Nursing School Prerequisites: What Counts, What Expires, and What to Take Next
Quick answer
Nursing prerequisites are not one national checklist. Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, statistics, English, and chemistry show up often, but the rules that determine whether a course actually counts can vary sharply by program.
Before paying for another class, verify five things with each target program: exact course equivalency, minimum grade, science recency, lab format, and completion deadline. General transfer credit does not automatically prove that a nursing department will accept the course as a prerequisite.
Nursing Prerequisite & Application Planner
Compare up to three programs, inventory your courses, and flag published conflicts before you register. Nine verified pathways are preloaded; an unlisted-program slot can organize questions without pretending to know that program's rules. Your entries stay in this browser using local storage. Nothing is uploaded.
1. Choose target programs
2. Add your coursework
Choose the subject category that you intend the course to satisfy. The planner uses that category only to find a candidate requirement. It does not infer equivalency from the course title.
Admissions questions generated from unresolved items
Table of Contents
- Common prerequisite categories
- Rules that can wreck a good plan
- Nine current program examples
- ADN vs. BSN vs. accelerated BSN
- How long prerequisites can take
- What "no prerequisites" usually means
- Cost and financial aid before admission
- Questions to ask before paying
- Worked example
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
The Courses You Will See Most Often
Across prelicensure ADN and BSN programs, common prerequisite categories include:
- Anatomy and physiology, either as separate courses or an A&P I/A&P II sequence
- Microbiology, often with a lab
- Chemistry, though the amount and type vary widely
- Statistics or another college-level math course
- English composition
- Introductory psychology
- Human growth and development or lifespan psychology
- Sociology or another social science in some programs
- Nutrition in some programs
- Communication in some programs
That is a planning baseline, not a universal list. A student can complete every course above and still be missing a program-specific requirement. Another student may need fewer courses because a target program integrates some general education into the degree.
The Rules That Can Wreck an Otherwise Good Plan
1. Application deadlines and course-in-progress rules
Some ADN programs require every prerequisite to be finished before the application deadline. Austin Community College, for example, requires all four core prerequisites to be complete before applying to its traditional ADN track. Southwestern College likewise requires its ADN prerequisites to be completed to apply.
Other programs allow coursework to remain in progress. Bellevue College currently permits one prerequisite to be in progress at application as long as it is completed before the cohort starts. UW-Madison's traditional BSN requires four of seven prerequisites by application and all seven by the end of the spring term. The University of Nevada, Reno allows up to 16 prerequisite credits in progress, with no more than four science credits pending.
A course can therefore be academically acceptable and still make you ineligible for a particular application cycle if you finish it too late.
2. Science courses may expire
There is no universal five-year rule. Current official policies include five-, seven-, 10-, and 15-year windows, and the reference date can be the application deadline or program start.
- Bellevue: Biology and Chemistry within five years of the application deadline.
- Southwestern: Anatomy within 10 years; Physiology and Microbiology within seven years of program start.
- Austin CC: A&P II and Microbiology within five years of application.
- UW-Madison ABSN: four nursing science prerequisites within seven years of program start.
- Montana State: prerequisites within 15 years of program start.
- UNR: CHEM and BIOL lecture/lab within 10 years; seven years recommended.
- D'Youville ABSN: listed prerequisites within 10 years of application.
3. Online labs are not treated consistently
Do not buy an online science course because the provider says it is accredited and assume the nursing program will accept the lab.
Bellevue says it does not differentiate between online and in-person lecture or lab prerequisites for the 2026-27 academic year. UConn explicitly rejects hybrid or online lab sciences for transfer and change-of-major applicants. D'Youville's ABSN says online lab courses are not accepted.
For other programs, the public page may not state a clear online-lab policy. That does not mean the format is accepted. It means the answer is unresolved until the program confirms it.
4. Transfer credit is not the same as prerequisite approval
A registrar may award transfer credit while a nursing department still decides that the course does not satisfy a specific prerequisite.
Bellevue's current prerequisite-validation process illustrates the distinction: transferred courses appear in the academic advisement report, and missing nursing prerequisites may require a separate equivalency request with a course description or syllabus. Bellevue explicitly warns that an equivalency request does not guarantee approval.
The safe rule: if you are relying on a course taken somewhere else, especially an online science course, get the target nursing program's answer in writing before paying for the next class in the sequence.
5. GPA rules are program-specific
A cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, and science GPA can be three different numbers. Austin Community College calculates a prerequisite GPA from four core courses and requires at least 2.7 without rounding. UW-Madison's traditional BSN requires both a 2.75 prerequisite GPA and a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA. Bellevue publishes separate science and professional communication GPA thresholds in addition to minimum course grades.
Do not use a generic nursing-school GPA calculator to decide whether you qualify unless it mirrors the exact course set and repeat policy used by the program.
Nine Current Examples of How Prerequisite Rules Differ
Convenience sample of official policies verified October 7, 2026. It demonstrates variation; it is not a national survey and does not rank programs. "Not stated" means we did not find a clear rule on the reviewed current page, not that no restriction exists.
