Gannon University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program received accreditation status on June 16 by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, marking the accreditation of all programs within the Villa Maria School of Nursing.

The program is an online immersion experience that is offered to advanced practice RNs who hold active certification in their respective field. The coursework better prepares and evaluates Master’s-level thesis work in order to successfully complete the DNP degree in as little as 26 credits.

The program received the maximum initial accreditation period of five years, lasting until June 30, 2025. This achievement marks the fourth program in the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences to receive initial accreditation for the 2019-20 academic year, along with the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and the undergraduate and graduate applied exercise science programs.

Having an initial accreditation means the program is still developing but has met the standards required to contribute improvement to the public’s health with quality and integrity.

The Villa Maria School of Nursing continues its commitment to serve the public and improve its programs to best benefit the students and the broader community, as shown by this most recent benchmark, university officials said.

CHLOE FORBES
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