to the BSN program is October 1 to November 30 for the following Fall.

International Student Applicants to the Graduate MSN Program

We can admit international applicants to the graduate program if they meet the prerequisites for entry, including current RN licensure in the U.S.A. and eligibility for licensure in California.

Admission to the MSN Program

There are three different pathways for entry into the MSN program: RN with a BS in Nursing (RN-MSN program); RN with a baccalaureate in another field (BARN-MSN program); non-nurse with a baccalaureate or higher degree (Generic MSN program; see second requirement below).

Meet general requirements for admission to San Francisco State University for graduate study.

Be a graduate of a nationally accredited baccalaureate nursing program or its equivalent.

Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) in the last 60 units of study.

Applicants to the Family Nurse Practitioner emphasis must have at least 2000 clinical hours as an R.N.

Have completed courses in inferential statistics and nursing research within the past seven years.

Have a minimum test score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students.

Provide at least three professional references.

Submit a statement of purpose that outlines goals and objectives for the pursuit of graduate study, addressing the following two criteria:

1.	Discuss briefly (in 300 words or less) three reasons why you think you should be admitted to the graduate program in nursing at SFSU. You will need to discuss why nursing, why a graduate degree in nursing, and why SFSU.

2.	In 150 words or less, explain how your graduate degree in nursing will contribute(s) to the field of nursing.

Complete and submit the School of Nursing Program Application Form (available from the School of Nursing website at www.nursing.sfsu.edu)

10.

Submit a current resume or curriculum vita.

Application Deadlines

BSN and Generic MSN Programs
October 1 - November 30
RN-MSN Program
April 1
Family Nurse Practitioner
March 1
BARN Applicants
please e-mail nursing@sfsu.edu for information

International Students

The California State University system must assess the academic preparation of international students. For this purpose, international students include: those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or in other non-immigrant classifications. The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students. Verification of English proficiency (see the section on TOEFL Requirement), financial resources, and academic performance are all important considerations for admission. Academic records from foreign institutions must be on file no later than the established document deadline date. Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
Priority in admission is given to residents of California. There is little likelihood of nonresident applicants (including international students) being admitted to impacted majors. All students on visas must be formally admitted and enrolled in a declared major (undergraduate) or in a classified graduate degree program (post-baccalaureate). They may not be enrolled in the university in non-degree or unclassified status.

Tuition and Costs

Please refer to the following link for current fee schedule information: http://www.sfsu.edu/prospect/fees.htm

Admission Procedures

Complete and return the School of Nursing and Admissions applications (undergraduate or graduate).

Type of Visa: The University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

International students who are outside of the United States, upon receipt of the San Francisco State University Form I-20 or Form IAP-66, should secure a non-immigrant student (F or J) visa. The College of Extended Learning is also authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Subsequent to admission, international students must be enrolled continuously every semester and carry a full course of study (twelve units for undergraduates and eight units for graduates).

Health Insurance: International students (F and J visas) are required to show evidence of health insurance coverage in order to be permitted to register for courses. Renewals are checked each semester in order to re-register, unless the insurance policy is purchased annually. For additional information, students should contact the International Student Health Service at (415) 338-1932.

When applying, the student must submit official, original transcripts or documents, and must list on the application the names of all certificates, diplomas, degrees, titles, or licenses received and the schools attended. All documents must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Photocopies without originals will not be accepted. All documents must show grades received, examinations taken, and identify passing and maximum grades. The student must be qualified to enter a university in his or her home country and have an outstanding scholastic record from an accredited/recognized school. Applicants who are presently attending a college or university in the United States must, in addition to their international records, submit official transcripts of all work completed and in progress as soon as possible after applying for admission.

All applicants for admission must pay a $55.00 application fee to the University. The application fee is not refundable nor can it apply toward a later application for admission.

All undergraduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, are required to earn a minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Institutional TOEFL scores are not accepted. Achieving the minimum score shall be evidence of the applicant’s English competency at a level which will allow the applicant to participate satisfactorily in and benefit from University study. To be admitted as a post-baccalaureate or graduate student, an applicant who does not possess an American baccalaureate degree from a post-secondary institution must receive a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL. There are no exceptions. Students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL requirements should not apply. Appropriate campus authorities may prescribe a higher minimum score, based on such campus factors as the nature of the instruction offered, availability of instruction in English as a second language, student enrollment demand, and availability of funds. The TOEFL is administered throughout the year. Specific information regarding the exact testing dates, testing centers, fee, and registration is available from: Testing Service, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08541. It is the student’s responsibility to request that test results be sent to either the Admissions Office (undergraduate) or Graduate Division (graduate), San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132.

No action is taken on applications for admission until all requested materials have been received by the university. Students are admitted only upon receipt of the official Notice of Admission from the Admissions Office (undergraduate) or the Graduate Division (graduate). Students should not confuse confirmation of housing or correspondence with academic departments with official admission to the University.

For more information, visit our web site at www.nursing.sfsu.edu.

For an application to the University, please contact the University’s Graduate Division at http://www.sfsu.edu/prospect/grad.htm. The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or physical handicap in the educational programs or activities it conducts.

The California State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or physical handicap in the educational programs or activities it conducts.

SFSU School of Nursing is an Equal Opportunity/American with Disabilities Act employer and has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity