What pre reqs are needed for rn

Interested in completing your nursing prerequisites online? Smart move. Whether you are just starting to think about getting your nursing degree, or you’ve been in working in the field for years -- taking your general education courses online is a flexible and cost effective way to get the credits you need for your degree program.

Here’s why:

You can decide whether nursing is the path for you in a low-risk environment.

Practically speaking, this means that if at first you don’t succeed - you can afford to try again. You can go at your own pace or if you need to retake a course online, you can do so at a low-cost without taking on student debt.

You will pay less for your required general education courses - and pay less for your nursing degree.

When you complete online courses through StraighterLine, you can quickly, affordably, and confidently earn the college credit you need, and significantly reduce the cost of your degree. Courses start at $59 with a $99 monthly subscription -- and you can go at your own pace.

You can get ready for success in your nursing degree program.

You can take your prerequisites online in a low-risk environment. Studies have found that students who succeed in online course are more prepared to succeed in their degree programs. Since StraighterLine offers wrap-around services which include 24/7 student support, live tutoring, and an ability to take courses at your own pace – you are online, but never alone.

You can transfer your courses to your school.

StraighterLine has partnerships with over 150 accredited colleges and many have nursing programs which you can enroll in online, or in person, if you prefer. Check out the course equivalency guides with your school to see which credits transfer. If you aren't interested in attending a StraighterLine partner, our courses have been accepted for credit at over 2,000 other colleges and universities.

Which general education courses will you need for your nursing degree?

Though it depends on the school, most nursing programs require the same general education courses and prerequisites. We’ve compiled a list of the most common prerequisite courses nursing students take here at StraighterLine in order to pursue their nursing degree:

1. English Composition

1. English Composition I
2. English Composition II

English Composition I is typically required for all majors, no matter your degree program. Most nursing degree programs, however also require that students also complete English Composition II.

2. Biology

1. Introduction to Biology
2. Introduction to Biology Lab
3. Microbiology
4. Microbiology Lab

3. Chemistry

1. General Chemistry I
2. General Chemistry Lab

4. Anatomy & Physiology

1. Anatomy & Physiology I
2. Anatomy & Physiology I Lab
3. Anatomy & Physiology II
4. Anatomy & Physiology II Lab

5. Pharmacology

Pharmacology I

6. Nutrition

1. Introduction to Nutrition
2. Personal Fitness & Wellness

7. Medical Terminology

Medical Terminology

8. Psychology

Introduction to Psychology

Pay less for your nursing prerequisites

If you are looking to pay less for your nursing prerequisites, you should consider enrolling in a StraighterLine course. Courses start at $59 with our $99 membership. Start today, enroll immediately -- and go at your own pace.

Categories: Online Classes   Health Care Education   Summer Classes   Online Education   Online Degrees   Nursing Degrees

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• General Requirements
• Chemistry & Lab
• Microbiology
• Statistics
• Anatomy & Physiology I & II
• Nutrition
• Developmental Psychology

Prerequisite Criteria

**DUE TO COVID-19, NYU MEYERS IS ACCEPTING ALL PREREQUISITES TAKEN ONLINE FOR THE 2020-2021 AND 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEARS** 

Prerequisite courses must be completed at an accredited college or university:

• A letter grade of a C or better is required for all prerequisite courses.
• All prerequisites must have been taken less than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation.
• Online and community colleges are acceptable for prerequisite courses, as long as it is an accredited institution
• Lab is only required for Chemistry.  All other science courses do not require labs.
• Prerequisites do not have to be completed by the application deadline. They must be completed before the first day of classes.
• Advanced placement exams are acceptable for prerequisite courses if the exam was taken within the last 5 years and you received a score of 4 or 5

Questions on Prerequisites?

If after reviewing the course requirements of each course, you still have questions, you may email the Office of Admissions at . To verify whether a course satisfies our requirements, please include the following information:  Course Name, Course Number, School Name, Course Description, and Syllabus. 

Contact the Office of Admissions

For general questions about any of our undergraduate programs, please check out our website.  If after reviewing the material on our website you still have questions, you may email the Office of Admissions at . 

Chemistry with Lab Requirements

• General Chemistry I or Inorganic Chemistry is acceptable.
• General Chemistry II cannot be substituted for the Chem I requirement.
• Must be a 4 credit course, including lab.
• Chemistry classes designed for non-science majors are typically not accepted
• Courses Not accepted:  Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry. 

Course must include:

1. a review of measurement (e.g., mass, volume) in science;
2. an overview of atoms, elements, and compounds, including atomic structure and function, atomic weight, chemical symbols, and the periodic table;
3. a review of chemical bonds and resultant covalent and ionic compounds;
4. an introduction to energy (potential, kinetic) and physical properties, such as states of matter and forces holding molecules together (e.g., hydrogen bonding, Vander Waals forces);
5. an introduction to solutions and concentration (including weight/weight, weight/volume, and volume/volume problems);
6. a comprehensive overview of chemical reactions, including reaction types, balancing equations, and stoichiometry; and
7. an introduction to acids and bases, pH, and titration.

Microbiology Requirements

• Medical Microbiology is acceptable.

Course must include:

1. an overview of microbial structure, function, nutrition, and growth (bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, viruses, prions);
2. a review of infection, infectious diseases, and epidemiology, as well as innate versus adaptive immunity;
3. an introduction to antimicrobial drugs; and
4. general exploration of microbial diseases of the different body systems (e.g., skin/wounds, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, nervous, and special senses).

Statistics Requirements

• Statistics classes taken in the social sciences are acceptable.

Course must include:

1. an introduction to basic statistical concepts – samples and populations, independent and dependent variables, scales of measurement, the scientific method;
2. an exploration of measures of central tendency (frequency distributions and shape, percentiles, mean, median, mode) and measures of variability (range, variance, standard deviation, Z scores);
3. a review of categorical data; and
4. an introduction to probability, distribution, and hypothesis testing, with further exploration of T-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, and linear and multiple regression.

Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Human Anatomy & Physiology II 

- OR - 

Human Anatomy and Human Physiology

• These two combinations cannot be intermixed.
• Each course must be at least 3-semester credits
• Labs are not required

Courses must include:

1. the anatomy and physiology of cells and tissues (cell structure and function, cellular respiration/metabolism, cellular communication, tissue types, and functions); and
2. a comprehensive exploration of anatomy and physiology for the following body systems: integumentary (skin and body membranes), cardiovascular (including blood composition and physiology), lymphatic (including general body defenses), respiratory, endocrine, digestive, urinary, nervous (including special senses), musculoskeletal, and reproductive (including basic genetics and cellular division).

Nutrition Requirements

• A Human Nutrition or Nutrition Science course is preferable.

Course must include:

1. a comprehensive exploration of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals), including food sources/choices, diet analysis and food composition, and digestion and absorption;
2. a review of energy balance, weight control, diets, and eating disorders; and
3. an introduction to nutrition across the lifespan (mother and infant, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults).

Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan

Courses Not accepted:

• Introduction to Psychology
• General Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology 
• Child Psychology
• Adult Psychology

Course must include:

1. a discussion of major theories of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development;
2. a review of micro-contexts (family, home, school, neighborhoods, etc.), social identity (e.g., gender, class, race and ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual identity), and macro-contexts (history, economics, politics) and their impact on human development; and
3. a comprehensive exploration of these concepts across the lifespan: birth, prenatal development, and infancy; early and middle childhood and adolescence; early, middle, and late adulthood; and death, dying, and bereavement.

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