The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. Accreditation also assists in the further improvement of the institutions or programs as related to resources invested, processes followed, and results achieved. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.
The purpose of the ACEN is to provide specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education in the United States and its territories as well as international programs.
The ACEN accredits all types of nursing programs, including practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and clinical doctorate.
The ACEN accredits nursing programs in a variety of postsecondary and higher education settings, including vocational-technical schools, hospitals, professional schools, community/technical colleges, and colleges/universities.
The ACEN serves as a Title IV-HEA Gatekeeper for some practical nursing programs and hospital-based programs eligible to participate in financial aid programs administered by the USDE or other federal agencies.
As the leader in nursing education accreditation, the goal of the ACEN is to be a supportive partner in strengthening the quality of nursing education programs through:
The ACEN is recognized by the United States Department of Education (ED) as a specialized accrediting agency for nursing education programs located in the United States and its territories.
National, regional, and specialized accreditors that oversee federal funding eligibility must be reviewed by the ED to ensure that the accrediting body meets specific standards established by Congress. The Secretary of Education for the USDE is charged with review of accrediting bodies and providing recognition to those accrediting agencies that meet the Secretary of Education’s criteria. Students in institutions or programs accredited by a USDE-recognized agency may be eligible for federal financial aid assistance and other needed resources.
The ACEN is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for nursing education programs in the United States and its territories as well as for international nursing education programs.
CHEA is a national and international advocate for academic quality through accreditation. The ACEN is recognized by CHEA as a programmatic accreditor for all levels of nursing education in the United States and its territories, as well as internationally, and inclusive of those programs delivered via distance education.
The ACEN accreditation program is founded on the belief that specialized accreditation contributes to the centrality of nursing for the public good and provides for the maintenance and enhancement of educational quality through continuous self-assessment, planning, and improvement. Accreditation indicates to the public and to the educational community that a nursing program has clear and appropriate educational objectives and is working to achieve these objectives. Emphasis is placed upon the entire nursing program and its compliance with established standards and criteria in the context of its mission/philosophy as well as current and future nursing practice.
Accrediting agencies share responsibility with their communities of interest for the development of accreditation standards and criteria, policies, and procedures for participation in accreditation and review of accreditation processes. The ACEN supports the continuation and strengthening of voluntary specialized accreditation by peers as a principal means of public accountability and ongoing improvement. Specialized accreditation sets standards for programs and ensures, through the self-study process and accreditation review process, the promotion of effective education and program improvement.
Standards and criteria for accreditation, materials that document compliance, policies, and procedures are based on principles widely accepted and tested in general and professional education. All those involved in the process must be aware of current developments in education and nursing. They must also be aware of the effectiveness of the current standards, criteria, policies, procedures, and the evidence of need for change. A systematic ongoing review of all components of the accreditation process is essential to ensure an up-to-date, reliable, and valid accrediting process.
The ACEN has a long-standing history with nursing accreditation in the United States. It was the first nursing accrediting agency. Please see the ACEN website for additional information about the history of the ACEN.
The ACEN is governed by a 17-member Board of Commissioners (BOC). The Commissioners are elected by the representatives of ACEN-accredited nursing programs. The legal basis for the foundation and structure of the Commission is outlined in the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation. The ACEN is incorporated under the laws of the state of New York.
Names, credentials, and affiliations of Commissioners are available online.
The ACEN staff maintain operational functions of the office and support the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Board of Commissioners, and nursing programs. Staff names and credentials
The core values of accreditation emphasize learning, community, responsibility, integrity, value, quality, and continuous improvement through reflection and analysis.
Peer review is a long-established and effective process that promotes institutions and academic programs embracing quality assurance and quality improvement to become stronger. The process also betters institutions and programs by setting standards of educational quality. It is used by the ACEN to help determine which programs meet or exceed established standards and criteria for educational quality in nursing education. The ACEN peer evaluators are familiar with contemporary practices in various program types and receive training from the ACEN to make informed professional judgment about a program’s compliance with the ACEN Standards and Criteria.
