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.
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SUNY Empire, Excelsior or TESU: how each treats NCCRS and ACE credit for nurses
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
SUNY Empire RN to BSN students can use ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended credit: the school says so and is an NCCRS Cooperating College. TESU is a partner college that considers that credit. Excelsior sets its own rules for nursing degrees, which we could not confirm today. Each school decides what counts toward its nursing degree.
Why these three come up
New York nurses facing the BSN in 10 deadline often look at schools built for adult and transfer students. SUNY Empire is New York's public online university. Excelsior, in Albany, and TESU, in New Jersey, are known for counting prior learning. All three offer online RN to BSN options, and NYSED says online programmes count for BSN in 10 if the college is accredited and authorised to teach in New York.
The difference that matters here is how each treats credit for courses with ACE or NCCRS recommendations, and how much of it can sit inside a nursing degree.
What we confirmed
SUNY Empire says students can earn credit for ACE-recommended courses and exams, and that it is a Cooperating College with NCCRS. Matriculated students with documentation can bring approved prior learning credit into their degree, with no charge for that credit. Its RN to BSN is 124 credits, fully online, at $295 a credit as listed on 15 November 2026.
TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. For Excelsior, we did not confirm its current nursing rules today, so ask it directly.
| School | ACE / NCCRS credit | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| SUNY Empire | Awards ACE credit; NCCRS Cooperating College | Which RN to BSN slots it fills, and any cap |
| TESU | Partner college that considers this credit | How it applies inside the nursing degree |
| Excelsior | Not confirmed today | Its limits for nursing degrees, by subject |
Why nursing degrees are stricter
Even schools that count outside credit freely for other degrees can set tighter rules for nursing. Accreditors look closely at nursing curricula, and some schools limit outside credit in subjects linked to nursing practice, such as statistics, psychology, sociology, ethics or the sciences. A school may count a course toward one degree and not toward its BSN.
- Ask per subject, not just per school.
- Ask about a cap on outside credit in general education.
- Keep each written answer with your enrolment papers.
How to compare them
Ask each school for a transfer evaluation of your existing transcripts. Compare how many credits remain, the cost per credit, how long the nursing courses take and when clinical courses can start. Then ask each, in writing, whether it counts specific general education courses you plan to take elsewhere. The school that leaves you the fewest credits at its own rate is often the cheapest path to meet the BSN in 10 deadline. Also check start dates: SUNY Empire lists Spring 2027 as its next RN to BSN term, with an application deadline of 4 December, so a late decision can cost you a term. Keep your deadline year in view when you compare.
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study offers general education courses such as Principles of Statistics, English Composition, Introduction to Sociology and Principles of Philosophy, with ACE or NCCRS credit recommendations. We do not offer nursing courses. Whether any of our courses count toward your BSN is your school's decision, so ask it first and take only what it confirms.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Email your RN to BSN school and ask in writing whether it counts each course toward an open general education slot, and how much outside credit it allows, 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 SUNY Empire count NCCRS credit?
SUNY Empire says it is a Cooperating College with NCCRS and that students can earn credit for NCCRS-evaluated training and education, as well as ACE-recommended courses. Whether a particular course fills a slot in its RN to BSN is decided in your evaluation, so ask the nursing adviser in writing.
Is an out-of-state online BSN valid for BSN in 10?
NYSED says yes, provided the college is accredited by an accreditor acceptable to the Department and is legally authorised to provide online education to students in New York. Programmes from institutions outside the United States and its territories cannot be offered online to people in New York.
Which school is cheapest?
It depends on how many credits each leaves you after its transfer evaluation. SUNY Empire lists $295 a credit for its 124-credit RN to BSN. Compare the remaining credits at each school, multiply by its rate, and add any general education you take elsewhere.
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
Get your RN to BSN school's written answer first, then take only the general education courses it confirms, around your shifts.
Sources
- SUNY Empire: Professional Learning Evaluations (official)SUNY Empire awards credit for ACE-recommended courses and exams and is a Cooperating College with NCCRS; matriculated students with documentation can incorporate approved PLE credit; no charge for PLE credit. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- SUNY Empire: RN to BSN (official)RN to BSN 100% online, 124 credits, tuition $295 a credit, next term Spring 2027 (deadline 4 December); transfer credits and prior learning can shorten the programme. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- NYSED Office of the Professions: New York State BSN in 10 Law (official)Chapter 502 of 2017 as amended by Chapter 380 of 2018: RNs not exempt must achieve a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing within 10 years of NYS licensure; first cohort deadline at renewals on or after June 18, 2030. Exempt: licensed on or before June 18, 2020 (NYS, another state, territory or Canada), and students enrolled or applying by that date. Conditional registration: one year, extendable for good cause, if the RN agrees to finish within a year. Temporary educational exemption: single two-year period after two denials for lack of seats; only one of the two. Degree must be in nursing from a college registered by NYSED or accredited by a USDE/CHEA-recognised accreditor; nursing classes without a degree do not count; online out-of-state programmes count if accredited and authorised in NY. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.