Practical Nursing - Program Admissions

• Gain acceptance to the college in the “AA/Pre-Practical Nursing” major
  • Apply online
  • There is no application fee to apply to SCTCC.
  • Submit high school transcript
    • Required if graduated high school 5 or fewer years ago
    • If the language of the record is not English, a certified translation must be included with the official transcript
  • Submit official college transcript from ALL colleges previously attended
    • If the language or record is not English, a certified course-by-course evaluation that includes GPA and course levels must be provided
  • Submit Accuplacer, ACT, SAT, or MCA test scores
    • Or schedule a time to take the Accuplacer exam at SCTCC or a location near you

Pre-Requisites for the Practical Nursing Diploma

Pre-Requisites for the Practical Nursing Part-time Diploma

• A minimum grade of “C” or better AND a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above in pre-requisite coursework is required to be considered for admission and must be maintained in the program.
• The ATI TEAS exam MUST be taken prior to the close of the PN application date (minimum score of “52”).
• When applying to the program, applicants must be in Good Academic Standing at SCTCC
  • Not on warning or probation - cumulative GPA 2.0 & cumulative completion rate of 66.67%.
• RE-TAKE Options: Pre-requisites may be taken 3 times. Consult with an advisor about the impact of repeated courses.
• The Practical Nursing is highly competitive; applicants that meet minimum admission standards may not be accepted.

Math Requirement (Varies):

• Accuplacer QAS minimum score of 260 OR ACT score of 19 OR Complete MNTC Goal area 4 Math course
  • RECOMMEND MATH 0831 Bridge to Quantitative Reasoning + MATH 1331 Quantitative Reasoning
  • This course(s) will better prepare students for the ATI TEAS exam.
• Math course placement dependent on Accuplacer score

Students MUST supply documentation OR take course work at SCTCC:

Nurse Assistant requirement (1 of these 2 options must be met):

• Provide MN State CURRENT registry number
• Provide verification of a 75-hr Nurse Assistant course taken in MN

Course options at SCTCC: HLTH 1402 or HCCC 1415, HCCC 1425 & HCCC 1480 (NA course is valid for five years)

CPR requirement: Basic Life Support (BLS) American Heart Association 

Provide a copy of CPR card AFTER accepted to the PN program (During PN orientation meeting)
Course options at SCTCC: EMSC 1480 (1 credit course) OR HBHE 1513 (Hour based course)

FYI: Additional pre-requisite courses are required for the ADN program. Visit the pages below for full details:

Pre-Requisites for the Practical Nursing Diploma

Pre-Requisites for the Practical Nursing Part-time Diploma

Access the Practical Nursing Program application
Access the Practical Nursing Career Grant Pathway application

• Apply for admission to the Practical Nursing program.
• Submit ALL official college transcripts not previously provided
• Take the TEAS Exam: ATI TEAS Exam Information

Due to the competitive nature of the Practical Nursing program, admissions processes are highly selective. Applicants are ranked utilizing a point-based rubric. Non-accepted applicants are encouraged to reapply during the next program application period or to consult with an academic advisor to learn about alternative program options.

• Must be a current SCTCC student to apply to the program

• There are two application periods for the PN program

  • For a Spring Semester PN program start date – apply during July 1st – October 1st.

    • Applications received by September 1st will have priority acceptance.

    • ATI TEAS exam must be complete by October 1st.

  • For a Fall Semester PN program start date – apply during December 1st – March 1st.

    • Applications received by February 15th will have priority acceptance.

    • ATI TEAS exam must be complete by March 1st.

8 weeks after application period closes:

• Accepted applicants will have letters sent

  • Top 50 F/T ranking students

  • Top 8 P/T ranking students

• Alternate List applicants will be notified of their status.

• Non-accepted applicants are notified & encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss:

  • Ways to improve your application before reapplying to the program.

  • Your educational options / course selection for next semester.

  • Other programs and opportunities at SCTCC.

Applicants admitted to the Practical Nursing program

• Acceptance letters are sent to the top 50 applicants for the full-time program

• Acceptance letters are sent to the top 8 applicants for the part-time program.

• Applicants offered admission to the P.N. program must respond by the date noted in the acceptance letter to reserve their seat in the program (please include all required information).

• Applicants will be notified of the date and time for the MANDATORY P.N. student orientation, usually held in June for fall semester, Oct. for spring semester.

• Applicants MUST provide documentation of current AHA/Basic Life Support at the meeting.

• Applicants will be required to take and pass a MN Criminal Background study, electronic fingerprinting AND drug testing (paid for by the student).

Applicants placed on the Alternate List for the Practical Nursing program

• Applicants who meet the requirements but were not admitted because the program was full will be placed on a ranked alternate list.

• Applicants placed on this list will be eligible for admission to the program if spaces open prior to the beginning of the semester.

• ALL applicants who wish to gain admission to the P.N. Program in the future must reapply, including those who were on the previous year’s alternate list.

If an applicant is accepted and declines to be admitted into the program, no preference will be given to the applicant should he or she choose to apply in any subsequent year. In order to be considered for admission in any subsequent year, such students will need to go through the entire application process again.