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Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

Profile of Accrediting Organization 2022 - 2023

34.0389, -84.3826
CEO
: Kathy Chappell, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN
Phone : 404-975-5000
Address:
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326

Profile of Accredited Institutions and Programs 2022 - 2023:
1,355 Accredited U.S. and non-U.S. Institutions and Programs: 154,754 Students

768 Total U.S. Degree-Granting:

568 Public
126 Private Nonprofit
74 Private For-Profit
0 Total U.S. Non-Degree-Granting:

0 Public
0 Private Nonprofit
0 Private For-Profit

Recognition Status 2022 - 2023:
Recognized by: Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education

Range of Accreditation Activity:

The ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a 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 and transition-to-practice programs located in the United States, U.S. Territories, and internationally. The ACEN accredits all types of nursing education programs, including clinical doctorate/DNP specialist certificate, master’s/post-master’s certificate, baccalaureate, associate, diploma, and practical nursing programs. The ACEN accredits nursing education programs in secondary, postsecondary, and hospital-based governing organizations that offer certificates, diplomas, or degrees. The ACEN serves as a Title IV-HEA Gatekeeper for all types of nursing education programs offered by certain institutions that are eligible to participate in financial aid programs administered by the United States Department of Education or other federal agencies. The ACEN accredits non-credit transition-to-practice programs for all levels of nursing practice. The ACEN accredits non-credit transition-to-practice programs offered by academic institutions (e.g., university, college, career center) and/or healthcare agencies (e.g., hospitals, long-term care, etc.).

International Accreditation Activity:
0 Non-U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.
0 U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.
No Organization evaluates credentials or degrees from outside the U.S.

Operating Information for Accrediting Unit Only:
Budget:
$7,200,000

$0 Direct support from any sponsoring organization
$0 In-kind support from any sponsoring organization
Employees and Volunteers:
24 Full-time Employees
1 Part-time Employees
750 Volunteers - Served 2022 - 2023
Composition of Decision-Making Body
Board of Commissioners comprised of 17 members, 11 represent nursing education, 3 represent nursing services, 3 represent the public

Profile of 2022 - 2023 Accreditation Activities :
Frequency of Comprehensive Reviews and Required Follow-Up: 8

Frequency of Comprehensive Review of Accreditation Standards: 5

Summary of 2022 - 2023 Formal Actions:
62 Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Granted
0 Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Denied
58 Initial Accreditation Granted
0 Initial Accreditation Denied
138 Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review
13 Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review with Required Follow-up
3 Notice or Warning
33 Probation
14 Show Cause
0 Accreditation Terminated or Removed
0 Actions under Appeal
0 Other
Summary of Additional 2022 - 2023 Actions:
678 Substantive Changes Reviewed
232 Site Visits
9 Voluntary Discontinuance or Expiration of Accreditation