Dakota County Technical College LPN Program

Students aren’t just sitting in classrooms—they’re gaining clinical experience in supervised healthcare environments. DCTC’s focus on simulated and real client care gives you exposure to the tools and teamwork that define modern nursing. Whether you’re working with older adults, children, or individuals with mental health conditions, you’ll learn how to apply the nursing process effectively and ethically.

This emphasis on clinical practice aligns well with the school’s high NCLEX-PN pass rate (100% in 2024). In fact, the three-year average for licensure exam pass rates stands at a solid 82%, demonstrating that graduates are consistently well-prepared.

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The Practical Nursing diploma requires 43 credits in total. It’s divided over three semesters:

• Semester One (14 credits): Focuses on CNA training, anatomy, health career math, medical terminology, and lifespan development.
• Semester Two (15 credits): Includes core nursing topics like pharmacology, foundations of nursing, adult health nursing, and the first clinical.
• Semester Three (14 credits): Dives into more specialized areas such as behavioral health, maternal and child health, and a capstone course that prepares students for transition into practice.

Tuition is set at $231.65 per credit, with an additional $30.65 per credit in fees, and various course-specific charges totaling a little over $1,700. All costs combined, the program totals $14,749.88.

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DCTC’s nursing program has strong outcomes across several categories. On average:

• 78% of students complete the program within 150% of the expected timeframe.
• 82% pass the NCLEX-PN on their first try.
• 80% are employed in their field within 6–12 months of graduating.
• 39% go on to further nursing education, indicating the diploma serves as a solid stepping stone toward RN or BSN degrees.

Student satisfaction is also a standout point. Nearly 100% of students and graduates have rated the program highly in recent surveys, and employer satisfaction, where reported, is just as strong.

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Admission into the program is competitive and requires completion of prerequisite courses and testing. To apply for the Practical Nursing program, students must first enter DCTC as Pre-Nursing students.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Accuplacer Reading Score: 240 or higher
• TEAS Exam Score: 60% overall
• College GPA: 2.50 minimum (or achieve that while in Pre-Nursing if no prior college)
• Completion of the following courses (with a C or better):
  • Health Career Mathematics (HEAL 1150)
  • Anatomy & Physiology (HEAL 1101)
  • Nursing Assistant (HEAL 1061 or approved CNA course)
  • Medical Terminology (HEAL 1501)
  • Lifespan Development (PSYC 1350)
• Pass the Minnesota Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam
• Be listed on the Minnesota Nurse Aide Registry
• Pass a state-mandated criminal background study
• Meet all qualifiers and submit documentation by June 1st (Fall start) or December 1st (Spring start)

A second application is required before advancing into the clinical and core nursing sections of the program.

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The program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and is pursuing full accreditation through the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). This is a positive sign that the program is maintaining rigorous academic and ethical standards.

For those looking to continue on to an RN or BSN, DCTC offers helpful support through Transferology and dedicated transfer advisors. While the diploma doesn’t automatically convert into an associate or bachelor’s degree, many students use it as a launchpad into higher nursing education.

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DCTC offers a number of financial aid options, including federal aid (via FAFSA), scholarships, and on-campus work-study jobs. Each year, more than $200,000 in scholarships are awarded to students. You’re encouraged to apply early and consult the financial aid office to maximize available resources.

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While it’s a commuter school, DCTC still manages to offer a few extras for nursing students. You’ll have access to organizations like the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a multicultural student leadership association, and nursing-specific clubs. These groups can help you build your resume and connect with others in the same career path.

Students also benefit from program advisors, academic planning resources, and tutoring services. While it’s not a large campus with sprawling amenities, DCTC makes sure you’re not navigating your education alone.

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