Quality in nursing education ensures high levels of opportunity for student learning and achievement. Accreditation is an affirmation of values central to postsecondary and higher education; this includes appropriate mission, organizational structures, processes, functions, resources aligned with core values, collegiality, and continuous improvement.
Each certificate, diploma, or degree has an identifiable, discrete set of specific end-of-program student learning outcomes and program outcomes. Postsecondary and higher education provide for the development of the learners’ ability to think for themselves, master analytical problem-solving, apply scientific knowledge, and make value judgments within the context of the specific program type. Thus, education requires a broad academic orientation, depth and breadth of intellectual knowledge, and skills translated into competencies to fulfill the nursing’s functions in all types of practice settings.
Standard – Agreed-upon expectations to measure quantity, extent, value, and educational quality.
Criteria – Statements that identify the elements that need to be examined in evaluation of a Standard.
The current version of the ACEN Standards and Criteria become effective on the date specified by the Board of Commissioners.
The ACEN has two accreditation cycles annually: the Fall Cycle: July 1 to December 31 and the Spring Cycle: January 1 to June 30. During each of the cycles there is a two-month period during which accreditation site visits are scheduled.
The ACEN accreditation process includes the following primary steps:
Programs seeking initial accreditation with the ACEN must start with the Candidacy process. The ACEN process for nursing programs seeking initial accreditation, after achieving Candidacy or continuing accreditation, is a comprehensive four-step process:
*An Appeal Committee may be convened only when initial or continuing accreditation is denied by the Board of Commissioners
Nursing programs currently not accredited with the ACEN should contact the ACEN. Under the guidance of an ACEN Director, the nurse administrator, the program faculty, and administrative officers of the governing organization determine when the program is ready to apply for candidacy and the initial accreditation site visit. The decision should be based on an in-depth self-study of the program in relation to the ACEN Standards and Criteria, ACEN policies, and required ACEN processes and timelines. See Policy #3 Eligibility for Initial and Continuing Accreditation and Policy #34 Candidacy for Governing Organization/Nursing Program Seeking Initial Accreditation.
An overview of the Candidacy process:
Programs that achieve Candidacy must publicly disclose its Candidacy. See Policy #34 Candidacy for Governing Organization/Nursing Program Seeking Initial Accreditation.
If a program’s Candidacy expires prior to scheduling an initial accreditation site visit, then the program must restart the candidacy process to renew its Candidacy. The Candidacy process can be restarted at any time after either being disapproved, withdrawn, or when the program’s Candidacy has expired.
Each governing organization/nursing program making a Candidacy Presentation to the ACEN or having already been granted Candidacy agrees to certain requirements concerning financial obligation, choice of law, jurisdiction, and venue. See Policy #28 Litigation and Policy #38 Arbitration.
Programs approved for Candidacy by the ACEN must notify the ACEN of changes that occur in the program during the entire Candidacy process; eligibility for both the Candidacy process and Candidacy are based upon the information provided in the Candidacy Eligibility Application or the Candidacy Presentation. Changes that occur can affect the program’s eligibility to pursue and/or achieve initial accreditation. See Policy #34 Candidacy for Governing Organization/Nursing Program Seeking Initial Accreditation and Policy #3 Eligibility for Initial or Continuing Accreditation.
Once Candidacy has been achieved, the chief executive officer of the governing organization and the nurse administrator must authorize the scheduling/hosting of the initial accreditation site visit using the online Site Visit Request Form.
A nursing program may discontinue the initial accreditation process at any time. A program seeking initial accreditation can also withdraw from the process at any point prior to being reviewed by the Board of Commissioners.
NOTE:
Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a Candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation. Accreditation is not retroactive for students who graduated prior to the program achieving Candidacy with the ACEN. See Policy #34.
