Admission Guide

Program Overview

Thank you for your interest in the nursing program of Oakland Community College (OCC). The nursing program at OCC is rigorous and incorporates a variety of experiences. A typical week for a student might include 3-4 hours of theory lecture, two 8-hour clinical shifts  or one 12-hour clinical shift in an agency setting (day or evening; some weekend rotations may be required), and 3 hours of lab on another day of the week. More information about the nursing program, including required immunizations, is available in the nursing student handbook.

Students interested in nursing should meet with a counselor at the Highland Lakes or Royal Oak Campus and attend an information session as early as possible. 

In order to be eligible to apply, students must meet minimum admission requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants are considered for admission based on the selection process outlined in this guide. The nursing department does not maintain a waiting list. Therefore, students who are not accepted must reapply.

The Oakland Community College (OCC) Department of Nursing offers the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum. The program leads to an Associate Degree in Applied Science and prepares graduates to provide direct nursing care at a beginning-staff-level in a variety of health care settings. Successful completion of the program requirements qualifies students to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Satisfactory achievement on this exam qualifies graduates for state licensure as Registered Nurses (RN).

Associate Degree Nursing Program Tracks

The ADN Traditional track and Evening/Weekend track leads to the Associate in Applied Science, Nursing degree and is intended for students who have no background in nursing.

Nursing Curriculum

For the nursing curriculum and course descriptions, refer to the college catalog and nursing student handbook.

Program Costs

Once admitted to the program, the average OCC in-district nursing student will pay approximately $8,100 for tuition and fees (out-of-district tuition and fees for nursing courses are approximately $14,800). Pre-program costs (books, background check, immunizations, uniform, etc.) are estimated at $1,500 - $2,000. These estimates do not include the costs of any prerequisite, general education, or required supportive courses taken at OCC or transferred from other institutions. Your actual costs for tuition, fees, and other expenses may be higher or lower depending on your individual circumstances.

The program tuition cost is calculated based on the current  tuition rate of $115 per billable contact hour for in-district students, and $217 for out-of district students, plus a $110 student support fee per semester, for 65.5 billable contact hours of NUR courses over five semesters. If all seven general education and required supportive courses are taken at OCC, you will incur an estimated 27-30 additional billable contact hours for these courses (hours vary depending on chosen electives). Upon graduation from the program, you will incur additional costs for licensure and graduation of approximately $400 - $500.

In addition, the nursing program requires use of a lap top computer for all exams. Nursing students are also required to purchase Nursing Program software.

Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice by action of the Oakland Community College Board of Trustees.

Accreditation & Approval

Background Check & Criminal History Policy 

Conditional Admittance

After selection is completed, those students who have been invited to the nursing program will be granted conditional admittance upon a satisfactory criminal background check, including FBI fingerprint results and drug screen, at the student’s expense. American Databank is the current company used by the nursing department for background checks.

In addition to the above requirements, all admitted nursing students are required to provide proof of immunizations and other requirements for clinical as outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook. Students not in compliance with the clinical requirements will forfeit their seat in the nursing program.

Criminal History Policy

Conviction of a felony, or any attempt to commit a felony, within fifteen years OR conviction of a misdemeanor within ten years immediately preceding the date of the criminal history check will preclude eligibility for admission. No exceptions will be made to the criminal history policy.

Licensing

Upon successful completion of the nursing program, the Michigan Board of Nursing will obtain a new criminal background check and drug screen.

Applying to the Program

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• MEET WITH A COUNSELOR at the Highland Lakes or Royal Oak Campus for help with selecting the required general education and supportive courses. Complete the required supportive and general education courses with a grade of “B-” or better in each. Advanced Placement or AP courses must score a 4 or 5 in order to equate to a B- or better. BIO courses must be current within five-year expiration period. 
• Attend the mandatory Nursing Information Session early - dates and times for upcoming sessions are available to view on the Nursing Program webpage.
• Successfully complete the HESI-A2 exam (HESI-NUR taken at OCC, Auburn Hills Campus).
• Complete any OCC incomplete marks by the application deadline, if applicable.
• Obtain written approval of any course substitutions by the application deadline, if applicable. Requests are initiated through the Highland Lakes or Royal Oak Counseling departments, with final approval from the Dean of Nursing.
• Update your OCC record through your MyOCC account:
  • Designate the nursing program curriculum
  • Update address and phone number for accuracy, if necessary
• Submit evidence of high school graduation (high school transcript or diploma from an accredited or state-approved U.S. high school) or GED to Counseling. International high school transcripts must be translated by an approved service, which can take several weeks.
• Transfer students only: send official transcripts, CLEP, AP Scores, or DD214 to: Registrar’s Office, Oakland Community College, 2900 Featherstone Rd. Bldg. K, Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2845. Please allow up to six weeks for evaluation. (International students must have college transcripts - including course descriptions - translated first by an approved international evaluation service, which can take several weeks—World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators.
• Complete application with a Highland Lakes or Royal Oak Counselor by the deadline. (Completion of requirements and application to the program does not guarantee admission.)

