FAQs

Students who have already received a baccalaureate degree earn a second baccalaureate degree in nursing through this program. Applicants must complete all prerequisites required for the nursing program as well as a previous Baccalaureate degree.

The ABSN curriculum is sequenced with progression in courses and courses cannot be dropped or added to each semester. If a student must drop a course during the semester, they must drop from the program and apply for re-admission. 

See the list of prerequisites in the chart below. Students must have already received a Bachelor's degree to be considered for the program. Anatomy, physiology and microbiology courses must be taken within the past seven years. 

• Human Physiology with Lab
• Human Anatomy with Lab
• Microbiology with Lab
• Any Chemistry with Lab
• Thinking Historically (most history courses meet this prerequisite)
• Composition
• Public Speaking
• General Psychology
• Introduction to Statistics
• Introduction to Sociology
• Working Artistically (must include both analysis of and the making of an art form) OR Reading Imaginative Literature (fiction literature only; does not include academic, non-fiction literature)

Possibly. If the courses are similar to what the courses at Westmont would teach you, they will be accepted. If you believe you have completed all the requirements you should apply to the program and submit official copies of all college transcripts for an evaluation. Please contact nursing@westmont.edu with any questions. 

You may complete your prerequisites through your local community college, Westmont College, or another accredited four-year institution. Be aware that completing these courses does not guarantee admission into the program. We anticipate admission will be competitive, and it is possible that you would not be admitted into the program even with all of the prerequisites completed. 

Students must complete the current Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam and request their official test scores be sent to Westmont College. If you have already taken it and have any questions, please contact nursing@westmont.edu. You may need to pay a fee to get your scores sent to Westmont College. 

Each fall and spring semester, Westmont will accept a total of 24 students, with a ratio of one professor to a group of eight students in the clinical setting.

The 16-month program costs $68,000.

Yes, students may apply for financial aid, and the college may also award scholarships. Important information for applying for financial aid is available on the financial aid page.

Westmont housing will not be available for nursing students but ample housing options are available throughout Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a full-time program and requires 16 months of study.

Students take between 16 to 19 units each semester of the ABSN program. They attend classes two days a week and participate in clinical experiences two to three days a week.

Yes, all admitted students will undergo a criminal background check and drug screen among other mandated requirements, such as COVID-19 immunization and the American Heart Association Basic Life Support course.

No, Westmont’s ABSN program is a full-time, in-person, 16-month program.