Frequently Asked Questions about PREP

Please review the below FAQ's, helpful links, etc. for details about our PREP (Pre-Nursing Readiness & Education Program).

Who are these courses designed for?

These courses are for healthcare workers in Burnet, Llano, and Blanco counties who need the prerequisite classes to submit a strong application for the LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) or Associate Degree RN (Registered Nurse) programs at Central Texas College-Marble Falls.

Do I need to work in healthcare?

Individuals who have prior or current experience in healthcare (clinical, clerical, medical billing and coding, or administrative) who are preparing for the next step into nursing are preferred, not required.

Do I need to have already started prerequisites?

No. You may be just getting started or completing remaining prerequisites that are now offered at Central Texas College-Marble Falls.

What prerequisites are required for the LVN program?

At Central Texas College-Marble Falls, prerequisite courses for LVN are Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology I.

What prerequisites are required for the Associate Degree RN program?

At Central Texas College-Marble Falls, prerequisite courses for Associate Degree RN are Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology I, Microbiology and English Composition.

Is this a remedial program?

Prerequisites at Central Texas College-Marble Falls earn college credit on your college transcripts. A not-for-credit math remediation course is available for all students who need help passing the math portion of the TSI. Passing all three components of the TSI is required for entrance into prerequisite courses.

What is the TSI?

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment is a state-mandated program in Texas designed to measure college readiness in reading, writing and mathematics for higher education. More information here: https://www.ctcd.edu/students/current-ctc-students/testing-services/tsi-texas-success-initiative/

What kind of academic support is provided?

Academic support is built into PREP for Anatomy & Physiology I, Microbiology, and Pharmacology. As part of PREP, students are required to participate in facilitated study groups and attend academic tutoring sessions.

When do the LVN prerequisites start?

For those selected to participate in PREP, the LVN Pre-Nursing “readiness” includes an eight-week Math Remediation course only for those who have not passed the TSI Math component -- beginning September 8 and ending October 29, 2026, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Once TSI-Complete, students are eligible to register for the 2027 Spring Semester prerequisite Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Pharmacology courses that begin January 11 2027.

When do the RN prerequisites start?

RN Pre-Nursing readiness includes an eight-week Math Remediation course -- only for those who have not passed the TSI Math component – beginning June 9, 2026 and ending July 30, 2026, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Once TSI-Complete, students are eligible to register for the Fall 2026

prerequisite Anatomy & Physiology 1 and English Composition starting September 1, 2026. Passing students will continue on and register for the Spring 2027 prerequisite Microbiology and Pharmacology courses that begin January 11, 2027.

What is the time commitment for prerequisites?

In-person attendance is required three nights per week, 3 hours each night. Expect 10-15 hours of personal study time outside of class per week.

Where are the courses held?

All courses are held at Central Texas College-Marble Falls, 806 Steve Hawkins Parkway, Marble Falls, Texas 78654

Can I keep working while taking these courses?

These courses are designed with healthcare workers in mind. Attendance is required 3 evenings per week, and some people may need to modify their work schedule.

How many spots are available?

We are accepting 24 pre-LVN students and 25 pre-RN students.

What happens after I complete the prerequisites?

The HESI exam is the next step in applying to a nursing program. The preparation for this exam is part of PREP.

What scores do I need to make to be eligible for nursing school acceptance?

You must earn an A or B in all prerequisite nursing courses. High grades in prerequisite classes and a passing HESI-A2 score will qualify you to apply to nursing school at Central Texas College-Marble Falls.

Where will I attend nursing school?

The goal of PREP is to prepare you to submit a competitive application to Nursing School at Central Texas College-Marble Falls.

Do I need to apply to Central Texas College-Marble Falls?

YES! Please complete the free online application for acceptance into Central Texas College. Once you are selected to participate in PREP, you will register for classes. Click here for the application: https://www.ctcd.edu/students/prospective-students/getting-started/apply-for-admission/

For assistance with your application, please contact Marble Falls Site Director, Jennifer Cowfer, at jcowfer@ctcd.edu.

Is financial assistance available for tuition and books?

Yes, scholarships are available.

Is this the right fit for me?

This is a fit if you work in healthcare, want to become a nurse, and are ready for college-level work. It is not a fit if you need broad academic remediation, are not committed to the rigors of nursing school prerequisites, and do not plan to work in either Burnet, Blanco or Llano County after graduating from nursing school.

Where do I go to get more information about this program?

First, watch these videos which explains LVN & RN PREP and how to apply for entrance into the program: LVN PREP VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxIcQmkbYAc

RN PREP VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxIcQmkbYAc

Next, make sure that you have read and understand these FAQ's thoroughly.

Then complete the online questionnaire, found here and a member of our team will reach out to you within 48-72 hours: https://forms.gle/tCNcrfDMjGehYcW1A