Admissions Steps
Meet Basic Entry Requirements
You'll need a high school diploma or GED equivalent to apply. You must be at least 17 years of age at the time of enrollment. American Career College does not require prior college coursework or prerequisite college-level science courses, which removes a barrier that many community college programs have. Make sure you have your official high school or GED transcripts available before starting your application.
Complete Required Prerequisites
Unlike many community college LVN programs, American Career College does not require you to complete separate college-level prerequisite courses such as anatomy or physiology before enrollment. Instead, foundational nursing science content is integrated into the program curriculum itself. This means you can potentially start the program sooner. However, you will need to demonstrate basic academic readiness through the entrance exam in the next step.
Submit Application & Testing
You'll need to complete an application, submit your transcripts, and take an admissions entrance exam. The school uses a standardized assessment to evaluate reading comprehension and basic academic skills. You'll also participate in an admissions interview. Because American Career College uses rolling admissions with multiple start dates, there is no single annual deadline. Ask your admissions representative about the next available cohort start date when you apply.
Complete Background & Health Clearances
Before you can participate in clinical rotations, you'll need to clear a criminal background check and drug screening. You'll also need to provide proof of current immunizations, a TB test, a physical exam, and CPR/BLS certification. These requirements are standard across nursing programs because clinical sites require them for patient safety. Plan to complete these well before your first clinical rotation date.
American Career College Admissions Quick Reference
Program: Vocational Nursing Diploma
Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED; no separate college-level prerequisites required
Entrance Exam: Required — standardized admissions assessment
GPA Minimum: Contact school for current requirements
Background Check: Required before clinical rotations
Frequently Asked Questions About American Career College
Does American Career College offer evening, weekend, or part-time LVN classes?
American Career College's Vocational Nursing program is structured as a full-time program. The school has historically offered both day and evening cohorts at some campuses, but availability varies by location and enrollment period. You should contact the Ontario campus admissions office directly to ask which schedule options are currently available and whether any evening cohorts are open for upcoming start dates.
How competitive is admission to American Career College's LVN program?
As a private career college, American Career College's admissions process is generally more accessible than competitive-entry community college programs where hundreds of applicants may compete for limited seats. You still need to pass an entrance exam and meet all requirements, but the rolling admissions model and multiple start dates mean you're not competing in a single annual lottery. Ask admissions how seats are filled for each cohort.
How long does American Career College's Ontario LVN program take?
The Vocational Nursing program at American Career College takes approximately 50 weeks to complete. This is an accelerated pace compared to many community college LVN programs, which can take 12 to 18 months or longer when you factor in prerequisite courses and waitlists. The trade-off is that the weekly time commitment is intensive, with a combination of classroom hours and clinical rotations packed into that shorter timeframe.
Is American Career College a good fit for working adults?
The accelerated format means you'll finish faster, but it also means heavy weekly hours. If you're currently working full-time, maintaining that schedule alongside the program could be very challenging. If you can reduce your work hours or have financial support during the program, the faster completion time may actually work in your favor. Ask admissions about exact weekly hours and whether any evening options would allow part-time work.
Can American Career College's LVN program be a good starting point before an LVN-to-RN bridge later?
Absolutely. Many LVNs use their license as a stepping stone toward an RN through an LVN-to-RN bridge program. Earning your LVN first lets you start working and gaining clinical experience while you plan your next step. Before enrolling, ask whether any local RN bridge programs accept American Career College graduates and what additional prerequisites you might need for those programs down the road.