The RN to BSN Track at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) is designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who hold an associate degree or nursing diploma and want to advance their careers by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
The program builds on existing nursing education and clinical experience, preparing RNs for leadership, research, and community health roles in a variety of healthcare settings.
RN-BSN Overview
The RN-BSN program builds upon your existing nursing education and professional experience, expanding your skills in leadership, research, and evidence-based practice. The curriculum emphasizes the nurse’s role as a global practitioner, critical thinker, and change agent capable of improving healthcare outcomes and addressing the needs of underserved communities.
Graduates of this program are well-prepared for leadership positions in various healthcare settings, community health organizations, and public health agencies.
Concurrent Enrollment Option
Students currently enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program may qualify for concurrent enrollment through a structured collaboration with their ADN institution. This allows students to begin RN-BSN coursework as early as their first semester of ADN.
Concurrent Enrollment Requirements:
- Maintain good academic standing at both institutions.
- Provide proof of current ADN enrollment each semester or upon request.
- Enroll in no more than 6 units during Fall and Spring and no more than 12 units during Summer.
This flexible pathway enables students to progress toward their BSN while completing their ADN requirements.
Curriculum and Credit Breakdown
| Course Type | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Coursework | 32 | Core RN-BSN courses, including the capstone |
| Required Courses | 4 | ILR 101, 1 credit; COM 231, 3 credits |
| General Education | 84 | Must be completed prior to graduation; transferable credits may apply |
| Total Credits | 120 | Minimum required for the BSN degree |
Students complete 36 credits in residence, including 32 nursing credits and 4 required general education credits. Up to 84 transferable credits may be applied toward the 120-credit degree requirement.
Program Tracks
The RN-BSN program offers two completion options:
- Full-Time Track: Completed over three semesters, with 12 or more credits per semester.
- Part-Time Track: Completed over six semesters, with 6 or more credits per semester. (All concurrent ADN students follow the Part-Time track.)
Full-Time Track, 3 semesters
| RN-BSN Degree Completion, Full-Time Plan of Study | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | Course | Course Name | Units | Lab/Clinical Hrs |
| Semester 1, Session A | ||||
| Semester 1, A | ILR 101 | Information Literacy Research | 1 | – |
| Semester 1, A | NUR 401 | Nursing Informatics, Communication, and Technologies | 3 | – |
| Semester 1, Session B | ||||
| Semester 1, B | NUR 402 | Trends and Issues in Professional Nursing | 3 | – |
| Semester 1, B | NUR 403 | Culture, Spirituality, and Health | 3 | – |
| Semester 2, Session A | ||||
| Semester 2, A | NUR 409 | Legal and Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing | 3 | – |
| Semester 2, A | COM 231 | Medical Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, or General Humanities Course | 3 | – |
| Semester 2, Session B | ||||
| Semester 2, B | NUR 408 | Introduction to Health Promotion | 3 | – |
| Semester 2, B | NUR 415 | Healthcare Policy and Aging | 3 | – |
| Semester 3, Session A | ||||
| Semester 3, A | NUR 412 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 | – |
| Semester 3, A | NUR 416 | Quantitative Statistics, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 | – |
| Semester 3, Session B | ||||
| Semester 3, B | NUR 413 | Capstone | 2 | – |
| Semester 3, B | NUR 417 | Public, Community, and Global Health Nursing | 6 | 90 |
Totals align to 32 nursing credits. Verify units against the catalog before publishing.
