Union County College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Union County College (UCNJ) combines a campus-based Practical Nursing certificate with cooperative Associate in Science (A.S.) RN pathways delivered with RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing (Elizabeth/Trinitas) and JFK Muhlenberg Snyder Schools (Plainfield). Figures below come from UCNJ’s tuition page and institutional exam pass-rate reporting—confirm deadlines and partner-school requirements with UCNJ and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UCNJ is unusual among New Jersey community colleges: you can earn an LPN certificate on campus, or stack general education at UCNJ with a diploma from RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing or JFK Muhlenberg so the college can confer the A.S. degree alongside your RN preparation—plan for two sets of admissions (UCNJ + the partner school) and budget for partner clinical and technology fees.
Overview & Why Students Choose Union County College
Union County College—branded UCNJ (Union College of Union County, NJ)—operates multiple campuses across Union County (Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Scotch Plains) and is New Jersey’s first public community college. For nursing, UCNJ combines an on-campus Practical Nursing certificate with cooperative Associate in Science agreements: you complete general education at UCNJ while earning a nursing diploma from RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing (Elizabeth, aligned with Trinitas) or JFK Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder Schools of Nursing (Plainfield), after which UCNJ confers the A.S. degree. That structure matters for admissions—you may work with both UCNJ and a hospital-based school.
UCNJ publishes multi-year Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates (consumer information link; PDF updated August 2025) with NCLEX-PN and cooperative NCLEX-RN percentages sourced from NCSBN tables—useful when comparing LPN vs. RN cooperative outcomes.
According to UCNJ’s August 2025 exam pass-rate PDF, Practical Nursing posted an 89.5% NCLEX-PN pass rate for calendar year 2024, and cooperative nursing posted 88.0% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the Trinitas partnership and 89.4% for the JFK Muhlenberg partnership (NCSBN-sourced in the same document). Confirm newer cohorts in the updated PDF on UCNJ’s consumer information page and cross-check with NJCCN quarterly NCLEX links and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Reasons students choose UCNJ
Two RN pathways plus LPN on one college site
You can pursue an LPN certificate entirely through UCNJ’s Practical Nursing program, or choose a cooperative RN track with either RWJBarnabas/Trinitas or JFK Muhlenberg while still earning general education credits at UCNJ.
Published NCLEX tables
Institutional research publishes calendar-year NCLEX-PN and cooperative NCLEX-RN pass rates side by side, which helps you see LPN vs. cooperative RN performance in one place.
Defined TEAS support for Practical Nursing
The Practical Nursing program provides TEAS schedules, preparation PDFs, and testing-center coordination through UCNJ—important because TEAS is part of selective health-science admission.
Union County & Metro NYC access
Clinical experiences for cooperative programs occur through the partner diploma schools across Union County and nearby regions; Practical Nursing clinicals may include day, evening, or weekend hours per program materials.
Transfer-ready A.S. framework
After licensure, graduates can explore BSN completion through UCNJ’s transfer advising, University Center, and NJTransfer—not a BSN awarded by UCNJ itself.
Nursing Programs Offered
UCNJ’s nursing offerings split into pre-licensure certificate (LPN) and pre-licensure cooperative RN (A.S.) pathways. There is no standalone four-year BSN at UCNJ.
Pre-licensure — certificate
Practical Nursing (Certificate)
Four-semester program leading to a certificate and NCLEX-PN eligibility. Nursing courses run in daytime with clinicals possibly scheduled days, evenings, or weekends. The program publishes TEAS requirements and is pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation—candidacy is not full accreditation; confirm status with UCNJ and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.
Pre-licensure — cooperative RN (Associate Degree in Nursing)
UCNJ confers an Associate in Science when you complete UCNJ degree requirements and earn a Diploma in Nursing from an approved partner school. We use Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as the common label for this RN preparation pathway.
RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing (Elizabeth)
Generic RN and LPN-to-RN tracks; clinical scheduling may include day, evening, or weekend sessions per UCNJ. Application for the Trinitas cooperative program goes through the UCNJ Student Services Center per the Apply page; detailed requirements are on rwjbh.org/nursingschool.
