2023 Standards and Criteria

Standard #4

Curriculum

The curriculum supports the achievement of the end-of-program student learning outcomes for each nursing program type, and additionally for graduate programs, the role-specific nursing competencies; and is consistent with safe practice in contemporary healthcare environments.

Criterion 4.1

The nursing curriculum has one set of end-of-program student learning outcomes that:

a. are based on contemporary professional nursing standards, guidelines, and/or competencies; and

b. apply to all program options and reflect the educational level at which students are being prepared.

Additionally, for Graduate Programs:

c. integrate role-specific nursing competencies applicable to each program option.

Criterion 4.2

Course student learning outcomes are organized to demonstrate progression to facilitate the students’ achievement of:

a. the end-of-program student learning outcomes.

Additionally, for Graduate Programs:

b. the role-specific nursing competencies.

Criterion 4.3

Teaching/instructional strategies and learning activities in all learning environments are varied, appropriate for the method of delivery, and incorporate learning and technology resources to facilitate the students’ achievement of course student learning outcomes.

Criterion 4.4

The nursing curriculum is:

a. developed by the faculty and regularly reviewed for currency; and

b. implemented as published.

Criterion 4.5

The nursing program of study includes:

Undergraduate Programs:

a. General education courses/concepts that enhance nursing knowledge and practice for the educational level at which students are being prepared.

b. Nursing courses that facilitate student achievement of course student learning outcomes and end-of-program student learning outcomes.  

Graduate Programs:

a. Core/foundational courses that enhance nursing knowledge and practice for the educational level at which students are being prepared.

b. Nursing courses that facilitate student achievement of course student learning outcomes, end-of-program student learning outcomes, and role-specific nursing competencies.

Criterion 4.6

Course credits and/or clock hours for all nursing courses in the program of study, including ratios for contact hours, comply with requirements of the:

a. governing organization and

b. regulatory agencies.

Additionally for Graduate Programs:

c. certifying agencies, as applicable.

Criterion 4.7

Emphasizing the role of the nurse at the educational level for which students are being prepared, the curriculum incorporates contemporary concepts in all learning environments, including, but not limited to:

a. diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or social determinants of health;

b. evidence-based practice, research, and/or scholarship;

c. information literacy;

d. interprofessional collaboration and delegation; and

e. professional identity and scope of practice.

Criterion 4.8

If used, skills and/or simulation laboratory learning environments and experiences:

a. reflect evidence-based nursing practice;

b. include healthcare technology;

c. meet regulatory agencies requirements for skills laboratory and/or simulation, as applicable; and

For Undergraduate Programs:

d. reflect the educational level at which students are being prepared to facilitate the achievement of the course student learning outcomes and end-of-program student learning outcomes.

For Graduate Programs:

d. reflect the educational level at which students are being prepared to facilitate the achievement of the course student learning outcomes, end-of-program student learning outcomes, and role-specific nursing competencies.

Criterion 4.9

Clinical/practicum learning environments and experiences:

a. have current written agreements that specify expectations for all parties for the protection of the student;

b. reflect evidence-based nursing practice;

c. meet regulatory agencies’ requirements for clinical/practicum learning environments, as applicable; and

For Undergraduate Programs:

d. reflect the educational level at which students are being prepared to facilitate the achievement of the course student learning outcomes and end-of-program student learning outcomes.

For Graduate Programs:

d. reflect the educational level at which students are being prepared to facilitate the achievement of the course student learning outcomes, end-of-program student learning outcomes, and role-specific nursing competencies.

Criterion 4.10

Formative and summative student evaluation methods:

a. are utilized throughout the curriculum in all learning environments;

b. are varied and appropriate for all methods of delivery; and

c. align with the progression of course student learning outcomes.

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NOTE, DIPLOMA PRE-LICENSURE REGISTERED NURSING PROGRAMS ONLY:

In the absence of requirements by a governing organization’s accrediting agency or regulatory agencies, the maximum number of credit hours is 90, including no more than 50 credit hours of nursing courses. The 90 credit hours must include all credit hours of general education courses or equivalent clock hours.

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Jump to:
Standard 1: Administrative Capacity and Resources
Standard 2: Faculty
Standard 3: Students
Standard 4: Curriculum
Standard 5: Outcomes