Age of prerequisites

Qtp2t RN · Apr 8, 2007

Anyone know, in general, if there's a cut-off for age of prereq classes? I'm considering a 2nd degree BSN program. My BA was completed in '99. Some of my science classes were taken as far back as '94.

Hi Mikeyk - First of all :welcome: to AllNurses.com! You'll find a wealth of great information and very helpful people here. As for your question, I've found that most 2nd degree BSN programs that I've come into contact with require that science pre-reqs such as A&P I, A&P II, & Micro be no more than 5 yrs. old upon matriculation into their programs. I think you'll find that this is pretty common.

I will begin an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program in September at Drexel Univ. Drexel did not apply age limits to the Chemistry pre-req or other pre-reqs such as statistics, ethics, sociology, developmental psych., english comp, etc. This is just my personal experience, but you should have access to this information either through each programs website, or by contacting an admissions assistant or advisor for each program.

Good luck in your quest & future career. Welcome to AllNurses.com!

~Cathy

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 8, 2007

Schools vary widely. The program I'm applying to (ADN) used to have an age limit of 10 years on science classes--but starting next year, they're moving the limit up so you have to have taken them within 8 years. There's no age limit on non-science classes.

smile123 · Apr 8, 2007

Anyone know, in general, if there's a cut-off for age of prereq classes? I'm considering a 2nd degree BSN program. My BA was completed in '99. Some of my science classes were taken as far back as '94.

As one other poster said, it depends on the school. Most schools I looked into gave a 5 year limit on science classes, but did not limit the non-science ones. (I also did a 2nd degree BSN program. I did have to take some science classes over again, but it was easier because I had had it before.) Talk to a counselor at school and look at the individual school's websites. Good luck!

Jules A, MSN · Apr 8, 2007

Hi,

I have also found that most want your sciences like Micro, A&Ps to be within 5 years but you may not have even taken them yet anyway. That said it is often negotiable. I've gotten quite a few ancient sciences accepted and some schools will let you do CLEPs or NLN type test out options. Good luck!

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Apr 8, 2007

I was very surprised when my school accepted my microbiology from 25 years ago. I bought a review guide anyway, and will use it when I need it in the other classes, but I am very happy not to have to take it again!

mikeyk · Apr 8, 2007

I like the sound of "negotiable" and "test out." :)

I have a boat load of science classes in my past. I did two years of Chiropractic School after my BA, which was already just a course or two short of a biology degree. GPA was ~3.6. I'm guessing it would come easier the second time around, but sure would be nice to brush-up instead of redo.

I'm in the odd situation of completely starting life over. So, where to live, work, what career and schools to consider are all wide open.

Pumpkin1621 · Apr 8, 2007

I heard 5 years also.

RNMom2010 · Apr 8, 2007

My school is actually making me repeat Human Growth and Development because I took it more than 5 years ago. Hopefully I will be IN the program before my science classes are that old!!

justme1972 · Apr 8, 2007

It depends on the school. I will say that most of the schools require the sciences like Biology, Chemistry, and AP I and II to be completed within the last 5 years.

At my school, 2 semesters of Biology was a pre-requisite to API and APII, and Chemistry only had to be taken in high school...so the Bio and Chem could be "old", but the AP classes had to be within the last 5 years because it is necessary to have a current working knowledge.