RN to BSN Online Program | UofL News & Resources

Turn your experience into college credit to save time and money on your degree!

By Heather Henley | March 25, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

Did you complete some college classes, but never finished your degree? If you’ve built up some professional experience and want a faster and more affordable degree, UofL online is your answer. Turn your experience into tuition-free college credit with the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), available for several of our online undergraduate programs!

What is PLA/CPL?

In short, PLA and CPL can supercharge your education. Several of UofL’s 100% online undergraduate programs that offer PLA let you earn college credit for previous education, work experience or military training.

This means less time in school and lower tuition costs to complete your degree. Credit can be awarded through:

Professional portfolio review

Professional certifications

Military or work-based training

…and more!

Each program has specific requirements. Connect with an Enrollment Counselor to find out how much credit you may be eligible to earn!

Online Programs with PLA or CPL

UofL has several online degree programs that offer PLA or CPL credit. You can find the program that matches your career goals and save time and money doing it.

UofL’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice prepares you with working knowledge of the criminal justice system (adult and juvenile) and the issues surrounding each portion of the process. You will learn to be an agile professional in this ever-evolving field by developing your knowledge of current criminology theories, ethical and moral considerations, emerging policies as well as effective communications strategies. You can earn up to 30 credit hours (10 courses) – up to $16,200 in tuition savings with the PLA in this degree program.

The online Bachelor of Science in General Studies is a student-focused, degree-completion program, with six interdisciplinary tracks available. Our degree is structured so you can customize your learning experience to gain additional skills, and the education required for advancement in today’s competitive workforce. Earn up to 27 credit hours (9 courses) – up to $14,580 in tuition savings with the PLA offer in this degree program.

The online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning from UofL is a skills-driven degree completion program. The program is designed to equip you with the knowledge required for career advancement or a possible career change in today’s competitive and evolving workforce. Choose from 9 specialized tracks to fit your career goals and become an even more valuable member of any company or organization. You can earn up to 48 credit hours (16 courses) – up to $25,920 in tuition savings with the PLA toward this degree.

The online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed for licensed nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) who want to earn their BSN to improve patient outcomes and excel as a leader in the field of nursing. Develop your expertise in nursing leadership, meet growing employer expectations and expand your ability to work with diverse global populations in a variety of settings—without any campus requirement or set class times. With PLA you can save time and money by earning up to 30 credit hours (10 courses), or up to $11,250 in tuition savings!

How to get started

Finishing your degree could be faster and more affordable than ever. With UofL’s online degree programs that offer a PLA or CPL you’ll be rewarded for your experience while building your future. Take the next step toward your goals and find out how much credit you can earn!

Connect with us to get started!

Student Spotlight: RN-BSN Graduate Answers All of Our Questions

By Conner Mackowiak | August 8, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Meet Daniel Campanelli! Daniel is a May 2023 graduate of our 100% online RN-BSN program. We caught up with Daniel to ask him a few questions about his experience with our program – let’s read his responses below!

Why did you select UofL online, and specifically the RN-BSN track?

Daniel: There are so many RN-BSN programs out there and they all looked the same. But I was specifically looking for an affordable and well-known school to obtain my BSN and UofL was the only college out of all the ones I looked at that offered the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Working as a nurse already, I had to choose the online format because I didn’t have the time to go to an actual classroom and the schools in Maryland, where I live were way too expensive. That combined with a curriculum that really stood out to me were my deciding factors.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

Daniel: The faculty. They were so down-to-earth and professional with me when it came to helping me understand what was expected of me in the classes. They really kept me motivated when things got tough. I also really enjoyed the final practicum, which allowed me to learn a lot about refugee healthcare.

Do you feel the program provided you with the skills and experience necessary to be successful in your career?

Daniel: Yes. There’s a big difference between just becoming a nurse with patient care skills and advancing your knowledge to include research and evidence-based practices. Anyone can learn how to assess a patient, but it takes advanced knowledge and education to go the extra mile to ask why things are the way they are with certain health conditions and patient populations.

Would you recommend the program? If so, why?

Daniel: 100% yes. Again, the cost and the fact that Louisville is a well-known school are two things that can’t be discounted. Anyone who enrolls in this RN-BSN program will be in for a real treat of knowledge and experience.

What would you tell others considering this program?

Daniel: Don’t be afraid to take the leap into this advanced program. On the surface, it looks daunting and tough, but that’s because it is. Nursing education is never going to be easy. But finding a program like this where you can really settle in and interact with faculty that truly care about how you’re doing and don’t see you as just another face behind a computer is something you don’t find in some other online programs.

Where are you currently working/what’s next in life for you?

