Master of Nursing Prerequisites

COVID-19 Pandemic: Changes to Prerequisite Grade Requirements

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stress imposed on students, the Admissions Committee will accept S/N grades for prerequisite courses from the Spring 2020 semester.  To be a more competitive applicant, it is encouraged for students to complete prerequisite courses A-F. For all other semesters, prerequisite courses must be taken A-F. If you have further questions, please email gophernursing@umn.edu.

Prerequisites

The first step in applying to the program is to understand the prerequisites. There are 9 prerequisites for the Master of Nursing program:

  • General Chemistry*
  • Microbiology*
  • Lifespan Growth & Development
  • Human Anatomy*
  • Pathology*
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Human Physiology*
  • Human Nutrition
  • Inferential Statistics

You must have five (5) of the prerequisites complete by the November 1 application deadline. If you do not have a strong science background in your previous coursework, we recommend that at least 3 of the 5 courses be in the sciences (see the starred courses above). All 9 prerequisites must be complete prior to the start of the program. You may take the courses in either an online or classroom format at any accredited college or university. All prerequisite courses must be taken for a grade and you must earn a C+ or better to fulfill the requirement. The admissions committee does prefer upperlevel or graduate courses if possible; however it’s not required.

To verify if a class transfers to the University of Minnesota, you may use the online course transfer system at https://transferology.com. Please note that our prerequisites satisfy requirements for nursing licensure in the state of Minnesota. Other states may require lab components with anatomy, physiology, or microbiology courses in order to be licensed in that state. Please check the board of nursing requirements in the state in which you plan to apply for licensure after passing the NCLEX.

MN Planning Guide

If you have completed a course that is not listed within the prerequisites below and you are unsure if they meet the requirements, please email GopherNursing@umn.edu with a course syllabus. If there are courses you have completed that encompass content that could relate to one or more prerequisites, you may complete a Course Equivalency Petition to have your course(s) reviewed. 

General Chemistry (minimum 3 credits)

General Chemistry (minimum 3 credits)

Courses designed to prepare students for college-level chemistry or survey courses are not adequate. Biochemistry or organic/inorganic chemistry courses are not appropriate either. Choose a course that is a college-level general chemistry course or one designed for pre-health professions majors. A lab is not required, but may be helpful.

Accepted courses at the U of M-Twin Cities: CHEM 1015, CHEM 1061

Human Anatomy (minimum 3 credits)

Human Anatomy (minimum 3 credits)

Covering all aspects of human anatomy; a lab is not required, but may be helpful. Some schools combine anatomy and physiology and offer a 2-course series (i.e. Anatomy & Physiology I & II). At these schools you must take both courses to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements. Comparative or animal anatomy courses do not fulfill the prerequisite.

Accepted courses at the U of M-Twin Cities: ANAT 3001, ANAT 3301, ANAT 3601, ANAT 3611, KIN 3027

Human Physiology (minimum 3 credits)

Human Physiology (minimum 3 credits)

Covering all aspects of human physiology; a lab is not required. The course cannot be older than 10 years at the time of entry into the program. Some schools combine anatomy and physiology and offer a 2-course series (i.e. Anatomy & Physiology I & II). At these schools you must take both courses to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements. Comparative or animal physiology courses do not fulfill the prerequisite.

Accepted courses at the U of M-Twin Cities: PHSL 3050, PHSL 3051, PHSL 3061, KIN 3385, PHAR 3601

Microbiology (minimum 3 credits)

Microbiology (minimum 3 credits)

Covers principles of microbiology; a lab is strongly recommended but not required. An appropriate course will include all or most of the following: bacterial metabolism, growth, and genetics; biology of viruses and fungi; control of microorganisms; host-microbe interactions; microorganisms and disease; applied microbiology. Molecular/cellular biology or immunology courses are not appropriate. Course cannot be older than 10 years at the time of entry into the program.

Accepted courses at the U of M-Twin Cities: FSCN 2021, VBS 2032, MICB 3301

Lifespan, Growth & Development (minimum 3 credits)

Lifespan, Growth & Development (minimum 3 credits)

This is a developmental psychology course and must cover the entire human lifespan (infancy through older adult).

