Information for Prospective Undergraduate Students

The Nursing Department believes that nursing is a great career for you to be entering at this time. Our goal is to see that every student on campus who wants nursing and meets the minimum requirements will have a space in the program. Students who are admitted to the university as nursing majors are tracked based on their completion of 14 prerequisite courses, GPA in these prerequisites, length of time on campus, and so on. If you are admitted to Dominican University of California as a nursing major, it is assumed that you will be admitted to the nursing program as long as you satisfy the minimum entry requirements.

Minimum Requirements

The GPA requirement for entering the nursing program is different than the requirement for admission to the university. In order to be accepted into clinical nursing, students must pass (or have in progress) all prerequisites with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (a 'C-' grade is not considered passing). Please note that prerequisite courses can be completed at Dominican in preparation for entrance into the nursing program. Computer competency must have been demonstrated through placement testing or COMM 1641.

Please see the University’s academic catalog for detailed descriptions of admissions and matriculation policies.

Prerequisite Courses (or accepted substitutes) Units

* Must be taken within previous five years of matriculation to Dominican University of California
# Must be taken at Dominican University of California

High School Students

The following high school classes are considered minimum preparation for the college-level science classes required for nursing majors:

• 2 years college preparatory  math -- algebra, geometry, etc.
• 1 year of biology
• 1 year of chemistry

Transfer Students

Due to the increased popularity of the nursing major, transfer students are typically on campus 1.5 to 2 years before being placed into the nursing program (even if they transfer to the university with all prerequisites completed). The priority deadline for applications for spring 2009 admission is Oct. 1, 2008. The deadline for fall application is usually around March 1.

Transferable Courses from Other Colleges and Universities

Check out our transfer course equivalency chart to see whether your classes satisfy the university's Nursing prerequisite requirements. We also have general education articulation agreements with many Bay Area community colleges.

If you have questions about the entrance requirements for the nursing program, please contact Erin Aradi, Pre-clinical Counselor, at earadi@dominican.edu.

LVN to RN or BSN OPTION

Information for LVN Students
The Nursing Program at Dominican University of California has limited spaces for licensed LVN students who wish to obtain an RN or BSN.

LVN to BSN

LVN students typically enter the BSN program at the Junior level. Admission requirements are the same as for pre-nursing students (however, LVN's are exempt from NURS 2001). The majority of prerequisites (and all science courses) must be completed before entering clinical nursing classes. Any remaining prerequisites must be taken during the first semester at Dominican and are required to progress in the Nursing Program.

LVN to RN
In compliance with the regulations of the California Board of Registered Nursing, Dominican University of California offers an LVN to RN option plan for LVN's who are currently licensed in California and who wish to prepare only for licensure as a registered nurse in California. Upon successful completion of the required courses, the student is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN Examination for licensure. This program does not lead to a BSN and licensure may not be recognized in all states.

The LVN to RN option is 29.5 units and typically takes 2.5 semesters to complete (not including summer). In order to enter clinical nursing classes, students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and have completed Microbiology and Human Physiology (grade of C or better). Documentation of current California vocational nursing licensure is also required.

Required Courses for LVN to RN Option

Dominican Course