The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has granted accreditation to Illinois State University’s Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP). The DNP program is offered through the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN).

The CCNE Board of Commissioners determined the DNP program met all four standards with no compliance concerns and is effective November 9, 2015, through December 2021. The DNP is the highest level of clinical practice education, and allows MCN to meet the healthcare needs of people in the state of Illinois and beyond.

“This accreditation is a further indication of the preparation of expert clinicians and leaders graduating from Illinois State and will open doors to excellent nursing professionals,” said Dean of Mennonite College of Nursing H. Catherine Miller.  “The contributions, hard work, and effort of the faculty and staff of MCN, and the strong backing from the University, our community partners, students, alumni, and advisory council have made this accreditation possible.”

The DNP program is designed for nurse professionals to take courses online and is a 34-semester-hour program that students can complete over seven semesters, or two and half years. This degree is intended for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice and offers an alternative to research-focused doctoral programs.

MCN also offers a Ph.D. in nursing, and nurses who complete this degree are dedicated to the development of new knowledge for the discipline of nursing and the advancement of nursing practice.