In order for the ACEN to properly discharge its responsibilities to the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to 34 CFR Section 602.28 and per Policy #3 Eligibility for Initial or Continuing Accreditation, an applicant for candidacy must disclose and certify that neither the governing organization nor the nursing program is the subject of certain circumstances.
The program will be required to disclose and certify this information at the time that the Official Authorization for Candidacy Process Form is signed and again when the program applies for the initial accreditation site visit. Information submitted by the program will be kept confidential and will only be utilized by the ACEN in its report to the USDE as required. The information provided by the governing organization/nursing program will not be utilized in determining the program’s candidacy or its initial accreditation with the ACEN. The achievement of Candidacy as well as achieving initial accreditation will be based upon the program’s ability to demonstrate compliance with the current ACEN Standards and Criteria.
Planning for continuing accreditation is an ongoing process. A program must be visited and re-evaluated at specified intervals to ensure continuing compliance with the ACEN Standards and Criteria. The ACEN staff will notify the program of a pending visit in advance and when dates for the continuing accreditation site visit are scheduled in consultation with the nurse administrator, as the program must be in full operation during the visit.
Official authorization to conduct the ACEN accreditation process is submitted by the nurse administrator for the nursing program. The Site Visit Request Form is available on the ACEN website for the program to complete approximately 12-18 months before the visit is to take place. Dates for the scheduled site visit will be provided one year prior to the start of the scheduled accreditation cycle during which the visit is taking place.
If an ACEN-accredited program seeks to delay, advance, or reschedule a visit, refer to Policy #6 Delay/Advancement of Continuing Accreditation Visit. If an ACEN-accredited program seeks to voluntarily withdraw from ACEN accreditation, refer to Policy #7 Voluntary Withdrawal from ACEN Accreditation.
ACEN-accredited programs are required to submit information to the ACEN regarding Substantive Changes in accordance with Policy #14 Reporting Substantive Changes.
Note: The requirements regarding substantive change reporting cany vary slightly for the nursing programs that the ACEN serves as the Title IV gatekeeper. All programs should reference the policy to know when a Substantive Change Report is needed. Templates for submitting the various types of substantive changes are accessible on the ACEN website which is also where programs will submit the report in the Substantive Change Portal.
The ACEN Directors are available to assist programs preparing for an initial or continuing accreditation site visit. The ACEN website also provides a wide variety of online resources for programs, including, but not limited to, the ACEN Glossary; the Site Visit Request form, and the ACEN 2023 Guidelines. These guidelines provide details regarding preparation of the Self-Study Report and for the site visit. Additionally, if applicable, the guidelines also include details regarding preparation of a Follow-Up Report and a Follow-Up Visit. The guidelines will also include details about reporting Substantive Changes and, if applicable, preparation of the Focused Visit Report.
Continuing education is offered to provide program faculty and leaders information about the accreditation processes and details regarding the preparation of the Self-Study Report. All programs seeking initial and continuing accreditation are encouraged to participate in these offerings. See the ACEN website for additional information.
Advisory Review is an opportunity for an ACEN-accredited program to receive feedback from an assigned ACEN Director regarding ACEN Accreditation. Reviews may include. but are not limited to. a review of the accreditation process, assistance with curriculum, assistance with assessment processes, and a review of draft program documents in preparation fora continuing accreditation site visit. Examples of documents that a Director could provide feedback include a portion(s) of the Self-Study Report, faculty profile table, or systematic plan of evaluation. This is an optional resource for currently accredited programs and is not a requirement for continuing accreditation. Director feedback indicates the staff member’s best judgment but does not guarantee that the Board of Commissioners will determine that the program complies with the ACEN Standards and Criteria. An Advisory Review maybe conducted by videoconference or in-person review. Additional information about an Advisory Review is accessible on the ACEN website, including the fee for this optional service.
