What is the difference between approval and accreditation

This will allow our staff to review the change and provide feedback in advance of implementation. Please see Policy 14 for all submission deadlines. What should I do? The categories in Policy 14 are not meant to be exhaustive.

How do I determine if the change is considered substantive? For changes that do not meet the requirements for reporting a curriculum substantive change, it is the responsibility of the program to ensure that the program remains in compliance with all of the ACEN Standards and Criteria. How do I address this? You can state that no impact is expected and move on to the next Standard or Criterion for these cases. Not necessarily. To finalize the review of the substantive change, all appropriate approvals will be required.

However, we understand that the approval process with state and institutional accrediting agencies may be time consuming. If approvals will not be available in the immediate future, we would encourage you to send the otherwise completed substantive change with verifications of notifications to the appropriate agencies and a timeline for the expected approval, if possible.

When will I find out their decision? This responsibility extends to all of our accredited nursing programs, even if the ACEN is not the Title IV gatekeeper for the particular program. To allow for social distancing we have scheduled two classrooms that are located at the same physical location e. Is this distance education per the ACEN? However, if the faculty member and any students are not at the same physical location e.

We have a two-credit hour nursing course, and students can elect to attend a course component e. Is this considered distance education per the ACEN? Yes, this is distance education since a portion of the students are not in the same physical location as the faculty member.

These distance education courses are popular, and many students enroll. No, if the distance education courses are not in any way required for graduation, this would not need to be submitted per ACEN Policy We are currently planning to offer Spring nursing classes face-to-face. What if something happens in early February of and our state or governing organization requires us to complete the remainder of the course using distance education.

As soon as the program is aware that it must change the planned method of delivery, it should first ensure that students are notified and make the necessary adjustments to ensure that student learning is disrupted as little as possible. Despite the challenges of unexpectedly implementing distance education in Spring of , we have discovered that it is an effective method of delivery for our program. We think we will continue to use distance education permanently beyond Fall Should we submit the substantive change now?

Please review the Distance Education page under Reporting Substantive Change for information on how to determine if you need to submit a substantive change for the implementation of distance education.

If you determine that you meet the requirement for submission, and you are planning to permanently adopt distance education delivery methods for your program; then yes, absolutely submit the substantive change per ACEN Policy 14 now. Is a web-enhanced course considered a form of distance education by the ACEN?

A hybrid course is when a portion of the traditional in-class time is replaced by distance education modalities. A flipped-classroom would not be a hybrid course, unless a percentage of the traditional in-class time is replaced by distance education modalities. We offer one nursing course as either face-to-face or online. Students have the option of taking the course through either method of delivery. Our governing organization does not define what we are doing as distance education.

The ACEN wants to ensure that nursing faculty engage in an intentional decision-making process regarding the method of delivery. Regardless of how a nursing course is delivered, faculty must be able to effectively deliver the instruction; and students and faculty must have access to the resources they need for success. If we want to offer the baccalaureate degree via distance education, do we need to submit a substantive change for the baccalaureate program?

No, you would not need to submit a substantive change to the ACEN. Once one program or program option within a nursing education unit has been approved by the ACEN, approval of subsequent nursing programs or program options in the same nursing education unit is not required. If we implement distance education, will a focused visit be required? No, a focused visit is not required if a program implements distance education per ACEN Policy 14 Reporting Substantive Changes; however, a focused visit is possible.

When authorized, the purpose of a focused visit is to ensure that the program is in compliance with select ACEN Standards and Criteria related to the substantive change, and to ensure that the student learning needs are being met.

Is there anything special we need to know before submitting a substantive change for the implementation of distance education? Just complete the appropriate template for the substantive change being submitted. Complete all applicable sections of the template and if something does not apply, simply indicate this. Keep responses clear, concise, and consistent; there are no hidden agendas in the templates.

Attach all required supporting documents listed on the template , and remember that the goal is to ensure that the program is in compliance with the selected ACEN Standards and Criteria and to ensure that student learning and faculty teaching needs are met after the implementation of distance education. ACPA uses cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to analyze our website traffic and to understand where our visitors are coming from.

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These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Approved by the U. Department of Education , there are 2 primary bodies that accredit general nursing education on the national level:. Accreditations are usually handed down for a certain amount of time, usually between five and 10 years, and are different for each school.

The difference comes down to what accreditation offers in terms of financial aid, using your credits, and career competitiveness. If the program is approved by your state, you can still sit for the NCLEX exam and earn your license as a nurse. However, choosing a nationally accredited program can provide you with valuable advantages. Accreditation and approval of nurse education programs are both necessary to uphold high standards in the profession of nursing.

National accreditation agencies evaluate nursing programs in the entire country; state Boards of Nursing BON examine nursing programs in their respective states. Department of Education for the purpose of maintaining high standards of nursing education and as a service to the public. Approval is the function of a state Board of Nursing BON to ensure that the laws of the state are met. Generally, state approved schools are also accredited.

A nurse must be licensed in order to practice in that state.