Accepted course at the U of M-Twin Cities: NURS 2001, NURS 3690 + 3691

Human Nutrition (minimum 2 credits, 3 preferred)

Human Nutrition (minimum 2 credits, 3 preferred)

A nutrition course that addresses topics such as essential nutrients needed from the diet; major functions of nutrients and physiological changes with deficiency or excess; digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients; scientific method and nutrition; food safety issues. Courses that only discuss topics such as diet fads are not appropriate.
Accepted course at the U of M-Twin Cities: FSCN 1112

Human Pathology (minimum 3 credits)

Human Pathology (minimum 3 credits)

A course covering general and organ system pathology. An appropriate course will include all or most of the following: understanding human disease as an alteration of normal structure and function; understanding the concepts and underlying general pathology, and correlating these patterns with specific diseases in different organ systems; becoming familiar with common terms used in clinical medicine and pathology and the frequently used suffixes and prefixes, e.g., - itis, -emia, dys-, as in dysplasia, etc.; being able to, for each of the systems delineated (e.g., the cardiovascular system): indicate the common diseases of the system, inherited, infectious, neoplastic, etc.; explaining the primary features of each disease; and understanding the interdependence of anatomic and functional systems. It is sometimes called pathophysiology. The course cannot be older than 10 years at the time of entry into the program. An upper-division course is recommended.

Accepted courses at the U of M-Twin Cities: LAMP 4177, PUBH 6355

Abnormal Psychology (minimum 3 credits)

Abnormal Psychology (minimum 3 credits)

Overview of a wide range of mental disorders as well as descriptive information including prevalence rates, ages of onset, and cultural differences. General psychology does not fulfill this requirement.

Accepted course at the U of M-Twin Cities: PSY 3604, CPSY 4311

Inferential Statistics (minimum 3 credits)

Inferential Statistics (minimum 3 credits)

This course is a specific prerequisite for the graduate-level research course taken during the MN program. The appropriate course must include methods of statistical estimation and inference (hypothesis testing). It may also include some or all of the following: sampling methods, experimental design, data exploration (e.g., using graphical and numerical summaries), data modeling and simulation, normal distributions, sampling distributions, correlation, and simple linear regression. Additional topics may include measures of center and spread and experimental design. It is strongly recommended that the course be taken at the upper-division or graduate level.

Accepted courses at the U of M-Twin Cities: EPSY 5261, EPSY 3264, STAT 3011, PSY 3801, SOC 3811

The prerequisite guides can help you find courses that will fulfill MN requirements.  Please note that these documents are meant simply as a guide in choosing coursework.

 

Minnesota 4-Year Colleges and Universities

University of Minnesota System

University of Minnesota System

Prereq CourseTwin CitiesCrookstonDuluthMorrisRochester
General ChemistryCHEM 1015 or 1061CHEM 1001 or 1061Chem 1113 or 1153 or 1173CHEM 1101CHEM 2331 or CHEM 1331 & 1333
MicrobiologyFSCN 2021 or VBS 2032 or MICB 3301BIOL 2032BIOL 3502 or BIOL 4501BIOL 4111BIOL 3344
Human AnatomyANAT 3001 or 3301 or 3601 or 3611 or KIN 3027BIOL 2103BIOL 3771 or BIOL 2769 or HLTH 2030BIOL 2102BIOL 2331
Human PhysiologyPHSL 3050 or 3051 or 3061 or KIN 3385 or PHAR 3601BIOL 2104BIOL 3772 or HLTH 2040BIOL 2103BIOL 2232
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyLAMP 4177 or PUBH 6355NoneNoneNoneNone
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentNURS 2001 or NURS 3690 AND 3691PSY 1093PSY 2021PSY 2411 or PSY 3401 AND PSY 3402 AND 3403PSY 3510
Abnormal PsychologyPSY 3604 or CPSY 4311PSY 3604PSY 3121PSY 3313PSY 3512
Human NutritionFSCN 1112HSCI 1123HLTH 1470BIOL 1002None
Inferential StatsEPSY 5261 or 3264 or STAT 3011 or PSY 3801 or SOC 3811MATH 1150STAT 2411STAT 1601 or 2601MATH 1161

