By: The Capella University Editorial Team with Buddy Wiltcher, EdD, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Interim Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Reading Time: 8 minutes
Nursing programs aren’t all built the same. As you compare online nursing programs, you’ll likely notice that many offer similar coursework, formats and degree pathways. Accreditation is important and helps identify programs that have been reviewed against established national standards for nursing education.
The three main agencies for nursing programs in the U.S. are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education (NLN CNEA).
Understanding the value and meaning of accreditation can give you a more reliable way to compare programs than depending only on rankings or marketing materials.
Read on to learn what nursing accreditation means, how the accreditation process works and how to verify a program’s status when researching online accredited nursing programs.
Accredited nursing programs are degree or certificate programs that meet established quality standards for nursing education set by recognized accrediting bodies.
Accreditation is a quality assurance process used to evaluate whether a nursing program meets an accreditor’s published standards and criteria. Accrediting bodies review areas such as curriculum, faculty, program resources and evaluation processes as part of that assessment.
For example, the baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
As you research nursing programs, you’ll encounter three distinct types of quality markers: institutional accreditation, programmatic accreditation and state board approval. Note that not all nursing programs require state board approval (most post-licensure programs, such as RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN, do not require state board approval). Each evaluates different aspects of a program and serves a separate purpose.
Institutional and programmatic accreditation are voluntary processes in the U.S., designed for self-regulation and improvement. State board approval, however, is a regulatory requirement that evaluates whether a nursing program meets state-specific standards for nursing education and licensure eligibility. As noted previously, state board approval is not required for post-licensure programs.
Here are the main differences between the three.
Type |
Who does it |
What it covers |
Institutional accreditation |
Institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education |
The university or college as a whole, including its academic standards, financial stability, student services and overall educational quality |
Programmatic accreditation |
Nursing Programmatic Accreditation bodies such as CCNE, ACEN and NLN CNEA |
The specific nursing program’s curriculum, faculty credentials, clinical resources, student outcomes and alignment with professional nursing standards |
State board approval |
State boards of nursing |
Whether the nursing program meets state board requirements and whether graduates are eligible to sit for licensure examinations in that state; not all nursing programs require state board approval, requirements vary by state |
When comparing online RN-to-BSN programs, check whether the program is offered by an accredited institution and holds specialized nursing accreditation and any required state approvals. These factors can help you understand whether the program has been reviewed against recognized standards and whether it may meet eligibility requirements tied to licensure, certification or further education.
CCNE and ACEN accredit nursing programs in the U.S. While these are two of the most widely recognized nursing accreditors, there are additional accrediting bodies with more specialized areas of focus.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
CCNE accredits baccalaureate, graduate and nursing residency or fellowship programs.
CCNE reported accrediting more than 2,000 nursing programs as of fall 2023.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing provides specialized accreditation for nursing education programs across multiple educational levels. It accredits the following nursing programs throughout the United States, its territories and internationally:
ACEN is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the CHEA.
The National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) provides accreditation services for all types of nursing programs, including practical/vocational, diploma (RN), associate, bachelor’s, master’s, post-graduate certificates and practice doctorate programs. It is approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Beyond CCNE, ACEN and NLN CNEA, additional organizations accredit nursing programs with specialized focuses. Here are a few examples:
While the specific steps vary by accreditor, the accreditation process generally includes four stages that verify whether programs meet established standards.
The process begins with an in-depth review of the nursing program against the accreditor’s standards. Accrediting bodies evaluate areas such as program mission and outcomes, faculty qualifications, student support resources and curriculum effectiveness.
Once the evaluation against these standards is done, program administrators and faculty create a self-study document that includes information such as:
After they review the self-study and evidence, a team of peer reviewers visits the institution, a team of peer evaluators visits the university to assess physical and digital learning environments, including virtual classrooms where applicable. Evaluators may interview faculty, administrators and students while reviewing recorded sessions, course materials, faculty documentation and program records.
The process may also include reviewing simulation environments or practicum experiences to evaluate whether students have access to appropriate hands-on learning opportunities.
The accrediting body’s review committee examines the program’s self-study, site visit findings and supporting documentation to evaluate whether the program meets accreditation standards. Both CCNE and ACEN review evidence related to program outcomes, student support resources and continuous improvement processes as part of their evaluations.
The accrediting organization’s board or commission reviews the evaluation materials and determines the program’s accreditation status. For continued accreditation, programs must undergo re-evaluation every five, seven or 10 years. Programs also must participate in ongoing check-ins to ensure they are maintaining quality.
It is important to note that accredited programs may need to complete follow-up reporting or future reviews to maintain status, depending on the accreditor’s process.
Before enrolling in any online RN-to-BSN program, verify the accreditation status with ACEN and CCNE. Here’s how.
Look for accredited nursing programs in CCNE and ACEN’s online directories.
Your state board of nursing maintains a list of approved programs that meet its regulatory requirements. Check your state board’s website to confirm that the program you’re considering appears on its approved list, especially if you plan to practice in that specific state after graduation. That being said, state boards may not list programs that have met their requirements but do not have board approval. Since state board approval is not mandatory for all programs, be sure to research your program’s specific requirements.
Some state boards also publish information about programs under review or that have lost approval status. You can check the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) database to find state-approved nursing programs.
Institutional accreditation doesn’t automatically mean the nursing program itself is accredited by CCNE or ACEN. Contact the university directly to confirm its program accreditation and accrediting body. Also, check the date of its most recent accreditation review. You can request information about any conditions or compliance reports the program may be addressing.
Beyond accreditation, evaluate whether the program’s structure matches your learning needs, nursing background and schedule. For example, early-career students preparing for initial RN licensure may need a BSN (Prelicensure) program, while practicing RNs may want to consider an RN-to-BSN completion program designed for licensed nurses continuing their education while working.
Capella University’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN-to-BSN, is accredited by the CCNE and designed for licensed RNs. The program is also recognized by the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Nurses on Boards Coalition and Capella’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences Advisory Board (SoNHS).
Students can choose between FlexPath and GuidedPath learning formats. FlexPath allows students to move through coursework at their own pace and set their own deadlines, while GuidedPath follows a more structured schedule with faculty-guided discussions and online coursework.
“The flexibility was important to me, as I was working full-time 12-hour shifts while going to school. On my days off I was able to focus on school, and when I was at work I could focus on work.” – Danielle Shumway, RN-to-BSN, FlexPath alum
Before enrolling in any nursing program, review the program requirements carefully and confirm accreditation, state approval, practicum expectations and licensure-related requirements through official program, accreditor and state board resources.
Finding the right online RN-to-BSN program starts with clarity. Know what you need from the program, verify requirements through official sources and compare your options against your long-term nursing goals.
The right fit should support where you are now as a nurse and where you want your education to take you next.
Explore a nursing program built to fit your goals and schedule.
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