June 10, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing has been notified by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Board of Commissioners that it has received the 10 year maximum accreditation for its bachelor's and master's degree programs, extending accreditation through June 2020.
The school's bachelor's and master's programs underwent accreditation review in September 2009.
"The board granted the maximum period of 10 years for the accreditation of both the baccalaureate and the master's programs," said School of Nursing Dean Doreen Harper, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. "Such accreditation indicates substantial compliance with CCNE standards and belief in the continuing advancement of UAB's nursing programs.
"Although accreditation is voluntary, it is very important to seek accreditation in order to assure potential students, faculty and employers that a national standard of quality has been met by the school," Harper said.
Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is autonomous and accredits baccalaureate degree nursing programs, master's degree nursing programs, and clinical nursing doctorates that are practice-focused and have the title Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). CCNE also accredits post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs. Accreditation by CCNE serves as a statement of good educational practice in the field of nursing.
As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs, and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and post-baccalaureate nurse residency programs.
Accreditation by CCNE is intended to accomplish at least five general purposes: to hold nursing programs accountable to the community of interest - the nursing profession,
consumers, employers, higher education, students and their families, nurse residents - and to one another by ensuring that these programs have mission statements, goals and outcomes that are appropriate to prepare individuals to fulfill their expected roles; to evaluate the success of a nursing program in achieving its mission, goals and expected outcomes; to assess the extent to which a nursing program meets accreditation standards; to inform the public of the purposes and values of accreditation and to identify nursing programs that meet accreditation standards; and to foster continuing improvement in nursing programs - and, thereby, in professional practice.
Additionally, accreditation is pending for the UAB School of Nursing's new joint Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which was reviewed in April 2010 by CCNE. CCNE does not accredit Ph.D. programs; however, the Ph.D. program is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
About the UAB School of Nursing
Building on a century of nursing education on the UAB campus, the UAB School of Nursing prepares nurse leaders to excel as clinicians, researchers and educators and advances knowledge and delivery of high-quality health care in Alabama and worldwide. The school offers leading-edge bachelor, graduate and doctoral programs and offers students the opportunity to learn with faculty and student teams across health disciplines at UAB.