UCLA School of Nursing: Admission Requirements and Program Overview
The UCLA School of Nursing offers a variety of programs for aspiring nurses, from bachelor's degrees to advanced practice and doctoral studies. This article outlines the admission requirements for various programs and provides an overview of the curriculum and key program features.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor of Science)
The UCLA School of Nursing offers a prelicensure baccalaureate program leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. This program is designed to prepare entry-level nurses to provide patient care.
Admission for First-Year and Transfer Students
UCLA admits new undergraduate students to the School of Nursing once a year, both at the first-year level and a limited number of transfer students at the junior level.
Key program information:
- This is a traditional, four-year program beginning as a first-year student.
- A limited number of transfer students are accepted annually.
- Graduates of the BS program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to be licensed as a registered nurse (RN) and may apply for the Public Health Nursing Certificate from the California Board of Registered Nursing.
- The BS program is a UCLA-certified capstone major.
Application Procedure:
- UC Application: First-year and transfer applicants must complete the UC Application online by December 1st.
- School of Nursing Supplemental Application: All applicants must submit the online UCLA School of Nursing Supplemental Application, which includes a Statement of Purpose, Resume, and two Recommendation Forms by January 15th. Allow three to five days after completing your UCOP application for the information to be synced to the Supplemental Application.
Supplemental Application Details:
- Statement of Purpose: A written statement (2-3 typewritten pages, double-spaced) that includes your assessment of your potential for undergraduate study and a professional career in nursing and your reason for selecting the UCLA School of Nursing. You may include information indicating any personal life challenges you have experienced. Multicultural experiences, bilingual abilities, and economic, educational, or social disadvantages should also be included here. Indicate how your volunteer, work, or other life experiences influenced your nursing career decision. Please upload it as a PDF document into the online BS Application.
- Work/Volunteer Experience: Attach a sheet(s) of paper in a résumé format listing all employment, volunteer, and/or extracurricular activities in chronological order, beginning with the most recent. Please include dates of employment or participation, a brief description of the position or activity, company or agency name, and location (city and state). Please upload your resume as a PDF document to the online BS Freshman application.
- Recommendation Forms: List two people from whom you are requesting a recommendation. Appropriate sources include one teacher, counselor, or professional who has/or had a supervisory, educational, or mentoring relationship with you. Deadline for submission of Recommendation Forms is January 25th.
Transfer Student Requirements:
- Applicants must have 90 to 105 quarter units (60 to 70 semester units) of transferable coursework.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in all transferable courses.
- Fulfillment of the University's American History and Institutions requirement.
- Applicants from a California Community College must provide IGETC certification upon entrance; partial IGETC will not be accepted.
- Transfer applicants must complete all IGETC (General Education) requirements at the school where they are currently enrolled or have previously attended.
- Applicants must complete the equivalent of all seven non-nursing preparation courses for the major by the end of the spring semester/quarter to be considered for admission.
Required Preparation Courses for Transfer Students:
- Chemistry 20A, 20B & 30A (General, Inorganic & Organic)
- Life Sciences 7A & 7C (Cell and Molecular Biology & Physiology and Human Biology)
- Physiological Science 3 & 13 (Human Anatomy & Human Physiology)
Recommended Prerequisite Coursework:
- Communications 1 or 10* (Introductory Communication)
- Math 3A or 31A* (Calculus)
- Microbiology* (General Microbiology)
- Psychology 10* (Introductory Psychology)
Curriculum and Program Focus
The prelicensure nursing degree program is intended to prepare entry-level nurses to care for patients at the bedside. The program has been developed according to the principles of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, moving from a systems, population-based approach to a cohort-based or unit-based perspective, and culminating with an intense focus on the individual level of care. Strong emphasis will be placed on clinical leadership and critical thinking skills. The School of Nursing offers a two-year and three-year program.
The practice of nursing is a complex function requiring knowledge derived from the basic and related applied sciences, technical skills, and personal aptitudes. The pre-professional curriculum, therefore, must provide students with sufficient information from the social and natural sciences to permit an effective undertaking of the nursing courses as well as of the lower and upper division courses in related disciplines and applied sciences.
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Preparation for the Major: Completion of all General Education Foundations courses and the courses listed below are required as preparation for nursing major courses.
Program Domains
The UCLA School of Nursing curriculum is structured around nine key domains:
- Domain #1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice: Integrate established and evolving disciplinary nursing knowledge, the liberal arts, and natural and social sciences to develop clinical judgement in nursing practice.
- Domain #2: Person-Centered Care: Deliver high quality, holistic care that is person-centered, equitable, compassionate, developmentally appropriate, and evidence-based using the nursing process while collaborating with other healthcare team members to engage additional expertise when necessary.
- Domain #3: Population Health: Engage in population health interventions by collaborating with traditional and non-traditional partnerships from community organizations, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities to advocate for equitable health outcomes.
