Policy 1.0 - Admissions Process for Nursing Students

Policy Statement:

This policy outlines the eligibility requirements for applying for nursing programs.

Affected Student Groups

  • Practical Nursing (PN) Students
  • Professional Nursing AS Students, Traditional Track
  • Professional Nursing AS Students, Advanced Standing Track (LPN to RN)

Part 1: Nursing Programs Application Process

Before applicants are eligible to apply for admission to the nursing program, they must complete all pre-program courses and requirements as stated in the program guide. All applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements and completed the application procedures outlined in this policy by the program application deadlines will be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Qualified candidates are then ranked according to pre-program GPA and TEAS score.

Eligibility Requirements

  • General admission to Lake Superior College (LSC).
  • Declared major in AS Nursing, AS Nursing Advanced Standing LPN Track, or Practical Nursing Program.
  • Completed the Online Nursing Program Application Form. Note: the online nursing program application is in addition to the general admission application to LSC. After completing the online application, applicants will receive an email confirmation of submission (save this email). Paper applications are not accepted; please contact advising if you need assistance with the electronic application.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) on identified pre-requisite program courses (refer to the program guide and Part 2 of this policy).

Entrance Exam (ATI TEAS)

  • All applicants must complete the most current Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) standardized Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before the application deadline and release scores to LSC.
  • Exceptions to the TEAS requirement:
    • If the standardized test edition has just changed, the previous edition will be accepted for 12 months.
    • If a student is applying for the Advanced Standing Track (LPN to RN) and graduated from the Lake Superior College Practical Nursing Program within the last 10 years, the student does not need to retake the TEAS exam. A TEAS entrance exam is required if the student did not take the TEAS during the LSC PN program.
  • Applicants must achieve a minimum ATI TEAS score of 58.6% to be considered for nursing program entry. The ATI TEAS test must be passed within the application window. Scores cannot be rounded up.
  • If an applicant has taken the ATI TEAS test at another institution, scores must be sent electronically to LSC through ATI. LSC will not accept paper copies of ATI TEAS scores. Scores must be received before the application cycle closes. There is no limit to the number of ATI TEAS test attempts.
  • To register for the ATI TEAS exam, create an account at . Once registered, access the testing store at .
  • Lake Superior College has study materials available for the TEAS. Check with the Tutoring and Learning Center and the Library.

Part 2: Selection Criteria for Acceptance to the Nursing Programs

The ranking of applicants will be based on the following criteria:

  • ATI TEAS Composite Score: The composite score is divided by a factor of 10 (e.g., a TEAS score of 58.6% = 5.86 points). The ATI TEAS test must be completed by the application deadline date.
  • Pre-Program GPA (refer to program guide sheet):
    • Practical Nursing: Minimum 2.4 GPA on the following courses: ALTH 1410 Medical Terminology, ENGL 1106 College Composition I, and either BIOL 1000 Human Body in Health and Disease OR BIOL 1140 Human Anatomy and Physiology I AND BIOL 1141 Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
    • Professional Nursing: Minimum 3.0 GPA on the following courses: BIOL 1140 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 1141 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, BIOL 1170 Microbiology*, and ENGL 1106 College Composition I**.

*If a student's grade in BIOL 2170 is higher than in BIOL 1170, that grade may be substituted for the pre-program GPA calculation. Microbiology must be taken prior to acceptance into the professional nursing program. Note: BIOL 2170 is NOT a prerequisite.

**If a student's grade in ENGL 1109 College Composition II is higher than in ENGL 1106, that grade may be substituted for the pre-program GPA calculation.

  • The combined ATI TEAS composite score and pre-program GPA will be used to rank applicants for acceptance.
  • In the case of a tied combined total, the applicant with the highest ATI TEAS Reading sub-score will advance in rank order. If a further tie exists, the applicant with the highest ATI TEAS Math sub-score will advance in rank order.
  • Applications not resulting in acceptance will remain on file through that admission cycle only. Students who wish to be considered for the next admission cycle must resubmit the complete application.

Part 3: Timelines for Nursing Program Application

Fall 2026-Spring 2027 only

Fall 2026 Program Start — Practical Nursing (24 students)

Students are invited to apply once pre-program courses have been completed. Applications are accepted starting in January and remain open until filled, with a final closing date of August 7.