Public Institutions

Public Institutions

CourseBemidji StateMSU-MankatoMSU-MoorheadMetro StateSt. Cloud StateSW MN StateWinona State
General ChemistryCHEM 1100 AND 1110 AND 1111 AND 1112CHEM 201CHEM 150CHEM 102 or 111CHEM 210CHEM 231CHEM 212
MicrobiologyBIOL 3710BIOL 270BIOL 350HBIO 205BIOL 362BIOL 303/LBIOL 209
Human AnatomyBIOL 2110BIOL 220BIOL 323HBIO 201BIOL 202BIOL 305/LBIOL 211 or 322
Human PhysiologyNoneBIOL 330BIOL 349HBIO 202BIOL 204BIOL 306/LBIOL 212 or 323
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneHERS 368
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSY 3237KSP 235 or PSYC 433 AND 436 AND 466PSY 202PSYC 311CEEP 262 or PSY 240PSYC 340 or PSYC 341/HLTH 410 AND PSYC 343PSY 250
Abnormal PsychologyPSY 2217PSYC 455PSY 463PSYC 300PSY 490PSYC 335PSY 420
Human NutritionHLTH 3300FCS 140 or 242NoneNoneHLTH 210BIOL 377BIO 206
Inferential StatsSTAT 3660MATH 354MATH 232STAT 201STAT 219MATH 200PSY 231

Private Institutions A-C

Private Institutions A-C

CourseAugsburgBethelCarletonConcordia UnivConcordia Moorhead
General ChemistryCHM 115CHE 113CHEM 122 or 123 or 128CHE 115CHEM 111 or 125 or 127 or 129
MicrobiologyBIO 476/LBIO 230BIOL 234BIO 300BIOL 407
Human AnatomyBIO 103/LBIO 214NoneBIO 315BIOL 306
Human PhysiologyNoneBIO 216BIOL 332BIO 316None
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSY 250 AND 252 AND 253PSY 203 or PSY 206 AND 211NonePSY 230PSYC 206S
Abnormal PsychologyPSY 262PSY 300PSYC 254PSY 360PSYC 357
Human NutritionNoneCHE 106NoneNone FND 321
Inferential StatsMath 248MAT 330MATH 215PSY 380PSYC 230

Private Institutions G-N

Private Institutions G-N

CourseGustavus AdolphusHamlineMacalesterNorthwestern (Univ. of)
General ChemistryCHE 107CHEM 1130CHEM 111 or 115CHE 1006 or 1021
MicrobiologyBIO 380BIOL 5550BIOL 358BIO 3145
Human AnatomyHES 234BIOL 3200NoneBIO 3157
Human PhysiologyHES 235BIOL 3250BIOL 367BIO 3158
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneBIO 3159
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSY 234 AND 334PSY 1440PSYC 250PSY 2108
Abnormal PsychologyPSY 241PSY 1480PSYC 252PSY 3207
Human NutritionNUR 239NoneNoneNone
Inferential StatsMCS 142MATH 1200MATH 155MAT 2055

Private Institutions S

Private Institutions S

CourseSt. Bens/St. JohnsSt. CatherineSt. Mary'sSt. OlafSt. ScholasticaSt. Thomas
General ChemistryCHEM 125CHEM 101 or 1110C 131CHEM 121 or 123 or 125CHM 1110CHEM 111 or 115
MicrobiologyBIOL 212BIOL 2200B 434BIO 231BIO 2020 AND 2021BIOL 356
Human AnatomyBIOL 325BIOL 2400, BIOL 2510B 305BIOL 243BIO 2110BIOL 349 or EXSC 213
Human PhysiologyBIOL 326BIOL 2410, BIOL 2520B 313BIOL 243BIO 2120BIOL 350 or EXSC 214
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneNoneNSG 3370 or BIO 3020None
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 360PSYC 2025PY 211PSYC 241PSY 2208PSYC 202 or PSYC 200 AND 203 AND 204
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 381PSYC 3010PY 220PSYC 247PSY 3423PSYC 301
Human NutritionNUTR 125FSNU 4300NoneESTH 110HSC 2201HLTH 345
Inferential StatsMATH 124PSYC 2050, MATH 1080St 132STAT 212PSY 2335STAT 220

Minnesota 2-Year Colleges

A-D

A-D

CourseAlexandria TechAnoka-RamseyAnoka TechCentral Lakes CollegeCentury CollegeDakota County Tech
General ChemistryCHEM 1405CHEM 1020 or 1061NoneCHEM 1414 or 1424CHEM 1020 or 1041CHEM 1500
MicrobiologyBIOL 2225BIOL 2201BIOL 2106BIOL 2457BIOL 2035BIOL 2020
Human AnatomyBIOL 1417BIOL 2113BIOL 2100BIOL 2467BIOL 2031BIOL 2000
Human PhysiologyBIOL 1419BIOL 2114BIOL 2200BIOL 2468BIOL 2032BIOL 2010
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 1405PSYC 2235 or PSYC 2215 AND 2225PSYC 1405PSYC 2431PSYC 1041 or PSYC 2043 AND 2044 AND 2045PSYC 1350 or PSYC 1300AND 1400 AND 1450
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 1410PSYC 2250PSYC 1605PSYC 2470PSYC 2021PSYC 1200
Human NutritionBIOL 1435HPER 1112HYPER 1112BIOL 1420HLTH 1070EXER 1050
Inferential StatsMATH 1445MATH 1110, MATH 1114MATH 1550MATH 1460MATH 1025MATS 1251

