Which Schools in Maryland Offer Programs to Become an LPN?

In Maryland, practical nursing programs are available at several two-year institutions. What follows are descriptions of programs worth considering.

What You Need to Know

There are several certificate programs open to aspiring licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Maryland. These are 1- to 2-year programs that combine classroom, lab and clinical training to prepare graduates for the professional licensing exam. Placement testing and prerequisite coursework in math and science may be required for admission. One school considers your ACT score or high school GPA. Some schools offer additional nursing programs for students who'd like to continue their education at the associate's degree level or pursue an LPN to RN (registered nurse) career path; additional admission requirements may apply for that. Read on to see if one of these programs might be right for you.

Certificate Programs for Licensed Practical Nurses in Maryland

Anne Arundel Community College

Anne Arundel Community College offers a 41-credit licensed practical nursing (LPN) certificate program approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. The program has a simulation laboratory designed to help you develop real-life training and experience. Your classes cover topics like women's health, adult health in practical nursing and practical nursing fundamentals. Upon completion of this program and accumulation of two years of work experience, you could be eligible for the school's LPN to registered nurse (RN) program.

• Program Name: Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate
• Program Length: One year, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $4,670 for Anne Arundel County residents, $7,880 for non-county residents, $12,740 for out-of-state residents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Biology, psychology and mathematics courses
• Admission Requirements: Orientation seminar; chemistry course; Arithmetic Placement Test; satisfactory academic standing
• School Type: 2-year public; 12,886 students (all undergraduates)

Howard Community College

Howard Community College (HCC) opened in 1970 and offers an LPN training program. Your training can prepare you to enter the workforce as a licensed practical nurse through courses in family centered nursing, medical-surgical nursing, practical nursing trends and anatomy. In addition to the LPN certificate program, the college also offers traditional and accelerated associate degree programs for RNs and a LPN to RN associate degree program.

• Program Name: Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate
• Program Length: 11 months
• Tuition and Fees: $3,936 for in-county students, $6,048 for other Maryland residents, $7,248 for out-of-state students (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Microbiology, anatomy/physiology and college-level math courses
• Admission Requirements: Nursing information session; English and math placement tests; clinical nursing admission assessment
• School Type: 2-year public; 9,211 students (all undergraduates)

Prince George's Community College

The 47-credit LPN certificate program at Prince George's Community College (PGCC) is accredited by the Maryland Board of Nursing and prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-PN. You take courses in topics like reproductive health and practices for the practical nurse. You can advance your career by completing the prerequisites for the LPN to RN Transition program and applying for direct admission to the second year of the college's RN program.

• Program Name: Nursing (LPN) Certificate
• Program Length: 21 months (four semesters)
• Tuition and Fees: $3,770 for in-county residents, $6,050 for other Maryland residents, $8,498 for out-of-state residents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Admission Requirements: Placement test
• School Type: 2-year public; 11,885 students (all undergraduates)

Wor-Wic Community College

Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, Wor-Wic's practical nursing program prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN. You have two options for admissions, either submitting your ACT scores or qualifying with your grade point average (GPA). Some course topics include maternal-child nursing, psychiatric nursing, nutrition and adult nursing. Once you complete your practical nursing education, you can consider the Associate of Science in Registered Nursing program.

• Program Name: Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Nursing
• Program Length: Three semesters (41 credits)
• Tuition and Fees: $3,240 for in-county residents, $6,240 for other Maryland residents, $7,704 for out-of-state residents (cost for 2018-2019 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Courses in biology, English and psychology for GPA admissions
• School Type: 2-year public; 3,024 students (all undergraduates)

To summarize, these 2-year programs at Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's, and Wor-Wic community colleges represent a few of the LPN programs available in the state of Maryland.