Principles of Statistics
Self-paced online Principles of Statistics course (Statistics 101). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →HawaiiNursing
RN to BSN in Hawaii: the general education credits you can finish online
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
For RN to BSN general education in Hawaii, programmes usually list core courses such as written communication, quantitative reasoning, a global and multicultural course, psychology and humanities on top of your nursing credit. That core is where outside credit is most often considered. Each programme decides through its own evaluation, so get its list and ask in writing which outside courses it will review.
What RN to BSN programmes usually need
An RN to BSN builds on your licence and associate degree. Nursing courses are taken at the programme; the rest is general education. University of Hawaii campuses use foundations and diversification designations: written communication (FW), quantitative reasoning (FQ), global and multicultural perspectives (FG), and diversification areas in arts and humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. UH Manoa's BSN list, for example, includes FW, FQ, FG, public speech and PSY 100.
If your associate degree came from a UH community college, much of the core may already be done. If it came from out of state, more may be left.
Courses many RNs still need
After an associate degree in nursing, these are common gaps.
- Quantitative reasoning or statistics
- A global and multicultural course
- Humanities or literature
- Social science beyond psychology
- Ethics or philosophy
Why general education is the easier place for outside credit
Programmes are often stricter about sciences, which feed straight into clinical courses, than about general education. UH Manoa allows AP, CLEP, dual credit and IB to meet some prerequisites, which shows outside credit can play a part there. Still, each programme decides, and many cap transfer credit or require some credit at the college itself.
| Course | Our recommendation | Possible slot |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Statistics | ACE and NCCRS | Quantitative reasoning |
| English Composition 2 | NCCRS | Written communication |
| Introduction to Sociology | ACE and NCCRS | Social science |
| Principles of Philosophy | ACE and NCCRS | Humanities |
| Psychology of Diversity | NCCRS | Elective; ask about global or multicultural slots |
Fitting study around shifts
Most Hawaii RNs studying for a BSN work twelve-hour shifts, and some work on neighbour islands far from a campus. Self-paced online courses let you study on days off without travel. One general education course a month can clear the core within a year.
What to ask the programme
Ask for the programme's general education list and a written review of your transcript. Then ask whether it will review specific outside courses, naming each one and saying it is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and will reach a college via a college transcript. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited, and the programme decides.
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; if you are open to an RN to BSN outside the UH system, check their own transfer pages too.
A simple order to work in
Start with the written transcript review, then quantitative reasoning, then composition and social science, and leave humanities electives to last. Keep one sheet listing each requirement, the course you plan for it, the programme's written answer and the date the credit posts.
Before you enrol, write a short email that names each course, its credit recommendation and the college that will post it, and ask for a reply in writing. Keep that reply with your transcripts, because the people who check your file later may not be the people who answered you.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask each nursing programme in writing whether it will review the specific course and lab you plan to take, and keep the reply, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Does my associate degree in nursing cover all the general education?
Usually not all of it. An associate degree covers part of the core; a BSN usually needs more humanities, social science and quantitative work. Ask the programme for a written review of your transcript to see exactly what is left.
Can I use CLEP for general education in Hawaii?
UH Manoa says some prerequisite courses can be met with AP, CLEP, dual credit or IB, and asks students to talk to an adviser about limits. Other programmes set their own rules, so ask each one before you book an exam.
How much outside credit can an RN to BSN take?
It varies. Many programmes cap transfer credit or require a minimum number of credits at the college, and UH Manoa evaluates transfer credit after admission. Ask for the cap in writing before planning more than one or two outside courses.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Principles of Philosophy
Self-paced online Principles of Philosophy course (Philosophy 200). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
A&P I and II with labs, statistics, psychology and composition are on PRO. Ask your programme in writing first.
Sources
- UH Manoa School of Nursing: Pre-Nursing (prerequisite list) (official)Traditional BSN prerequisites, 32 credits: FW, FQ, FG, public speech, PSY 100, HDFS 230, PHYL 141/141L, PHYL 142/142L, MICR 130 (lab not required), a physical science course. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- UH Manoa School of Nursing: Bachelor of Science admission (official)B (not B-) in all PHYL lectures and labs, MICR 130 and the FS/FQ course; C (not C-) in other prerequisites; prerequisites at accredited institutions; 3.0 combined and prerequisite GPA; ATI TEAS overall 78% and two of four subject minimums, valid 3 years; prerequisites complete by 1 August; AP, CLEP, dual credit and IB can meet some prerequisites; transfer credit evaluated after admission; deadline 5 January 2027. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.