Critical First Step: Never enroll in online prerequisites without pre-approval from your target nursing schools. One email requesting confirmation can prevent thousands in wasted tuition and months of delayed nursing school entry.
Why Pre-Approval Is Non-Negotiable
The stakes are too high to assume your credits will transfer. Nursing school admission is competitive enough without discovering after completion that your carefully earned A in Anatomy & Physiology won't count.
Protects Your Investment
Ensures $500-2,000 in course costs won't be wasted on non-transferable credits
Saves Time
Prevents needing to retake prerequisites, which could delay nursing school entry by 6-12 months
Creates Documentation
Written approval serves as proof if policies change or admissions staff turnover occurs
Provides Peace of Mind
Study with confidence knowing your hard work will count toward nursing school admission
Step-by-Step Pre-Approval Process
Your Complete Pre-Approval Roadmap
- Identify ALL target nursing schools - List every program you're considering, even reach schools. Pre-approval takes minimal time, so cast a wide net.
- Find the right contact - Look for "Transfer Credit Evaluator," "Admissions Counselor," or "Academic Advisor" on the nursing department website.
- Craft your pre-approval request - Use our template email below to ensure you get complete information.
- Include all necessary details - Provider name (StraighterLine), course titles, course descriptions/syllabi, credit hours.
- Get written confirmation - Insist on email response, not just phone conversation. Save all correspondence.
- Verify lab requirements separately - Explicitly confirm virtual/at-home lab components are acceptable.
- Document everything - Create a folder with all emails, course descriptions, and confirmations for each school.
The Perfect Pre-Approval Email Template
Email Template
Subject: Pre-Approval Request for Online Prerequisite Courses
Dear [Admissions/Transfer Evaluator Name],
I am planning to apply to [Nursing Program Name] for [Semester/Year] and want to confirm that specific online prerequisite courses will be accepted for transfer credit.
Provider: StraighterLine (ACE-recommended courses)
Courses I plan to take:
- Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
- Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
- General Chemistry I with Lab (4 credits)
I have attached course descriptions from the provider. Could you please confirm:
- Will these courses transfer as credit toward nursing prerequisites?
- Are the at-home/virtual lab components acceptable?
- Will they satisfy specific requirements for [course names from your curriculum]?
- Are there any additional requirements for credit evaluation?
I would greatly appreciate written confirmation to ensure I'm making the right educational investment. Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Contact Information]
What to Do If You Don't Get Clear Answers
If You Receive Pre-Approval
- Save all emails in a dedicated folder
- Print physical copies as backup
- Proceed with confidence knowing credits will transfer
- Maintain documentation through application process
If Approval Is Unclear/Denied
- Request specific reasons for denial or hesitation
- Ask about alternatives - different providers they accept
- Consider other schools - StraighterLine has 180+ partners
- Escalate if needed - speak with department chair or dean
Understanding Timeline for Pre-Approval
Expect 3-10 business days for responses. Admissions offices receive high volumes of inquiries, especially near application deadlines. Follow up politely if you haven't heard back within two weeks.
Best time to request: 2-3 months before you plan to start prerequisites. This gives you time to pivot to different providers or schools if needed without delaying your timeline.
StraighterLine's Partner School Advantage
StraighterLine maintains direct partnerships with 180+ colleges and universities, including many nursing schools. At partner institutions, pre-approval is automatic—credits transfer without evaluation delays.
Partner School Benefits
Pre-Approved Transfer: No evaluation wait time
Guaranteed Acceptance: Written transfer agreements already in place
Course Equivalency Charts: Know exactly which StraighterLine courses meet each requirement
Check if your target school is a partner before starting the pre-approval process!
Common Pre-Approval Pitfalls to Avoid
Relying on Phone Conversations
Verbal confirmations don't protect you if staff turnover occurs or policies change. Always get written documentation via email.
Assuming Accreditation = Automatic Acceptance
While ACE credit is widely accepted, individual schools set their own transfer policies. Never skip verification.
Not Checking Lab Requirements
Some schools have specific requirements for lab format. Explicitly confirm virtual/at-home labs are acceptable.
Waiting Until After Course Completion
By then it's too late. Get approval BEFORE enrolling and paying tuition.
Pre-approval is the single most important step in taking online nursing prerequisites. It transforms uncertainty into confidence, protecting your time, money, and nursing school timeline.
Spending 30 minutes crafting pre-approval emails to your target schools can save you thousands of dollars and months of delays. Make it your absolute first step before enrolling in any online prerequisite course.