Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs move quickly. Prerequisite courses help students build the science, math, and communication knowledge they will need before starting nursing coursework and clinical training.
Most ABSN programs require anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics, and several courses in the behavioral or social sciences. Many also require chemistry and nutrition. However, each nursing school sets its own course list, minimum grades, lab rules, and time limits.
This guide explains the most common ABSN prerequisites and shows you how to compare requirements before you register for a course.
Important: Treat every course list on this page as a general guide. The admissions office at each nursing school makes the final decision about whether a course satisfies its requirements.
What Are ABSN Prerequisites?
ABSN prerequisites are college courses that students must complete before beginning an accelerated nursing curriculum. They usually cover subjects that nursing faculty expect students to understand on the first day of the program.
Prerequisites serve three main purposes:
- They provide a foundation in human biology, disease, nutrition, and data interpretation.
- They help schools assess whether an applicant can succeed in a demanding science-based program.
- They allow the accelerated curriculum to focus on nursing theory, skills, clinical practice, and preparation for the NCLEX-RN.
Most second-degree ABSN programs require a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree. A smaller number of accelerated or upper-division BSN pathways admit students who have completed a set number of college credits without earning a bachelor’s degree. Read our guide to whether you need a prior degree for an ABSN for a closer look at these admission models.
Common ABSN Prerequisite Courses
The following table reflects courses that often appear in ABSN admission requirements. It is not a universal checklist.
| Course | Common credit range | Is a lab commonly required? |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology I | 3–4 credits | Usually |
| Anatomy and Physiology II | 3–4 credits | Usually |
| Microbiology | 3–4 credits | Often |
| General Chemistry | 3–4 credits | Often |
| Statistics | 3 credits | No |
| Nutrition | 3 credits | No |
| Human Growth and Development | 3 credits | No |
| General Psychology | 3 credits | No |
| Sociology | 3 credits | No |
| English Composition | 3–6 credits | No |
Some schools require all of these courses. Others use a shorter list or accept alternate subjects. Additional requirements may include college algebra, biology, biochemistry, ethics, pathophysiology, or a second social science course.
For example, Penn Nursing’s accelerated entry program lists chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology with labs, plus nutrition, statistics, and lifespan development. Its published requirements call for a grade of C or higher. This example shows a common pattern, but it does not define the requirements at other schools. Review the current Penn Nursing prerequisites for the full policy.
Science Prerequisites
Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Anatomy examines the structures of the human body. Physiology explains how those structures function. A two-course sequence commonly covers cells, tissues, and major body systems, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive systems.
These courses support later work in health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing. Many schools require both lecture and laboratory components.
Before enrolling, confirm whether your target program accepts:
- A combined Anatomy and Physiology I and II sequence
- Separate anatomy and physiology courses
- A course intended for health-science majors
- An online or virtual laboratory
The course title alone may not prove equivalency. Schools may review the catalog description or syllabus before approving it.
Microbiology
Microbiology covers bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, immunity, infection, and methods used to control microorganisms. The course supports nursing topics such as infection prevention, specimen collection, antimicrobial treatment, and patient safety.
Many programs require a microbiology lab, but policies differ. Check the required credit hours and lab format before registering.
Chemistry
Some ABSN programs require general chemistry with a lab. Others accept an introductory chemistry course or require biochemistry instead. A few programs do not list chemistry as a separate prerequisite.
Chemistry helps students understand concepts related to fluids, electrolytes, acid-base balance, metabolism, and medications. Ask the nursing school which chemistry sequence it accepts if your transcript includes a course created for non-science majors.
Other Possible Science Courses
A program may also require or recommend:
- General biology
- Biochemistry
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Do not assume that an advanced course can replace an introductory prerequisite. A nursing school may still require the exact introductory subject listed in its admission policy.
Math, Nutrition, and Behavioral Science Prerequisites
Statistics
Statistics introduces data analysis, probability, sampling, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Nurses use these concepts when reading clinical research and applying evidence to patient care.
Programs may accept statistics taught through a math, psychology, sociology, business, or health-science department. Approval depends on course content, so verify an alternate statistics course before taking it.