F-L

F-L

CourseFond Du Lac Tribal CollegeHennepin TechHibbing CCInver Hills CC Itasca CCLake Superior College
General ChemistryCHEM 1001 or 1010CHEM 2000CHEM 1610CHEM 1010 or 1061CHEM 1101 or 1201CHEM 1210
MicrobiologyBIOL 2010BIOL 2235BIOL 1120BIOL 2205 or 2305BIOL 1111BIOL 1170
Human AnatomyBIOL 2020BIOL 2115BIOL 1250 or 2140BIOL 2201BIOL 2101BIOL 1140 or 1150
Human PhysiologyBIOL 2021BIOL 2215BIOL 1260 or 2151BIOL 2202BIOL 2102BIOL 1141 or 1160
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyBIOL 2015NoneNoneNoneNoneBIOL 2170
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 2010PSYC 2310PSYC 1350PSYC 1210 or PSYC 1215 AND 1220PSYC 1201PSYC 1135
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 2030PSYC 2330PSYC 1400PSYC 2250PSYC 2106PSYC 1140
Human NutritionBIOL 2005NoneHLTH 2010HLTH 1110HLTH 1202HPER 1302
Inferential StatsMATH 1030MATH 2150MATH 2010MATH 1103NoneMATH 2210

M

M

CourseMesabi Range CTCMCTCMN State CTCMN West CTC
General ChemistryCHEM 1511 or 1522CHEM 1020 or 1151CHEM 1111CHEM 1101 or 1150
MicrobiologyBIOL 2535BIOL 2230 AND 2231, BIOL 2235BIOL 2267BIOL 2270
Human AnatomyBIOL 2551BIOL 2224BIOL 2260 AND 2261BIOL 2201
Human PhysiologyBIOL 2552BIOL 2225BIOL 2262 AND 2263BIOL 2202
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneHLTH 2208None
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 2567 or PSYC 2565 AND 2555PSYC 2240PSYC 2222PSYC 1150
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 2558PSYC 2250PSYC 2220PSYC 2221
Human NutritionHLTH 2459BIOL 1120BIOl 2202HLTH 2240
Inferential StatsSTAT 2551MATH 1140 or 1150MATH 1213MATH 1105

N

N

CourseNormandaleNorth HennepinNorthland CTCNorthwest Tech
General ChemistryCHEM 1020 or 1061CHEM 1010 or 1061CHEM 1121 or 2205CHEM 1100
MicrobiologyBIOL 2204 or 2043BIOL 2210BIOL 2221None
Human AnatomyBIOL 2041BIOL 2111BIOL 2252BIOL 2252
Human PhysiologyBIOL 2042BIOL 2112BIOL 2254BIOL 2254
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneHLTH 2208HLTH 2208
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 2210 or PSYC 1109 AND 1220PSYC 1210 AND 1220 or PSYC 1250PSYC 2201PSYC 2201
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 2200PSYC 2320PSYC 2215PSYC 2220
Human NutritionHLTH 1107HLTH 1070BIOL 2131BIOL 1131 or 2131
Inferential StatsMATH 1080MATH 1130MATH 2203None

P-R

P-R

CoursePine TechRainy River CCRidgewater CollegeRiverland CCRochester CTC
General ChemistryCHEM 1250CHEM 1090CHEM 102 or 151CHEM 1201CHEM 1117 or 1127
MicrobiologyBIOL 1255BIOL 2300BIOL 215BIOL 2040BIOL 2021
Human AnatomyBIOL 1260BIOL 2000 or 2100BIOL 210 or 212BIOL 2021BIOL 1217
Human PhysiologyBIOL 1270BIOL 2200 or 2010BIOL 211 or 213BIOL 2022BIOL 1218
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneBIOL 2050None
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 1250 or HEOP 1231PSYC 2400PSYC 263PSYC 1240PSYC 2626
Abnormal PsychologyNonePSYC 2300PSYC 275PSYC 1250PSYC 2622
Human NutritionBIOL 1217 or HEOP 1217HLTH 1850 or 2100PUBH 107BIOL 1070, BIOL 2020NUTR 1211
Inferential StatsMATH 1265MATH 2200MATH 201MATH 2021MATH 2208

