U.S. Department of Education Maintains NLN CNEA Status as Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agency for Nursing Education

U.S. Department of Education Maintains NLN CNEA Status as Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agency for Nursing Education

Positive Determination Follows Rigorous Two-Year Review

Washington, DC — The National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) announces that the U.S. Department of Education has maintained recognition of CNEA as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for nursing education following a two-year rigorous review process. The department’s decision supported the recommendations of both department staff and the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI).

To date, CNEA has accredited 236 nursing programs in 34 U.S. states and across five countries. These programs span the academic spectrum, including practical/vocational, diploma RN, two-year associate degrees (ADN), four-year bachelor’s degrees (BSN), post-graduate certificates, through advanced degree master’s and doctorates, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Nursing Education.

Campus-based, distance learning, and hybrid programs are welcome to apply for pre-accreditation and accreditation through CNEA. All those currently accredited by CNEA can continue to boast accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education recognized agency.

NLN CNEA Executive Director Teresa Shellenbarger, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEcl, ANEF, FAAN, said, “This ongoing recognition demonstrates that NLN CNEA is a reliable authority on quality nursing education and reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to maintaining rigorous accreditation standards that support students, programs, and the nursing profession.”

“Congratulations to Dr. Shellenbarger and her very capable team at CNEA for this much deserved renewal. We wish them the best for their continued success and we find it very gratifying to have this federal recognition by the Department of Education,” said NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners Chair Brooke McAtee, PhD, MSN, RN.

CNEA first gained full recognition as an official accrediting agency of the U.S. Department of Education in 2021. At that time, there were a total of 115 accredited programs. With the current number of 196 accredited programs, CNEA accreditation has grown 70% in five years.

For more information, visit CNEA.NLN.org.

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