Nutrition
Nutrition courses examine nutrients, digestion, metabolism, dietary needs, and the relationship between food and health. Some programs require nutrition, while others recommend it or include the subject in the nursing curriculum.
Human Growth and Development
This course examines physical, cognitive, and social development across the lifespan. A qualifying course often must cover development from birth through older adulthood. A child-development course may not satisfy a lifespan requirement.
Psychology and Sociology
General psychology introduces behavior, cognition, learning, and mental health. Sociology examines groups, institutions, culture, and social conditions. These subjects help future nurses understand how human behavior and social factors can affect health and care.
English and Communication
Some programs require English composition, public speaking, or interpersonal communication. These courses support clinical documentation, patient education, teamwork, and professional communication.
What Grades Do You Need in ABSN Prerequisites?
Minimum grades vary by school and sometimes by subject. A program may require a C in every prerequisite, while another may set a higher standard for anatomy, physiology, microbiology, or chemistry. Some schools also calculate a separate prerequisite or science GPA.
Meeting the published minimum does not guarantee admission. ABSN cohorts often have limited seats, so grades above the minimum can make an application more competitive.
When reviewing a program, record all three standards:
- The minimum grade for each prerequisite
- The minimum cumulative or undergraduate GPA
- Any separate science or prerequisite GPA
Also check how the school treats repeated courses. Some schools use the most recent grade, while others consider every attempt or calculate their own GPA from all transcripts.
Do ABSN Prerequisites Expire?
Some programs place a time limit on science prerequisites. Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and chemistry are the courses most likely to have an age limit. A school may require them to have been completed within five, seven, or ten years of enrollment. Other schools do not publish a recency rule.
The date may be measured from the start of the ABSN program, not the application date. This detail can affect applicants whose courses sit close to the cutoff.
If a science course is older than the stated limit, ask whether the program offers an exception, competency exam, or approved refresher course. Get the answer in writing before relying on an older course.
Can You Take ABSN Prerequisites Online?
Many schools accept online lecture courses from accredited colleges. Online laboratory policies vary more widely. A program may accept a virtual lab, require an in-person lab, or review the course individually.
Before paying for an online science course, send the admissions office:
- The institution’s name
- The course number and title
- The number of lecture and lab credits
- The catalog description
- The syllabus or lab format, if requested
Ask for written confirmation that the course will satisfy the prerequisite. Approval from one ABSN program does not mean another program will accept the same course.
Can You Complete Prerequisites at a Community College?
Many ABSN programs accept prerequisite courses from accredited community colleges. Community colleges can provide lower tuition, smaller classes, evening schedules, and in-person labs.
The nursing school still controls transfer approval. Confirm the course equivalency before enrollment, especially for anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and lifespan development.
If a school publishes a transfer-equivalency database or prerequisite planning sheet, use it as your first reference. Contact admissions when the course does not appear in the database or when its title differs from the stated requirement.
Can You Apply With Prerequisites in Progress?
Some ABSN programs allow applicants to apply while one or more prerequisites are in progress. Admission may remain conditional until the school receives a final transcript showing the required grade. Other programs require every prerequisite to be complete before the application deadline.
Check four dates for each school:
- Application deadline
- Recommended deadline for prerequisite completion
- Final deadline for submitting grades
- Program start or orientation date
An in-progress course can affect when a school reviews your application. Ask whether the program limits the number of outstanding prerequisites at the time of application.
Do AP, IB, CLEP, or International Credits Count?
Policies for exam and international credit differ by institution.
A school may accept Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or CLEP credit if the credit and course subject appear on an official college transcript. It may also limit the number of exam credits or exclude laboratory sciences. Emory Nursing, for example, states that it accepts up to 12 AP, IB, or CLEP credits when the credit appears on a college transcript. Review Emory Nursing’s current admissions FAQs for its complete rule.
Applicants with international coursework may need a course-by-course credential evaluation from an approved service. Ask the program which evaluation companies it accepts and whether it needs course descriptions translated into English.
How to Build an ABSN Prerequisite Plan
1. Choose Several Target Programs
Start with three to five programs that fit your location, schedule, cost, and start-date needs. Use our ABSN program directory to begin your search.
