Proposed Standards for Comment 12.5.08

Proposed Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Nursing Programs December 2008 Changes to April 2008 Standards Tracked and Proposed for Comment INTRODUCTION Accreditation Overview Accreditation is a nongovernmental process conducted by representatives of postsecondary institutions and professional groups. As conducted in the United States, accreditation focuses on the quality of institutions of higher and professional education and on the quality of educational programs within institutions. Two forms of accreditation are recognized: one is institutional accreditation and the other is professional or specialized accreditation. Institutional accreditation concerns itself with the quality and integrity of the total institution, assessing the achievement of the institution in meeting its own stated mission, goals, and expected outcomes. Professional or specialized accreditation is concerned with programs of study in professional or occupational fields. Professional accrediting agencies assess the extent to which programs achieve their stated mission, goals, and expected outcomes. In addition, consideration of the program’s mission, goals, and expected outcomes is of importance to the accrediting agency in determining the quality of the program and the educational preparation of members of the profession or occupation. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is an ...