Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Montana State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). 

Quality Indicators of Nursing Programs

Two major indicators of the quality of a nursing program are:

• Pass rates on national licensing or certification examinations by graduates of a program; and
• National accreditation and state board of nursing approval of the academic programs of the school.

Graduates of the MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing undergraduate (BSN) program historically have passed the national licensing examination (NCLEX-RN) on the first try - well above national or state pass rates. Graduates who have earned the Master of Nursing (MN) degree or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree have passed their respective national certification exams at rates close to 100%. 

The undergraduate program has had continuous approval by the Montana State Board of Nursing since 1937 and has received continuous national accreditation since 1949. The graduate nursing program has been nationally accredited since its inception in 1957. The accreditation process evaluates the college in relation to national standards of excellence in nursing education.

It is important to consider quality indicators when selecting a nursing program. Graduation from a nationally-accredited nursing program is preferred by employers and is required by graduate programs preparing students for advanced practice nursing.

Nurse-Midwifery Accreditation