A practical nursing program that prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN licensure to provide basic nursing care under the direction of RNs and physicians, supporting health promotion, disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Career outlook
Employers hire licensed practical nurses to provide basic patient care such as monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily needs under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians.
Getting in
What College of DuPage asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
Entrance examHESI A2
Minimum GPA2.75
Application fee$50
Apply throughSchool application
Seats per cohort80
What you'll need
Prerequisite courses
Transcripts
Background check
Drug screen
Immunizations
CPR certification
The Practical Nursing certificate is only available to students admitted to the ADN program, so ADN selective-enrollment rules apply: $50 Health Career Selective Enrollment application (plus $20 college application for non-students), HESI A2 with 75% cumulative and 75% in each scored area within 2 years, cumulative GPA 2.75 in prerequisite/general education coursework (A&P 1551/1571 and 1552/1572 within 5 years, MICRO 1420, MATH 1102 or higher, all C or better) and a completed CNA course by the deadline. Two cycles per year, about 80 students admitted per cycle; Spring 2027 deadline November 5, 2026 at 5 p.m., decisions 4-6 weeks later; merit ranking out of 39 points.