JFK Muhlenberg Snyder Schools (Plainfield)
Multiple entry options (including generic, accelerated, and LPN career-ladder tracks per catalog summaries). Apply directly to JFK Muhlenberg for the diploma-school portion; academic processing routes through the Snyder Schools as described on UCNJ’s JFK degree pages.
Post-licensure
UCNJ does not award an RN-to-BSN; use transfer resources after licensure if you plan to continue to a BSN.
Cooperative nursing requires separate admission processes for UCNJ and the diploma school. Always confirm tracks, prerequisites, and fees in the online catalog, partner school handbooks, and current Practical Nursing application PDF.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to UCNJ’s Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates (Assessment, Planning, and Research, August 2025), the college reports calendar-year pass rates for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) and for cooperative RN tracks (NCLEX-RN) using National Council of State Boards of Nursing data.
For board-published quarterly statistics, use the NJCCN NCLEX resource page, which links to New Jersey Board of Nursing quarterly RN and PN school PDFs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN pass rate (calendar year 2024) | 89.5% (UCNJ exam pass-rate PDF, August 2025) |
| NCLEX-RN cooperative — Trinitas partnership (CY 2024) | 88.0% first-time pass rate (same PDF; labeled “Cooperative Nursing w./Trinitas Hospital”) |
| NCLEX-RN cooperative — JFK Muhlenberg partnership (CY 2024) | 89.4% first-time pass rate (same PDF) |
| Source | UCNJ — Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates (PDF); NJCCN — NJ quarterly NCLEX links. Confirm current cohort data with UCNJ institutional research and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. |
Pass rates vary by cohort and reporting window. Cooperative RN outcomes reflect the partnership tracks as reported by UCNJ; confirm how each partner school appears on Board reports. Always confirm the latest first-time NCLEX outcomes with Union County College and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UCNJ’s tuition page lists separate out-of-state/international rates and an international student registration fee; the Apply page notes TOEFL/IELTS thresholds for I-20 applicants. Use the checklist below as a starting point, then confirm details with UCNJ’s international office, the specific nursing program, and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Review UCNJ’s international admissions packet for TOEFL/IELTS minimums and any nursing-specific language rules.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Confirm whether UCNJ or the cooperative school requires a credential evaluation (for example WES or CGFNS) before nursing coursework.
- New Jersey Board of Nursing: For RN or LPN licensure by examination or endorsement, verify documentation, CGFNS, and NCLEX eligibility rules directly with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses may have additional compliance requirements; confirm F-1 rules and whether clinical agencies accept international students.
This section is general guidance, not legal advice. Policies change—verify with UCNJ and the Board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UCNJ admits students to the college separately from selective health-science programs. Practical Nursing uses its own application packet, TEAS testing, and deadlines (for example Spring 2026 materials posted on the program page). Cooperative RN applicants must satisfy UCNJ degree requirements and meet the diploma school’s admission process—JFK Muhlenberg applicants apply directly to the Snyder Schools, while Trinitas School of Nursing cooperative applications go through the UCNJ Student Services Center per the Apply page.
Application timeline
| Program | Where to confirm deadlines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing | Practical Nursing program page | Example: Spring 2026 application PDF referenced on the site—download the current packet for your entry term. |
| RWJBarnabas / Trinitas cooperative | RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing + UCNJ Student Services | Submit Trinitas School of Nursing application to Student Services per UCNJ Apply instructions. |
| JFK Muhlenberg cooperative | JFK Muhlenberg degrees (UCNJ) | Apply directly to JFK Muhlenberg Snyder Schools; registration and schedule changes route through the school per UCNJ Apply page. |
What you need before applying
- Official transcripts and any placement testing required after general admission to UCNJ.
- ATI TEAS for Practical Nursing—follow schedules and preparation PDFs on the Practical Nursing program page.
- Criminal background checks, health documentation, CPR, malpractice insurance, and uniforms as required in the Practical Nursing or partner school handbooks.