Observer Experience provides a nursing program with the opportunity to send a program representative on an accreditation site visit as an observer. This typically occurs 12 to 18 months prior to the program’s upcoming accreditation site visit. The Observer Experience enables the program representative to observe every component of the site visit process, including orientation as a peer evaluator and team preparation prior to the site visit. A nursing program submits a request to have an observer on an upcoming visit to a nursing program who has consented to have an observer. The governing organization for the observer is responsible for all costs of the observer in this experience. See ACEN Policy #32 Observer on Site Visit Team as well as the website for additional information regarding being an observer on a site visit team.
Any program preparing for initial or continuing accreditation must submit a Self-Study Report to demonstrate the extent to which the program meets the ACEN Standards and Criteria. The Self-Study Report and supporting evidence must be uploaded into the ACEN Repository no later than six weeks prior to the date of the initial or continuing accreditation site visit.
The process of self-study represents the combined efforts of the governing organization administrators, nursing program administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other individuals concerned with the nursing program(s). All those associated with the program(s) should participate in the self-study process. Broad participation leads to an understanding of the total program.
The Self-Study Report is a primary document used by the peer evaluators visiting the program, the peer evaluators on the Evaluation Review Panel, and the Board of Commissioners to understand the nursing program.
The 2023 ACEN Guidelines are available to assist programs in preparing for an upcoming initial or continuing accreditation site visit.
The purpose of the initial or continuing accreditation site visit is to determine the extent to which the program meets the ACEN Standards and Criteria by clarifying, verifying, and amplifying the information (narrative/evidence) presented in the Self-Study Report. Based on findings, the peer evaluators visiting the program will make a determination regarding whether they were able to verify compliance with all Standards and Criteria reviewed.
Onsite review of the program by peer evaluators is an essential part of the accreditation process. It provides the program an opportunity to demonstrate and highlight information presented in its Self-Study Report and provides for interaction among peer evaluators and stakeholders: administrators, faculty, students, staff, and the public. In addition, the initial or continuing accreditation site visit provides peer evaluators with an opportunity to seethe nursing program first-hand. The peer evaluators conduct an independent analysis and make professional judgments on the extent to which the program meets the ACEN Standards and Criteria; their judgments are documented in the Site Visit Report. These peer evaluators verify congruence between the Self-Study Report and the actual practices of the program so that the peer evaluators on the Evaluation Review Panel and Board of Commissioners have a clear and complete understanding of the program.
The ACEN encourages single nursing education units offering more than one type of nursing program (practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and clinical doctorate) to request that all programs be reviewed for continuing or initial accreditation at the same time. The nursing education unit will prepare one Self-Study Report for all the programs and host one site visit for all the programs
Coordinated visits typically occur in conjunction with an initial or continuing accreditation visit or sometimes with a follow-up visit to cooperate with other accreditation and/or approval granting agencies. For example, an initial accreditation visit may be coordinated with a state board of nursing. The ACEN welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with other accreditation and approval-granting agencies (e.g., state regulatory agency for nursing). The goal is to increase efficiency and decrease faculty workload while maximizing outcomes. To arrange a coordinated visit, the nurse administrator initiates the process by submitting a request to the ACEN. The ACEN staff then work with the institutional/program administrators and faculty members to achieve their goal.
For a coordinated site visit, the program prepares materials separately for each agency team. The two teams share an agenda and conduct a site visit that meets each agency’s requirements. However, the representative from another agency is not a member of the ACEN site visit team. The ACEN peer evaluators and the other representative(s) may participate jointly in activities such as conferences with faculty, students, and other groups. Many of the activities of the ACEN peer evaluators and the representative(s) will be carried out separately as the purposes of ACEN accreditation may differ from those of other accrediting/approval-granting bodies. At the conclusion of the site visit, each agency writes a report that documents the extent to which the program meets the agency’s respective standards and criteria or regulations.