- Domain #4: Scholarship for Nursing Practice: Synthesize nursing knowledge and integrate evidence-based interventions to address practice problems, health inequities, policy gaps, and system inefficiencies in order to improve patient safety, care quality, and equitable health outcomes while promoting ethical conduct in scholarly activities.
- Domain #5: Quality and Safety: Provide quality nursing care based on emerging principles of safety and improvement science to enhance quality and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both individual performance and system effectiveness.
- Domain #6: Interprofessional Partnerships: Collaborate through interprofessional partnerships to enhance the healthcare experience, optimize care, and improve quality outcomes for diverse patients, families, and communities.
- Domain #7: Systems-Based Practice: Work within complex systems to effectively and sustainably coordinate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable health care to diverse populations through the use of innovation and evidence-based practice.
- Domain #8: Informatics and HC Technologies: Use Informatics and healthcare technologies to collect and analyze data that informs evidence-based decision-making; supports safe, ethical, high-quality and efficient person-centered care; and facilitates effective communication.
- Domain #9: Professionalism: Develop a professional identity fortified by advanced leadership concepts, embodying accountability, a collaborative disposition, diverse perspectives, and ethical behaviors that exemplify the values and characteristics of the nursing profession while prioritizing the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion in both practice and professional identity.
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
Licensed Vocational Nurses interested in completion of the UCLA 45-unit option must formally request to follow this option. It does not lead to conferral of a Bachelor of Science degree at UCLA.
Applicants with Military Experience
UCLA School of Nursing accepts qualified student applicants who have completed relevant military education and experiences, have met the University admission requirements, and who present documented equivalency courses. Once admitted, such individuals are eligible for credit by challenge examination.
Graduate Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
The UCLA School of Nursing offers several Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, including:
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- Advanced Practice Registered Nursing
- Master's Entry Clinical Nursing (MECN)
General Requirements for MSN Programs
In addition to the University's minimum requirements, all applicants are expected to submit a statement of purpose.Since written and oral communication skills are basic to the practice of nursing, it is essential that applicants read, write, and speak English well.
Advanced Practice Registered Nursing:
M.S.N. Advanced Practice Registered Nursing: 3, attesting to professional and/or academic competence in nursing.
Master's Entry Clinical Nursing (MECN)
MSN/Master's Entry Clinical Nurse applicants must provide evidence of the following:
- Graduation from a recognized college or university having an accredited baccalaureate program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and the UCLA Graduate Division with an overall scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better, or graduation with a baccalaureate degree from an international institution with a program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and the UCLA Graduate Division. Completion of approved prerequisite courses or equivalent with a minimum grade of C or better in the subjects listed below. All applicants to the MECN program must complete all approved prerequisite courses (other than Epidemiology) by the end of December 2025 for the Fall 2026 entry. AP course credit with a score of 4 or higher will only be accepted for one prerequisite course. Chemistry (Inorganic, Organic, and Biochemistry)Epidemiology (can be completed at UCLA during Summer Session A, if admitted)Human Anatomy (Nursing 13 online course offered in the Summer session)Human Physiology (Nursing 3 online course offered in the Summer session) (five-year time limit to entry date)MicrobiologyNutrition (five-year time limit to entry date)Introductory PsychologyLifespan Development Psychology (five-year time limit to entry date)StatisticsEnglish Composition or Writing (2 courses)Group and/or Verbal Communication
- Personal and academic competence attested through three letters of recommendation.
- Since written and verbal communication skills are basic to the practice of nursing, it is essential that applicants read, write and speak English well. International applicants from a country in which English is not the first language and medium of instruction are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 87 on the internet-based test, 220 on the computer-based test or 560 paper-based test or complete International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic examination with an overall band score of 7.0 or higher. Scores must be submitted prior to consideration for admission.
MECN Prerequisite Courses:
All applicants to the MECN program must complete the following approved prerequisite courses (other than Epidemiology), and earn a minimum grade of C or better in the subjects listed below by the end of December 2025 for the Fall 2026 entry: Chemistry (combined inorganic, organic and biochemistry), Epidemiology, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, General Psychology, Growth & Development Lifespan Psychology, Nutrition, Statistics, and Written and Oral Communication/Interpersonal or Group Communication. Please see the links below for a list of courses that have already been approved. Nursing 50, Fundamentals of Epidemiology, may be offered during the summer at UCLA for students who have not already completed an acceptable course.
- Chemistry: An approved undergraduate-level chemistry course with approved content in inorganic, organic, and biochemistry.
- English Reading & Composition: Two college-level writing courses usually completed during the first two years of a baccalaureate program. Students who receive a waiver of this requirement in their baccalaureate program due to successful completion of an Advanced Placement Examination must submit proof of the Advanced Placement Examination score. If an applicant has completed a writing intensive course in a department other than English or Writing, he or she must provide documentation that the course included a significant writing component. A thesis is not acceptable.
- Epidemiology: An introduction to epidemiology, including factors governing health and disease in populations. (4 quarter units or equivalent of Epidemiology 100A; or Nursing 50 at UCLA).
- Group or Oral Communication: A Communication Studies or Speech course that covers the principles of oral communication or interpersonal communication.