- For cooperative programs, compliance with both UCNJ academic policies and the partner hospital school’s grading and clinical policies.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | Varies by program; confirm in the Practical Nursing application or partner school catalog |
| TEAS | Required for Practical Nursing per program page; cooperative RN testing requirements are set by UCNJ/partner materials—confirm for your track |
| HESI | Not publicly disclosed as a UCNJ-wide requirement on the pages summarized here |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UCNJ publishes Fall 2026 – Summer 2027 tuition on its Tuition and Fees page. Nursing students should also budget the Book Subscription annual fee, course-specific Practical Nursing clinical fees (PNU courses), and— for RWJBarnabas NURE courses—additional per-credit clinical and technology fees listed on the same page. JFK Muhlenberg charges are described as separate; contact the Snyder Schools for their current fee schedule.
| Residency | Tuition (2026–27) |
|---|---|
| New Jersey resident (part-time, per credit) | $225.00 |
| Out-of-state / international (part-time, per credit) | $425.00 |
| Full-time (12–18 credits / semester) | $2,745 in-state; $5,235 out-of-state/international |
| RWJBarnabas nursing clinical fee (per credit hour) | $822 (listed on UCNJ tuition page for NURE courses) |
| Source | UCNJ — Tuition and Fees. Confirm current amounts with Student Accounts (StudentAccountsOffice@ucc.edu). |
UCNJ also publishes estimated Cost of Attendance tables for “School of Nursing (EGHN Majors)” with separate clinical cost lines—see the same tuition page for full-time and half-time examples.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use UCNJ’s exam pass-rate PDF for licensure outcomes; the document includes multi-year NCLEX-PN and cooperative NCLEX-RN rows. The project did not locate a separate nursing-specific employment table for UCNJ in the sources summarized here.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN (CY 2024) | 89.5% (UCNJ exam pass-rate PDF, August 2025) |
| NCLEX-RN cooperative — Trinitas track (CY 2024) | 88.0% (same source) |
| NCLEX-RN cooperative — JFK Muhlenberg (CY 2024) | 89.4% (same source) |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed in the nursing-specific sources summarized here—see UCNJ Career Services and partner school outcomes. |
| Source | UCNJ Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates PDF. Confirm current outcomes with UCNJ and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. |
Is Union County College the Right Fit for You?
UCNJ fits students who want either a structured LPN certificate on campus or a cooperative RN pathway tied to major hospital-based schools—but it is not ideal if you expect every nursing course to occur on a single community-college campus or if you are unwilling to coordinate two institutions for cooperative RN tracks.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an LPN certificate at a public college or an RN diploma/A.S. combination with RWJBarnabas or JFK Muhlenberg.
- Can commute to Union County campuses and partner clinical sites in Northern/Central New Jersey.
- Prefer transparent institutional reporting of NCLEX-PN and cooperative NCLEX-RN in one document.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a single-campus ADN where all nursing theory and clinicals occur at one community college building.
- Require a BSN from the same institution—UCNJ awards the cooperative A.S. but not a BSN.
- Cannot meet hospital-school requirements for cooperative programs (background checks, health clearance, scheduling).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Union County sits between Newark and the Raritan Valley, with RWJBarnabas Health, Atlantic Health, and Hackensack Meridian Health facilities serving residents who also travel into New York City for care. Cooperative nursing students train through RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing (Elizabeth/Trinitas corridor) or JFK University Hospital / Muhlenberg campuses in Plainfield, exposing learners to community hospitals, specialty centers, and ambulatory networks. Practical Nursing clinicals may extend across additional agencies per semester—confirm current contracts with the program.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Hospital networks | RWJBarnabas Health (including Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth) and JFK Health System facilities anchor clinical education for cooperative tracks. |
| Community & post-acute | LPN and RN students may also rotate through skilled nursing, outpatient, or community settings aligned with program objectives. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
UCNJ’s Cranford campus (1033 Springfield Avenue) houses central services such as admissions and the Student Development Building referenced in public-safety materials. Elizabeth and Plainfield campuses support coursework aligned with allied health and cooperative partners. Practical Nursing students use UCNJ skills labs and partner clinical sites; cooperative RN students split time between UCNJ general education courses and the partner hospital school facilities. Student clubs, athletics (Union Owls), and support services are described on UCNJ’s campus life pages.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary admissions address
- Office of Admissions, UCNJ, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016, US
- Admissions phone
- (908) 709-7518
- Website
- ucc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download UCNJ’s Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates PDF and bookmark the NJCCN NCLEX page.
