Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN)
The Practical Nursing Diploma program is a 37 credit, one-year program held entirely on the Staples Campus of Central Lakes College. This program prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN Board exam and become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). This program begins once per year, each Fall semester.
Steps to Enroll. To be admitted into the Practical Nursing program, CLC requires:
STEP 1. Central Lakes College application. You must be admitted to CLC prior to submitting a Nursing program application. If you are a current CLC student, you have already completed this step!
STEP 2. CLC Practical Nursing Diploma program application. You must submit a Practical Nursing Diploma application for each semester you would like to be considered for the program. Log in with username: starid@go.minnstate.edu and your Star ID password.
2025 Practical Nursing Program Application
STEP 3. Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT). A score of 65% or better is required for admission into the program. Click here to find out more information or to register for the Health Science Reasoning Test.
Please Note: Students seeking admission for the FALL 2025 start in the Practical Nursing program should still take the TEAS Exam online via the testing company ATI. To sign up for a test, go to Sign In or Create an Account | ATI Testing.
NOTE: Applicants must be 18 years of age prior to beginning their clinical placement. Clinical placements begin halfway through the first semester of the program.
Nursing A.S. Degree (Traditional-Registered Nurse)
The Traditional Nursing Associate of Science (A.S.) program is a 64 credit, two-year program held on the Brainerd Campus of Central Lakes College. This program prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN Board exam and become Registered Nurses (RNs). This program begins twice per year, each Fall and Spring semester.
Steps to Enroll. To be admitted into the Traditional Nursing program, CLC requires:
STEP 1. Central Lakes College application. You must be admitted to CLC prior to submitting a Nursing program application. If you are a current CLC student, you have already completed this step!
STEP 2. CLC Nursing A.S. Degree (Traditional) program application. You must submit a Traditional Nursing AS application for each school year you would like to be considered for the program. Log in with username: starid@go.minnstate.edu and your Star ID password.
2026 Spring Application for Traditional RN Associate Degree in Nursing
STEP 3. Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT). A score of 70% or better is required for admission into the program. Click here to find out more information or to register for the Health Science Reasoning Test.
NOTE: Applicants must be 18 years of age prior to beginning their clinical placement. Clinical placements begin during the second semester of the program.
Traditional Nursing AS Admission and Progression Requirements
Nursing A.S. Degree (Advanced Standing) - Bridge Program for LPN to RN (must be LPN to apply)
The Advanced Standing Nursing Associate of Science (A.S.) program is a 64 credit (including pre-requisites), one-year (3 semester) program held on the Brainerd Campus of Central Lakes College. This program prepares Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to take the NCLEX-RN Board exam and become Registered Nurses (RNs). This program begins twice per year, each Fall and Spring semester.
Steps to Enroll. To be admitted into the Advanced Standing Nursing program, CLC requires:
STEP 1. Central Lakes College application. You must be admitted to CLC prior to submitting a Nursing program application. If you are a current CLC student, you have already completed this step!
STEP 2. CLC Nursing A.S. Degree (Advanced Standing) program application. You must submit an Advanced Standing Nursing AS application for each school year you would like to be considered for the program. Log in with username: starid@go.minnstate.edu and your Star ID password.
2025 Fall Nursing A.S. Degree (Advanced Standing) Program Application
STEP 3. Selection Criteria for Advanced Standing Students
- Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in their completed general education courses for initial consideration. Not all 8 general courses need to be completed for consideration, but the GPA MUSTbe at least a 2.75 or higher in the completed generals.
- Students must have 5 of the 8 required general education courses completed for initial consideration.
- It will be the responsibility of the student to ensure all non-Minnesota State transcripts are on file for evaluation. Unofficial transcripts will not be used for evaluation.
- It will be the responsibility of the student to provide documentation of current Practical Nursing Licensure in the state of Minnesota.
- If we have more applicants that we can accommodate in the semester start, priority will be given to students with documented experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
NOTE: Applicants must be Licensed Practical Nurses prior to beginning the program. This means Practical Nursing Licensure in Minnesota by August 1 for Fall start or January 1 for Spring start.
Advanced Standing Nursing AS Admission and Progression Requirements