- Human Anatomy: A human anatomy course that includes: Structural survey of the human body, including skeletomuscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and genitourinary systems. Laboratory includes an examination of human cadaver specimens. (4 quarter units or the equivalent of Physiological Science 13 or Nursing 13 at UCLA). Take this course online this summer!
- Human Physiology: A human physiology course that includes human systems physiology through cell physiology with emphasis on membrane properties (4 quarter units or the equivalent of Physiological Science 3 or Nursing 3 at UCLA). This course must have been completed within the last five years of the program start date. Pathophysiology is not acceptable. Take this course online this summer!
- Microbiology: A microbiology course that covers an introduction to the biology of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, protozoa, algae, fungi), their significance as model systems for understanding fundamental cellular processes, and their role in human affairs. (4 quarter units or equivalent; Microbiology 6 or 101 at UCLA).
- Nutrition: Examination of primary prevention strategies involving nutrition using population-based and clinical approaches of diverse populations. Investigation of nutrition in relation to the prevention of disease and recovery from disease. Covers biological, public health, and clinical aspects of major macro-and micronutrients, obesity, malnutrition, dietary assessment, nutritional therapies, and exercise using candidate disease approach. This course must have been completed within the last five years to the program start date. (4 quarter units or equivalent; COMHLT 130 or NURS 152B at UCLA)
- Psychology (Intro/General): An introductory or general psychology course that includes topics in cognitive, experimental, personality, developmental, social, and clinical psychology. (4 quarter units or equivalent; Psychology 10 at UCLA)
- Psychology (Lifespan/Developmental): Elaboration of developmental aspects of physical, mental, social, and emotional growth from birth to adolescence. This course must have been completed within the last five years to the program start date. (4 quarter units or equivalent; Psychology 130 at UCLA)
- Statistics: An upper-division introductory or equivalent biostatistics course that covers the following topics: distributions, sampling, tests of hypotheses, estimation, types of error, significance and confidence intervals, and sample sizes (4 quarter units or equivalent; Biostatistics 100A at UCLA).
Concurrent Degree Program (MSN/MBA)
The School of Nursing and the Anderson Graduate School of Management offer a concurrent degree program designed for students interested in employment in all sectors of the health care delivery system, including hospitals, corporate health care headquarters, home health care agencies, and long-term care facilities, as well as policy-making bodies and consulting firms. Applicants must apply to both the M.B.A.
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Applicants with Military Experience
UCLA School of Nursing will accept qualified student applicants who have completed relevant military education and experiences, have met the University admission requirements, and who present documented equivalency courses. Once admitted, such individuals are eligible for credit by challenge examination.
Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)
Applicants to the Ph.D. (1) A master's degree in nursing; or a B.S. degree in Nursing. Degrees must be from an accredited program satisfactory to the School of Nursing and the Graduate Division.
Admission Requirements
Students may enter with a bachelor's in Nursing or Entry-Level Master's (ELM) in Nursing or Advanced Practice (APN) in Nursing. Those admitted to doctoral study with a bachelor's degree in nursing or ELM degree are required to make up clinical specialty deficiencies by taking courses in one of the current master's advanced practice programs. Such courses may be taken concurrently with doctoral courses. Individuals admitted with a bachelor's degree in nursing are required to complete selected master's courses in nursing at UCLA as a prerequisite to entry into doctoral courses. Thus, extra coursework and additional on-campus attendance may be required of students admitted with a B.S.
Additional Requirements
Immunization Requirements
All students admitted to the UCLA School of Nursing must meet specific immunization requirements:
- COVID-19 Vaccination: Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination (full dose plus booster) OR Letter of Exemption
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Medical documentation of TWO MMR vaccinations OR Medical documentation of ONE BLOOD TITER indicating immunity to MMR. Disease history of MEASLES, MUMPS, and RUBELLA will not be accepted
- Varicella (Chickenpox): Medical documentation of TWO VARICELLA vaccinations OR Medical documentation of ONE BLOOD TITER indicating immunity to VARICELLA. Disease history of CHICKENPOX will not be accepted
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Medical documentation of a QuantiFERON Gold (also known as t-spot) blood in the last 12 months
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Medical documentation of Tdap vaccination OR Signed Tdap declination if unable to provide medical documentation. Tdap Declination Form
- Influenza Information: From November 1st through March 31st, healthcare personnel must either be vaccinated for influenza or wear a mask when in direct contact with patients, providing direct patient service (within six feet), or in a patient room at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, and UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. Students and/or instructors are not eligible to receive the free flu shot services provided by UCLA Health or redeem the CVS voucher.
Certificate Program
The Certificate is a rigorous full-service offering geared toward working adults; curriculum courses in math and the sciences may fulfill nursing school prerequisites.
Members participated in curriculum development and review, determining admission requirements, and vetting instructors.
Courses in this program are open enrollment, and each class is paid for individually. Students are required to maintain a quarterly “B” (3.0) average GPA in the Certificate.
Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save.
All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program.
Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program.
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