Prerequisite Course Information Resources

Prerequisite Completion

All prerequisites must be completed before you can matriculate in the semester for which you were admitted.

Please note that UMSON does not offer prerequisite courses. You are responsible for completing them before enrolling at UMSON.

Outstanding Courses

Accepted students must submit proof of enrollment for any outstanding prerequisite courses.

Documentation must be received by June 1 for students admitted for Fall and Sept. 1 for students admitted for Spring.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• Official transcript
• Unofficial transcript
• Letter from the registrar's office stating that you are enrolled for those courses

Failure to provide documentation of coursework in progress may result in the cancellation of your admission.

Proof of enrollment documentation can be uploaded on your student portal.

Final Grades Submission

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to enrollment at UMSON. Applicants must submit final grades one week prior to classes starting.

Please ensure that you meet all prerequisite requirements and submit the required documentation on time to avoid any complications with your admission.

Newly accepted provisional students must complete a mandatory virtual meeting with the admissions team to understand admission provisions and outstanding classes.

Visit the Prerequisite Course Equivalencies webpage for equivalency tables for each Maryland community college specifically designed to assist you in your prerequisite planning.

Download and complete the Prerequisite Course List for your program of interest. Prerequisite courses must be taken at regionally or nationally accredited schools. ACE credits are not accepted.

• BSN Prerequisite Course List
• RN-to-BSN Prerequisite Course List
• MSN-E Prerequisite Course List

Before you submit your application, you can request a nursing prerequisite course evaluation with an admissions counselor. This evaluation will help determine if the course you have taken or plan to take satisfies UMSON's prerequisite requirements.

Step 1: Access the Prerequisite Course List Form

• Log in to your online application portal.
• If you cannot find the form in the portal, you can access it on the admissions forms webpage.

Step 2: Download the Prerequisite Course List Template

• Look for the download link for the template.
• Click on the link to download the template.
• Save the template to your computer.

Step 3: Review Required Prerequisite Courses

• Take note of the list of required prerequisite courses specified by the program.
• Familiarize yourself with the course names and their requirements.

Step 4: Enter Course No and Number of Credits

• Open the downloaded template.
• Locate the columns for Course No. and Number of Credits.
• For each required prerequisite course, enter the Course No. in the corresponding column.
• Input the Number of Credits for each course.

Step 5: Add Term and Year Information

• Find the columns designated for Term and Year in the template.
• Enter the Term and Year for when each prerequisite course was taken or when you plan to take them.

Step 6: Provide Institution Details

• Locate the column for the Institution where the course was taken.
• Write the name of the institution where each prerequisite course was originally taken, not transferred to.

Step 7: Be sure to Include Planned Courses

• Clearly indicate any ongoing or upcoming courses in the template.
• Specify the expected completion term and year for each planned course.

Step 8: Double-Check and Review

• Review the completed information in the template.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of the entered Course No., Number of Credits, Term and Year, and Institution details.
• Confirm that you have included all required prerequisite courses and any current or planned courses.

Step 9: Save and Submit

• Save the completed template with a recognizable filename.
• Go back to your online application portal.
• Find the option to upload documents.
• Upload the saved template to your dashboard

Step 10: Verify Submission

• Check your application portal
• Confirm that the completed prerequisite course list has been successfully submitted.
• If you have any questions or concerns about the submission process, contact our office.

Can I take the prerequisite courses at a community college?

Yes, we accept prerequisite courses from any regionally or nationally accredited institution.

Can I finish the required prerequisites after I start the nursing program?

No, all required prerequisites must be completed prior to your entry into UMSON. 

Can CLEP, AP, or IB scores be used to fulfill prerequisite course requirements?

Applicants may be able to use CLEP, AP, or IB scores to fulfill prerequisite courses – see the “Transfer of Credit by Examination” tab for more details.

Can I apply to UMSON before I finish the prerequisites?

Accepted students must submit proof of enrollment for any outstanding prerequisite courses. Documentation must be received by June 1 for students admitted for fall and Sept. 1 for students admitted for spring. Acceptable documentation includes an official transcript, unofficial transcript or a letter from the registrar’s office stating that you are enrolled for those courses. Failure to provide documentation of coursework in progress may result in the cancellation of your admission. Proof of enrollment documentation can be uploaded on your student portal. All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to enrollment at UMSON.

BSN and RN-to-BSN applicants:

• must have completed a minimum of:
  • two science courses (chemistry with lab, anatomy and physiology I and II with lab, or microbiology with lab)
  • one other course (human growth and development, statistics, or nutrition)
• can have no more than four total courses in progress at the time of application.

RN-to-MS applicants can apply with a total of two courses in progress as long as two of the science courses are complete.

MSN-E applicants must have completed a minimum of:

• two science courses (chemistry with lab, anatomy and physiology I and II with lab, or microbiology with lab)
• one other course (human growth and development, statistics, or nutrition).

Does it matter how long ago I completed the prerequisite? 

The only prerequisites that must be completed within the past 10 years are chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology I and II. This requirement does not apply to active licensed nurses.   

Will you accept prerequisites that were completed online? 

Yes, we will accept online courses for prerequisites, including chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology I and II from any regionally or nationally accredited institution. Any chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology course taken online must include a lab component; the lab component can be fulfilled online also.