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 →MichiganNursing
RN to BSN in Michigan: the general education credits you can finish online
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
RN to BSN general education in Michigan is set by each university, often with the Michigan Transfer Agreement doing much of the work. The MTA moves a 30-credit block with a 2.0 or better in each course. Remaining non-nursing courses are where outside recommended credit is most often considered, but each university decides, so ask in writing first.
What is left after an ADN
An RN with an associate degree already has the nursing courses and clinical hours for licensure. A BSN adds upper-level nursing courses that only the university teaches, plus the university's general education. If your community college transcript shows the MTA, much of that general education may already be done.
The Michigan Board of Nursing approves programmes; it does not set RN-to-BSN general education. Each university writes its own list and decides how outside credit fits.
How the Michigan Transfer Agreement helps
The MTA is a 30-credit general education block that participating Michigan colleges and universities recognise between themselves. Each course needs a 2.0 or better. It includes English composition, a second composition or communications course, two social sciences and two natural sciences with one lab, from different disciplines, plus other areas set by the agreement.
- Already have the MTA: ask what general education is still open
- Partly done: ask which MTA areas you still need
- No MTA: your university applies its own general education list
UPI Study courses that line up with common slots
If your university agrees in writing, these courses map onto common slots. Each course page shows whether it is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended.
| Slot | UPI Study course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Principles of Statistics | 3 |
| Composition | English Composition 1 and 2 | 3 each |
| Social science | Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology | 3 each |
| Humanities | Principles of Philosophy, American Literature | 3 each |
Questions to put to your RN-to-BSN advisor
Advisors answer faster when the email is specific. Send one message listing every course you are thinking of, and ask for an answer on each line, because degree audits are run slot by slot.
- Which general education slots are still open on my audit?
- Would this named course fill that slot via a college transcript?
- Does the MTA on my transcript cover any of these already?
- Is there a cap on outside credit or a residency rule for the last credits?
Cost compared with a Michigan community college
Macomb Community College lists $113 per billable contact hour for Macomb County residents for fall 2026 through spring/summer 2027, before fees. Four 3-hour general education courses would be about $1,356 in tuition. On UPI Study PRO at $99 a month, four courses finished in two months cost $198. The saving matters only if your university has agreed in writing that the credit will count, so ask before you choose a route.
Working nurses often prefer self-paced study around shifts. Whichever route you pick, keep each course tied to a named slot on your degree audit so nothing is taken twice.
Getting the credit onto a transcript
Universities review credit via a college transcript. TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. Ask your Michigan university in writing whether it would review the named courses from such a transcript, and for which slots, before you start. Keep a simple record for each course: the slot, who answered your email and when, and the date you finished.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask your Michigan nursing programme's admissions office in writing whether each named UPI Study course, including a separate online lab, would meet a listed prerequisite via a college transcript, and how it would be graded for ranking, 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 the michigan transfer agreement count toward a bsn
At participating universities the MTA covers a 30-credit general education block, with a 2.0 or better in each course. It does not cover nursing courses, and some universities add their own requirements. Ask the RN-to-BSN office how your MTA is applied.
which rn to bsn courses must be taken at the university
Upper-level nursing courses, such as community health, leadership and research, are taught only by the BSN programme. Outside credit is considered, if at all, for general education and electives, not for the nursing major.
can online general education count for a michigan rn to bsn
Often yes when it is from a college, and some universities also consider recommended credit for non-nursing courses. Each university decides. Email the advisor with the course names and ask whether each would meet a named requirement via a college transcript.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
English Composition 2
Self-paced online English Composition 2 course (ENG 102). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
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 →Start when you have it in writing
Ask your programme in writing first, then take the courses it agrees to at your own pace.
Sources
- Michigan LARA: Nursing (official)Nursing is regulated by LARA and the Michigan Board of Nursing through the Public Health Code and the Board of Nursing General Rules. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Michigan State University Registrar: Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) (official)The MTA needs at least 30 credits with at least a 2.0 in each course, including English composition, a second composition or communications course, two social sciences and two natural sciences (one with a lab) from different disciplines. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.