✅ Quick Answer: Yes, you can take most nursing prerequisites online, including sciences with virtual labs. However, always verify with your target nursing program that online courses will be accepted.
Online Nursing Prerequisites: What's Available
The expansion of accredited online education has made it possible to complete nearly all nursing prerequisites remotely, including science courses that traditionally required in-person labs.
Courses commonly available online:
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II - With virtual or at-home lab kits
- Microbiology - Virtual labs and at-home lab components
- General Chemistry - Online lectures with lab simulations or kits
- General Biology - Virtual dissections and experiments
- Psychology courses - Fully online with no lab requirement
- English Composition - Completely online
- Mathematics/Statistics - Fully online with proctored exams
- Sociology & Nutrition - Entirely online courses
How Do Online Science Labs Work?
Online science courses use several approaches for lab requirements:
- Virtual lab simulations - Computer-based experiments and interactive modules
- At-home lab kits - Materials shipped to you for hands-on experiments
- Hybrid options - Online lectures with occasional in-person lab sessions
- Virtual microscopy - High-resolution images and digital slides
Will Nursing Programs Accept Online Prerequisites?
The short answer: Most will, but verify first.
Since COVID-19, nursing programs have become significantly more accepting of online prerequisites. However, policies vary:
What Programs Look For
- Regional accreditation - Courses from regionally accredited institutions
- Equivalent rigor - Same content and credit hours as in-person courses
- Lab components included - Virtual or at-home labs that fulfill requirements
- Grades and GPA - Same grading standards as traditional courses
Always check with your specific nursing program before enrolling. Get written confirmation that online courses will be accepted.
Benefits of Taking Prerequisites Online
Flexibility
- Study on your own schedule around work and family
- No commute to campus saves time and money
- Self-paced options let you accelerate or slow down as needed
Accessibility
- Access courses not offered locally
- Complete prerequisites while living anywhere
- Avoid waitlists for popular in-person courses
Cost Savings
- Often lower tuition than traditional courses
- No transportation or parking costs
- Save on campus fees and commuting time
Top Online Prerequisite Providers
StraighterLine - Self-paced, affordable, widely accepted for transfer
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II
- Microbiology
- General Chemistry I & II
- General Biology
- All general education courses
Community Colleges - Many offer fully online sections of prerequisites
- Regionally accredited
- Guaranteed transfer within state systems
- Affordable in-state tuition
State University Systems - Online courses through public universities
- High transfer acceptance rate
- Established reputations
- Same faculty as in-person courses
Ensuring Your Online Courses Transfer
Step 1: Contact nursing program admissions - Ask specifically about online prerequisite acceptance and lab requirements.
Step 2: Check articulation agreements - Use resources like ASSIST.org (California) or your state's transfer equivalency database.
Step 3: Get pre-approval - Submit course syllabi to nursing program for approval before enrolling.
Step 4: Save all documentation - Keep syllabi, transcripts, and approval emails.
Tips for Success in Online Prerequisites
Stay disciplined: Create a consistent study schedule and stick to it. Online flexibility can become a trap without self-discipline.
Engage actively: Participate in discussion forums, attend virtual office hours, and connect with classmates.
Use all resources: Take advantage of virtual tutoring, recorded lectures, and supplementary materials.
Time management is crucial: Online courses require the same time commitment as in-person—plan for 9-12 hours per week per course.
💡 Take the Fast Track to Nursing with StraighterLine
StraighterLine makes completing your nursing prerequisites online simple and affordable. You can take accredited courses like Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry — all self-paced and designed to transfer easily.