10 Online Nursing Schools That Accept Online Prerequisites

More nursing prerequisites than ever can be completed entirely online, from Anatomy & Physiology to Statistics, without setting foot in a classroom. That flexibility matters a lot if you're working, raising a family, or just trying to move through your prerequisites as efficiently as possible before applying to a nursing program.

Below, you'll find 10 online nursing programs, a mix of RN-to-BSN completion programs and hybrid accelerated BSN (ABSN) tracks, with real, documented policies on accepting prerequisite coursework completed online. We'll also cover an important distinction worth understanding upfront: what "online" actually covers when it comes to prerequisites versus the nursing degree itself.

Can You Complete Nursing Prerequisites Online?

You may be able to complete some nursing prerequisites online. Nursing prerequisites tend to be non-clinical, classroom-based courses, think biology, chemistry, psychology, and math, which makes them well suited to online delivery. The nursing-major coursework itself is a different story: virtually every program, online or not, requires in-person or closely supervised clinical components, since hands-on patient care simply can't be simulated the same way through a screen.

Several platforms specialize in delivering these prerequisites online, and nursing schools vary widely in which ones they'll accept:

• Portage Learning, which offers self-paced courses in common nursing prerequisites like Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology
• Study.com, a low-cost, self-paced platform with ACE-recommended courses
• Sophia Learning, another self-paced, ACE-recommended option
• StraighterLine, which partners directly with a number of colleges and universities
• Community college online sections, often the most widely accepted option since they come from institutions nursing schools already have established transfer relationships with

Do Online Nursing Schools Accept Online Prerequisites?

Some online nursing schools accept online prerequisites, though there's an important nuance worth understanding before you build a plan around it: most online nursing programs are RN-to-BSN completion programs, built for students who already hold an RN license and an associate degree in nursing. That matters because it shapes exactly what "accepting online prerequisites" actually means at most schools on this list.

For RN-to-BSN students, prerequisites usually refer to general education and science courses, not the core nursing coursework, since that's already covered by the student's prior nursing education and licensure. If you're not yet licensed and are looking for a fully online path from the very beginning, hybrid accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs are typically the better fit, since they combine online prerequisite and coursework delivery with in-person clinical and lab components once you're admitted. Either way, it's worth confirming with a specific school which prerequisite courses it will accept online, since policies and provider preferences vary from program to program.

10 Online Nursing Schools That Accept Online Prerequisites

Here's a closer look at 10 online nursing programs with real, documented policies on accepting prerequisite coursework completed online. 

1. Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university based in Miami, Florida. FIU is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its Accelerated Online BSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

FIU's Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences accepts prerequisite coursework completed at any regionally accredited U.S. institution, in person or online, and even explicitly accepts credits posted on a Geneva College transcript through Portage Learning. That flexibility makes FIU one of the more accommodating options on this list for students piecing together prerequisites from multiple online sources.

2. Geneva College

Geneva College is a private, Christian college based in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The college is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its RN-to-BSN nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

As the institution behind Portage Learning, Geneva has a natural relationship with online prerequisite coursework: students can complete general education and science prerequisites through the Portage Learning platform before enrolling in Geneva's nursing program, with those credits applying directly toward degree requirements. This makes Geneva something of a one-stop option for students who want their prerequisite and degree-granting institutions to be closely aligned.

3. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) is a private, Catholic university based in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania. The university is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program is accredited by CCNE.

GMercyU stands out for offering its own online prerequisite courses directly, complete with at-home laboratory kits, so students don't necessarily need to look elsewhere to complete their science requirements. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA with a C+ or higher in math and science courses, and Nutrition specifically must be taught by a Registered Dietitian, a more specific requirement than most schools on this list impose.

4. Mercer University

Mercer University's Georgia Baptist College of Nursing is based in Atlanta, with the university's main campus in Macon. Mercer is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its Accelerated BSN (ABSN) track is accredited by CCNE.

