DNP Program Accreditation

CALL FOR THIRD PARTY COMMENTS RE: DNP PROGRAM

The Baccalaureate and Master’s Programs of the Lienhard School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). We are now at the point in time for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program to seek initial accreditation. We have been engaged in the Self Study process of the DNP over the past 12 months. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is scheduled to make an accreditation site visit to the Lienhard School of Nursing from April 8 – 10, 2010.

CCNE welcomes third-party comments written by individuals such as yourself. Written and signed third-party comments concerning an educational program’s qualifications for accreditation from LSN’s major constituents, including students, faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and clinical agency colleagues, will be reviewed by CCNE until 30 days before the scheduled site visit. As a colleague of LSN, your input can be an important part of the total picture our site visitors receive about LSN.
Any comments related to the accreditation standards that you may wish to share with CCNE should be addressed directly to the:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036-1120

CCNE Accreditation: Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.

CCNE Accreditation Standards:
Program Quality: Mission and Governance
Program Quality: Institutional Commitment and Resources
Program Quality: Curriculum and Teaching-Learning Practices
Program Effectiveness: Aggregate Student and Faculty Outcomes
Each standard contains “key elements” that focus on different aspects of the individual standards. For example, under Curriculum and Teaching/Learning Practices a key element is “The curriculum, teaching-learning practices, and teaching environments foster behaviors consistent with professional nursing standards and guidelines.” For further information, please visit the CCNE website at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation/index.htm.

Thank you in advance for your support of and your cooperation with our self-study process for CCNE.
Sincerely,

Harriet R. Feldman, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor