Find Accredited Online LPN/LVN Programs
Accreditation offers many benefits, from access to financial aid, to recognition by employers. Explore top accredited programs and get your questions answered below.
Every day in hospitals across the country LPNs are making a difference in the lives of patients. With kindness and empathy, they provide the essential hands-on care, assistance, and education that patients need to heal. Without them, healthcare institutions simply could not function.
If you are considering becoming one of these essential allied healthcare professionals by enrolling in an online program, you may already know that accreditation is an important criterion to consider in your research. But what is it, exactly? Why is it important? And, above all, how can you determine which of the many accredited online LPN programs out there is the right fit for you?
In this guide, we’ll answer these questions (and more) about accredited online LPN programs. We’ll start by taking a closer look at some of the best accredited programs available today to give you a framework to refer to as you conduct your own research. Then, we’ll address LPN program accreditation, its benefits, and the most common questions we hear from prospective students like you. So, if you’re ready to find a reputable LPN program that will help you launch a promising career, keep reading.
Profiling Accredited Online LPN Programs for 2024
As you begin your search for accredited online LPN programs, you may feel unsure of what constitutes a high-quality option. To help clarify this concept for you, we have highlighted three excellent examples. Give them a look, then use this information as a barometer for evaluating additional programs.
Eagle Gate College
Aspiring LPNs can finish their studies in as few as 12 months through the practical nursing program at Eagle Gate College. This high-quality hybrid program is fully accredited through the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and is available at two locations in Idaho (Boise and Idaho Falls) and one in Murray, Utah.
LPN students at Eagle Gate benefit from a combination of online and in-person instruction, including labs, simulations, and clinical experiences. All aspects of the program are designed to prepare students for their careers in allied healthcare by providing them with the training and skills they’ll need to perform clinical tasks. Graduates receive assistance in preparing for the NCLEX-PN and the support of a career services team that provides lifetime job placement assistance.
Lake Area Technical College
The practical nursing e-degree program at Lake Area Technical College (LATC) in Watertown, South Dakota is fully accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in South Dakota and other states.
This flexible online program allows students to choose between an 11-month full-time option and an 18-month part-time option. Like most online LPN programs, LATC follows a hybrid format — students complete theory-based courses online and report to campus for hands-on clinical training. For students’ convenience, LATC condenses instructor-monitored clinical hours into a short, intense time frame.
Estimated total costs for LATC’s program vary slightly between completion options — part-time students pay approximately $9,991, while full-time students pay around $9,690. To help students manage these costs, the school offers a variety of scholarships through the Merit Award Program and the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund.
Midlands Technical College
Students can complete Midlands Technical College‘s 44-credit, ACEN-accredited practical nursing diploma program — and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN — in just three semesters. Hybrid students complete their didactic coursework online and their hands-on and preclinical training in-person at the college’s Airport Campus in West Columbia, South Carolina. Through this combination of virtual and in-person learning, students develop proficiency in basic nursing skills across medical, surgical, obstetrical, and pediatric settings.
The estimated cost of tuition for MTC’s LPN program is a reasonable $8,272. However, students who need funding assistance can pursue available financial aid options, including veterans benefits and a variety of scholarships through the MTC Foundation. In addition to financial aid opportunities, MTC supports student success through free online and in-person tutoring, workshops, job search assistance, and career readiness resources.
Understanding Accreditation for Online LPN Programs
No matter which LPN program you ultimately pursue, the importance of proper accreditation cannot be overstated. It is a seal of approval that attests to the quality of a school or program. But how can you determine whether a prospective program holds valid accreditation?
As you research accredited online LPN programs, you will discover that there are a several accrediting agencies for nursing programs. Two of the most prominent agencies for programmatic accreditation are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA). ABHES and the Council on Occupational Education (COE) bestow institutional (school-wide) accreditation.