2. Create a Comparison Worksheet
Use one row for each requirement and one column for each school.
| Item to compare | Program 1 | Program 2 | Program 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required course and credits | |||
| Lab required? | |||
| Minimum course grade | |||
| Course-age limit | |||
| Online course accepted? | |||
| Online lab accepted? | |||
| May be in progress when applying? | |||
| AP, IB, or CLEP accepted? | |||
| Preapproval received? |
This comparison can prevent you from choosing a course that works for one school but not another.
3. Request a Transcript Review
Do not decide equivalency based only on a similar course title. Ask each program to review your unofficial transcript and any uncertain course descriptions. Save email approvals for your records.
4. Schedule Courses in a Sensible Order
Complete foundational courses before advanced ones. Avoid stacking several lab sciences into one short term if that load could hurt your grades. Students who work full time or have family duties may need two or more terms to finish the sequence.
5. Leave Time for Transcripts
Build extra time into your plan for final grades, official transcript processing, application verification, and any requested course reviews. A course that ends just before orientation may leave little room to correct a problem.
How Much Do ABSN Prerequisites Cost?
The total cost depends on the number of courses you still need, the college you attend, your residency status, lab fees, textbooks, and transcript fees. A student who needs one course will have a very different cost from a student who needs a full science sequence.
Compare the full price of each option, including:
- Tuition per credit
- Laboratory and online-course fees
- Textbooks or access codes
- Application and transcript fees
- Travel or parking for in-person labs
Federal aid can be limited for students who take prerequisites as non-degree students. Ask the financial aid office at the school offering the courses whether your enrollment qualifies for aid. Do not assume that grants or federal loans will cover standalone prerequisites.
Common Prerequisite Mistakes
Avoid these common planning errors:
- Registering for a science course without the required lab
- Assuming every program accepts online labs
- Taking a child-development course when the school requires lifespan development
- Using an old science course without checking the program’s time limit
- Assuming a passing grade meets the nursing school’s minimum
- Relying on a course title instead of obtaining an equivalency review
- Applying with too many unfinished prerequisites
- Forgetting to send transcripts from every college attended
- Assuming AP, IB, CLEP, or international credit will transfer automatically
ABSN Prerequisite Checklist
Before you submit an application, confirm that you have:
- Identified the exact prerequisite list for each target program
- Matched every prior course to a requirement
- Confirmed required lecture and laboratory credits
- Checked minimum grades and GPA rules
- Reviewed course-age limits
- Verified online course and online lab policies
- Received approval for uncertain transfer courses
- Recorded deadlines for unfinished prerequisites
- Requested transcripts from every college attended
- Checked whether the program requires an entrance exam, essay, references, or healthcare experience
Frequently Asked Questions
How many prerequisites do ABSN programs require?
There is no standard number. Some applicants have already completed many requirements through their first degree, while others need several science and behavioral-science courses. Compare your transcript with each school’s current list.
Can I start an ABSN without completing every prerequisite?
Usually, no. Some schools let students apply or receive conditional admission with courses in progress, but the courses generally must be complete before enrollment or orientation.
Is a C enough for ABSN prerequisites?
It depends on the program and course. Some schools accept a C, while others require a C+, B-, or higher for selected sciences. A grade that meets the minimum may still be below the level earned by competitive applicants.
Should I retake a prerequisite if I earned a low grade?
A retake may help if your grade falls below a program’s minimum, the course has expired, or you want to improve a weak science record. Ask each school how it calculates repeated courses before deciding.
What if two ABSN programs require different courses?
Plan for the combined requirements if you intend to apply to both. Obtain written approval before using one course to satisfy differently worded requirements.
Plan Before You Enroll
ABSN prerequisite planning starts with the schools, not with a generic course list. Compare several programs, identify the requirements they share, and obtain approval for any course that is uncertain. This process can save time, protect your application options, and help you enter an accelerated nursing program with a stronger academic foundation.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Prerequisite policies can change. Confirm all courses, grades, lab formats, and deadlines directly with each nursing school before enrolling.