How to Transfer from a Community College to a California State University (CSU) for a BSN degree?

Hello friends, this post is intended for students planning to transfer from a community college to a university with a BSN nursing program, specifically California pre-nursing students, although some information may be applicable to students in other states. I break this process down providing a three-step approach to make the transfer process as seamless as possible.

1. Locate a community college with a nursing program

• To transfer to a California State University for a BSN, locate a community college in your area that has a nursing program, even though the program offered is an ADN, as these schools will already have the necessary prerequisite classes for a BSN program.

• It is crucial to choose a community college with a nursing program to avoid taking classes at multiple colleges, which can lead to confusion, multiple transcripts, and difficulties in keeping track of your overall progress.

• Some students start at a community college without knowing if it offers a nursing program, only to find out later that they need to take specific classes at another college, resulting in attending two different schools and multiple transcripts which can make the application period more confusing.

• Starting at a community college with a nursing program ensures that it will have most of the necessary courses, limiting the need to take classes elsewhere, although it may be inevitable to take a class or two at another college.

• By choosing a community college with a nursing program from the beginning, you can avoid potential complications and make the transfer process smoother overall.

2. Locate your community college's IGETC form

• To locate the IGETC form, it is recommended to make an appointment with a counselor, as they can direct you to the form and provide assistance. Alternatively search the community college's website for this form online as it may be available.

• The IGETC form stands for Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. This form identifies all the classes and credits you need to complete in order to be ready to transfer to a California State University (CSU). Most CSU's want to see this form completed prior to transfer to their school.

• The IGETC form, is also known as the transfer form, as it's a document that outlines the general education requirements for transfer students.

• The form is used by California universities to determine if a transfer student has completed the necessary sections to be admitted, and it is typically required for transfer students to complete. In total the form requires a student complete around 60 credit units.

• Notably to transfer to a California university as a nursing student, one must apply to both the university and the nursing program, meeting the requirements for both, which include the transfer requirements outlined on the IGETC form and the additional requirements for the nursing program (also known as prerequisites).

• I explain in more detail this form with a step-by-step walkthrough in the video linked in this blog post. The time I cover this is around (05:58).

3. Begin to complete the transfer form (IGETC)

• To begin completing the transfer form, also known as IGETC, start by filling out each section one by one, which includes around 60 units total and covers sections such as English Communication, Mathematics, Arts & Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Language, and Physical & Biological Sciences.

• Each section will specify the required courses, which may vary depending on the Community College you plan to attend.

• To complete the form, identify the courses listed in each section and match them with the corresponding courses offered at the Community College.

• Continue working through each section, matching and completing the required courses to fill out the IGETC form. Remember your goal is to complete this form by the time you begin applying to nursing programs.

Key Tip - "Double Dip"

• The concept of "double dipping" can help pre-nursing students save time, potentially up to a whole semester, by strategically choosing classes that fulfill both transfer requirements and nursing program prerequisites.

• Reminder, there are two applications involved in the transfer process: one for the university to fulfill transfer requirements and another for the actual nursing program, which has its own prerequisites.

• To "double dip," students should compare the list of nursing program requirements with the list of transfer classes needed on the IGETC form and identify any overlapping requirements.

• By taking a single class that meets both requirements, students can save time and avoid taking duplicate classes,. For example, a speech class that is required for both the nursing program and the general education transfer form.

• This strategy can be applied to various classes, including Humanities, psychology, or other courses that may be required by both the nursing program and the transfer requirements.

• "Double dipping" allows students to fulfill two requirements with one class, essentially "killing two birds with one stone" and streamlining their transfer process.

This video is intended for students planning to transfer from a community college to a university with a BSN nursing program, specifically California pre-nursing students, although some information may be applicable to students in other states.