Follow-Up and focused visits typically occur independently; however, it is possible that a follow-up or focused visit could be combined with a regular continuing site visit. For example:
The goal of combining visits is to increase efficiency and decrease faculty workload. The faculty will prepare a Self-Study Report that addresses all Standards and Criteria for the continuing accreditation visit with an additional emphasis on the non-compliant Standard(s) for the follow-up or the type of substantive change necessitating the focused visit.
The initial or continuing accreditation site visit is typically scheduled for a minimum of three days. However, the length depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the nursing program, the number of nursing program types involved, and the locations of the program(s). Correspondence from the ACEN will indicate the inclusive dates of the visit.
Each initial or continuing accreditation site visit is conducted by a team of peers representing nurse educators, nurse clinicians and/or administrators with program-specific expertise. The site visit team reviewing a single program typically has three peer evaluators as the team members. Graduate programs offering advanced practice nursing options will have at least one team member with a current advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) background.
The ACEN staff will appoint the team of peer evaluators and notify the nurse administrator in advance of the visit. The nurse administrator should contact the ACEN staff in writing if a possible conflict of interest is identified with a peer evaluator. If a peer evaluator becomes ineligible or is unable to serve, another peer evaluator with comparable qualifications will be appointed.
When creating site visit teams, the ACEN staff takes into consideration assigning peer evaluators with backgrounds that are as similar as reasonably possible to the program being visited, including, but not limited to:
A peer evaluator is eligible to be a team chairperson after serving on a minimum of three teams as a peer evaluator. Eligible peer evaluators are required to complete additional training prior to chairing a visit. Team chairs assume the usual responsibilities of a team member; however, additional responsibilities include being the team spokesperson, coordinating/planning of the visit in collaboration with the nurse administrator and team members, facilitating meetings and interviews during the visit, and requesting additional information as appropriate. The team chair is also responsible for the collating and final editing of the team’s site visit report to ensure completeness and clarity, and submission of the report within one week following the site visit. The team chair must also provide any report clarifications identified by the ACEN staff after submission and may receive requests for further clarifications prior to the ERP meetings.
Eligible peer evaluators are required to complete site visitor training prior to participating in a site visit. Team member responsibilities include reviewing program materials in the ACEN Repository, preparing a draft copy of the Site Visit Report findings for assigned areas, submitting the draft to the team chair one week prior to the site visit, and making a list of findings that require additional verification, clarification, and/or amplification at the time of the site visit. Team members also collaborate with the team chair and other team members in completing the meetings, interviews, and observations identified on the site visit agenda, and also revise the final version of the draft report to submit to the team chair. Team members must also provide any report clarifications identified by the ACEN staff after submission and may receive requests for further clarifications prior to the ERP meetings.
Programs have specific responsibilities before, during, and after the site visit including, but not limited to, providing laptop computers for the team members, if requested by the team, to use throughout the site visit. Also, if needed, access to printing minimally at the campus. The program will need to identify a workroom where the team members can work during the site visit. The program must prepare to upload the report and supporting evidence into the ACEN repository by the due date (six weeks prior to the visit), and any additional evidence requested by peer evaluators. Programs must also ensure that peer evaluators have access to confidential materials and obtaining any necessary written permissions required prior to the site visit(e.g., review of records, access to the LMS). Programs for which all, or part, of the curriculum is delivered in a language other than English should make provisions for an interpreter to be present throughout the initial or continuing accreditation site visit and to make certain that all program documents are available in English for review by the peer evaluators. Additional specifics about preparing for the site visit will be communicated to the nurse administrator prior to the visit by the ACEN staff and resources will also be available in the ACEN Repository.
See Travel Policy for site visit arrangements for domestic programs and the Supplement for International Programs for site visit arrangements specific to international programs.
At least six weeks prior to the scheduled site visit, a tentative agenda for the site visit is prepared by the nurse administrator and sent to the team chair. See the ACEN2023 Guidelines for a list of required agenda items and a sample agenda for a site visit. The ACEN 2023 Guidelines also include information such as visiting Off-Campus Instructional Sites and the use of Distance Education. The site visit team must visit a majority of locations where the program is offered. For programs that use Distance Education, access to the courses should be provided with the Self-Study Report at least six weeks prior to the and throughout the visit.
