Pre-Nursing Program: Associate Degree in General Studies

Take your first step towards a career in nursing with Herzing

Typical program length: 16 months
Improve your GPA to qualify for nursing school
All courses can be completed online
Tuition: $590 per credit
Available at 7 campus locations
Upon successful completion of this program, students may secure a spot in the next available BSN cohort

Waived enrollment fee Classes start May 10th

Prepare for nursing school with Herzing University

The Herzing University Associate of Science in General Studies – Pre-Nursing represents a pathway into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

Students who fall short of the minimum GPA requirement to enroll in the BSN nursing program can begin their nursing education, earn an associate degree and improve their GPA enough to qualify for entry into a pre-licensure BSN program with Herzing University.

Learn online in Herzing’s Everywhere Classroom: on your schedule, at your pace
Build foundational career-focused skills applicable to all types of professional environments
Discover the many possible degree pathways in nursing, from bachelor’s degree to the many opportunities for those who pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

We believe you deserve the chance to pursue the nursing career you really want and make a difference—even if you don’t qualify to enroll in a BSN program right now.

Our general studies degree program offers you new opportunity to begin laying the groundwork for a career as a registered nurse.

This program is available for enrollment at our Wisconsin campuses (Brookfield, Kenosha and Madison), Atlanta, GA, Minneapolis, MN, Orlando and Tampa, FL.

Classes Start May 10th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Classes & curriculum details

This program allows students to build foundational knowledge to prepare for a pre-licensure bachelor’s degree in nursing program. General studies courses promote critical thinking and problem solving through several course offerings, including microbiology, psychology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and more.

All classes are delivered online with a balanced mix of labs and lectures to best prepare you to advance your education into a bachelor's degree program.

Program	Credits	Months*
Associate of Science in General Studies - Pre-Nursing	60	16

*Average number of months for students to complete program

Required Courses

All courses, 58.00 semester credit hours, are required.

EN 104 - English Composition I 3.00

This course introduces the principles and practices of effective written communication. Topics include writing for various audiences and purposes, using the writing process to develop and maintain unity and coherence, and incorporating research into written work. Critical thinking in the writing and reading processes will also be covered and may include addressing assumptions underlying an argument, using sound logic in support of claims, including evidence relevant to the purpose and position of the document, refuting counterarguments, analyzing information, and synthesizing information from multiple sources.

EN 111 - Information Literacy 3.00

This course introduces students to the process of conducting research, integrating research into written work, and understanding information literacy as a sociocultural phenomenon. The research process involves assessing the rhetorical situation, engaging in preliminary research, developing research questions, taking stock of current knowledge, identifying gaps in current knowledge, using appropriate search tools and strategies, critically reading and evaluating information, and refining search strategies as necessary. Integrating sources into written work involves understanding why, when, and how to use and document sources. Microsoft Word will be used to format documents according to APA standards. Understanding information literacy as a sociocultural phenomenon involves identifying barriers to entering scholarly conversations and examining the way various cultures view information as a commodity, means of education, means to influence, and a means of negotiating and understanding the world.

EN 116 - Speech 3.00

The course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop speaking and presentation skills in a variety of situations. Topics include the elements and structure of various speech types, techniques for strong delivery, the importance of audience awareness, incorporation of research-based evidence as support for a thesis, and effective use of presentation aids. Students will practice listening skills by reviewing speeches.

EN 304 - English Composition II 3.00

This course requires students to analyze discourse communities, execute a well-designed academic research project, apply reading strategies to academic texts, and use texts as models for writing. Analyzing discourse communities involves identifying how communication conventions change in different contexts. Designing and executing an academic research project involves formulating research questions, conducting primary and/or secondary research, synthesizing ideas from multiple sources, discussing findings, and presenting the results in APA format. Applying reading strategies to academic texts involves using a process for reading, identifying text features, evaluating sources, and organizing reading notes. Using texts as models for writing involves analyzing and imitating the scope, structure, methods, use of evidence, and tone common to academic writing.

HU 140 - Cultural Diversity 3.00

This course will explore the construction, evolution, and application of categories and stereotypes related to the concept of the "other." Students will study discrimination, or "othering," and how it operates in our contemporary culture among members of marginalized groups, including the categories of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, and inclusivity. In addition, students will explore cultural diversity in a global context. In order to understand what it means to be human, students will analyze relevant historical and contemporary cultural texts through the lens of the Humanities to examine the importance of embracing cultural difference. Cultural texts may include: works of literature, drama, and poetry; music; theatre; film; advertisement; visual art; architecture; and more.

HU 240 - Introduction to Humanities 3.00

This course allows students to explore the ways in which history, visual art, religion, literature, ideas, and music have shaped and continue to shape human experience. Students will engage with a variety of humanities texts and engage in reflective writing which analyzes their own experience within a sociocultural context. Students may also study the development of ideas related to philosophy and critical thinking about the individual and society.

