Advanced Placement Pathway — United Nursing College

United Nursing College ADN student practicing hands-on clinical skills

United Nursing College · ADN Program

Advanced Placement Pathway

Leverage your LVN or Paramedic experience to enter the ADN program at the third semester — earning your Associate Degree in Nursing in a fraction of the time.

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Workshop Applications: Spring 2027 Workshop Application Period: September 1 – October 9

BRN Approved. United Nursing College is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), allowing our graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN® examination. UNC is currently in the process of seeking institutional accreditation and does not participate in federal Title IV financial aid programs. We offer flexible payment plans to help make your education accessible.

Pathway Overview

Your Experience. Your Degree.

The Advanced Placement Pathway is built specifically for LVNs and Paramedics who are ready to take the next step in their nursing career. Your clinical experience is a key part of your application — and it can place you directly into the third semester of the ADN program, so you earn your Associate Degree in Nursing without starting from day one.

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) Paramedics

United Nursing College student in classroom during skills lab

Pathway Details

How It Works, Admissions & More

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Admission to the Advanced Placement Pathway happens in two stages — first the Mandatory Workshop Series, then the ADN program itself.

Mandatory Workshop Series

Apply to the workshop through our Admissions Criteria Point System. The workshop is conducted in the Spring and Summer each year.

AP Pathway Admission

Upon successful workshop completion, your scores are evaluated and admitted students enter the ADN program at the third semester — recognized for their clinical background and workshop performance.

Mandatory Workshop Series

What to Expect in the Workshop

The Mandatory Workshop Series is a 16-week in-person program held one day every other week. Each session combines lectures, laboratory instruction, and examinations — designed to evaluate your clinical readiness for entry into the third semester of the ADN program.

Examinations

Math Competency Exams

Skills Validations

Completion of the workshop series does not guarantee admission into the AP Pathway. The certificate of completion is valid for two years. Workshop fees are non-refundable after payment.

Admission into the Mandatory Workshop Series is determined by a point system. Your completed prerequisite courses and LVN or Paramedic work experience are the primary factors. All coursework must be completed with a grade issued before you are eligible to apply.

18 years or older US Legal Resident High School Diploma or Equivalent 2.5 GPA in Science Prerequisites 2.0 GPA in General Ed Prerequisites Active LVN or Paramedic License 1 Year Full-Time LVN or Paramedic Experience (within last 3 years)

Science Prerequisites

Min. grade C- in each · Cumulative GPA 2.5 · A&P must be within last 7 years

Anatomy or Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab)
Physiology or Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab)
Microbiology (with lab)

General Education Prerequisites

Min. grade C- in each · Cumulative GPA 2.0

English Composition
Mathematics (Intermediate Algebra or higher)
Oral Communications
Psychology
Sociology
Humanities

Anatomy & Physiology Expired?

If your Anatomy or Physiology coursework is older than 7 years, you are required to complete UNC's Anatomy & Physiology Refresher Course before you are eligible to apply for the Mandatory Workshop Series. Enrollment in the refresher must be completed prior to submitting your application.

Enroll in the A&P Refresher Course →

Work Experience Requirement

Applicants must have a minimum of one year of full-time work experience as an LVN or Paramedic within the past 3 years. Proof of employment is required in the form of a letter on company letterhead stating your name, job title, employment status, and start/end or present date.

AP Admission Criteria Point System

Admission into the Mandatory Workshop Series is determined by a multi-criteria point system. Review the full document to understand how your prerequisites, work experience, and other factors are scored.

View Point System

Applying to the AP Pathway starts with the Mandatory Workshop Series. Here's how to prepare.

Prepare Your Documents

All documents must be in PDF format and named correctly before submitting. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Copy of high school diploma, GED, or highest US degree awarded
Evidence of current LVN or Paramedic license
Employment verification letter on company letterhead (name, job title, employment status, start date to end/present date)
Supporting documentation for any additional point categories

Apply for the Workshop Series

Submit your application during an open workshop application period. Admission into the Mandatory Workshop Series is determined by a multi-criteria point system. All prerequisites must show passing grades. Applications with missing documents or failing grades will not be considered.

See our Admission Criteria Point System for full details.

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United Nursing College (UNC) provides the following information to applicants and students regarding the professional licensure requirements for our nursing programs.

Program Designations

Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN): This is a pre-licensure program. Successful completion of this program is intended to qualify students to sit for the NCLEX-RN® examination and seek licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of California.
Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This is a post-licensure program designed for individuals who already hold an active, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. This program does not lead to initial RN licensure.

Disclosure for Out-of-State Practice

Upon notification of the student's relocation out of state, the institution will review whether the RN to BSN program is approved by the Board of Registered Nursing in that state. If a Board of Registered Nursing outside of the state of California does not approve the program in the student's new state of residence, the institution will provide direct written notice to the student within fourteen (14) calendar days of making that determination. This notification will advise the student that completion of the program is not possible.

Resources for Students

To find the contact information and specific requirements for a particular state, please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website.

Current student changing your address or moving? Please fill out our Change of Address form here.

Student Acknowledgment

By enrolling in United Nursing College, students acknowledge that they have been informed of the professional licensure requirements and understand it is their responsibility to verify the requirements of any state in which they intend to practice.

Cancellation Period

The student may cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid, less the non-refundable application fee and STRF fee, if canceled on or before the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later.

Note: the workshop series fee is non-refundable after payment. Contact our admissions office for full details on the refund policy that applies to your enrollment.

Advanced Placement Pathway

Your Experience. Your Degree.

How It Works, Admissions & More

How It Works Two Steps to the AP Pathway

Admissions Requirements

How to Apply Application Process

LVNs & Paramedics: Fast-Track Your RN Degree

Licensure Disclosure Professional Licensure Requirements

Policy Withdrawal & Refund