Admissions

Admissions requirements

Requirements for admission consideration are as follows:

1. High school education – You must have completed work equal to a standard high school education. A Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD) is accepted as a standard high school education. If you obtained your CSSD (also known as a GED) outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you’re required to submit a Certificate of Preliminary Education from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. An official high school transcript is required of all applicants.
2. Grade point average (GPA) – A “C” grade or better is required in algebra,* general biology and general chemistry, and each must be 1 full credit. C-minus won’t be accepted.
3. Previous coursework or equivalent work – You must have completed work equivalent to a high school education with a minimum of 16 units, including:
   
   • 4 units of English
   • 3 units of social studies
   • 2 units of mathematics (one of which is algebra)
   • 2 units of science (general biology and general chemistry) with a related laboratory or the equivalent.
   *Algebra taken at a post-secondary school must be a college or intermediate algebra.
4. Testing – You may take an entrance exam. The following tests are acceptable (but not required):
   - The ATI TEAS test
   - National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination for RN
   - ACT or SAT
5. Postsecondary education – If you’ve completed post-secondary coursework, you must submit a transcript(s) and detailed course description(s) for evaluation of academic achievement and possible credit transfer. Note that all post-secondary coursework must be completed at an accredited university. View the approved transfer courses.
6. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English. The TOEFL exam must be less than 2 years old at the time of application. The minimum required TOEFL score is 4.5 or higher, with a minimum speaking score of 5 or higher. For TOEFL exams completed before January 2026, the minimum required total IBT score is 84 or higher, with a minimum speaking score of 26. Test scores must be within 2 years of matriculation to the institution.
7. Citizenship – You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.