HESI Test

This HESI-A2 exam is a computer-based timed test that consists of a math section and a reading comprehension section. You must pass both sections within the same testing session. One retake of the exam is permitted. If your second attempt is unsuccessful, you will NOT be eligible to apply to the nursing program at Oakland Community College. No exceptions. Additionally, HESI scores from other colleges will NOT be accepted. The cost of the test, registration information, and other information about testing is available on the HESI EXAM webpage.

To prepare for the exam, you should attend one of the free HESI prep seminars that are offered through the Academic Support Center. Information about these seminars is available on the ASC webpage. HESI review books may be available at campus libraries.

Important Dates

ADN (Traditional Track) & ADN (Evening/Weekend Track)

Students who apply to the nursing program by the December 15th deadline will be included in the ADN selection process. The nursing department will email notification letters by March 15th of the following year. The letters will be either a conditional admission or a letter of declination including the reason.

If admitted, you will begin the program in either Fall or Winter based on random selection. You will receive more information about your start date in the admission letter.

• Required Biology courses that will be greater than five years old prior to the start of the nursing program are considered expired and will not be used in the selection process. Example: For the 2025 application deadline of December 15, 2025, required biology courses taken in Summer 2021 or earlier are considered expired by the end of Summer 2026.
• December 15th:
  • DEADLINE TO APPLY
• January 15th: Deadline for official transcript received for any non-OCC courses taken in final semester

No exceptions to deadlines; all items must be completed on time.

Selection Process

Overview

Each year, there are a limited number of seats available for new students. The number of seats available is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and limited by school resources and clinical availability. Qualified applications will be rank-ordered according to the total number of points received out of 100 points and selected according to the following steps. Applicants must achieve a minimum of 50 points on the nursing admission criteria.

Step 1:  HESI - 30 points

Step 2:  Grade Metrics - 35 points

Your application will be considered if you have completed all of the seven required supportive and general education courses with a grade of "B-" or better:

1. BIO 1570 Microbiology of Health and Disease, 3 credits, or BIO 2710 Microbiology, 4 credits (BIO 2710 is recommended for transferring to some BSN programs; see counselor for details.)
2. BIO 2630 Human Anatomy and Physiology I, 4 credits
3. BIO 2640 Human Anatomy and Physiology II, 4 credits
4. ENG 1510 Composition I, 3 credits
5. ENG 1520 Composition II, 3 credits (ENG 1520 is recommended for transferring to a BSN program) or ENG 2200 Professional Communication, 4 credits
6. Fine Arts/Humanities Elective from the General Education list, 3 credits (PHI 1610 or PHI 1710 is recommended for transferring to a BSN program)
7. PSY 2510 Introduction to Psychology, 3 credits
   
   *All required BIO courses must be within five years of the start of the nursing program.

Step 3:  Experience - 20 points

Student will be assigned the point value which is the HIGHEST that pertains to them from the list below:

Need to provide proof (i.e.: transcripts, work ID, employment verification letter or documentation)

Step 4:  Other - 5 points

Student will receive 5 points if they have ONE of the items below:

Step 5:  Essay - 10 points

Essay of 500 words maximum relating to your personal and professional career.

*The essay is a requirement and must be completed at one of the OCC Testing Centers at the Auburn Hills, Orchard Ridge, or Royal Oak campuses. No electronic devices or notes will be allowed.

Tiebreakers

OCC Student Services & Contact Information

• Counseling
• OCC student services
• OCC website
• Maps to campuses
• Student Engagement

FERPA

Per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), no personally identifiable information from a student's educational record will be disclosed to any third party (including parent, spouse, or other students) by an official or employee of the College without prior written consent of the student. Please refer to the College Policies for details.

ADA Notification

Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act) should contact the ACCESS office, which will inform the appropriate parties of any special conditions pertaining to their learning.

Equal Opportunity/Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure

Oakland Community College, pursuant to the requirements of applicable law and these policies, does not discriminate against applicants, employees or students on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or handicap, nor will sexual harassment or harassment based on other classifications mentioned herein, be tolerated, in its employment practices and/or educational programs or activities. 

Concerns about the above should be communicated to:
Equal Opportunity Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator: Carmen White
Oakland Community College

2900 Featherstone Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326

Phone:  (248) 341-2200 
Email: titleixcoordinator@oaklandcc.edu or ccwhite@oaklandcc.edu