“The faculty genuinely cared about my success. I felt prepared from day one.”
Daniela Park
A.A.S. Nursing
Transform your
nursing career
with SMCAH.
Saint Michael College of Allied Health offers ACEN-accredited nursing programs with 100% graduate employment. Start your journey today at our Virginia or D.C. campus.
Student Success
Employed
Dual Campuses
Virginia & D.C.
Accreditation & Licenses
- ACEN Accredited
- SCHEV Certified
- Virginia Board of Nursing
- D.C. Board of Nursing
- Council on Occupational Education
Why Choose SMCAH
Why Choose SMCAH?
ACEN-accredited nursing programs trusted by 2,000+ graduates
Saint Michael College of Allied Health is a driving force for advancing nursing — through innovative research, hands-on learning, and a personalized approach that prepares clinicians to lead in today's evolving healthcare landscape.
100% Employed
Curriculum built around real industry needs — graduates are job-ready from day one.
Avg. time to employment: 2–3 months
View student outcomesDedicated Faculty
Every student gets individualized mentorship from clinicians who care about your success.
1:15 student-to-faculty ratio
Meet our facultyAffordability
Quality nursing education shouldn't be out of reach. Aid, scholarships, and payment plans available.
Most affordable ACEN program in the region
Calculate your costOur programs
Two paths into nursing. Both ACEN-accredited.
Choose the credential that fits your timeline and goals. Credits earned at our D.C. campus transfer to the Virginia main campus.
DEGREEAssociate of Applied Science in Nursing
- CredentialAssociate Degree (A.A.S.)
- LicensureEligible for NCLEX-RN
- Length60+ credits (27 prereq + nursing core)
- EnrollmentFall & Spring intakes
- CampusesVirginia & D.C.
- To graduate2.5 GPA minimum
CERTIFICATEPractical Nursing Certificate
- CredentialCertificate
- LicensureEligible for NCLEX-PN
- Length14 mo. day / 18 mo. evening
- Total hours1,604 hours theory + clinical
- CampusD.C. campus
- To graduate76% minimum grade
Meet our faculty
Practicing clinicians. Patient teachers.
Every SMCAH instructor is an active nurse, NP, or clinician. They bring today's bedside reality straight into the classroom — and stay in your corner long after graduation.
- Doctorally-prepared lead instructors in every track
- 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical labs
- Open-door advising, in person and virtual
Student stories
Real graduates. Real outcomes.
Hear directly from the nurses we trained.
“Hands-on clinical hours made all the difference when I started working.”
Imani Brooks
Practical Nursing
“Small classes meant I never got lost. My instructors knew me by name.”
Camila Ortiz
A.A.S. Nursing
“I studied in the evenings while working. The schedule made it possible.”
Marcus Lee
Practical Nursing
“The NCLEX prep was thorough. I walked in confident.”
Aisha Bello
A.A.S. Nursing
“Two campuses gave me flexibility I couldn't find anywhere else.”
Grace Donovan
Practical Nursing
“Simulation labs felt like real shifts. By graduation I was already job-ready.”
Jordan Whitfield
A.A.S. Nursing
100%
Graduate employment (last 3 years)
95%
First-time NCLEX pass rate
2
ACEN-accredited campuses
*Verify against current ACEN Annual Report figures before publishing.
Two campuses, one mission
Train where you live. Work where you're needed.
Virginia
Suburban campus, full-service simulation labs
Our flagship Virginia location offers a 50,000 sq ft learning facility with high-fidelity simulation suites and dedicated clinical partners across NoVA.
- Free covered parking
- On-site testing & tutoring
- Clinical rotations within 20 minutes
Washington D.C.
Urban campus, hospital-network clinicals
Our D.C. campus places students in some of the nation's busiest teaching hospitals — ideal for the urban-pace nurse.
- Metro-accessible (Red Line)
- Evening & hybrid cohorts
- Partnerships with three major health systems
Questions?
What prospective students ask most
Everything you need to know before applying.
The A.A.S. in Nursing requires 27 credits of prerequisite coursework, including Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, English Composition, and College Mathematics. Science courses must be completed within 5 years of admission. The Practical Nursing certificate requires a high school diploma or GED.
The Practical Nursing certificate takes 14 months (day) or 18 months (evening). The A.A.S. in Nursing is credit-based with Fall and Spring enrollment; full timeline depends on your prerequisite standing.
A.A.S. graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse). Practical Nursing graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN (Practical Nurse). Both programs include exit exam preparation (ATI/HESI) before you test.
SMCAH is among the most affordable accredited programs in the Virginia and D.C. area. Financial aid is available to those who qualify — complete the FAFSA annually. Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your actual cost. Net Price Calculator →
Many students do. The Practical Nursing program offers an evening track (18 months) designed for working adults, and the A.A.S. program offers flexible scheduling across two campuses.
Yes. SMCAH is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Council on Occupational Education, certified by SCHEV, and approved by the Virginia and D.C. Boards of Nursing.
Still have questions? Contact our admissions team →
Ready to become a nurse?
Applications for the next cohort are open. Start yours in about 15 minutes.
ACEN-accredited · Virginia & D.C. campuses · Financial aid available