Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Grants Accreditation to Valparaiso University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Valparaiso University has renewed accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation). The accreditation is effective for 10 years, extending to Dec. 31, 2025.

“CCNE accreditation ensures Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions maintains its quality and effectiveness through continued self-evaluation,” said Janet M. Brown, Ph.D., RN, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “It allows the College to continue to best serve the needs of the community while adhering to a strict set of standards and values.”

For nearly 50 years, the College of Nursing and Health Professions has established itself as an integral part of the University, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nursing. In fall 2008, Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions became the first college in Indiana to offer the DNP program, which provides students with a practice-based alternative to research centered doctoral programs.

Valpo’s baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP program are all accredited by the CCNE. The CCNE was established in 1998 and serves as a specialized accrediting agency to ensure the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. CCNE accreditation is a self-regulatory process promoting continued self-assessment and growth by nursing programs.

The CCNE board of commissioners found that Valpo’s DNP program met all of its accreditation standards, including those related to institutional commitment, resources, curriculum, teaching-learning practices, and program outcomes.