Demonstrated interest in nursing, minimum high school diploma and some community college preferred.
Includes required science courses and general electives.
Completion of 18 credit requirements (minimum of two semesters).
If accepted into this program, you can also apply for this scholarship opportunity. Learn more about the UC Excelerator Scholarship.
Are you passionate about health care and ready to take the first step toward a rewarding and in-demand nursing career? Our Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program (PNPP) is designed to help you fulfill essential prerequisites and transfer into a BSN or entry-level nursing program with confidence.
Whether you're coming from high school, transferring from a community college or changing careers, this program is the first step in your nursing journey.
Here's what the path can look like:
Start with our Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program to complete required science and general education courses. You can enter directly after high school or transfer from a community college.
You'll build a strong academic foundation and become a competitive applicant to transfer into a nursing school.
Apply to a BSN program—including our exclusive linkage program with Samuel Merritt University—after completing your prerequisites.
After graduating from your BSN program, apply for Authorization to Test through your state board.
Register, pay and schedule your exam date to take the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam for RNs.
Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, you're officially a Registered Nurse and ready to enter the workforce!
The PNPP certificate will help academically prepare you for success in a BSN program. To earn the certificate of completion, see requirements below.
Not sure what your year or two years could look like on your way to earning the PNPP certificate? This Certificate Pathway Model can help you visualize your journey in our Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program.
See what your certificate pathway could look like!
A BSN degree generally takes a minimum of four years to complete. With our program, you’ll spend your first two years taking prerequisite courses and then transferring to a BSN program for the last two years. We offer all science, general education and psychology/sociology courses that are required as part of a pre-nursing curriculum.
Not sure what your year or two years could look like on your way to transferring to a BSN program?
To be eligible to apply for this preparatory program, you must be a U.S. resident or permanent resident, and either:
In order to earn the Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program certificate of completion, you must successfully complete 18 credit requirements as outlined below:
Substitutions are only allowed for the elective courses and will be approved by the Program Director on a case by case basis.
*These courses must be taken/repeated at UC Berkeley Extension to earn the certificate.
We accept applications to our Pre-Nursing Preparatory Program (PNPP) on a rolling basis through NursingCAS. The following are general guidelines for the application/selection process:
Current community college students on pre-nursing/health-related tracks or high school graduates who have completed little to no college courses but with some health care experience are eligible to apply. Must be a U.S. or permanent resident.
All applicants must apply through NursingCAS. Be sure to add the "UC Berkeley Extension" program to your application.
Entry-level pricing starts at $9,000.
There is a $1,500 nonrefundable program fee for students admitted into the program. This is a one-time program fee for the entirety of time that you are in the program, regardless of how long you are enrolled or how many courses you take.
In addition to the program fee, you will pay the fees associated for any courses that you enroll in each semester. The course fee only covers instruction, so you are also responsible for extra associated costs such as textbooks.
The Pre-Nursing Excelerator Scholarship increases access to learning opportunities for motivated adults who have faced challenges in pursuing education due to financial limitations, institutional or social barriers, or other adversities. The scholarship covers:
Once you have completed the program coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your Award of Completion. Send an email to extension-prehealth@berkeley.edu. After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved (usually within two to three weeks), your Award of Completion will be mailed to you.