The site visit team chair is responsible for presenting an accurate, complete, and well-organized Site Visit Report to the ACEN within one week after the conclusion of the site visit. Team members review the final report prior to submission to the ACEN. All Site Visit Reports are reviewed by the ACEN staff. If questions arise, the site visit team is contacted for clarification.
A draft copy of the Site Visit Report is emailed to the nurse administrator of the nursing program(s) approximately 6–8 weeks after the conclusion of the visit. The program faculty will have an opportunity to submit a response to the findings including any errors of fact, additional information, or changes since the time of the site visit.
Peer evaluators who have completed three visits as a team member are eligible to serve as an Evaluation Review Panel (ERP) member. Eligible peer evaluators are required to complete training prior to participating in ERP. The ERP panels are composed of nurse educators, clinicians, and administrators. The role of the ERP is to continue the peer review process, conduct its own independent analysis on the extent to which the program meets the ACEN Standards, and ensure the consistent application of the ACEN Standards and Criteria.
The Panel reviews the findings as presented in the Site Visit Report compared to the program’s report and response to the Site Visit Report. The Evaluation Review Panel also validates the work of the peer evaluators that visited the program and extends it by noting points of agreement and raising any questions where there is disagreement or a lack of clarity exists. The aim is to provide consistency in the findings for the program type. The Evaluation Review Panel member may request additional information/clarification during their review of the materials. The Panel then makes its recommendation for accreditation status to the Board of Commissioners. The dates for the Evaluation Review Panel meetings are available on the ACEN website.
The Board of Commissioners has the sole authority to determine the accreditation status of programs. Composed of nurse educators, nursing clinicians/practitioners, administrators, and public members, the Board of Commissioners bases its decisions on its own independent analysis and professional judgment to the extent to which the program meets the ACEN Standards and Criteria. The Board of Commissioners also considers the previous peer evaluators’ judgement and recommendations, as well as the consistent application of the ACEN Standards and Criteria within and across all program types.
The decision is based on the program’s report, the Site Visit Report, the program’s response, and the ERP findings and recommendation. The dates for the Board of Commissioners meetings are available on the ACEN website. To assist the nursing program in future planning, the nurse administrator receives a copy of the Board of Commissioners’ decision letter.
In cases where accreditation is denied, programs have the opportunity to present their case in an impartial hearing before an independent [ per Policy #10 Appeal Process and Submission and Review of New Financial Information Subsequent to Adverse Action.
Peer evaluators are knowledgeable about common, contemporary, and best practices within the various program types, appropriate curricula, and conventions as well as current trends in healthcare, nursing education, and/or nursing practice.
Eligibility to serve as an ACEN peer evaluator is dependent on requirements located in ACEN Policy #1 Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest and ACEN Policy#2 Representation on the Site Visit Teams, Evaluation Review Panels, and Board of Commissioners. Additionally, the educational and experiential requirements for becoming a peer evaluator are located on the ACEN website.
Board of Commissioners are elected by the ACEN-accredited nursing programs. The nurse administrator for each nursing program votes on individuals on the ballot for the open board positions. Additional information regarding the Board election process, terms of office, and the various roles of the Board of Commissioners is available in the Bylaws – Part B.
Members of the Appeal Committee must have knowledge of and experience with the peer-review process.
The Appeal Committee consists of individuals selected from a Board of Commissioners-approved list of the individuals qualified to serve as members of the Appeal Committee. See Policy#10 Appeal Process and Submission and Review of New Financial Information Subsequent to Adverse Action. A list of the individuals who have been appointed to the Appeal Committee is accessible on the ACEN website.
The ACEN shall maintain a roster of arbitrators.
A list of the individuals who are Arbitrators is accessible on the ACEN website. See Policy #38 Arbitration.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
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