UAH receives Accreditation for Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Michael Mercier | UAH

The University of Alabama in Huntsville’s (UAH) College of Nursing has earned full accreditation for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) granted the accreditation status for five years since it is considered a new program, beginning at the end of this month and extending through June 30, 2023. The next on-site evaluation of UAH’s DNP program will take place in fall 2022.

"The College of Nursing is pleased to receive CCNE accreditation for its new DNP program, said Dr. Marsha Howell Adams, Dean of UAH Nursing. "Now, the BSN, MSN, Joint DNP, and DNP are all accredited programs. Continuous quality improvement is the key to maintaining quality and integrity in all our UAH nursing programs and it is a goal of the accreditation process," Adams added.

Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, the CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing.

CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices. 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.

The UAH CON DNP Program offers two DNP pathways, the post-baccalaureate and the post-master’s. The post-baccalaureate to DNP pathway is for nurses with a BSN degree entering directly into the DNP Program without first earning an MSN degree. The post-master’s to DNP pathway builds on the advanced practice knowledge and skills obtained through a master’s degree program, with a focus on a clinical specialty area.

The existing Joint DNP program will continue until existing students have completed requirements for the DNP degree.