Do you need to take the exact class?

[xInspiredx]

Hello! I was looking at some of the schools’ websites, and noticed that they wanted other courses (besides the general pre-reqs). I am also applying to the *Accelerated* BSN/MSN program, so my degree on top of that.

I had a question on whether or not you needed to take the EXACT class that the school states, or if you can somehow work around it.

For example, one school is requiring Human Development, but I didn’t know of this requirement beforehand. I’ve already taken Developmental Psychology, and it’d be pointless for me to take the Human Development class, since it’s practically the same thing.

However, I was just wondering how STRICT nursing schools can be with their requirements. Would they not accept that class (Developmental Psychology)? I tried to e-mail that school, but it’s been a very long time, and no reply. That’s why I was wondering if someone who has had experience with this could offer me some help.

Thank you!

[CuriousMe]

My school was pretty specific that it needed to be human development throughout the lifetime.....so, if covered the life span, they counted it.

Your best bet is to call the school and see what their specification is for the class.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I'd see an admissions councilor about that. They may very well accept the class.. you have to get your transcripts evaluated. I don't see why you'd have to retake it either... sometimes schools call the same class something different.

[xInspiredx]

^Thank you for the replies!

Well the Developmental Psychology course that I am taking right now covers up through adolescence.

However, there is a Human Development course (separate department) that covers Adulthood+Aging. Should I just take that class so I have covered the 'whole' lifespan?

[CuriousMe]

^Thank you for the replies!

Well the Developmental Psychology course that I am taking right now covers up through adolescence.

However, there is a Human Development course (separate department) that covers Adulthood+Aging. Should I just take that class so I have covered the 'whole' lifespan?

I could say yes.....but, my opinion really doesn't matter on this. Really, the only folks who can answer that question definitively....are the admission folks at the schools you are looking to apply to.

[xInspiredx]

^Ok, thank you. :)

I found a psychology course on the whole span at a community college, and it's offered online (as well as physically going to the class).

Generally speaking, are online courses accepted by nursing schools? Would it be looked down upon? For convenience sake, I'd much rather take it online, and especially since it's not really a hardcore science course. However, I just don't want them to reject the online course, since online courses are different than the actual classroom.

[CuriousMe]

^Ok, thank you. :)

I found a psychology course on the whole span at a community college, and it's offered online (as well as physically going to the class).

Generally speaking, are online courses accepted by nursing schools? Would it be looked down upon? For convenience sake, I'd much rather take it online, and especially since it's not really a hardcore science course. However, I just don't want them to reject the online course, since online courses are different than the actual classroom.

Again, I don't think it should matter.....but my opinion doesn't matter. You need to ask the admissions office.

[Saysfaa]

I had child development from the past and noticed an adult development class that I would like to take anyway, so I asked. The nursing school advisor of said no.

However, every school is different.

They tend to be more flexible about classes less closely related to nursing, I think. They were fairly flexible about my English and humanities classes. Again, every school is different.

[coast2coast]

Nursing schools tend to be VERY strict about prerequisites. To give you an idea ... I had an entire degree in psychology and I still had to take Lifespan (what you are calling human development) just to have a course that explicity stated it was development from birth to death.

Call the school and ask, but be prepared to be told that you have to have exactly what they're asking for.

[haleyanna19]

my school was strict, too. I took Human Growth and Development....Not to sound like a brat, but if they didnt want you to take the class, they wouldn't have made it one of the pre-reqs

[chicagoing, ADN, RN]

I'd definitely check with the admissions office. It doesn't seem as though lifespan psychology can have acceptable substitutions (child psych, abnormal psych, etc.). However, I can say that the program that I will be applying to will accept calculus in place of a lower level math class, and calculus-based chemistry in place of general chemistry for health sciences majors.

[soon_to_be_LPN-Nurse]

i took my human growth and development class on-line this past summer....and it counts toward my nursing program. i also, took another class that counts toward my general eds. on-line.

on-line classes are as good as class-room classes at my community college. (i guess different schools require different classes).