- Choose your pathway: Practical Nursing (TEAS + program application) or cooperative RN (UCNJ prerequisites + RWJBarnabas or JFK Muhlenberg application rules).
- Open the current Practical Nursing application PDF and handbook for your entry term.
- If applying cooperative RN, read RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing or contact JFK Muhlenberg Snyder Schools for diploma-school steps.
- Review the tuition table for 2026–27 and note RWJBarnabas NURE clinical fees vs. JFK billing.
- Call (908) 709-7518 or visit a Student Services Center if you need placement testing or program-change advising.
- Add calendar reminders for every deadline in your chosen program’s packet—cooperative tracks often differ from Practical Nursing dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Union County College offer?
UCNJ offers a Practical Nursing certificate (NCLEX-PN) and cooperative Associate in Science nursing pathways completed with RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing (Elizabeth/Trinitas) or JFK Muhlenberg Snyder Schools (Plainfield). UCNJ does not award a BSN; after licensure you may transfer to a four-year RN-to-BSN program.
What are the NCLEX pass rates for UCNJ nursing?
According to UCNJ’s Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates (August 2025), Practical Nursing reported an 89.5% NCLEX-PN pass rate for calendar year 2024; cooperative tracks reported 88.0% NCLEX-RN (Trinitas partnership) and 89.4% (JFK Muhlenberg partnership) for the same year. Confirm newer cohorts in the updated PDF on UCNJ consumer information and with the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
How much is Union County College tuition for 2026–27?
UCNJ lists $225 per credit for in-state residents and $425 for out-of-state/international part-time students for Fall 2026–Summer 2027; full-time bands are $2,745 in-state and $5,235 out-of-state per semester for 12–18 credits. Nursing students pay additional clinical and technology fees—see the tuition page for RWJBarnabas NURE fees and Practical Nursing PNU course fees.
Does Union County College Practical Nursing require the TEAS?
Yes. The Practical Nursing program publishes ATI TEAS schedules, preparation documents, and registration steps on its program page—follow the current packet for your application cycle.
How do I apply to the cooperative RN programs?
Apply to UCNJ for general admission and complete prerequisites. Per UCNJ’s Apply page, Trinitas School of Nursing cooperative applications go to the Student Services Center, JFK Muhlenberg applicants apply directly to the Snyder Schools, and RWJBarnabas details are on rwjbh.org/nursingschool. Confirm each partner’s deadlines separately.
Is Union County College’s Practical Nursing program accredited?
The program states it is pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation. Pursuing or holding candidacy is not the same as full accreditation—confirm current status with UCNJ and NLN CNEA before enrolling.
Where will I complete clinicals at Union County College?
Practical Nursing clinicals may be scheduled days, evenings, or weekends per the program page. Cooperative RN clinicals occur through RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing or JFK Muhlenberg according to each school’s contracts.
Does Union County College offer RN-to-BSN?
No. UCNJ does not award a BSN. Licensed graduates may use transfer advising and NJTransfer to continue toward a BSN at partner universities.
How do I contact Union County College?
Admissions lists (908) 709-7518. Mailing address: Office of Admissions, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016. Use program-specific pages for Practical Nursing versus cooperative partner contacts.
References
- UCNJ — Nursing degrees overviewucc.edu/academics/degrees/nursing
- UCNJ — Practical Nursing programucc.edu/…/practical-nursing-program
- UCNJ — Licensure and Industry Credential Exam Pass Rates (August 2025 PDF)PDF on ucc.edu
- UCNJ — Tuition and Fees (2026–27)ucc.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees
- UCNJ — Apply (admissions phone & cooperative instructions)ucc.edu/admissions/apply
- RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursingrwjbh.org/nursingschool
- New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing — NCLEX resourcesnjccn.org/nj-nclex
- New Jersey Board of Nursing (NJ Division of Consumer Affairs)njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment of NCLEX figures with UCNJ’s August 2025 exam pass-rate PDF, tuition tables for 2026–27, and cooperative vs. Practical Nursing admissions requirements.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy