Practical Nurse – Associate in Specialized Technology is an Associate Degree program offered by PITC Institute in Wyncote, PA. The program takes 4 terms (each at least 15 weeks day, 16 weeks evening) to complete, with a total tuition of $32,500.
Program Overview
The Practical Nurse – Associate in Specialized Technology is PITC Institute’s only program: a 1,500 clock hour, 67.5 credit residential degree taught in person, in English, at the Wyncote campus. The curriculum is divided into four terms of occupational general education and nursing courses, combining classroom theory, skills labs and supervised clinical rotations.
Students who fulfil every program objective and meet the didactic, lab and clinical requirements are eligible to apply to sit the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to obtain a practical nursing license. The authority to decide NCLEX-PN eligibility and to issue a license rests with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
By the end of the program graduates are expected to use the nursing process to deliver individualised care in a variety of health care settings, assist with interventions that promote, maintain and restore health, communicate therapeutically, practise within the ethical and legal guidelines for practical nursing, and use critical thinking to solve problems in the delivery of care.
Board of Nursing notice. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing has placed the Practical Nursing program on provisional status because its first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate fell below the required 80%.
What sets this Program apart
- An associate degree, not a diploma. Graduates earn the Associate in Specialized Technology, awarded once all 1,500 hours are complete with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.
- Faculty-taught clinicals. Clinical courses are delivered at approved clinical sites with PITC faculty providing on-site supervision, instruction and evaluation, at one credit per 30 clock hours.
- Day or evening schedules. Day classes run Monday to Friday; the evening track runs Monday to Thursday nights with weekend clinicals.
- 841 clinical practice hours. Six applied clinical practice courses make up more than half of the program, alongside lab practice built into the skills courses.
- Medication passes in long-term care. Pharmacology includes supervised practice administering medications to groups of 15 to 30 clients.
Admission Requirements and Process
PITC is currently enrolling Pennsylvania residents only. If you are interested in the Practical Nurse AST program, send an information request and Admissions can explain the next available cohort and formal application process.
General Requirements
- Pennsylvania ResidencyPITC Institute currently enrolls Pennsylvania residents only in its Practical Nurse AST program in Wyncote.
- Minimum Age 18Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
- High School Diploma or GEDApplicants must have graduated from high school or have earned a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Admissions confirms receipt of proof of high school graduation or GED before…
- Admissions InterviewInterview with an Admissions Representative. The admissions interview is documented and considered as part of the overall admission review.
- PITC Entrance ExaminationAll applicants must take the PITC Practical Nursing Entrance Examination (50 questions covering Reading Comprehension, Anatomy and Physiology, Critical Thinking, and Medical…
- College TranscriptsIf a student has taken credits at a Community College or any other undergraduate school (including towards Associates Degree), the student is required to provide an official…
- Application/Registration FeePITC Institute charges one combined Application/Registration Fee of $150, subject to the cancellation and refund provisions published in the catalog and the Enrollment Agreement.
- Proof of Citizenship or ResidenceNaturalized citizens must provide proof of citizenship including proof of legal residence in the United States or any other legal document such as a green card permitting the…
- TB ScreeningTuberculosis (TB) screening (including a two-step PPD, TB blood test, chest X-ray, or other documentation accepted by PITC Institute and/or the clinical site) is required before…
- ImmunizationsMMR, Tdap/Td, Varicella and Hepatitis B immunization records, positive titer, or other acceptable proof of immunity; annual influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination,…
- Physical ExaminationA current physical examination or healthcare provider clearance is required before clinical placement.
- Urine Drug ScreenA urine drug screen meeting the requirements of PITC Institute and/or the clinical site.
- Child Abuse ClearancePennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and any additional clearances required by law or the clinical site.
- BLS CertificationCurrent Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association or another provider approved by PITC Institute and/or the clinical site.
- Criminal Background CheckA criminal background check is required for participation in clinical education and when applying for practical nursing licensure in Pennsylvania. Students are required to…
Application Process
- 1Request InformationSend an information request and Admissions can explain the next available cohort and formal application process. You can also ask to schedule an admissions appointment.
