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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Graduate Nursing Program Earns Prestigious 10-Year Reaccreditation from CCNE

News | 06.05.2025

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) is proud to announce that its graduate nursing program has been awarded a full 10-year reaccreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the maximum term granted by the accrediting body. This recognition follows a comprehensive on-site evaluation and affirms the program’s excellence in preparing advanced practice nurses.

The reaccreditation applies to both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate programs. These offerings have been instrumental in addressing the growing demand for skilled, compassionate primary care providers since their launches in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

“This re-accreditation by the CCNE is the result of a stellar group of faculty who continue to provide exceptional instruction relevant to today’s primary care environment, ensuring that our students will be successful as family nurse practitioners and fill a need in their communities,” said Janet Clark, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Crystal White, DNP, FNP-C, RN

Crystal White, DNP, FNP-C, RN, director of the MSN program, emphasized the collaborative spirit behind this achievement. “We are incredibly proud to share that our graduate nursing programs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College have been awarded the maximum 10-year reaccreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education This achievement is a testament to the dedication, collaboration and excellence of our entire nursing community. From our students and faculty to our staff, administrators and Graduate Nursing Advisory Board, every voice contributed to a successful site visit. Together, we have built a student-centered, high-quality program that prepares advanced practice nurses to lead with compassion, skill and integrity.”

The CCNE is a nationally recognized accrediting agency, acknowledged by the U.S. Secretary of Education, that ensures the quality and integrity of nursing programs. Its rigorous standards evaluate areas such as program mission and governance, institutional support, curriculum design, teaching practices and student outcomes.

“It is truly an honor to serve our students and see them succeed as we continuously strive to improve the advanced nursing education we provide here at SMWC,” added White.

For more information about the Master of Science in Nursing or the Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate, visit smwc.edu/departments/nursing/ or contact admissions@smwc.edu.