Prenursing Certificate Program
The prenursing certificate program admits students with an undergraduate degree who are seeking the courses required for admission to accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs and entry-level master's degree nursing programs. Students are advised to contact the schools in which they are interested before applying to ensure that the SPS program fulfills their requirements. This program is designed for career changers who do not have an extensive background in science.
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About the Prenursing Certificate Program
Prenursing Required Courses
All of the following courses are required:
- BIOL SCI 170 Concepts of Biology
- BIOL SCI 217 Physiology
- BIOL SCI 313 Human Anatomy
- BIOL SCI 316 Human Structure and Function
- BIOL SCI 317 Regional Human Anatomy Lab
- BIOL SCI 328 Microbiology
- CHEM 110 Quantitative Problem Solving for Chemistry
- CHEM 131 General Chemistry 1 (with lab, CHEM 141)
- CHEM 132 General Chemistry 2 (with lab, CHEM 142)
- CHEM 210-A Organic Chemistry I
- PSYCH 110 Introduction to Psychology
In addition to the program requirements, prenursing students have the option to take any of the courses offered at SPS as electives. Based upon federal financial aid requirements, elective courses are not eligible for financial aid.
For more information and current course schedule, see the Prenursing Courses page.
Transfer Credit Policy for Prenursing
Students in the Prenursing post-baccalaureate certificate program may transfer up to six semester hours, or nine quarter hours of academic credit. A transcript and grade of B or better are required for transferred courses in the prenursing program. Courses audited or taken with the pass/no credit option cannot be applied toward a certificate program. Courses earned for a bachelor's degree at SPS may not be applied retroactively toward certificate requirements. Required courses that have been completed in the past two years by students-at-large may be applied toward the completion of a certificate, subject to the approval of the admissions committee, and provided admission requirements for the program are met. All transfer credit must be approved before a student begins his or her course work at SPS.
Prenursing Tuition
Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
Admission for Prenursing
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Prenursing Registration Information
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
Prenursing Pre-Health Professional Student Group
Learn how students support one another through forums, resources and social networks on the Prenursing Pre-Health Professional Student Group page.
Prenursing Sample Course Plans
Review Sample Course Plans for the Prenursing Certificate Program offered by Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.