Swipe the table horizontally on smaller screens.
| Program | At application | Recency | Online lab | Grade/GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue College ADN | All but at most one prerequisite; one may be actively in progress | Biology/Chemistry: 5 years from application deadline | Online and in-person treated the same for 2026-27 | 2.0 per course; separate science and professional communication GPA thresholds |
| Southwestern College ADN | Prerequisites completed to apply | Anatomy 10 years; Physiology/Microbiology 7 years from start | Not stated on reviewed page | Science prerequisites: 2.5 cumulative GPA |
| Austin Community College Traditional ADN | Four core prerequisites completed | A&P II and Microbiology: 5 years from application deadline | Not stated on reviewed page | C or better; prerequisite GPA 2.7, not rounded |
| UW-Madison Traditional BSN | At least 4 of 7 prerequisites completed | No calendar expiration stated on reviewed TBSN pages | Not stated on reviewed page | C or better; prerequisite and cumulative GPA 2.75 |
| UW-Madison Accelerated BSN | Four nursing science prerequisites plus at least 2 of 4 gen-ed requirements | Nursing science prerequisites: 7 years from program start | Not stated on reviewed page | C or better; combined prerequisite and cumulative GPA 2.75 |
| Montana State Traditional BSN | At least 3 of 5 natural sciences, including A&P I | Prerequisites: 15 years from program start | Not stated on reviewed page | C- or better; prerequisite GPA 3.0; max 2 retakes total on live admissions page |
| University of Nevada, Reno Traditional BSN | Up to 16 credits in progress; no more than 4 science | CHEM/BIOL lecture and lab: 10 years; 7 recommended | Not stated on reviewed page | C in admissions-GPA courses; C- other prerequisites; 2.80 admissions GPA |
| UConn Traditional BSN, Transfer | Biology and Chemistry may be complete or in progress | No calendar expiration stated on reviewed transfer page | Hybrid or online lab sciences not accepted | 3.0 cumulative GPA; C or better for transfer credit |
| D'Youville ABSN | Required completed courses listed; pending-course allowance not stated | Listed prerequisites: 10 years from application | Online lab courses not accepted | C or better prerequisites; 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA |
ADN vs. Traditional BSN vs. Accelerated BSN
ADN programs
ADN programs are commonly offered by community and technical colleges. In our verified examples, Southwestern and Austin require prerequisites complete before application, while Bellevue allows one course in progress. That is useful context, not a national rule.
Traditional BSN programs
Traditional BSN pathways can use direct-entry or secondary-admission models. In a secondary-admission model, students may enter the university as pre-nursing students and apply to the professional nursing program later. UW-Madison and UNR both allow some prerequisites to remain in progress, but they use different limits and deadlines.
Accelerated BSN programs
ABSN programs are designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, but the first degree does not erase science prerequisites. UW-Madison's accelerated pathway applies a seven-year science window. Montana State uses a 15-year prerequisite window and requires at least three of five natural sciences completed when applying. D'Youville applies a 10-year limit and rejects online labs.
Second-degree applicants should therefore check the accelerated pathway's rules specifically rather than relying on the traditional BSN page at the same university.
How Long Can Nursing Prerequisites Take?
The answer depends on both the nursing program and the colleges where you take the prerequisites. A common bottleneck is course sequencing: chemistry or general biology may come before A&P I, A&P I before A&P II, and one or more sciences before microbiology. Add an application that opens only once or twice per year and a missed prerequisite can cost much more than one semester.
- Write down everything that must be complete before application.
- Mark what may still be in progress.
- Check the prerequisite chain for every unfinished course at the college where you will actually take it.
- Check when each course is offered, including labs.
- Leave time for transcript posting and equivalency review.
- Recheck science recency using the program's actual reference date.
Do not assume that eight classes equal two semesters. Sometimes the sequence is the schedule.
What Does "Nursing School With No Prerequisites" Actually Mean?
Usually, it does not mean "skip anatomy, physiology, and other foundational coursework forever." The phrase can describe a direct-entry freshman BSN where foundational courses are built into the degree, a school that does not require prior college coursework before general admission, a program that does not require a particular entrance exam, or a different nursing pathway with another admission structure.
If a school advertises "no prerequisites," ask what is actually waived and what is simply completed after enrollment.
What Prerequisites Can Cost Before Nursing School Even Starts
There is no useful national price for "nursing prerequisites." The bill depends on where you take the courses, residency, credit load, lab fees, books/materials, and how the school classifies your enrollment.
Financial aid can also be different for standalone preparatory coursework. The 2026-27 Federal Student Aid Handbook says a student who is not enrolled in a degree or certificate program may, in certain circumstances, receive Direct Loans for up to one consecutive 12-month period when the coursework is required for enrollment in a specific eligible program.
That is not a promise that federal aid will cover your plan. Before registering, ask the financial aid office whether you will be classified as degree-seeking, non-degree, remedial, or preparatory, and exactly which aid programs apply. For broader budgeting, see our trade school cost guide.
