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 →TennesseeNursing
RN to BSN in Tennessee: the general education credits you can finish online
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
RN to BSN Tennessee general education usually means the composition, statistics, social science and humanities courses an associate degree did not finish. Each BSN college sets its own list and transfer rules. Ask the college in writing which courses remain, and whether it will review ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit posted via a college transcript.
What an RN to BSN adds
An associate degree programme, like Nashville State's, prepares you for the NCLEX. A BSN adds upper-level nursing courses and a broader general-education core. RN to BSN programmes are built for working nurses, often online, and usually take your associate nursing courses as a block.
The general-education gap is the part you can often plan around shifts. It varies by college, so start with the BSN college's degree plan and a transcript review.
Courses RNs often still need
Every BSN college sets its own list. Treat this as a starting point to compare against your college's plan.
| Area | Example course | Ask the BSN college |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Principles of Statistics | Is statistics required, and must it be recent? |
| English | English Composition 2 | Is a second writing course required? |
| Social sciences | Introduction to Sociology | Which social science counts? |
| Humanities | Principles of Philosophy | Is an ethics or philosophy course required? |
| History | US History 1 | Is a US history course required? |
Why general education is the easier part
Nursing courses in an RN to BSN must come from the BSN college. General-education courses are standard across colleges, and colleges are more likely to review outside credit for them than for sciences. That is where ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit is most often considered.
Most BSN colleges also set a residency rule: a minimum number of credits you must take with them. Ask how many general-education credits you can bring in, and from which sources, before you start.
- Ask: which general-education courses remain after my associate degree?
- Ask: will you review credit from an ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended course posted via a college transcript?
- Ask: how many credits must I take with you?
A sample plan for a working RN
Say the BSN college confirms you need Statistics, Composition 2, Sociology and a philosophy course, and that it will review outside credit for them. Two courses a month fits around shifts. Finish general education early, so the BSN nursing terms are not held up by a missing requirement.
Keep a list of each course, the date you finished and the date the credit was posted, and send the official transcripts in one batch.
- Month 1: Principles of Statistics and English Composition 2.
- Month 2: Introduction to Sociology and Principles of Philosophy.
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study offers Principles of Statistics, English Composition 2, Introduction to Sociology, Principles of Philosophy and US History 1 on PRO at $99 a month. They are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. We are not a college and not accredited, so the credit reaches a BSN college only via a college transcript, and only counts if it agrees. Partner colleges such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Newlane University consider such credit. Ask your BSN college in writing first.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Before you enrol, email the nursing programme's admissions office and ask in writing whether it will count the named course and lab, posted via a college transcript, toward its prerequisites, and keep the reply.
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
Do I need a BSN to work as an RN in Tennessee?
An associate degree programme prepares you for the NCLEX and an RN licence. Many employers prefer or ask for a BSN, so check job postings and your employer's plans before you decide when to start.
Can I finish an RN to BSN fully online?
Many RN to BSN programmes are online, with some practice or project hours. Ask each college how its clinical or project parts work for nurses in Tennessee before you apply.
Will my associate nursing courses carry into a BSN?
RN to BSN programmes usually take your associate nursing courses and licence as a block. Ask the BSN college for its transfer policy in writing, and send your official associate transcript early.
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 nursing programme in writing first whether it will count the course.
Sources
- Nashville State Community College: LPN to RN Bridge Program (official)Admitted to NSCC; 27 required credit hours before applying; ATI TEAS Proficient (waived for TCAT graduates within 3 years of the LPN exit exam); 2.8 GPA on the 27 hours; active PN licence with no restrictions checked with the Tennessee Board of Nursing; ENGL 1010, a humanities elective, PSYC 1030, one of COMM 2025, ENGL 1020, PSYC 2130, BIOL 1215 or a humanities elective; BIOL 2010, BIOL 2030, BIOL 2230, MATH 1530 (15 hours) with C or higher; science within 5 years recommended, not required; pathway starts in the second semester; Spring 2027 application closed. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.