LPN Nursing Admission Criteria

Candidates for admission to the nursing program must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Be a graduate of an accredited high school or have a high school equivalency that is in conformity with the requirements of the Department of Education, State of Iowa. High School transcripts or high school equivalency transcripts must be on file before admission.

  2. Students are required to provide documentation that they have successfully completed and passed a state approved 75 hour Certified Nurse Aide curriculum. Challenge scores will not be accepted as proof of completion of the course. A student must be active on the Iowa Direct Care Worker Registry. Documentation must include a college or continuing education transcript and an Iowa Direct Care Worker registry card.

  3. ALEKS score of 14 or above, OR have taken a college math class equal to or above MAT 053: Pre- Algebra with a grade of “C” or above.

  4. A minimum GPA of 2.00 and a grade of “C” or higher for required courses (excluding ADN and PNN)(HSC-113, BIO-151, BIO-168, BIO-173, PSY-111, and PSY-121) and any previous nursing coursework (ADN or PNN) that has been approved for transfer.

  5. Due to the content of the courses, PSY-121, BIO-168, and BIO-173, must have been completed within 5 years prior of acceptance to the nursing program.

    • If BIO-168 and BIO-173 have been taken between 6-8 years prior to acceptance to the nursing program, BIO-163 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology must be completed with a grade of “C” or above as a prerequisite or a co-requisite course in the first semester of the nursing program

  6. Priority admission will be given to students who have completed:

    • A minimum of 9 semester credit hours with EICC prior to enrolling in a nursing

    • The greatest number of required courses (excluding ADN and PNN)(HSC-113, BIO-151, BIO-168, BIO-173, PSY-111, PSY-121).

  7. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Language proficiency for non-native speakers of English must be at a score of 500 or higher. Must complete a two factor holistic system composition with a score of 80 or greater OR complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5 – no sub score below 6.0. In addition, one must have a speaking 1:1 time with an ESL coordinator.

  8. Courses within the nursing curriculum, if completed, must be at the 2.0 level on a 4.0 scale. *

  9. The student may repeat only one nursing course (PNN ###), one time. Any student enrolled in a PNN course, which results in a withdrawal (after 7 calendar days) or a grade of less than C (2.0), constitutes an attempt of the course.

  10. All nursing students must be in optimum health as evidenced by the completed physical examination form.

  11. Priority admission goes to those students who are academically successful, completion of the CNA course, and have met all other course requirements.

Nursing courses with a clinical component:


Nursing courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person who has been denied licensure by the Iowa Board of Nursing or whose license is currently suspended, surrendered or revoked in any US jurisdiction or in another country due to disciplinary action.

Nursing student expectations:


To ensure the health and safety of patients, fellow students, faculty, and other health care providers while enrolled, the following expectations are required of the nursing student. Actively participate in a very rigorous academic program; remain calm in very stressful situations on a one to one basis; work with groups of people in stressful situations; and to effectively use all sensory organs. In addition, engage in activities which require above average manual dexterity; expect to bend, squat, reach, kneel, carry, and lift 50 pounds from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead; move and turn people who weigh at least as much as he/she does. Last, one is required to be on his/her feet for six to twelve consecutive hours in the clinical area.

*For students with previous college coursework:

The Registrar will evaluate the following courses:

Must have successfully completed with a C (2.0) or above within the past five (5) years:

  • BIO: 168 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIO: 173 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • PSY: 121 Development Psychology

If BIO-168 and BIO-173 have been taken between 6-8 years prior to acceptance to the nursing program, BIO-163 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology must be completed with a grade of “C” or above as a prerequisite or a co-requisite course in the first semester of the nursing program

Nursing Courses:


The Program Director and Registrar will evaluate student transcripts and supporting documents.

Prerequisite to BIO: 168 Anatomy and Physiology: One (1) year of high school biology and chemistry with a passing grade or one (1) college semester of biology and chemistry with a passing grade within the last five (5) years.


Revised: Spring 2021