CANDIDACY
The ACEN accredits nursing programs in the United States and its territories, as well as international nursing programs. This includes nursing programs of six program types: clinical doctorate, master’s, baccalaureate, associate, diploma, and practical. In addition, the ACEN accredits stand-alone post-master’s certificate programs as well as stand-alone DNP Specialist certificate programs.
The journey of program improvement and peer review begins with eligibility for Candidacy, continues with the achievement of Candidacy itself, and culminates with the initial accreditation process. We welcome you to use this webpage and the resources here as you take your first steps along that journey. This page serves as your gateway to information about Eligibility and Candidacy as well as the cost associated with Candidacy and accreditation.
The Candidacy process also represents an opportunity to work with ACEN’s professional nursing staff, who offer valuable mentorship and guidance to programs pursuing Candidacy and initial ACEN accreditation. If you have any questions regarding either eligibility or Candidacy, do not hesitate to contact the ACEN office at +1 (404) 975-5000. Ask to speak to a Director regarding the process.
Candidacy is essentially the same for domestic and international programs, and is the first step toward ACEN initial accreditation. Programs can pursue the Candidacy process at any time. A program does not need to have graduates in order to achieve initial accreditation with the ACEN. Nursing education units can also bring multiple programs (e.g., master’s, baccalaureate, and associate; associate and practical) through the Candidacy and initial accreditation process simultaneously. The program leaders determine the timing of the Candidacy process as well as the initial accreditation visit after having achieved Candidate status. Based on programs that were granted initial accreditation, the overall process can be completed in as little as nine months or can take as long as four years.
The first step toward achieving Candidacy is determining if the nursing program and its governing organization are eligible to pursue ACEN accreditation. Once eligibility is determined, the second step towards Candidacy begins.
Eligibility is a process that affirms that a nursing program and its governing organization meet all ACEN requirements to be granted initial accreditation. The eligibility process also provides the ACEN with contact information and an overview of the size, scope, and delivery methods of the program or programs applying, allowing the ACEN to work with programs as they pursue ACEN accreditation. It serves as the all-important first step toward Candidacy and, eventually, initial ACEN accreditation.
To initiate the eligibility process, the program should submit a Candidacy Eligibility Application (CEA). The applications are slightly different for nursing programs in the United States and its territories and international programs. The CEA and the requested supporting documents are submitted electronically at the link provided. Applicant programs must provide evidence of current approval by the appropriate state regulatory agency for nursing as well as the governing organization’s accreditation/approval status (where appropriate). Upon receipt, the application is processed, and the applicant program is then notified regarding its eligibility to begin the Candidacy process. The program will provide the ACEN with a signed Authorization for Candidacy form. Once an applicant program and its governing organization are deemed eligible, the program will have up to one calendar year to begin the actual Candidacy process, which is described in the Candidacy section of this page.
The Candidacy Eligibility Applications can be accessed here:
Once the program has been deemed eligible in accordance with ACEN Policy #3 Eligibility for Initial and Continuing Accreditation, and has paid the required Candidacy application fee, it will submit a Candidacy Presentation for review by the professional staff. The Candidacy Presentation is a “mini” Self-Study Report covering selected Criteria related to:
- Standard 2 Faculty and Staff
- Standard 4 Curriculum
- Standard 5 Resources
- Standard 6 Outcomes
The program will also provide the ACEN with a copy of the current institutional catalog.
Candidate status is granted after a review of the applicant program’s potential to achieve ACEN accreditation by the ACEN professional staff. Please note that Candidacy does not constitute pre-accreditation as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
To submit your Candidacy Presentation, click the link below:
See the following links for additional information about the Candidacy Presentation:
- ACEN Guidelines for Written Reports (PDF) UPDATED APRIL 2020
- Written Report Instructions: Candidacy Presentation (PDF) UPDATED APRIL 2020
For nursing programs outside the United States and its territories, the Candidacy process also involves a consulting visit, among other differences. The Presentation will still be submitted using the same link above. For additional information regarding the international Candidacy Process, please see:
All materials submitted are reviewed by the ACEN professional staff. Applicant programs are notified if approved for Candidate status. A program that has achieved Candidate status must schedule an initial accreditation visit within two calendar years from the date of becoming a Candidate program.
Candidate status does not guarantee that a Candidate program will achieve initial accreditation. However, if that Candidate status does result in initial accreditation, the effective date of the program’s accreditation will be the date on which Candidacy was approved. See ACEN Policy #34 Candidacy for a Governing Organization/Nursing Program Seeking Initial Accreditation for more details.
Programs that achieve Candidate status must publicly disclose the following information exactly as illustrated below.
This nursing education program is a Candidate for accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Rd NE Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326 404-975-5000
http://www.acenursing.us/candidates/candidacy.asp