Sub-deadlines (when the admissions team reviews applications and accepts qualified applicants):

  • March 15
  • Last day of spring session
  • August 7*

*If spots remain available at the end of May, the application window will remain open through the end of the LSC summer session.

Fall 2026 Program Start — AS Nursing (56 students/semester) and AST (numbers vary/semester)

Students are invited to apply after completing the pre-program courses. Applications are accepted starting in January and remain open until filled, with a final closing date of August 7.

Sub-deadlines:

  • March 15
  • Last day of spring session
  • August 7*

*If spots remain available at the end of May, the application window will remain open through the end of the LSC summer session.

Spring 2027 Start — AS Nursing (56 students/semester) and AST (numbers vary/semester)

Applications are accepted starting in September and closing in December after the fall semester. The application window will close when it is full.

Sub-deadlines:

  • October 15
  • November 15
  • December 24*

*If spots remain after the initial reviews, the application window remains open through the end of the fall semester.

Part 4: Advanced Standing Track (AST) Students

Applicants for the LPN to RN Advanced Standing Track professional nursing program must have and maintain an active, unencumbered practical nursing license to qualify for admission. AST students must keep the license active and unencumbered throughout the program.

Part 5: Notification to Applicants

  • Applicants will receive an email letter of acceptance, denial, or alternate list status within two weeks of the admission cycle closing or sub-deadline.
  • Applicants must notify LSC of acceptance as directed in the acceptance letter. Failure to notify LSC by the date listed in the acceptance letter may result in forfeiture of the seat in the nursing program.
  • Admitted applicants must register for classes as directed. Do not register for classes until instructed.

Part 6: Post-Acceptance Additional Requirements

After acceptance into the nursing program, the following must be submitted to the nursing department by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter. All information must be current throughout the program. Please reach out to the program's administrative assistant with questions.

Requirements include, but are not limited to:

  • Acknowledgment of accepting a seat in the program.
  • Copy of current CPR for Healthcare Providers certification. This must stay current throughout the nursing program.
  • Completed Minnesota Human Services Background Study. This applies to all nursing students except those who currently have a MN LPN license that was issued after 2018.
  • Completed National Background Check.
  • Completed health declaration form and immunization record, including tuberculosis testing and/or requirements as defined by clinical partners.
  • AS Program Only: Proof/documentation of a qualifying healthcare role. Accepted roles include: CNA, Military Medic, Paramedic, EMT, PTA, Radiology Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), or CMA.

Other roles accepted with documentation and an approved exception to policy: Dialysis Care Technician, Emergency Department Technician, Behavioral Health Technician, Direct Service Provider in a residential group home setting, or Personal Care Attendant (PCA).

Roles NOT accepted: Surgical Technologist, Massage Therapist, Pharmacy Technician.

Examples of Qualifying Healthcare Experience

  • Within the last 5 years, the student completed a healthcare training course from the roles identified above, passed the relevant exam (nursing assistant, medical assistant, etc.), and has proof of current, active registration.

Acceptable Documentation

  • Work experience: a letter from the employer stating dates of employment and job responsibilities.
  • Copy of passing scores on nursing assistant or equivalent exams.
  • Proof of current registration with the relevant healthcare organization (nursing assistant registry, paramedic, rad tech, etc.).
  • Advanced Standing LPN Track: Proof of active, unencumbered LPN/LVN license. This license must remain active throughout the nursing program.

Disclaimer

Before starting the program, all students must have a clear criminal background check with no unresolved disqualifying convictions. Contact the Licensing Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services at (651) 296-3802 for information about the background study process and disqualifying crimes. Review a list of disqualifying offenses at

Minnesota Statutes Section 245C.15 — Disqualifying Offenses.

A student's seat in the nursing program will be forfeited if the student fails or refuses to complete the background study or background check, or if they are disqualified through the background study or background check. The MN background study applies to all nursing students except those who currently have a MN LPN license that was issued after 2018.

Policy History

Date Implemented: January 10, 2025

Date Reviewed by Division of Nursing: August 21, 2024

Date Reviewed by Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: November 1, 2024

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