Mercer's ABSN program uses a blended learning model, with much of the nursing coursework delivered online through Canvas, and the university evaluates prerequisite coursework from outside institutions through a Transfer Equivalency Estimator tool that gives applicants an early sense of how their credits will apply. That upfront transparency makes it easier to plan your prerequisite coursework before you formally apply.

5. National University

National University is a private, nonprofit, veteran-founded institution based in San Diego, California, offering both a prelicensure BSN and an RN-to-BSN completion program. The university is institutionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and its nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation.

National University accepts prerequisite coursework completed online at any regionally accredited institution, and its prelicensure BSN track in particular makes this relevant to students who haven't yet earned an RN license, not just those completing a bridge program. Combined with its flexible online and in-person learning options, National University is one of the more versatile choices on this list for students at different stages of their nursing education.

6. Rockhurst University

Rockhurst University, based in Kansas City, Missouri, offers a Hybrid Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program in partnership with Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Rockhurst is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation.

Prerequisite coursework at Rockhurst can be completed at Rockhurst itself, at another institution, or through a combination of both, which in practice means online courses from a regionally accredited school are accepted alongside in-person options. Science prerequisites do need to be completed within seven years of enrollment, and older credits will trigger an additional entrance exam requirement.

7. South College

South College is a private institution based in Knoxville, Tennessee, with additional campuses across several states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. South College is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its nursing programs carry accreditation from CCNE or ACEN depending on the specific degree and campus.

South College's Hybrid/Online BSN track is built around delivering general education and prerequisite coursework online from the ground up, with nursing-major courses and clinicals completed in person. Because online prerequisite delivery is core to how this program is structured, rather than an accommodation layered on top of a traditional format, it's one of the more purpose-built options on this list. 

8. University of Massachusetts Global

University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global), a nonprofit institution based in Aliso Viejo, California, offers an online RN-to-BSN program through its School of Nursing and Health Professions. The university holds institutional accreditation, and its RN-to-BSN program is CCNE-accredited.

UMass Global evaluates prerequisite and general education coursework from any regionally accredited institution, whether completed online or in person, as part of its standard transfer credit review. As with most schools on this list, it's worth confirming with an academic advisor how a specific online course will apply before you enroll in it.

9. West Chester University

West Chester University (WCU) is a public university based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, part of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. WCU is institutionally accredited by MSCHE, and its RN-to-BSN program is accredited by CCNE.

WCU's fully online RN-to-BSN program accepts prerequisite and general education coursework from regionally accredited institutions, including courses completed online. One nuance worth knowing: WCU's own nursing handbook states it doesn't accept correspondence-style credit for nursing coursework specifically, so that caution applies to nursing-major content rather than the general prerequisites most online students are looking to transfer in.

10. Widener University

Widener University is a private, nonprofit university based in Chester, Pennsylvania. Widener is institutionally accredited by MSCHE, and its nursing programs, including its online RN-to-BSN track, are accredited by CCNE.

Widener's online RN-to-BSN program accepts transfer credit for prerequisite coursework from regionally accredited institutions, including online coursework, as part of its standard admissions review. Students have also reported success applying with prerequisite coursework completed through Portage Learning specifically, giving prospective students another documented option to consider.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because this list is specifically about online prerequisite acceptance, we weighted a few additional factors on top of the standard institutional data:

• Documented online prerequisite acceptance: Every school on this list has a publicly available policy or track record of accepting prerequisite coursework completed online, whether through a specific provider or general transfer credit review.
• Accreditation: All schools are institutionally accredited, and every nursing program included is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
• Online nursing program availability: We prioritized schools offering genuine online RN-to-BSN or hybrid ABSN programs, so the list serves students actually pursuing a nursing degree with real flexibility.
• Transparency: We noted where a school's policy is clearly published versus where acceptance is based on standard transfer credit review, so you know what to confirm before enrolling in a course.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.    