Before Paying for a Prerequisite Course, Ask These Questions
- Does this exact course satisfy the nursing program prerequisite, not merely transfer as general credit?
- If it includes a lab, is its delivery format accepted: in-person, hybrid, home-kit, or virtual?
- Does the program accept my A&P sequence, or does it require separate Anatomy and Physiology courses?
- Are the credits sufficient after quarter-to-semester conversion?
- Does this subject have a recency limit, and what date is the limit measured from?
- May this course still be in progress when I submit the application?
- How are repeated courses and withdrawals treated?
- Do AP, IB, CLEP, or other exam credits satisfy this specific prerequisite?
- Is there a separate science or prerequisite GPA calculation?
- If the course is not already articulated, what documentation do you need for an equivalency review?
A two-sentence email before registration is cheaper than retaking a four-credit science with a lab.
Worked Example: Same Transcript, Three Different Problems
Imagine a career changer with a non-nursing bachelor's degree and this history:
- Chemistry with in-person lab, completed in 2018
- Anatomy and Physiology I with in-person lab, completed in 2018
- Microbiology with a fully online lab, completed in 2026
- Statistics and lifespan psychology completed recently
- A&P II currently in progress
Bellevue College: the older Biology/Chemistry work would conflict with the current five-year recency rule, while the online Microbiology lab format itself would not be a problem under the published 2026-27 policy. Bellevue also has a separate nursing-assistant/qualifying credential requirement before application.
UW-Madison ABSN: the applicant would need to check whether all four nursing science prerequisites fall within the program's seven-year window at the intended start date. Outside applicants should also be prepared to submit course descriptions or syllabi for equivalency review.
D'Youville ABSN: the 2018 courses could still fall within the published 10-year window for a 2027 application, but the fully online Microbiology lab would conflict with the program's explicit no-online-lab rule.
Entrance Exams Are a Separate Admissions Task
Some programs also require the ATI TEAS or another admissions exam. That requirement is separate from whether your prerequisite courses are acceptable. If a target program requires the TEAS, use our free TEAS practice test after you confirm the program's current testing rules and deadline.
What to Do Next
No target programs yet? Start with the nursing program directory and shortlist two or three realistic options.
Target programs chosen but no prerequisites purchased? Use the planner and resolve every "acceptance not confirmed" or "policy unclear" item before paying.
Already have transcripts? Gather course descriptions or syllabi for any science course that is old, online, taken out of state, or not listed in the target school's equivalency system.
For broader school-selection questions, see how to choose a trade school. For a realistic view of admissions, classes, clinicals, and progression after you get in, see how hard nursing school is. And if you are still comparing RN education pathways, use the registered nursing program guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common nursing school prerequisites?
Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, statistics or college math, English composition, and sometimes chemistry, nutrition, sociology, communication, or lifespan development. The exact list varies by program.
Do nursing prerequisites expire?
Some do, especially sciences, but there is no national expiration period. Current official examples on this page use different windows, while some reviewed pathways do not publish a calendar expiration rule.
Do nursing schools accept online science labs?
Some do and some do not. Bellevue currently accepts online and in-person prerequisite labs for 2026-27, while UConn's transfer BSN and D'Youville's ABSN publish restrictions against online labs. If a program does not publish a clear rule, ask before enrolling.
Can I apply with prerequisites still in progress?
It depends. Austin Community College's traditional ADN requires prerequisites complete by the application deadline. Bellevue permits one in-progress prerequisite. UW-Madison and UNR allow more pending work under specific limits.
If my university accepts a transfer course, does the nursing program have to accept it?
No. General transfer credit and nursing prerequisite equivalency can be separate decisions. Confirm the course against the nursing program's own requirement.
Are there nursing schools with no prerequisites?
Some programs let students enter without prior college prerequisite courses because foundational coursework is integrated into the degree. Others use "no prerequisites" to mean something narrower, such as no entrance exam. Verify exactly what the phrase means.
Does meeting the prerequisites mean I will get in?
No. Prerequisites generally establish eligibility to be considered. Programs can also use competitive ranking, exams, essays, interviews, cohort capacity, or other criteria.
Sources and Verification Notes
Program policies were independently rechecked against current primary sources on October 7, 2026. When a live admissions page conflicted with an older catalog page, this article used the current admissions page and avoided presenting the older rule as current.
- Bellevue College Nursing: ADN prerequisites, application instructions, and prerequisite validation.
- Southwestern College: ADN prerequisites and recency rules and 2025-27 course-equivalency grid.
- Austin Community College: Traditional Track application process.
- UW-Madison School of Nursing: BSN prerequisites, traditional BSN eligibility, and ABSN eligibility.
- Montana State University: traditional BSN application requirements and ABSN requirements.
- University of Nevada, Reno: traditional BSN prerequisite checklist and ABSN requirements.
- University of Connecticut: Traditional BSN transfer and change-of-major requirements.
- D'Youville University: Accelerated BSN admission requirements.
- Federal Student Aid: 2026-27 FSA Handbook, school-determined requirements and preparatory coursework.
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