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 →IllinoisNursing
RN to BSN in Illinois: 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 Illinois, most programmes expect a general education core, often built on the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), on top of your nursing credit: writing, statistics, social science and humanities. That core is where outside credit is most often considered. Each programme decides, 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. The nursing courses are taken at the programme; the rest is general education. Illinois colleges share the Illinois Articulation Initiative general education core, which helps courses move between participating colleges. Illinois State's pre-licensure route shows the scale: 37 IAI general education hours within 58 hours of college work.
If your associate degree came from an Illinois 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.
- Statistics
- A second writing course
- Sociology or another social science
- Humanities or literature
- Ethics or philosophy
- A non-western or diversity course at some universities
Why general education is the easier place for outside credit
Programmes are often stricter about sciences than about general education. Statistics, writing and social science rarely carry time limits, and transfer evaluations review them more often. Still, each programme decides, and many cap transfer credit or require some credit at the college itself.
| Course | Our recommendation | Usually listed as |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Statistics | ACE and NCCRS | Statistics |
| 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 | Diversity or elective |
Fitting study around shifts
Most Illinois RNs studying for a BSN work twelve-hour shifts. 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, alongside the programme's own nursing courses.
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 Illinois public universities, check their own transfer pages too.
A simple order to work in
Start with the written transcript review, because it tells you what is actually missing. Take statistics early, since it is the course most often missing. Then writing 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.
If you change employers or move while studying, keep copies of every transcript and reply in one place.
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 statistics. Ask the programme for a written review of your transcript to see exactly what is left.
Does the IAI cover outside online credit?
The IAI helps courses move between participating Illinois colleges. Credit from other providers is outside it, so each programme decides whether to review it. Ask in writing, naming the course and its ACE or NCCRS recommendation.
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. Ask for the cap in writing before you plan more than one or two outside courses, and plan the rest at the programme.
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, 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.