CNCC Competitive Admission Process

The Nursing Program at CNCC admits students based on a competitive score. Competitive scoring criteria include:

• GPA (2.8 or higher)
• Prerequisite coursework completed at CNCC
• Previous college degree
• Admission Test Score -Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI - TEAS )

Scores are computed on a score sheet and the top scores are conditionally accepted to the Nursing Program each fall with final approval based on background check, drug screening, and immunizations.

CNCC Guaranteed Admission Program

CNCC also has a guaranteed admission program where students can reserve their place in the nursing program by completing pre-requisite courses at CNCC. For more information click the Guaranteed Admission Program.

How to Apply to the Nursing Program

1. Apply to CNCC

Obtain general college admission to Colorado Northwestern Community College. * The State of Colorado mandates that incoming students to Colorado’s state-supported institutions of higher education take an assessment test of basic skills, either the Accuplacer test, or ACT.

2. Complete Prerequisite Courses

Complete at least 12 credits of the prerequisite courses with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher for these five courses. Science courses must be completed within seven years of admission to the Nursing Program.

Required Prerequisite Courses

• ENG 1021: English composition I (3 credits)
  • Students must meet these criteria to take English 121: ACT Reading score of 18 or higher, SAT Reading score of 440 or higher, OR Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score 62-79 and/or Sentence Skills score of 70-99.
• PSY 2440: Human Growth & Development (3 credits)
• BIO 2101: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits) - Must be completed within 7 years prior to admission.
• BIO 2102: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits) - Must be completed within 7 years prior to admission.
• BIO 2104: Microbiology (4 credits) - Must be completed within 7 years prior to admission.

Complete required non-nursing courses before OR during nursing program (11 credits):

• BIO 2116: Pathophysiology (4 credits) - Must be completed prior to NUR 2006
• Nutrition - Must be completed prior to NUR 1006
  • HPR 1010 (1 credit meets AAS Nursing requirements, not BSN)
  • HWE 1050 (3 credits transferrable to BSN)
• MAT 1120 Clinical Calculations (3 credits) - Must be completed prior to NUR 1006
  • Students must meet these criteria to take Math 1120: ACT Math score of 19 or higher, SAT Math score of 460 or higher, OR Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 61 or higher. Or completion of MAT 0250,0300.
• Arts or Humanities (Elective 3 credits) - Choose one of the following: 
  • AH1: ART 1110,1111,1112,1113; MUS 1020,1021,1022; THE 1005,2011,2012 AH2: HUM 1015,1021,1022,1023; LIT 1015,2001,2002,2005,2011,2012,2021,2022,2025 AH3: PHI 1011,1012,1013,1014,2014,2018 AH4: FRE/GER/ITA/JPN/RUS/SPA 2011,2012; PSY 1001,1002,2221,2222,2552; SOC 1001,1002,2015,2016,2037

3. Apply to the Program

Please review the following documents and submit to nursing for application process.

Welcome to the CNCC Nursing Program - pdf

Guide to Nursing Program Application Requirements- pdf

Personal Information Sheet - Online Form

Application for Admission to CNCC Nursing Program - Online Application 

4. Complete Entrance Exam

Students interested in applying to the Nursing Program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)** entrance exam prior to applying. A passing score is required for entrance consideration. Students can only submit one test score per admission year. The deadline to have your TEAS results to us is April 15th. This year, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nursing Department has made the decision to provide all TEAS testing remotely through ATI.  You are responsible for registering with ATI directly to receive a testing date and instructions. The deadline to have your TEAS results to us is April 15th. When registering with ATI you must choose an institution, CNCC is listed as CO Northwestern CC. 

Click here for more information * The TEAS is not a placement test! It requires prior studying. Using the study guide and taking practice tests prior to testing is strongly recommended.

5. Send your transcripts

Provide official transcripts confirming completion of prerequisite courses and GPA to the CNCC Office of Registrar.

6. Submit Admission Materials by April 15th.

Admission materials must be submitted by April 15th of the admission year.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

Following conditional acceptance, nursing students are required to submit to a criminal background check and a drug screen. Failure to meet the criteria for either will prevent admission into the program. See the following link for the list of CCCS Disqualifying Offenses.

Minimum Functional Abilities

Nursing students are required to meet certain minimum functional abilities in order to succeed in this course of study (please see link below). Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request for persons with disabilities. Minimum Functional Abilities.