Daniel: I am currently working as an orthopedic and spine trauma nurse in Virginia at Inova Fairfax Hospital, which is just outside of Washington D.C. In the future, I hope to become a nurse practitioner and relocate back to New York (where I’m originally from).

We are thankful to Daniel for his thoughtful answers to our questions! You can learn more about our 100% online RN-BSN program by clicking here.

Student Spotlight: RN-BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program Student Answers All of Our Questions

By Conner Mackowiak | August 1, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Meet Latisha Wilson! Latisha is a Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS) student from Henderson Community who has recently completed two of the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) courses offered online by UofL’s School of Nursing. We asked her some questions about her experience with our Concurrent Enrollment Program—let’s read her responses below!

Why did you select our CEP program?

Latisha: I selected the UofL CEP program because I like the idea of being able to finish a little faster achieving my goal. I also liked that I did not have a break with school because it kept me determined and focused. The online program has deadlines but also, it is self-paced and works for busy schedules. I am a single mother that juggles many schedules and this program worked for me.

What did you enjoy most about the program?

Latisha: University of Louisville is my favorite sports team and I loved being able to attend this school as a fan. I enjoyed doing the research for case studies in my Pharm and Patho class and learning about EBP [Evidence-based practice]. I am enrolled at HCTC in the nursing program, and I will graduate in December of 2023 with an associate in nursing. I liked the opportunity and challenge of being able to start working on my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) while working for my associates. This program gave me that opportunity to do so, while most programs you must wait to start after you pass your NCLEX.

Do you feel the program provided you with the skills and experience necessary to be successful in your career?

Latisha: I do feel like the program so far has been successful at what it expects you to achieve. My goal is to be a clinical educator, and the teachings on EBP and leadership will be needed for me to move forward in teaching others. I am already a step ahead in learning about leadership which will be the focus in my last semester of nursing school.

Would you recommend the program? If so, why?

Latisha: Yes, I recommend the program to other students that are enrolled in 2 programs like me that know exactly what they want to accomplish. It gives you the opportunity to get your BSN faster and it is self-paced. You can take one class or four at a time, and the program has a scholarship that aids in attending school.

What would you tell others considering this program?

Latisha: I would tell others that if they are confident in achieving their goal and if the opportunity presents itself, take it. I enrolled in four classes this summer and I am doing great, but it takes discipline and being determined to achieve that goal. The program might not be for everyone and that is okay, because it is a lot to add on. Some people may need breaks in between classes, and some do not. You just must see what works for you. The process is not always easy, but it is doable with kids and a job.

Where are you currently working/what is next in life for you?

Latisha: I currently work at Owensboro Health on the rehab unit with a lot of stroke patients as a nurse extern and CNA. I plan to get certified in working with stroke patients. My goal is to work as a floor nurse but also work towards becoming a clinical educator and going further with my master’s degree.

We are thankful to Latisha for her thoughtful answers to our questions and for taking the time to share her experience with us! You can learn more about the RN-BSN CEP program here.

UofL Offers Concurrent Enrollment Program For Partner School ADN Students

By Conner Mackowiak | March 30, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

UofL is proud to partner with KCTCS and Ivy Tech – Sellersburg to bring ADN students a unique opportunity – the RN-BSN Concurrent Enrollment Program! Now ADN students can complete up to 6 nursing classes online within UofL’s RN-BSN program while still enrolled at their home school, saving students both time and money as they further their nursing careers.

Here are some quick benefits for KCTCS and Ivy Tech – Sellersburg students:

ADN students can start working concurrently (at the same time) on RN-BSN online courses upon successfully completing their first semester at their home school.
After completing their ADN requirements, students can take the RN license exam (NCLEX) and finish the remaining BSN courses 100% online at UofL.
The Concurrent Enrollment Program will allow students to graduate with their RN-BSN degree months earlier than if they waited to complete the ADN first, or started working as a nurse and then enrolled in the standard online RN-BSN program.

Our partner community colleges want their students to have a faster path to graduation, while still getting the benefits of a personalized program at a larger university. Here are just a few of our RN-BSN program benefits:

The UofL Online RN-to-BSN Program Provides:

Curriculum created by nurses, for nurses
Reduced tuition (just $375 per credit hour)
Savings of $11,250 with completed Nursing Portfolio (30 credit hours tuition-free)
Accelerated 8-week courses that enable focused learning
Full tuition remission for nurses employed by UofL Health (with deferred payment)
Alignment with American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which recognizes the Bachelor of Science in Nursing as the standard in educational requirement for all nurses

Don’t wait to accelerate your career growth and earning potential. You can take the next steps in your career, all from the comfort of your home school. Click here and learn more about our online Concurrent Enrollment Program!

Category: RN to BSN