- 2Complete the Formal ApplicationContact Admissions to complete the formal admissions application. The combined application/registration fee is $150, subject to the published cancellation and refund provisions.
- 3Interview with AdmissionsInterview with an Admissions Representative. The interview is documented and considered as part of the overall admission review.
- 4Take the Entrance ExaminationTake PITC's Practical Nursing Entrance Examination, which covers reading comprehension, anatomy and physiology, critical thinking, and medical mathematics. A minimum score of 60% in each section is required.
- 5Meet with a Financial Aid Advisor and Complete the FAFSAMeet with a Financial Aid Advisor to learn about the various programs available to help cover tuition costs and to establish the basis for meeting tuition obligations. Create your StudentAid.gov account and complete the FAFSA form to apply for Title IV assistance.FAFSA Code for Wyncote: G37813Fill Out the FAFSA
- 6Sign the Enrollment AgreementApplicants are required to agree and sign an Enrollment Agreement that details the cost of tuition and other important facts.
- 7Complete Clinical Eligibility RequirementsBefore clinical placement, students must meet health, screening, certification, and clearance requirements. All required clinical eligibility documentation must be submitted and accepted two weeks before the student is assigned to or attends a clinical rotation.
Program Schedule
Day program: classes Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, with lab and clinical hours on any two or three days Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Each semester is at least 15 weeks.
Evening program: classes Monday to Thursday, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with lab and clinical hours on Saturdays and scheduled Sundays from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Each semester is at least 16 weeks.
Clinical hours depend on slots at participating hospitals and long-term care facilities, and may fall in the morning, afternoon, evening or on weekends. The school does not guarantee a specific facility, unit, shift or location. Students must finish within 150% of the published program length.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
When you attend an accredited institution, you attend a school that has been independently evaluated for educational quality.
This program: PITC Institute is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and is currently on Show Cause status.
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Wyncote Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $32,500 |
| Application/Registration Fee | $150 |
| Castle Branch | $180 |
| Books | $816 |
| Uniforms | $200 |
| Computer Software | $700 |
| Equipment | $80 |
| Lab Fee BNS and ANS | $450 |
| Graduation Fees | $250 |
| NCLEX Review | $200 |
| Liability Insurance | $25 |
| Total charges | $35,551 |
The catalog also lists NCLEX Exam Fees at $0. Tuition by term is $9,793, $9,837, $6,543 and $6,327; total charges by term are $11,474, $10,481, $6,819 and $6,777.
Federal financial aid. PITC participates in the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan and Federal PLUS Loan programs. Apply with the FAFSA using the school code G37813. Before enrolling, applicants meet a Financial Aid Advisor to learn about the programs that can help cover tuition and to agree how tuition will be paid. The school also mentions in-school payment plans and the PA Forward private loan program.
Pennsylvania State Grant. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has notified PITC that it is no longer eligible for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program from the 2026–2027 academic year. Students in programs beginning in the 2026–27 award year or later cannot receive a State Grant while at PITC. Other aid, including federal aid, is not affected.
Curriculum
Four terms, 17 courses: 1,500 clock hours and 67.5 credits. The six applied clinical practice courses account for 841 of the hours.
The required courses below are from PITC Institute's published catalog.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | External | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to apply for the NCLEX-PN and, if they pass, for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (SOC 29-2061) in Pennsylvania. The school names hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home healthcare agencies and physicians’ offices as settings where practical nurses work.
A criminal background check is required for clinical education and when applying for a Pennsylvania practical nursing license. The school states it cannot guarantee eligibility for licensure or employment.
The Practical Nursing program is on provisional status with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing because its first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate fell below 80%. The catalog does not publish a placement rate.
What to expect as a PITC Institute student
PITC Institute occupies about 25,000 square feet of classrooms, laboratories and offices in three buildings at 827 Glenside Avenue in Wyncote, a commercial district reachable by car and public transportation. The campus has a nursing skills laboratory, a library and computer labs for students and faculty.
The school was licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools in 1998, when it taught technology courses, and has since shifted to allied health. Practical nursing is now its only program.
Expect a demanding schedule: all courses must be passed in sequence, clinical eligibility documents must stay current, and absences must be made up. Tutoring and advising can be arranged with faculty.