Anatomy and Physiology I
Self-paced online Anatomy and Physiology I course (Biology 211). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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UT Austin's alternate-entry nursing prerequisites: which online courses are approved
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
UT Austin alternate entry nursing prerequisites are seven courses: A&P I and II with lab, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Lifespan Development, Nutrition and Statistics. The sheet says they can be taken online, lists approved distance courses by provider, and lets you send any unlisted course to Graduate Student Services for approval. A C- or better is needed.
The seven courses and their credits
The sheet, revised in June 2025, lists each prerequisite with the credits required and the matching course at UT Austin, Texas community colleges, Texas A&M and Texas State.
| Prerequisite | Credits | Texas community college number |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy or A&P I, lab required | 4 | BIOL 2401 (or 2304 with 2101 lab) |
| Physiology or A&P II, lab required | 4 | BIOL 2402 (or 2305 with 2102 lab) |
| Microbiology | 3 | BIOL 2420 or 2421 |
| Pharmacology | 3 | HPRS 2300 or RNSG 1301 |
| Human Growth and Development (Lifespan) | 3 | PSYC 2314 |
| Human Nutrition | 3 | BIOL/HECO 1322 |
| Statistics | 3 | PSYC 2317 or MATH 1342 |
Which online providers are on the list
Pages 2 and 3 list approved distance learning courses by provider. For A&P with lab they include Johns Hopkins University, Portage Learning, Ocean County College, University of Phoenix, Gwynedd Mercy University and StraighterLine. Microbiology, Pharmacology, Lifespan, Nutrition and Statistics each have their own lists, with Austin Community College and Brigham Young University among others. The sheet warns that listed courses may not be current at each school, so check with the provider.
The rules that matter most
The policies section is short but strict. Read it twice before you plan your courses.
- C- or higher in every prerequisite
- At least 5 prerequisites done by 31 December of the year you apply, including Human Anatomy and Microbiology
- A&P with lab and Pharmacology within 6 years of the planned start
- All 7 done before you enrol; the programme usually starts around 1 June
- Every course is subject to approval by Graduate Student Services
Courses that are not on the list
The sheet says plainly that the list is not all-inclusive and that other courses can be sent to the Alternate Entry Graduate Student Services office for approval. It also says a syllabus may be required, and it recommends a transcript evaluation before you apply. That is the route any course outside the list would take, including UPI Study courses, which are not on the list.
Where UPI Study could fit
UPI Study offers A&P I and II with separate lab courses, and Principles of Statistics, with ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. It does not offer Microbiology, Pharmacology, Nutrition or Lifespan Development. A UPI Study course would first need a college to post it via a college transcript, and then Graduate Student Services would decide whether it meets the prerequisite. Send the syllabus and the transcript plan to the office and ask in writing before you start. Keep the reply with your application papers.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Email the nursing programme's admissions office with the course description and syllabus and ask in writing whether it will count for the named prerequisite, 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 UT Austin prefer its own courses for Alternate Entry?
No. The sheet says the admissions committee accepts all approved courses equally and that taking courses at UT Austin is not preferred or required for the Alternate Entry programmes. Approval of an unlisted course still rests with Graduate Student Services, so ask first.
Where do I send an unlisted course for review at UT Austin?
To the Alternate Entry Graduate Student Services office, using the contact on the sheet. Include the course description and syllabus, and a copy of the transcript if you have it. Ask for the answer in writing.
Do I need all seven courses before I apply to UT Austin Alternate Entry?
No. You need at least five by 31 December of the year you apply, including Human Anatomy and Microbiology, and all seven before you enrol. The programme usually starts around 1 June.
Can I get a transcript evaluation before I apply?
Yes. The sheet recommends one and says to email your contact details and copies of your transcripts to Graduate Student Services. Copies of official transcripts are preferred but not required for the evaluation.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
Self-paced online Anatomy and Physiology I Lab course (Biology 211L). NCCRS recommends 2 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
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 →Start when you have it in writing
A&P I and II with labs, Statistics and Psychology in one plan.
Sources
- UT Austin School of Nursing: Alternate Entry Prerequisite Course Equivalencies (revised 06/16/25) (official)Seven prerequisites (A&P I and II with lab 4 credits each, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Lifespan, Nutrition, Statistics 3 each); C- or higher; A&P with lab and Pharmacology within 6 years; courses can be in person or online; list not all-inclusive, other courses can be sent to Graduate Student Services for approval; syllabus may be required. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.