Completely online, the RN to BSN program offers US-based RN license holders a flexible approach to earn their BSN degree in as little as two full-time semesters. Successful applicants may opt to complete the program on a full- or part-time basis. Most classes are offered in a seven-week format.
Application Deadline:
- Fall: January 15, 11:59 PM (EST)
- Spring: October 1, 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Application and Eligibility Guidelines
- Admission to Mason as an undergraduate, transfer, degree-seeking student
- At time of BSN Application, you must have submitted Mason Admission Application and received your Mason ID number (G number)
- You will receive your Mason Admission decision after applying to the BSN program; however, Mason admission is a requirement for BSN admission
- U.S.-based RN license required by start of program
- All nursing prerequisite courses complete prior to the start of the BSN program
- No grade lower than C (not C-) in each nursing prerequisite, Mason Core, and elective course
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 in Mason Core and elective coursework
- Submit the online BSN Application
Simply meeting the BSN Application prerequisites and eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission to the BSN program. It is extremely important for all applicants to have a back-up plan.
Prerequisite Course Requirements
All applicants must complete the necessary nursing prerequisite coursework by the end of Mason’s spring semester (May 20) for fall admission or by end of Mason’s fall semester (December 15) for spring admission. Mason Core and elective courses may be completed at Mason prior to graduating from the BSN program.
Mason Core Requirements
- English Composition (3 cr)
- Communication (3 cr)
- Literature (3 cr)
- Arts (3 cr)
- Social Science (3 cr)
- Western Civilization (3 cr)
- Global Understanding (3 cr)
- Information Technology (3 cr)
- Quantitative Reasoning (3 cr)
- Electives (15-19 cr) - Refer to the Mason Catalog for recommended courses
Mason Core Requirements may be satisfied by the following:
- U.S. Bachelor’s Degree: A prior bachelor’s degree, earned in the United States from an accredited institution, satisfies all Mason Core course requirements including ENGH 302
- International Bachelor’s Degree: A prior bachelor’s degree, earned internationally and determined equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree may satisfy all Mason Core course requirements, except ENGH 302. Mason requires proof of English proficiency.
Nursing Prerequisite Requirements
- Anatomy and Physiology (8 cr)
- Microbiology (4 cr)
- Bioethics (3 cr)
- Statistics (3 cr)
Visit our Transfer Credit and Transcript Evaluation page for information on course equivalency and transcript reviews.
Online BSN Application
The BSN Application process is completely online. All supporting materials are uploaded during the online BSN Application. Applicants may repeatedly log into their account to complete it.
Items uploaded as part of the online BSN Application include the following:
- unofficial transcript, one copy from each higher education institution attended
- RN license (must submit prior to the start of the program)
- résumé
- $60 non-refundable BSN Application fee*
- If applicable:
- A copy of your current course registration
- Transcript evaluations of all international transcripts
- A copy of unofficial AP, IB, or CLEP scores
- A copy of active duty military ID
- A copy of any licenses or certifications
- A copy of all email correspondence with BSN Admissions Office, bsnapps@gmu.edu
Before finally submitting the BSN Application
- Applicants may return to their BSN Application
- Applicants must upload all supporting materials
- Applicants may not access their BSN Application once submitted
- Applicants may only submit one BSN Application
Mason Students must submit an unofficial copy of your Mason transcript. If taking any spring courses, you must include your course registration.
Decision Notification
The College of Public Health's Office of Student Affairs will send decision letters via email by the end of March for fall admission and by December for spring admission. All decisions of the Review Committee are final and cannot be appealed. Common reasons for denial include: incomplete application, nursing pre-requisite/science GPA was not competitive, received a grade below C in the required pre-requisites, and sheer volume – given the number of applications received for the limited number of clinical spaces, other applicants presented stronger applications.
We recommend that all applicants participate in our RN to BSN and Co-enrollment BSN Information Session to learn more about important application guidelines and expectations.