Where Can I Take Prerequisite Courses for Nursing Online?

Prerequisite courses are necessary to enter most nursing programs, but it's not always easy to fit them into a busy schedule.

If you're thinking about becoming a nurse or would like to further your career and need prerequisites to enroll in a program, taking courses online could make a huge difference.

Read on to learn more about prerequisites and where you can take flexible online pre-nursing courses.

What Are Nursing School Prerequisite Courses?

Prerequisite courses, often referred to as prerequisites, are classes students must take in order to gain admission to a nursing program.

These courses are designed to give students the preliminary knowledge they need to tackle complex concepts covered in traditional nursing programs.

The prerequisite courses nursing programs require can vary from school to school but often fall into the categories of science, math, and the humanities.

Why Do Schools Require Prerequisite Courses?

Nursing programs are often rigorous, covering challenging subjects that can be tough for students to grasp.

Depending on the program, nursing students might be required to take advanced anatomy, pharmacology, clinical theory, and nursing informatics among other courses.

To ensure students are fully prepared for this level of coursework, programs require students to take prerequisite courses.

Successfully completing all prerequisites shows nursing programs that students are ready to take the next academic steps required to become practicing nurses.

Types of Nursing Program Prerequisite Courses

Whether you are interested in enrolling in an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, prerequisite courses are required.

Each nursing program has slightly different prerequisite course requirements based on the curriculum they offer.

Before taking prerequisite courses, it's important to determine the requirements of your nursing school of choice.

However, the following courses can give you an idea of the prerequisite curriculum you might expect.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Prerequisite Courses

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a program designed for students who want to meet the qualifications to practice as a registered nurse (RN).

Standard prerequisite courses for the ADN can include the following high school or lower-division college courses:

• biology
• human anatomy
• human physiology
• English
• algebra
• CPR
• intro to statistics
• general psychology

Depending on the program, you might be required to earn either a B or C in the prerequisite course.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Prerequisite Courses

Most Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are completion programs designed for registered nurses who have already earned an ADN or diploma in nursing.

In many cases, nursing programs allow students to use most or all courses taken in their ADN or diploma program to fulfill prerequisite course requirements.

Programs that require prerequisite courses might ask students to take one or more of the following:

• English composition
• writing
• philosophy
• statistics
• algebra
• precalculus/calculus
• chemistry
• human anatomy
• physiology
• microbiology
• nutrition
• psychology
• speech

BSN programs typically require students to earn at least a B- or C in each prerequisite course.

Universities Offering Online Nursing Prerequisite Courses

If you are interested in taking prerequisite courses but want to do so online, you are not alone. Many students have found that online learning offers greater flexibility than traditional classroom learning.

Nursing programs understand that students have busy lives, which is why many offer self-paced courses that allow students to study during the time frame they choose.

As you look for programs offering the prerequisite courses you need, consider the following accredited schools delivering prerequisite nursing courses in an online environment.

Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University offers the Online Pre-Nursing Track for students who need courses to fulfill BSN prerequisites.

This 68-credit-hour program gives students a comprehensive health sciences and liberal arts background to prepare them for the BSN program at Abilene or another school.

Coursework falls into two categories: general education requirements and pathway courses to fulfill prerequisites.

Examples of courses offered through the program include introductory chemistry, introductory nutrition, general microbiology, and anatomy & physiology I & II.

University of New England

The University of New England offers 100% online self-paced prerequisite courses for students interested in enrolling in a nursing graduate program or medical school.

These courses are designed for nurses who attend another university or have earned their undergraduate degree and only need one or two prerequisites.

Prerequisite courses include anatomy, microbiology, immunology, organic chemistry, exercise physiology, calculus, introduction to statistics, and introduction to psychology.

Courses are taken one at a time and offer three or four credits each.

Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University allows students to meet BSN program admission requirements with its online prerequisite nursing courses.

The goal is to help nursing students who lack science courses fulfill admission requirements. Gwynedd courses can also help students who graduated years ago and need to retake specific classes.

Students can choose between eight online prerequisite courses, including nutrition, anatomy & physiology I & II, developmental psychology, statistics, and microbiology.

All of Gwynedd's prerequisite courses last five or eight weeks.

MGH Institute of Health Professions

MGH Institute of Health Professions offers numerous online prerequisite courses for students in the health professions aiming to enroll in graduate school.

Courses include abnormal psychology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology 1 & 2, introductory statistics, microbiology, nutrition, and exercise physiology.

Students can take courses individually or enroll in the Certificate of Pre-Health Studies if they have several prerequisites to take or retake.

MGH's online prerequisite courses are offered three times a year.

FAQs about Online Prerequisite Courses for Nursing

Find the most commonly asked questions about online nursing prerequisite courses.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Online Pre-Nursing Programs?

Nursing schools have different approaches to offering online pre-nursing courses. Some provide individual prerequisites while others deliver complete pre-nursing programs.

Schools offering pre-nursing programs often require students to qualify for their degree program in order to take prerequisite courses.

Some schools ask students to meet specific GPA and coursework criteria.

Many schools offering individual courses allow students to register for one course at a time without requiring them to enter a program or meet admission requirements.

How Long Does It Take to Complete Online Prerequisite Courses?

Nursing programs determine the timeframe to complete each online course or pre-nursing program.

While there is no set timeframe for completing prerequisite courses, classes can average from five to 16 weeks.

What Other Prerequisites Do Nursing Programs Require?

Most nursing programs require students to meet prerequisite course criteria along with other qualifications to gain admission.

For example, an ADN program might require students to achieve a specific high school GPA and ACT or SAT score.

BSN programs generally require students to graduate from an ADN or diploma of nursing program with a specific GPA.

Another prerequisite for BSN programs is to have current unencumbered nursing licensure as a registered nurse in the U.S.

Begin Your Career with Online Nursing Prerequisite Courses

If you need prerequisite courses to start or further your nursing career but can't seem to fit them into your schedule, flexible online nursing prerequisite courses might be the right option for you.