Parallel Pathways
Gaining acceptance into the CSUSB nursing program is extremely competitive. As such, if you are a Pre-Nursing student that did not get accepted into the BS in Nursing program, you have options to switch majors at CSUSB to complete your Bachelor’s degree. There are several CSUSB programs that will count many or all of the classes you have taken as part of your nursing program prerequisites toward completion of that degree.
Once you graduate, you can apply to an accelerated masters in nursing program at other institutions. You are normally eligible to apply to these programs if you hold a BS degree in any field as long as you have taken specific prerequisite classes. Importantly, many of the prerequisite courses you took while you were getting ready to apply the CSUSB BS in Nursing program (i.e., anatomy & physiology, microbiology, chemistry, etc.) meet the requirements to many of the entry level masters in nursing programs.
In addition to entry-level masters in nursing programs, you can become a registered nurse by going through an associates degree program offered by community colleges. Check with your local community colleges to see what specific nursing programs are offered and their specific admissions/application requirements.
Alternate Degrees and Career Pathways
If you are a Pre-Nursing student at CSUSB that did not get admitted into the BS in Nursing program, there are other majors at CSUSB that will lead to a Bachelor's degree with careers that are in demand. These degrees may be used to apply into an entry level masters in nursing as described above or to go into other career pathways. These careers, some of which will require a graduate degree beyond the bachelors, may be in the healthcare field (i.e., health educator, physician assistant, registered dietitian, physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, clinical exercise physiologist, psychologist, etc.) or in other fields such as pharmaceutical/medical sales, healthcare administration, environmental health specialist, teacher, wellness coach, and more. Many of these alternate degrees have been designed to give you credit for classes you have already taken as part of your nursing prerequisites (Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, etc.).
To learn more about alternate degrees and career pathways in Health Science, Kinesiology, Natural Sciences, and Psychology, please see the following:
Health Science
Within the Health Sciences and Human Ecology Department, we take pride in serving a diverse student body, including many first-generation college students. We believe in providing practical training opportunities to enhance your learning experience. This includes internships, supervised practice experiences, and field placements in local hospitals, public health facilities, and various profit or nonprofit organizations. These hands-on experiences will empower you to apply your knowledge and skills in real-world settings. For more information, click here.
This department offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates principles from health sciences and ecology. You'll have the opportunity to explore the intricate connections between human health and the environment, preparing you to address complex health challenges in today's world. To help you navigate the curriculum, we have Roadmaps for each of our programs. Our programs include:
- BS of Environmental Health Science
- BS in Public Health
- BS Nutrition Science and Dietetics
- BS Health Services Administration
Kinesiology
The Kinesiology Department is one of the largest departments at CSUSB, with 17 full-time and 26 part-time faculty, and 900 undergraduate students. The department offers one undergraduate degree major in Kinesiology with three concentrations- Allied Health Professions, Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education, and Exercise Science. For more information, click here.
The BS in Kinesiology provides students with a variety of avenues within applied sciences as it relates to allied health professions, health promotion, exercise science, and physical education. Students who are interested in careers as physical therapists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, health educators, health and wellness directors, exercise physiologists, athletic trainers, or physical education teachers should major in kinesiology and choose a concentration that fits their career interest best. All eight of the prerequisite courses for the pre-nursing will count towards a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health promotion. Our programs include:
Concentrations
- Allied Health Professions
- Exercise Science-PDC
- Health Promotion
- Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education
Natural Sciences
The BS in Natural Sciences provides students with an interdisciplinary background in the life, physical, and general sciences that offers concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Science & Society. The degree can lead to many career opportunities in diverse fields and can include an environmental scientist, biotechnology technician, secondary school level science teacher, pharmaceutical/medical sales rep, clinical research coordinator, and more. Most of the pre-requisite courses for the Nursing program can count toward this degree. For more information, click here.
Psychology
The department offers one undergraduate major in Psychology with three formal concentrations – General Psychology, Biological Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. In its annual list of America's Best Colleges, USNEWS and World Report recognizes psychology as one of CSUSB's highly respected academic departments. Many of the pre-nursing students that are not accepted into the Nursing program at CSUSB find that the psychology degree is a viable option. For more information, click here.