Anatomy and Physiology 2
Self-paced online Anatomy and Physiology 2 course (Biology 212). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →IllinoisNursing
LPN to RN in Illinois: prerequisite checklist and time limits
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
LPN to RN prerequisites in Illinois are set by each programme, but most lists look alike: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, chemistry, Microbiology, English composition, statistics, psychology and often Nutrition and Lifespan Development. Grade rules can be strict; Illinois State needs a C or better in each and a 2.50 GPA minimum. Confirm each item with your programme in writing.
A checklist to start from
Use this as a starting point, then replace it with your programme's own list.
- Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Nutrition
- Lifespan or Human Development
- English composition I and II
- Statistics
- General psychology
- Medical terminology
- A current LPN licence
Time limits on sciences
Some Illinois programmes put a time limit on sciences and some do not. Illinois State's transfer page does not state one. Other programmes may use 5 to 7 years. LPNs who took A&P years ago for a practical nursing course should ask how the programme treats it, and whether a practical nursing A&P matches the college-level course on its list.
| If your A&P is | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Recent and college-level | Does it match your course number and grade rule? |
| Several years old | Is there a time limit, and from which date? |
| Part of an LPN certificate only | Does it count, or must I retake a college A&P? |
Grades and GPA
Illinois State asks for a C or better in each prerequisite and a 2.50 minimum GPA, but its middle half of admitted students sits between 3.07 and 3.65. A course retaken for a better grade can help, but programmes calculate GPA differently. Ask how yours handles retakes before you plan one.
Keep a record for each course: the grade, the date it ended and the college whose transcript shows it.
Where online courses can fit
Writing, psychology, statistics and medical terminology are where outside credit is most often considered. Online A&P and chemistry labs are the hardest items, and some programmes refuse them. Our A&P I and II with labs are NCCRS-recommended and reach a college via a college transcript; the programme decides. We do not offer Microbiology, Nutrition or Human Growth and Development, so plan those at a college.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. Do not enrol until the programme says in writing that it will review the course.
Questions to ask the programme
Ask by email so you have the answers in writing.
- Which prerequisites must be complete at application, and which can be in progress?
- Is there a time limit on sciences?
- Will you review this specific online course and lab?
- How do you calculate GPA when a course is retaken?
- Do you use an entrance test, and which score?
- Is there an LPN bridge or advanced placement option?
Putting it on a calendar
Count back from the deadline. Illinois State admits for fall only, with a priority deadline of 15 January, and prerequisites must be done before fall. Allow time for each course and for the credit to post on a college transcript. Take Microbiology, Nutrition and Lifespan Development at a college early, since you cannot take them with us, and fit the online courses around them.
If you apply to more than one Illinois programme, put every deadline on the same calendar and work to the earliest one.
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 LPN programme's A&P count for an RN programme?
Only if it was a college-level course on a college transcript that matches the RN programme's list and grade rule. Many practical nursing A&P courses do not; ask the programme for a written review before you plan anything else.
Do I need Lifespan Development for LPN to RN in Illinois?
Many Illinois programmes list it; Illinois State lists PSY 213 Lifespan Development Psychology. We do not offer it, so take it at a college if your programme lists it, and check the grade it needs.
Can I work as an LPN while doing prerequisites?
Yes, most LPNs do. Self-paced courses help with shift work. Plan the sciences early, aim above the minimum grade to protect the GPA, and leave time before the deadline for credit to post on a transcript.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
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 →
Medical Terminology
Self-paced online Medical Terminology course (Health 120). NCCRS recommends 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, chemistry, statistics, psychology and medical terminology are on PRO. Ask your programme in writing first.
Sources
- Illinois State University: Nursing (Traditional BSN) transfer admission (official)Fall admission only; priority deadline 15 January. Minimum 58 credit hours, 37 IAI General Education, complete before fall enrolment. Prerequisites with C or better: CHE 110, 112 or 140; statistics; PSY 110; PSY 213 Lifespan Development; BSC 160 Microbiology; BSC 181 and 182 Human Physiology and Anatomy I and II; FCS 102 Nutrition; HSC 105 Medical Terminology. Minimum GPA 2.50; middle 50% 3.07 to 3.65; competitive. No entrance test, online-lab rule or science time limit stated. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.