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Practical Nursing

Certificate Program

At a Glance

Program:

Practical Nursing (Cert)

Format: 

In Person

Cost: 

$505/Credit Plus Fees

Next Start Date: 

January 11, 2027

Time to Completion: 

Approximately One Year

Student Success Story

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Shanté Marshall

Nursing Graduate

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Walter R. Garrison College of Nursing

Practical Nursing Certificate

Our competitive program does not require students to complete TEAS testing for admission! Please view our Admissions Packet for more detailed admissions requirements.

As the population ages, the need for skilled LPNs increases, with a 5% job growth projected from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the ongoing need for knowledgeable LPNs in the healthcare industry, we encourage you to complete your practical nursing certificate in just one year and begin an exciting and rewarding nursing career. Now is the perfect time to enroll at P.I.T. and start your educational adventure!

About the Practical Nursing Certificate Program

The practical nursing certificate program is designed to prepare you for a successful Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) career in the dynamic healthcare field.

The 12-month, full-time nursing certificate program provides an exceptional education consisting of integrated lectures, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Studying in highly personalized classes led by expert nursing professionals, you will receive the in-depth instruction and training you need to successfully pass the NCLEX and become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Continue your education in our Allied Health program and you can complete your associate degree in Allied Health – Practical Nursing.

Reasons to Attend at P.I.T.

P.I.T. is your destination for earning a nursing certificate because we offer unwavering faculty support to our students. Our classrooms have a 15-1 student-to-faculty ratio to provide all students with a hands-on learning approach. We also supplement classroom work with free tutoring, job placement, and college transfer advisement because we want all of our students to meet their education and career goals.

Additionally, our campus is close to Philadelphia and surrounding cities, making it a prime location for students who want to experience life downtown while obtaining their certificate. So, what are you waiting for? Discover the endless career opportunities at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology today!

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates should be able to:
  • Develop clinical judgment through the use of physiological and psychosocial concepts to provide quality, safe, client-centered care.
  • Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional identity required of the professional nurse, by modeling ethical, moral, and legal standards.
  • Practice therapeutic communication and collaboration with culturally diverse client families, and the inter-professional healthcare team, while assessing their needs through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure client-centered care.
  • Utilize evidence-based practice, information literacy, and skill competency to facilitate the delivery of quality healthcare by ensuring promotion and maintenance of a safe environment.
  • Demonstrate leadership principles in clinical practice by effectively organizing client care and demonstrating the skill to delegate tasks appropriately to the healthcare team based on individual client needs and scope of practice.

Practical Nursing FAQs

What is the Practical Nursing Certificate program at P.I.T.?

The Practical Nursing Certificate is a 12-month, full-time program that prepares students for a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). It combines classroom instruction, labs, and clinical experiences to build skills for entry-level nursing practice and NCLEX-PN readiness.

How to Apply

Get Started Today!

Whether you’re just beginning your college journey or looking to advance your career, we’re here to help every step of the way. Our admissions team will answer your questions, explain your options, and guide you through the enrollment process.

Your next steps are simple:

  • Request Information – Learn more about the program and have an admissions representative contact you.
  • Schedule a Campus Visit – Tour our campus, meet our faculty, and see what makes P.I.T. different.
  • Apply Online – Complete your application and take the first step toward your future.
  • Explore Financial Aid – Our financial aid team will help you understand your options and identify available funding.

Have questions? Contact our Admissions Office today—we’re here to help you every step of the way.

P.I.T. College Catalog 2026-2027

View the official P.I.T. College Catalog for course descriptions, program requirements, and important academic information.

Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

The practical nursing program at Pennsylvania Institute of Technology is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
‍3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA, 30326

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the practical nursing program is initial accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website: https://www.acenursing.org/acen-programs-05202024/pennsylvania-institute-of-technology-p

Program Student Outcomes

Student Outcomes2024-20252025-20262026-2027
On Time Completion Rates38.52% —
NCLEX Pass Rate86.84%
Job Placement85.71%

Additional Information

To qualify for admission into our nursing certificate program, students must complete 5 credits of Anatomy and Physiology (or the equivalent of Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II) and achieve a grade of C or higher. These requirements can be completed at P.I.T. or transferred from a Middle States accredited institution.

Additionally, to be admitted to the practical nursing certificate program, an applicant must:

  • Be at least 17 years of age. Students must be 18 to sit for the NCLEX exam.
  • Have an official high school transcript or GED diploma with scores; or, if a high school graduate from a foreign country, or someone with an out-of-state GED, must obtain a Certificate of Preliminary Education (CPE) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. A CPE is not required with evidence (an official transcript) of satisfactory completion of post-secondary work in an approved educational institution.
  • Must complete BIO 120 Human Body Systems for Health Sciences (or the equivalent of Anatomy & Physiology I and Anatomy & Physiology II) with a ‘C’ grade or higher from a Middle States Accredited institution.
  • AHT105 Healthcare Foundations course (or the equivalent of College Math and Medical Terminology) with a ‘C’ grade or higher from a Middle States Accredited institution.
  • Submit official college or post-secondary education transcripts, if applicable.
  • Provide a satisfactory background check for criminal and child abuse history. An FBI background check is also required.
  • Undergo a satisfactory physical examination, showing evidence of good mental and physical health and documenting immunization and tuberculosis screening.
  • Present results from a satisfactory drug screening (i.e., one indicating no evidence of drug use).
  • *The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing requires the program to inform applicants that a person involved in a legal issue involving alcohol or substance abuse, or one convicted of a misdemeanor or a felonious act, may be denied licensure or the privilege of sitting for the licensure exam.

Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements

Practical Nursing Program Effectiveness

Minimum Technological Requirements for Online Learning

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