Capital University’s baccalaureate and master’s programs in nursing have been awarded reaccreditation for 10 years — the maximum term extended by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
CCNE extended accreditation through December 2021 for Capital University’s undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion
- Accelerated Bachelor in Nursing
- Master of Science in Nursing
The group’s board of commissioners acted in late October, following an on-site evaluation of the university and its nursing programs in April. Commissioners determined Capital’s nursing programs meet all four accreditation standards.
“Capital University and its nursing program are highly regarded, and the accreditor’s findings support that sentiment,” said Dr. Richard Ashbrook, provost and vice president for Academic and Student Affairs. “Reaccreditation affirms Capital University’s commitment to professional education and signals the nursing faculty's dedication to teaching, scholarship, and professional service.”
Receiving accreditation for the maximum period of time allowable by CCNE standards is the best possible outcome of a university-wide effort more than a year in the making, according to Department of Nursing Chair Dr. Ann Peden.
"CCNE accreditation of our undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing is an indication of the quality of education provided by Capital University," Peden said. "Faculty — both in nursing and across campus — student, and the administration’s participation in the accreditation process assured our success."
The preparation began with a self-study in April 2010, when the nursing faculty completed a comprehensive review of all four programs’ curricula to ensure alignment with the commission’s standards; studied the programs’ connection to the university and consistency with its mission, goals and outcomes; and reviewed the nursing faculty, its strengths, and how those strengths support desired outcomes. They assessed program quality by looking at graduation and employment rates, and average score on the National Council Licensing Examination; surveyed alumni and employers to determine whether the program prepared alumni as it said it would; and invited commentary from alumni, external agencies, clinical partners and employers, who submitted feedback by sending letters directly to the accrediting agency.
After the self-study report was submitted, the accreditors visited campus, meeting with President Denvy A. Bowman and other key administrators, faculty, students, community agencies, clinical partners and other constituencies.
“The purpose of the site visit was to make sure that everything we said in our report was true,” Peden said. “The feedback showed that our students were very well prepared and articulate. Of course, the accreditors also saw that the level of institutional support for nursing is very strong, and I think that was a critical element in the accreditation decision. Capital is a very fine university, and accreditors know that’s a important indicator of the overall quality of education the nursing program provides.”
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is a national accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. It seeks to ensure the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. The agency’s accreditation standards address four key areas related to program quality and effectiveness:
- Mission and Governance, which measures whether a nursing program's mission, goals, and student and faculty outcomes align with those of the university; are supported by policy; reflect professional nursing standards and guidelines; and consider community needs.
- Institutional Commitment and Resources, which measures whether the university demonstrates ongoing commitment and support for the program and commits sufficient resources to enable the program to achieve its mission, goals and expected student and faculty outcomes.
- Curriculum and Teaching-Learning Practices, which assesses how well the program’s curriculum aligns with its mission, goals, outcomes, professional nursing standards and guidelines, and community needs, and also measures whether teaching and learning practices support individual and aggregate student learning outcomes.
- Aggregate Student and Faculty Outcomes, a standard the measures whether the program is fulfilling its mission, goals and expected student and faculty outcomes.
Capital’s nursing program was established in 1950. More than 2,000 Capital nursing graduates now practice throughout the United States and around the world, continually earning a reputation for caring and critical thinking.
30
Contact: Nichole Johnson
Director
of media relations and communications
Capital University
614-236-6945
c:
614-440-9158