Our LVN to BSN program is designed with in-class and optional online instruction, so that you can earn your BSN in just under three years.

LVN to BSN Curriculum
This unique program focuses on the skills and experiences nurses bring to the educational setting. The curriculum includes required general education coursework as well as nursing courses designed to develop leadership and management skills for the nursing professional.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the BSN program are prepared for nursing positions across a wide spectrum of interests, including:
Demand for Nurses
Both the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the California Economic Development Department project there will be continued demand in the labor market for nurses.
California Economic Development Department
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Choose Your Graduation Date
Are you ready to advance your career? If so, perhaps WCU’s LVN to BSN program is what you have been looking for. With the combination of in-class and online instruction, you can earn your BSN in just 34 months.
The mission of the College of Nursing is to provide evidence-based and innovative nursing education to culturally diverse learners; preparing nurses to provide quality and compassionate care responsive to the needs of the community and the global society.
The philosophy of the College of Nursing is that education is a continuous process occurring in phases throughout an invdividual's lifetime. Nurses are lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has established the following Program Learning Outcomes, which flow directly from the College of Nursing’s mission and philosophy. These outcomes reflect what students should expect to have learned upon graduation.
For a complete list of program requirements, please see the catalog or contact your admissions representative.
California Campuses
| Program1 | Degree | Number of Semesters (Full-time) | Full-time2
Status (12 to 18 Credits) |
3/4-time Status ( 9 to 11 Credits) | 1/2-time Status
(6 to 8 Credits) |
Less than 1/2-time Status | Total Tuition Cost (Full-time ) - not including additional fees |
Total Estimated Program Costs (Tuition + Fees) |
| Nursing, LVN to BSN | BS | 7 | $15,750 | $13,125 | $10,200 | $1,740 per credit |
$110,250 | $116,965 |
| Program | Registration (Non-refundable) | Total Book Cost* |
Book Shipping Cost | Estimate for Uniforms | Estimate for Equipmentand/or Supply Kits 3 |
| Nursing, LVN to BSN | $75 | $4,787 | $518 | $130 | $1,205 |
*The Total Book Cost reflects the Manufactures Suggested Retail Price totals compiled in December 2011
Note: Students who wish to take Challenge Exams will be subject to a fee of $100 for each Challenge exam. Please see your campus Business Office for a full price listing.
1 West Coast University also offers certain online courses to students enrolled in on-ground programs. If a student enrolled in an on-ground program chooses to take a course or courses offered online, he/she will be subject to a Technology fee of $50 per credit hour per course in addition to the tuition charges listed above.
2 All credits taken in a single semester which exceed 18 credits will be charged at $800 per credit with the exception of students in the core requirements of Dental Hygiene.
3 The Uniform and Supply costs are based on the Manufacture Suggested Retail Price as of December 2011 and are subject to change.
Note: Tuition fees may change from year to year.
Texas Campus
| Program1 | Degree | Number of Semesters (Full-time) | Full-time2
Status (12 to 18 Credits) |
3/4-time Status ( 9 to 11 Credits) | 1/2-time Status
(6 to 8 Credits) |
Less than 1/2-time Status | Total Tuition Cost (Full-time )- not including additional fees |
Total Estimated Program Costs (Tuition + Fees) |
| Nursing, LVN to BSN |
BS | 8 | $12,300 | $10,250 | $7,970 | $1,360 per credit |
$86,100 | $92,844 |
| Program | Registration (Non-refundable) | Total Book Cost* |
Book Shipping Cost | Estimate for Uniforms | Estimate for Equipmentand/or Supply Kits 3 |
| Nursing, LVN to BSN | $75 | $4,816 | $592 | $130 | $1,205 |
*The Total Book Cost reflects the Manufactures Suggested Retail Price totals compiled in December 2011
Note: Students who wish to take Challenge Exams will be subject to a fee of $100 for each Challenge exam. Please see your campus Business Office for a full price listing.
Note : Tuition fees may change from year to year.
With respect to the currency of the credit being considered, all General Education and Science course(s) must have been taken within the last five calendar years, unless the student possesses a degree or advanced degree in the specific field of study for which the student is seeking transfer credit. For nursing credits to be considered for transfer credit, there can be only one year between the end of the last nursing course taken at a previous institution and the beginning of the first nursing course at West Coast University. The student must be listed in good standing with the prior institution.
To learn more about this program, click here or call us toll free at (866) 508-2684.
Program Information Disclosure
Data provided for July 2009 - June 2010 Award Year
Approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Licensure/registration is required to work as a Registered Nurse in California. Click here for information on licensing exam pass rates.
| O*Net Occupation Titles | Soc Code | Links to Occupational Profiles on O*Net |
| Registered Nurse (RN), Staff RN (Staff Registered Nurse), Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, Oncology RN (Oncology Registered Nurse), Relief Charge Nurse, Cardiac Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse), Coronary Care Unit Nurse (CCU Nurse) | 29-1111 | www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00 |
| Acute Care Nurses, Nurse Manager, Nursing Director, Progressive Care Unit Registered Nurse | 29-1111.01 | www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.01 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric Nurse | 29-1111.02 | www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.02 |
Current Estimated Program Costs: Tuition - $110,250; Fees - $368; Books - $5,797; Uniforms and Equipment - $345; Book Shipping- $518.
On-time Completion Rate/Placement Rate Reported to ACICS/Median Loan Debt: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (LVN to BSN bridge) program was launched in 2010. It has not been running long enough to have had graduates during the reporting period, thus there is no data to report.
To review the terms and definitions for the chart above, or to see the outcome information for WCU's other programs, and to view state disclosure information, go to westcoastuniversity.edu/disclosures.