West Coast University, Los Angeles

West Coast University stands out for its history of innovation and growth. What began as a humble ophthalmology school in Los Angeles blossomed under David Pyle's leadership into a renowned institution offering diverse healthcare education programs. Dedicated to nurturing future professionals, West Coast University provides a dynamic educational experience blending traditional classroom learning with online courses. As a leading educator of Registered Nurses in California, WCU sets itself apart by offering students the chance to gain hands-on experience both locally and internationally.

Discover West Coast University, Los Angeles

Anaheim, California

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School Ranking: B+
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West Coast University, Los Angeles is a public and non-profit State Institution. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including ADN/ASN, LPN to BSN, BSN, Entry Level BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.

Student Demographics

  • 27 Average Age
  • 20% Men
  • 80% Women
  • 1% Veterans
  • 51% White
  • 40% Hispanic
  • 9% Black
  • 12% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

Nursing Programs

  • $57,274 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $25,140 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

West Coast University started in Los Angeles as a small, single classroom ophthalmology school. David Pyle took over the leadership in 1997 and in 2004 started education programs for healthcare professionals.

West Coast University offers nursing programs for the undergraduate and graduate nursing student. Courses are available online and on campus. We are known as one of the largest educators of Registered Nurses throughout the state of California. WCU also offers a very unique opportunity for the Nursing student to receive hands-on experience with patients in an international setting.

In 2008, WCU became the first privately held university in California to be approved to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Shortly after, in 2010, WCU received approval to award the Master of Science degrees in Nursing. And, in 2015, West Coast University launched WCU Online, providing online coursework for the RN-BSN, RN-MSN and MSN programs.

Global Public Health Program

Students who choose to enter the Global Public Health Program will have the opportunity to travel abroad and earn 40 clinical hours that are applied towards the public health requirement of their program(s).  During this 2-week opportunity, students will be able to work with the medically undeserved of the area(s).   

WCU has a "student-centric" philosophy offering advantages including:

  • Classes available when you need them with no waitlists or lottery systems
  • Multiple starts throughout the year - Every 10 weeks a class starts
  • Gain real-life experience at WCU in our dynamic Simulation Center - The student gains knowledge for real life scenarios
  • 300 clinical sites available - Develop hands-on care with actual patients
  • Shortened degree time - Graduate in as little as 39 months
  • WCU offers Career Services and Contemporary Forums - Designed for students to have support during and after graduation. Graduates are offered generous discounts and other benefits for continuing education
  • Scholarships available - merit-based and need-based scholarships available for those who qualify

About Nursing Programs

Undergraduate Programs

BSN Entrance Examination Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Two maximum attempts to pass, one week apart
  • Verbal and Quantitative Scores for SAT and ACT
  • HESI Exams within 3 years of enrollment
  • TEAS exams within 1 year of enrollment  

BSN &LVN/LPN-BSN Transfer Credit Evaluation

  • Must provide official transcripts by the first day of the first semester
  • General education, prerequisites, and core nursing coursework taken from a national or regionally accredited institution
  • If a nursing student is interested in transferring, there must only be one year between the end of the previous nursing course and the beginning of the first course at West Coast University. Exceptions may be considered
  • BSN program maximum allowable transfer credits will not exceed 52 credits of general education

LVN/LPN-BSN Licensure Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Must hold a current unrestricted LVN license
  • Transcripts may be requested

LVN to RN 30 Unit Option

West Coast University offers a 30 unit option for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) as required by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).  Those who choose the 30 Unit option must take Physiology, Microbiology, and selected pre-licensure nursing courses. Students do not receive a certificate or degree from West Coast University and are not considered a graduate of the University. Students interested in the 30 unit option must express a desire for this option prior to enrolling in the WCU LVN to BSN program. The option to take the 30 Unit expires once students have enrolled and have started the WCU LVN to BSN program.  Students who successfully complete the LVN to RN 30 Unit option will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination. 

RN to BSN Transfer Credits

The RN to BSN program allows 42 transfer credits for an unrestricted current RN license issued in the United States as well as up to 42 credits of general education transfer credits (total of 84 transfer credits).  

Those enrolled in the RN to BSN program are exempt from specific general education requirements because they will be taken within the course.  Official transcripts must be submitted the first day of the first term of the course at the University to receive transfer credits. General education transfer credits may also apply if the student submits their official transcripts by six months of starting education at WCU. College-level coursework will be considered for transfer credit.  All coursework must have been taken at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. 

BSN and LVN-BSN Admissions Requirements-California (not all inclusive)

  • Submit a completed WCU application for admissions
  • Schedule interview
  • Proof of approved High School graduation documentation or equivalent
  • Complete program specific entrance requirements
  • Provide proof of current unrestricted license as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
  • Achieve acceptable composite score based on entrance examination and cumulative GPA requirements; those with a composite score of 8 or above will be admitted to the university; exceptions for students will be taken under conditional consideration

BSN and LPN-BSN Admissions Requirements - Florida and Texas (not all inclusive)

  • Minimum cumulative score 192.3 on the TEAS Examination or minimum 80 on the HESI Examination
  • A conditional acceptance is for students with a cumulative score TEAS of 129 to 192.2, or a score on the HESI from 76 to 79.5

RN to BSN Online Admissions Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Provide proof of a current unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license from the United States
  • Students who are not yet licensed may be admitted if they meet all other admissions criteria but must show proof of licensure prior to entering the third trimester of the program.  
  • Submit official transcripts from a Board of Nursing licensed Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing program
  • May be conditionally admitted by providing unofficial transcripts or a copy of the conferred nursing degree
  • Applicants with a valid license may be admitted with approved documentation of earned high school degree or equivalent pending receipt of official transcripts of nursing degree
  • Failure to present a valid RN license will result in dismissal from the university until such time license is current and unrestricted 

Graduate

MSN Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Minimum Bachelor of Science in Nursing or closely related field from an accredited institution; students with a Bachelor of Science degree in a field other than Nursing will be required to verify course work or experience in undergraduate research, leadership/management, and public/community health
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Applicants with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.7 to 2.99 may be considered for admission on probation, but must achieve a 'B' (3.0) or better in the first 9 credits in the program to be removed from probation
  • Proof of current unrestricted professional RN license in the U.S.
  • Introductory Statistics course with a grade of 'C' or better, equivalent to MATH 211 (Applied Statistics)
  • Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner track must have completed a minimum of one year of direct patient care nursing experience within the past 2 years
  • Three letters of recommendation from health care professionals or other non-family professionals
  • Preferred one year of direct patient care nursing experience within the past five years; FNP track has an exception that requires one year of full time experience in direct care prior to entering FNP core classes

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the Baccalaureate and Master's Programs in Nursing at all WCU campuses.

West Coast University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

WCU's BSN and LVN to BSN track programs are approved through the California Board of Registered Nursing.

West Coast University's nursing programs are approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

WCU's BSN and LVN to BSN track programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.

NCLEX Pass Rates (2018)

  • California: 92%
  • Florida: 95.17%
  • Texas: 86.67%

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