S-Z

S-Z

CourseSouth Central CollegeSoutheast TechSt. Cloud TechSt. Paul CollegeVermilion CC
General ChemistryCHEM 108 or 120CHEM 2530CHEM 1340CHEM 1700 or 1711CHEM 1511 or 1551
MicrobiologyBIOL 270BIOL 2530BLGY 2330BIOL 2750None
Human AnatomyBIOL 220 or 225BIOL 2511 or 2515BLGY 2310BIOL 2721BIOL 2551
Human PhysiologyBIOL 230 or 235BIOL 2512 or 2516BLGY 2320BIOL 2722BIOL 2552
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyBIOL 240NoneNoneMEDS 1570None
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 110PSYC 2515PSYC 1304PSYC 1720PSYC 2567
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 230PSYC 2525PSYC 2310PSYC 1740PSYC 2558
Human NutritionFCS 105BIOL 2526BLGY 1325BIOL 1760HLTH 1460
Inferential StatsMATH 154MATH 2530MATH 1350MATH 1740MATH 1546

University of Wisconsin System

E-L

E-L

CourseEau ClaireGreen BayLa Crosse
General ChemistryCHEM 103 or 115CHEM 108 or 211CHEM 103
MicrobiologyBIOL 250HUM BIOL 328MIC 230
Human AnatomyBIOL 214HUM BIOL 204BIO 312
Human PhysiologyBIOL 314HUM BIOL 402BIO 313
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNone
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 230HUM DEV 210 or HUM DEV 331 AND 332 AND 343 AND HUM 344PSY 212
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 251PSYCH 435PSY 204
Human NutritionBIOL 196NUT SCI 300NUT 200
Inferential StatsMATH 246MATH 260MTH 145

M

M

CourseMadisonMilwaukee
General ChemistryCHEM 103 or 109 or 115CHEM 101 or 102
MicrobiologyMICRO BIO 101 AND 102BIO SCI 383
Human AnatomyANT 328BIO SCI 202
Human PhysiologyPHYSIOL 335 or 435BIO SCI 203
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyPATH 404HS 301 AND 302 AND 303 AND 304 AND 305 or HS 701
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentED PSYCH 320 AND 121/321 ANDHDFS 363 or ED PSYCH 331 AND ED HDFS 363 or HDFS 362 AND HDFS 363HCA 203 or NURS 203
Abnormal PsychologyPSYCH 509PSYCH 412
Human NutritionNUTR SCI 132CL SCI 332
Inferential StatsSTAT 301MTHSTAT 215

O-R

O-R

CourseOshkoshParksidePlattevilleRiver Falls
General ChemistryCHEM 105CHEM 101CHEM 1050 or 1140CHEM 111 or CHEM 121
MicrobiologyBIOL 233BIOS 202BIOL 3240BIOL 324
Human AnatomyBIOL 211BIOS 105BIOL 2140BIOL 341
Human PhysiologyBIOL 212BIOS 106BIOL 2240BIOL 342
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneNone
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYCH 331 AND 338PSYC 210PSYCH 3130 AND 3230 AND 3990PSYC 245 or PSYC 335 AND 336
Abnormal PsychologyPSYCH 302 or 303PSYC 360PSYCH 4430PSYC 325
Human NutritionNoneNoneNoneNUTR 125
Inferential StatsMATH 201MATH 310 or PSYC 250MATH 1830MATH 226

S-W

S-W

CourseStevens PointStoutSuperiorWhitewater
General ChemistryCHEM 105CHEM 115 or 135CHEM 105CHEM 102
MicrobiologyBIOL 333BIO 306BIOL 355BIOL 311
Human AnatomyBIOL 387BIO 234BIOL 270BIOL 361
Human PhysiologyBIOL 385NoneBIOL 280BIOL 362
Human Pathology/PathophysiologyNoneNoneNoneNone
Lifespan Growth & DevelopmentPSYC 260HDFS 255 or 195 or HDFS 124 AND 325 AND 330 AND 340PSYC 372 AND 373EDFOUND 230
Abnormal PsychologyPSYC 351PSYC 361PSYC 362PSYC 345
Human NutritionFN 253NoneHLTH 366None
Inferential StatsMATH 355STAT 320MATH 130MATH 230