Students & Public

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process that uses peer review to determine if academic programs meet public confidence.

The ACEN provides specialized accreditation for programs of nursing education, both postsecondary and higher degree, which offer either a certificate, a diploma, or a recognized professional degree (clinical doctorate, master’s, baccalaureate, associate, diploma, and practical).

Programmatic accreditation is voluntary, meaning that the process is initiated by each nursing program, and not all nursing programs are accredited. In order for an individual to be considered a graduate of an accredited nursing program, the date of graduation must fall within the nursing program’s accreditation period.

Benefits of Accreditation

Aids in student recruitment.
Provides students useful information for career and education decision-making.
Enables students’ eligibility for funding support from federal and state agencies, and foundations.
Is required by many nursing programs for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs.
Is required by some state regulatory agencies.
Assists employers seeking graduates who are competent practitioners.
Facilitates the transfer of credit using the following considerations:

The educational quality of the institution from which the student transfers.
The comparability of the nature, content, and level of credit earned from the programs offered by the receiving college or program.
and the appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned from the programs offered by the receiving college in light of the student’s educational goals.

Heightens faculty members’ and administrators’ awareness and responsiveness to areas needing improvement.
Offers professional development opportunity and validation for faculty.

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