Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Receives CCNE Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing (MMDCON) has achieved a significant milestone by receiving accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The esteemed CCNE Board of Commissioners, following a thorough evaluation that included an on-site visit to the CDU campus in October 2022, granted accreditation to the program for a five-year term, retroactive to the program’s launch and extending until June 30, 2028. This recognition solidifies the university’s commitment to providing excellence in nursing education and underscores its reputation as a premier institution in the field.
The accreditation decision was made by the CCNE Board of Commissioners during their meeting on April 25-28, 2023. The program’s compliance with the CCNE Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (2018) was a key factor in the board’s determination. Notably, the program was found to meet all four accreditation standards, demonstrating the high caliber of education and training offered to students. Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is an autonomous accrediting agency to ensure the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing.
“Preparation started more than a year prior to the onsite visit in October 2022. However, the grueling work occurred four months before the visit,” said Dr. Gail Washington, MMDCON Dean. “Following the onsite evaluation, we were invited to participate in a meeting with the Board, where they had the opportunity to clarify any questions and provide further insights into their program.”
MMDCON diligently worked towards meeting the requirements set forth by the accrediting body. The evaluation encompassed a comprehensive assessment of the entire curriculum, available resources, clinical and practice sites, student satisfaction, assessments aligned with expected outcomes, and analysis of the results obtained. The evaluators employed a detailed framework consisting of four standards and multiple categories to gauge the program’s compliance with accreditation criteria.
The DNP program at Charles R. Drew University follows a unique, executive-education format designed to accommodate busy professionals. With a curriculum consisting of 40 credits, the program combines precepted clinical settings with online coursework. The theoretical content of each course is taught during intensive one-weekend sessions, totaling three sessions per course. These weekend sessions include three hours of synchronous learning followed by 12 hours of asynchronous study.
The program launched in 2022 through CDU’s Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing (MMDCON). The first cohort of students will graduate next month at the 39th Annual CDU Commencement Ceremony.