CCNE

CCNE, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, is a U.S.-based nonprofit accreditation body that evaluates and accredits baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. It operates as a commission of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and focuses on ensuring the quality and integrity of nursing education to prepare graduates for professional practice and licensure.

CCNE accredits nursing programs located in the United States and its territories. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a national accrediting agency. CCNE handles accreditation for baccalaureate and graduate degree programs, while other organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) oversee diploma and associate degree nursing programs.

The accreditation process typically begins with a program conducting a comprehensive self-study that documents curriculum design, governance, resources, student outcomes, and assessment practices. This is followed by a site visit conducted by CCNE evaluators, after which the CCNE Board reviews the findings and issues an accreditation decision. Accreditation may be granted for a fixed period, often several years, with periodic reporting and further reviews required to maintain status. Programs must demonstrate ongoing compliance with CCNE’s Standards for Accreditation, which address mission alignment, governance and administration, program quality, faculty resources, curriculum, student outcomes, and continuous quality improvement.

CCNE accreditation supports program eligibility for federal funding and contributes to public assurance of educational quality. It exists alongside other national accrediting bodies in nursing and is one of the primary mechanisms by which nursing programs demonstrate quality to students, employers, and regulators.