Tips for Choosing Online Nursing Prerequisite Courses

A little research before you register can save you from finishing a course that ultimately doesn't count toward your nursing program. Keep these in mind:

• Confirm the course provider's accreditation: Nursing schools generally only accept prerequisite credit from regionally accredited institutions, so verify that before you enroll anywhere.
• Check whether the course includes a lab component: Science prerequisites like Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology often require a lab, and not every online option includes one, so confirm what your target school expects.
• Verify the minimum grade requirement: Most nursing programs require a C or better in prerequisite coursework, though some set the bar higher, so check the specific threshold before you start.
• Make sure the course maps to the exact prerequisite you need: A course title that sounds similar isn't always an exact match, so compare course descriptions or ask an academic advisor to confirm equivalency.
• Reach out to admissions before you pay for anything: A quick email confirming that a specific course will transfer is far cheaper than retaking a prerequisite you assumed would count.

Benefits of Completing Nursing Prerequisites Online

Beyond convenience, taking prerequisites online can meaningfully change how you approach applying to nursing school:

• Flexibility for working students: Self-paced and asynchronous formats let you fit coursework around a job, family responsibilities, or an unpredictable schedule.
• Often more affordable than on-campus courses: Many online prerequisite providers charge less per credit than a traditional college, which can add up across several required courses.
• Self-paced options can speed up your timeline: Some platforms let motivated students move through material as quickly as they can complete it, rather than waiting for a semester-long pace.
• No need to relocate before starting a program: Completing prerequisites online means you can prepare for nursing school from wherever you already live, rather than moving near a campus in advance.
• More control over your course sequence: Online options often have more flexible start dates than a traditional semester system, making it easier to plan around application deadlines.  

FAQs About Online Nursing Schools That Accept Online Prerequisites

Completing prerequisites online raises a lot of practical questions, especially since acceptance varies so much by school. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

Can You Complete All Nursing Prerequisites Online?

Most nursing prerequisites, like Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Statistics, can be completed online. The nursing-major coursework itself is different, since virtually every program requires in-person or closely supervised clinical components regardless of how the rest of the degree is delivered.

Do Nursing Schools Treat Online Prerequisites Differently From In-Person Ones?

It depends on the school. Some evaluate online and in-person prerequisites identically as long as the credit comes from a regionally accredited institution, while others have more specific requirements, like lab components or particular course providers, that can make online options more restrictive in practice.

What's the Difference Between Prerequisite Courses and Nursing-Major Coursework?

Prerequisites are the general education and science courses, like biology, chemistry, and statistics, that prepare you for nursing coursework but aren't part of the nursing curriculum itself. Nursing-major coursework refers to the actual nursing classes and clinical requirements, which are far less likely to be offered fully online, even at otherwise flexible schools.

Are There Specific Online Prerequisite Providers Nursing Schools Prefer?

Some do, and some don't specify at all. A handful of schools on this list, like Geneva College and Widener University, have documented experience with Portage Learning specifically, while others evaluate any regionally accredited online course the same way, regardless of provider.

Do Online Prerequisites Need a Lab Component?

For science prerequisites like Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology, usually yes. Some online providers include at-home lab kits or virtual lab simulations to meet this requirement, while others don't offer a lab option at all, so it's worth confirming before you register.

How Do I Confirm a Course Will Transfer Before I Pay for It?

Reach out to the nursing program's admissions office directly and ask about the specific course, provider, and credit hours you're considering. Many schools will do an informal equivalency review before you enroll, which is a much safer approach than assuming a course will count and finding out otherwise after you've already paid for it.

Find Online Nursing Programs

Completing nursing prerequisites online can save real time and money, but the payoff depends entirely on whether your target school will actually accept the specific course you take. Find out more by exploring the resources and programs featured on Learn.org, and confirm a school's online prerequisite policy directly before you enroll in a course.