LPN to BSN

Degrees Offered

• Bachelors

Start Terms

• Fall

Program Format

• On-campus
• Select non-nursing classes are available online to provide added flexibility for students

Credit Hours & Timeline

• Total credits required: 122
• Typical completion time: 2-3 years

Outcomes & Licensure

• Graduates of the LPN-to-BSN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
• Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Advance your nursing career with a flexible pathway from LPN to BSN. The curriculum builds on your existing experience while preparing you for expanded roles in patient care and leadership.

• Preparation for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam
• Coursework in advanced nursing practice and patient care
• Training in leadership, communication and clinical decision-making
• Flexible format designed for working professionals
• Clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings

To be admitted to the CSM LPN-to-BSN Pathway, students must complete the following:

• CSM university admission 
• No more than 1 C-/D/F/W in a program-required math or science course within the last 5 years, or since enrolling in a practical nursing program. 
• An active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license. Students may be accepted on a conditional status if the NCLEX-PN is scheduled and passed prior to starting BSN Level 2 courses. 
• LPN-to-BSN students must meet BSN Level 2 progression requirements within one academic year, as outlined in Progression Policy 2.3. 
• Applicants who meet BSN Level 2 progression requirements will bypass the LPN-to-BSN Essentials level.
  • English Composition – ENG 101 or 102 (3 credit hours) 
  • Intermediate Algebra or Statistics – MTH 112 or MTH 242 (3 credit hours)
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry – CHM 100/100L or comparable 4 credit hour CHM with Lab (4 Credits) 
  • Anatomy & Physiology I – BIO 200/201 (4 Credits) 
  • Anatomy & Physiology II – BIO 202/203 (4 Credits) 
  • NUR 140
  • General Psychology – PSY 101
  • Science transfer credit policy: Program-required science courses must have been completed within five years of the matriculation semester, or the student must have graduated from a Practical Nursing program within the past five years.
• Recommended Program Required Credit Hour Completion: 57-64 credit hours 

Applications open July 1 for the upcoming academic year. CSM follows a rolling admission process, reviewing applications as they are received. We encourage students to apply early for priority consideration for scholarships, housing, and financial aid. Students will be placed on a waitlist once a cohort is full.

The Mercy Core is CSM’s general education curriculum and the foundation of every degree. Rooted in the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy, it integrates ethics, reflection, and action to prepare women to lead with purpose and advance justice in their communities.