Every accrediting body has its own evaluation standards; ACEN’s standards, for example, encompass five primary areas— administrative capacity and resources, faculty, students, curriculum, and outcomes. If a school meets or exceeds an agency’s standards when evaluated, it receives accreditation. If you are ever unsure about a program’s accreditation status, the U.S. Department of Education maintains a Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs that allows you to search accredited programs and review a list of recognized accrediting agencies.
Benefits of Attending an Accredited LPN Program
As you now know, attending an accredited program or school is vital to your academic and early professional success. But this is not the only benefit to attending one of the many accredited online LPN programs out there. Keep reading for a look at a few other reasons to prioritize accreditation.
Access to Financial Aid
Attending an accredited program or school makes you eligible for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In fact, according to the Federal Student Aid Handbook, accreditation is one of the three basic criteria for determining whether an institution can participate in federal student aid programs. Furthermore, the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions notes that state governments monitor institutional accreditation status when determining how to distribute state aid.
Greater Employment Opportunities
Graduating from an accredited school gives you a competitive edge in the job market and leads to more offers. When employers see that you earned your LPN diploma from a reputable institution with demonstrably high academic standards, they feel confident you have the skills and knowledge you need to competently do the job. In a field as demanding and consequential as practical nursing, this assurance is paramount to employers making hiring decisions.
Recognition by Other Colleges and Universities
Although a career as an LPN can be rewarding in its own right, many practical nurses choose to return to school after gaining a few years of hands-on experience in the field. In such cases, LPNs who earned their diplomas through accredited programs can transfer past credits to accelerated bridge programs. Nearly all accredited nursing schools exclusively recognize credits from other accredited schools or programs.
Quality Guarantee
For colleges, the chief purpose of accreditation is to establish reputability and demonstrate that they offer students a well-rounded educational experience that will prepare them for a successful career. It is also a guarantee that learners will receive a return on their investment of both money and time — you can use a school’s accreditation status to determine which offers the level of quality you’re looking for.
Answering Your Questions About Accredited LPN Programs
As you dive deeper into your search for an accredited online LPN program, it may start to feel like your list of questions is as long as your list of potential schools — that’s why we’ve collected and answered some of the most common questions asked by prospective LPN students. Get clarity on some of your most pressing concerns below.
Are there affordable accredited online LPN programs?
Although costs vary between programs, many accredited online LPN programs do offer affordable tuition. For example, tuition for the 5-month practical nursing program at Pinellas Technical College St. Petersburg is set at a reasonable $3,942. The availability of financial aid, such as scholarships and grants, renders costs even more manageable.
Can I earn my LPN in 6 months online?
If you are willing to commit to an intense schedule and heavy course load, it is possible to earn your LPN in 6 months through a hybrid fast-track program like the one offered at Gateway Community College. Keep in mind that accelerated programs often require students to complete prerequisite courses or have some prior credentials, such as a CNA certification or LNA license.
How does accreditation affect my eligibility for licensure?
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, accreditation standards for prelicensure nursing programs vary from state to state. However, if the program you complete is not approved by your state’s board, you can be deemed ineligible to take your licensure exam. In most cases, it’s safest to opt for an accredited program.
How do I become an LPN online?
The first step to becoming an LPN is to complete a state-approved online (hybrid) LPN program. Next, you will apply for licensure through your state board of nursing to get permission to take the NCLEX-PN. After the state board deems you eligible, you can take the test. Once you pass it, you will officially be an LPN.
What effect does accreditation have on graduate success?
A common standard among accreditation agencies is program outcomes, a measure of graduate knowledge and skills. One key factor in agencies’ assessment of this standard is NCLEX pass rates. The higher the pass rate, the more likely a school is to earn accreditation and produce successful graduates. As such, you can feel confident that accreditation all but guarantees graduate success.
What resources and support are available to online LPN students in accredited programs?
Online LPN students have access to almost all the same resources on-campus students do. For example, Midlands Technical College offers online students tutoring, workshops, job search assistance, and career readiness resources. Many schools also provide technical support and online library access, among other forms of digital assistance.
