Students are expected to provide proof of a Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan prior to the start of the program or clinical start for PTA and SLPA. The insurance plan must cover you throughout the length of your clinical experience, which is most cases, consists of the entire length of the program. If you are in need of Health Insurance, please note the following important dates and visit cod.studentbenefitplans.com.

Important Dates

• November 1 through January 15: Open Enrollment
  If you will need health insurance ANYTIME within the next year, you must apply during the current open enrollment period.
• December 15: Deadline to enroll in a plan that will start January 1.
• January 15: Deadline to enroll in a plan that will start February 1.
• After January 15: Enrollment is closed.

If you miss open enrollment, but have a qualifying life event, you can still apply during a Special Enrollment Period.

While we cannot guarantee your official acceptance into the program, you need to be aware that there is short timeframe of when you are able to purchase a Health Insurance plan. The purpose of this step is to make you aware and that the time to research and purchase is NOW. Purchasing health insurance outside of this timeframe will take months and may prohibit your admittance into the Program. NOTE: Obtaining Health Insurance is NOT an application requirement but it is a requirement to be in the program.

The Nursing program at College of DuPage is one of the more robust nursing programs in the area. COD offers:

• Dedicated instructors with years of teaching and patient care experience. Graduates of the ADN program have consistently been above the national and state benchmarks when passing board certified exams.
• Hands-on learning through the state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory. Students are also given the opportunity to work with other COD programs through large-scale simulated events. 
• A one-on-one mentorship environment. The Nursing program assigns new students an upper-level student mentor to help them navigate the program. New students are also assigned a faculty advisor to help with guidance, support and other opportunities.
• Innovative transfer programs that facilitate a convenient, affordable and streamlined approach to earning a bachelor's degree.
• The opportunity to join Alpha Delta Nu National Honor Society for elite nursing students.
• Program approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation/Board of Nursing and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and reaccreditation in 2018 by The Higher Learning Commission.

Nursing, A.A.S.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree Nursing program prepares graduates to deliver nursing care in various health care environments. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Registered Nursing (RN) licensing exam National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) awards the license upon successful completion of the exam.

Practical Nursing (PN), Certificate

Curriculum integrates classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction to teach concepts and skills that the Practical Nurse (PN) contributes to care of patients. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam. This certificate is only available to students admitted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program.

*The Practical Nursing certificate is earned only in the Associate Degree Nursing program.

The Associate Degree Nursing program at College of DuPage at the main campus located in Glen Ellyn, IL is accredited by:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 
Atlanta, GA 30326 
(404) 975-5000 

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

Program Outcome Data

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Year	Pass Rate
2022	83%
2023	93%
2024	96%

 

3-Year Program Completion Rates

Admitting Cohort	3-Year Program Completion Rate
Spring 2021	73.02%
Fall 2021	76.4%
Spring 2022	71.42%

 

Job Placement Rates

Graduating Cohort	% Employed 1-Year After Graduation
Spring 2021	86%
Fall 2021	94%
Spring 2022	100%
Fall 2022	88%
Spring 2023	100%
Fall 2023	90%

 

Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.

• Nursing, Associate in Applied Science
• Practical Nursing (PN), Certificate

• NCLEX-RN and Licensure Application Process Guidelines
• 2025 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin

The College of DuPage Associate Degree Nursing Program curriculum incorporates established professional standards, guidelines, and competencies.

• Safety: Provide safe and holistic nursing care throughout the lifespan to a culturally diverse society grounded in science and the nursing process.
• Patient-Centered Care: Apply nursing judgment to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care and promotion of health for patients within a family and community context.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaborate effectively within nursing and interdisciplinary health care teams to foster open communication, respect and shared decision-making.
• Evidence-Based Practice an Quality Improvement: Incorporate a spirit of inquiry to make evidence-based clinical judgments and management decisions for quality improvement.
• Informatics: Integrate information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, and support decision making in the practice of nursing care.
• Professionalism: Assumes accountability for practice in accordance with professional, legal and ethical standards.

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or Advising Services to stay on track.

• Benedictine University, AAS in Nursing to BS in Nursing
• Governors State University, AAS in Nursing to BSN
• Elmhurst University, AS to BSN (traditional format) and RN to BSN (accelerated format)
• Northern Illinois University, RN to BSN
• Purdue University- Northwest, RN to BSN

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.

If you are new to College of DuPage, you should start by talking to an Admissions Representative at (630) 942-2626.

If you have taken classes at COD before, you should start by attending an Information Session. 

Attending an information session should be the first thing you do whether you are a current or prospective student.  

• Group session
• No registration; no fee
• Plan to attend the entire session

You need to complete CNA prerequisites in order to apply. There are three ways you can show proof you've completed the CNA requirement: 

1. Be listed on the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Health Care Worker Registry or
2. Submit certification of completion to hsdmissions@cod.edu or
3. Take the NURSA 1105 course at College of DuPage

The following are the prerequisite courses that must be completed by the date specified in the ADN application packet:

• Math 1102, equivalent or higher with grade C or better
• Micro 1420, equivalent or higher with grade C or better
• A&P 1551 and 1552, OR 1571 and 1572, equivalent or higher with grade C or better. 

Review the ADN application packet for more information on completion deadlines.

Only A&P 1551/71 and 1552/72 prerequisite courses expire as they need to be completed within five years. Refer to the ADN application packet for more information.

A&P 1500 is not an acceptable course for the ADN program.

You can register online for the HESI A2 through the Testing Center. The exam cost is $60 and is non-refundable.

HESI A2 test scores are valid for two years from the date of the examination. You are allowed to repeat the test every 30 days, for a total of three attempts in one calendar year. Refer to the ADN application packet for more information.

Once you have made the decision to pursue the 3+1 nursing program with either Benedictine University or Governors State University, you need to fill out a 3+1 program application.

The application ensures you are receiving the most up-to-date information for anything related to the 3+1 Nursing programs.

After you have been accepted into College of DuPage's Associate Degree Nursing program and you are approximately a semester away from completing the program, you need to submit an admission application to either Benedictine University or Governors State University for their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, and follow their application process.

You can receive financial aid for the ADN program, as long as you meet the financial aid eligibility requirements. Additional information can be found on Understanding Your Financial Aid or you can call the Financial Aid Office at (630) 942-2251.