HU 340 - Humanities and Contemporary Popular Culture 3.00

This course builds on Introduction to Humanities and continues exploring how visual art, philosophy, music, religion, literature, and modern popular culture influence the formation of the individual and the cultural beliefs and social values evident in the world around us. Students will use analysis skills to examine artifacts of popular culture from multiple perspectives, including examples from among these possible areas of analysis: social media and cyber-culture, popular music, contemporary literature, film, television, magazines, videos, advertising, and graphic novels.

MA 109 - College Algebra 3.00

This course covers topics of algebra including linear functions, equations, inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, polynomial functions, quadratic equations, and rational and radical equations.

MA 320 - Statistics 3.00

This course presents the study of basic statistical theory and concepts. Topics include statistical probabilities, measures of central tendency, measures of variation, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation.

NSG 120 - Nursing Pathophysiology 3.00

This course focuses on the basic understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness with an emphasis placed on cellular alterations in organ systems as they relate to selected disease states. Opportunities will be presented that provide for the use of critical thinking processes to analyze diverse patient presentations of selected illness for symptomatology, pathophysiology, and health care implications.

NSG 124 - Pharmacology 3.00

This course introduces the student to the role of pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of illness and in the promotion of wellness in patients throughout the lifespan. These concepts provide the basis for the study of drug actions, indications, side effects, nursing implications, and patient education.

PS 101 - Psychology 3.00

This course will introduce a psychological analysis of human behavior. Students will learn to apply a variety of theoretical perspectives in interpreting human behavior. Topics may include: psychological research methods; stages of human development; learning theories; personality; and abnormal psychology.

PS 105 - Developmental Psychology 3.00

Students will learn to apply a variety of theoretical perspectives to examine the physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects of development from conception through death. Topics may include but are not limited to: effects of drugs on prenatal care, parenting styles, language acquisition, personality and social/emotional development, gender development, and aging and elder care.

SC 150 - Principles of Nutrition 2.00

This course provides students with basic knowledge of human nutrition and related disorders. The course will focus on structure, role, function, and digestion of nutrients.

SS 350 - Social Issues and Technology 3.00

This course will examine the influence of technological development on American society. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing political, ethical, religious, social, and intellectual implications of technology. Topics may include technologies related to: energy; environmental degradation; human population growth, warfare and law enforcement; personal privacy; artificial intelligence; medicine and bio-genetic engineering.

The following courses must be completed with a grade of "B" (80%) or better. Only two attempts are permitted for each course and a student who fails to successfully complete in the maximum attempts will be ineligible for enrollment in the nursing programs.

SC 146 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4.00

The first anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide healthcare students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts related to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as, special senses. Biochemistry, cellular biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.

SC 246 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4.00

The second anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts as related to the circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and the male and female reproductive systems. Biochemistry, cell biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.

In addition, BSN students enrolled in the Atlanta Campus are also required to complete the following courses with a "B" (80%) or better:

SC 166 - Microbiology 3.00

This course provides an introduction to the study of microorganisms. It covers normal microbiota and pathogenic microbes. Select topics include function, metabolism, genetics, growth, and relationships to humans and the environment. Topics related to human infectious diseases include transmission, host defense mechanisms, growth processes, and the spread of infectious agents. This course also includes a practical component.

SC 186 - Chemistry 3.00

This course presents the basic concepts of chemistry. Topics to be presented include: matter, atoms, molecules, and atomic structure; chemical bond theory; molecular geometry and properties; writing chemical equations; the conservation of matter in chemical reactions; oxidation and reduction reactions; pH and acid-base chemistry; buffer, and solutions; and equilibrium. Students will also be provided with an overview of organic chemistry and biochemistry. This course includes a practical component.

Required Courses in General Education

The University's general education requirement is met through the required courses in this program.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I 1.00

This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success. Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.

PD 202 - Professional Development II (Semester Credit Hour Course) 1.00

This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.

Requirements

Enrollment requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Associate of Science in General Studies – Pre-Nursing program include:

A high school or college grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 or higher.
Achieve at least a composite score of 51 on the most current version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS); TEAS score must be from within three years of anticipated date of matriculation.

Upon successful completion of this program, students may secure a spot in the next available BSN cohort.

Classes Start May 10th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Apply Now Request Info

Careers

Position yourself to join a rewarding career path

Completing the Herzing pre-nursing program positions you to qualify to enroll in a pre-licensure BSN program and earn the education you need to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Registered nurse represents an excellent option for those seeking a good long-term career and make a real difference.

RNs are crucial contributors in hospitals and other patient care facilities, responsible for helping develop and direct patient plans and serve as the key connection between patients and doctors. They can specialize in many different types of care, including:

Job outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of registered nurses is expected to rise 7% from 2019-2029, much faster than the 4% projection across all U.S. occupations.

How can I become an RN?

You cannot become an RN with only an Associate of Science in General Studies – Pre-Nursing. You will need to complete the degree, go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and meet your state's Board of Nursing requirements to officially become an RN.

Students interested in getting the fastest start in the nursing field can also consider a diploma in practical nursing program (minimum GPA requirement of 2.0) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

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