Part-Time Track, 6 semesters
| RN-BSN Degree Completion, Part-Time Plan of Study | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | Course | Course Name | Units | Lab/Clinical Hrs |
| Semester 1, Session A | ||||
| Semester 1, A | ILR 101 | Information Literacy Research | 1 | – |
| Semester 1, A | NUR 401 | Nursing Informatics, Communication, and Technologies | 3 | – |
| Semester 1, Session B | ||||
| Semester 1, B | NUR 402 | Trends and Issues in Professional Nursing | 3 | – |
| Semester 2, Session A | ||||
| Semester 2, A | NUR 403 | Culture, Spirituality, and Health | 3 | – |
| Semester 2, Session B | ||||
| Semester 2, B | NUR 409 | Legal and Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing | 3 | – |
| Semester 3, Session A | ||||
| Semester 3, A | COM 231 | Medical Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, or General Humanities Course | 3 | – |
| Semester 3, Session B | ||||
| Semester 3, B | NUR 408 | Introduction to Health Promotion | 3 | – |
| Semester 4, Session A | ||||
| Semester 4, A | NUR 415 | Healthcare Policy and Aging | 3 | – |
| Semester 4, Session B | ||||
| Semester 4, B | NUR 412 | Nursing Leadership and Management | 3 | – |
| Semester 5, Session A | ||||
| Semester 5, A | NUR 416 | Quantitative Statistics, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 | – |
| Semester 5, Session B | ||||
| Semester 5, B | NUR 413 | Capstone | 2 | – |
| Semester 6, Session A | ||||
| Semester 6, A | NUR 417 | Public, Community, and Global Health Nursing | 6 | 90 |
Part-time plan follows the catalog’s six-semester sequence. Replace “–” with any required contact hours if your catalog lists them.
Course Modalities
Courses are delivered in two flexible formats:
- Hybrid: 7.5-week sessions alternating between live and online instruction.
- Online: 7.5-week asynchronous sessions designed for working professionals.
Both modalities emphasize accessibility, interactivity, and engagement with experienced nursing faculty.
Clinical Course
The NUR 417: Public, Community, and Global Health Nursing course is the only clinical requirement for the RN-BSN program. Enrollment is limited to students with a current RN license. No additional clinical courses are required.
In compliance with policies, there are two different modalities for courses in the RN-BSN program: hybrid and online. Each hybrid theoretical course is scheduled for 7.5 weekly sessions (live sessions alternating with online sessions). Each online theoretical course is scheduled for 7.5 weekly alternating onsite and online sessions.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate, students must:
- Earn a grade of C+ or higher in all required nursing courses.
- Maintain good academic standing throughout the program.
- Provide proof of a current, unrestricted RN license before program completion.
RN-BSN Program Eligibility and Application Requirements
This Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program accepts new students three times per year in the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters, offering flexible enrollment options for working nurses and nursing students.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for admission into the CDU RN-BSN program, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and an active, unrestricted RN license
- Be a pre-licensed nursing graduate who has completed an Associate Degree in Nursing*
- Be currently enrolled in an ADN program at a community college and eligible for Concurrent RN-BSN enrollment after completing the second semester
*Pre-licensure students must provide proof of a nursing license before starting their final semester in CDU’s RN-BSN program to remain eligible to continue.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for admission into the RN-BSN nursing program:
- Completed application submitted through Nursing CAS
- Official transcripts from all accredited postsecondary institutions attended
- Current unrestricted RN license to practice professional nursing in the state of California or current state or country of practice
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of all General Education (GE) courses with a grade of “C” or higher before completing the RN-BSN program
- All transcripts will be evaluated upon submission, and applicants will be notified of their GE status upon acceptance into the program
- One letter of recommendation (academic or professional) using the official CDU recommendation form
- Personal Goal Statement (1–2 pages, double-spaced, up to 500 words):
Explain why you would like to become a student at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and how completing your BSN degree at CDU will allow you to serve underserved communities
Transform Your Practice with CDU’s RN-BSN Track
- Accredited, mission-driven education focused on health equity and social justice.
- Designed for working nurses seeking flexible scheduling.
- Emphasis on leadership, research, and community health.
- Pathway to the Public Health Nursing Certificate in California.
- Opportunity to serve diverse and underserved populations through community-based learning.
Get Started
Advance your nursing career with the RN-BSN Track at Charles R. Drew University. Learn more about admission requirements, course schedules, and transfer credit evaluation by visiting our Admissions Page or contacting the College of Nursing Admissions Office.
Questions? Contact Us.
