DNPPrograms.com

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Is Your DNP Program Accredited?

Confused about accreditation standards for DNP programs? We don’t blame you. Many university DNP websites are a mishmash of unfamiliar acronyms and accreditation claims. In our guide to DNP accreditation, we take it step by step, giving you the tools to decide whether a DNP nursing program is worthy of your money.

DNP Accreditation Steps

Step 1: Check if the University is Regionally Accredited

Your first step is to ask the university whether it is regionally accredited by one of six regional accrediting bodies (e.g. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools). Attending a regionally accredited university will make it much easier for you to apply for financial aid and transfer credits to other regionally accredited institutions. It also reassures employers that you attended a good school.

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Featured Online DNP Programs

School Name Program Name & Tracks Available More Info
Regis College Online MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Pediatric NP (PNP), Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP), Women’s Health NP (WHNP), Family NP (FNP), Adult Gerontology - Primary Care NP (AGPCNP), Nurse Education
program website
Regis College Online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Adult Gerontology - Primary Care NP (AGPCNP), Adult Gerontology - Acute Care NP (AGACNP), Family NP (FNP), Pediatric NP (PNP), Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP), Women’s Health NP (WHNP)
program website
Bradley University Online DNP Program
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
program website
Duquesne University Online Doctor of Nursing Practice, BSN-DNP
Executive Nurse Leadership
program website
Duquesne University Online Doctor of Nursing Practice, MSN-DNP
Clinical Leadership, Executive Nurse Leadership
program website
The University of Texas at Arlington Online Doctor of Nursing Practice program website
Purdue University Global Online MSN to DNP
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Executive Leader, Family NP, Nurse Educator, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
program website
Purdue University Global Online BSN to DNP
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Executive Leader, Family NP, Nurse Educator, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
program website
Northern Kentucky University Online Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
Nursing Leadership
program website
Capella University Online Doctor of Nursing Practice program website
Georgetown University Online BSN to DNP Program
Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP (AG-ACNP), Family NP (FNP), Dual Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health NP (NM/WHNP), Women’s Health NP (WHNP)
program website
Simmons University Online Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program website
Sacred Heart University Online Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
Nursing Leadership
program website
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Step 2: Check if the Program has State Board of Nursing Approval

Your next step is to check if your DNP program will be recognized by your State Board of Nursing. This board sets state standards for clinical practice and approves programs that train nurses for the NCLEX examinations (e.g. PN, RN, etc.). If your program doesn’t have state approval, you may not be able to obtain APRN state licensure. ACEN- or CCNE-accredited programs are typically fine. Ask your university for confirmation or contact your State Board of Nursing.

Step 3: Check for Accreditation of the Nursing Program

Your final – and critical – step is to see if the DNP program has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These accreditations are particularly important if you are seeking advanced licensure and certification. Many certification bodies (e.g. ANCC) will only accept exam candidates who graduate from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program. In the case of midwifery or anesthesia, your program may also need to have a specialty accreditation (e.g. COA).

In addition, enrolling in an accredited DNP program can increase your eligibility for financial aid (including scholarships, grants, federal/state financial aid, and tuition reimbursement programs from employers) and pave the ground for more employment offers. For example, some hospitals, facilities, and branches of the military make a degree with ACEN or CCNE accreditation a requirement.

Nursing Program Accreditation

ACEN Accreditation

Formerly known as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits all levels of nursing education programs, including diplomas, undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees, and clinical doctorates. You can learn more about their criteria for judging doctorates in the ACEN Accreditation Manual.

Search for ACEN-Accredited Clinical Doctorates

CCNE Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits everything from nursing baccalaureates to DNPs. However, the one area that the CCNE does not accredit is research doctorates (PhD or DNS). You can learn more about CCNE’s criteria for judging DNP programs in the section on DNP Programs & CCNE Accreditation FAQs.

Search for CCNE-Accredited DNP Programs

Note: Since CCNE and ACEN accreditation takes time, new DNP programs may still be in the process of seeking accreditation.

Specialty Program Accreditation

ACME Accreditation

The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accrediting agency for nurse-midwifery education programs since 1982. Attending an ACME-accredited program is required to become a CNM.

Search for ACME-Accredited DNP Programs

COA Accreditation

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) is the standard accrediting agency for nurse anesthetists in the U.S. and its territories. Attending a COA-accredited program is required to become a CRNA.

Search for COA-Accredited DNP Programs

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