There is no universal list of nursing-school prerequisites.
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In 30 seconds
- 1Common prerequisites include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, math or statistics, English, psychology, and human development—but there is no universal list.
- 2Build a matrix from each program’s current catalog.
- 3Record grade, recency, lab, transfer, and repeat rules.
Prerequisite matrix · one school
“A&P required” is incomplete
Record every rule, then audit it before each registration period.
Course details
- Course number and lab
- Minimum grade
- Accepted equivalent
- Expiration window
- Number of attempts
- Completion deadline
Three GPAs
- Cumulative GPA
- Prerequisite GPA
- Science GPA
- Recalculated with the program’s rules
Non-course requirements
- TEAS or HESI
- CNA, healthcare hours, CPR
- Immunizations, background checks
- References, orientation, residency
Traffic-light audit
- Green: completed and verified
- Yellow: in progress or near expiration
- Red: missing, below minimum, or late
Courses are only the first layer. Confirm transfer equivalencies in writing before paying for an outside course.
Three GPAs. The GPA displayed by your current school is not necessarily the admission GPA.
Non-course requirements can have their own expiration dates and processing times.
Green, yellow, red. Review the matrix before every registration period.
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Create my free accountCourses are only the first layer
“A&P required” is incomplete. You need the course number, lab requirement, minimum grade, accepted equivalent, expiration window, number of attempts, and deadline by which it must be complete. Confirm transfer equivalencies in writing before paying for an outside course. Where the matrix fits in the whole application is in how to get into nursing school.
Track three different GPAs
Programs may examine cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, and science GPA differently. One may use all college attempts; another may replace a grade. Recalculate using the program's rules instead of assuming the GPA displayed by your current school is the admission GPA. Minimum, average, and cutoff GPAs are compared in what GPA you need for nursing school.
Sequence courses around learning, not only speed
A&P and chemistry foundations help with TEAS Science; math and English courses support the other sections. Finishing those foundations before serious TEAS prep can reduce duplicated work. But preserve application timing: a perfect course sequence that misses the application cycle is not optimal. The application timeline plans backward from the deadline.
Add non-course requirements to the same sheet
Track TEAS or HESI (see HESI A2 vs TEAS), CNA certification, healthcare hours, CPR, immunizations, background checks, references, orientation, information sessions, and residency rules. Requirements can have their own expiration dates and processing times.
Use a traffic-light audit
- Green: completed and verified under the current rule.
- Yellow: in progress, awaiting equivalency, or close to expiration.
- Red: missing, below the minimum, or scheduled after the deadline.
Review the matrix before every registration period. Policies and catalog years can change; your saved spreadsheet is a planning tool, not the authority.
Quick check · no scrolling back
A&P is complete but close to the program’s expiration window. Which light is it?
Common questions
What classes are usually required for nursing school?
Common requirements include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics or college math, English composition, psychology, and human development, but every program’s list differs.
Do nursing prerequisites expire?
Some programs set recency limits, especially for laboratory sciences. Others do not. Verify the catalog year and admissions policy that apply to your cycle.
Can I repeat a prerequisite?
Often yes, but programs may average attempts, use the latest or highest grade, deduct points, or cap repeats. Read the policy before enrolling again.
Is the TEAS a prerequisite?
Where required, the TEAS is usually an admissions requirement rather than a college course. Its deadline and attempt rules should be tracked alongside course prerequisites.