The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas is working to transform health care through nursing education and research.

Each of the school's programs is accredited, from pre-licensure options to graduate degrees, and all lead to a wide range of career pathways in nursing. EMSON recently learned that the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has granted continuation of accreditation to the school's graduate programs through 2030.

Susan Patton, chair of the nursing school, said accreditation is a rigorous process. It certifies that EMSON meets established national standards and excels at growing and leading future students. The process ensures that EMSON is offering quality nursing education and that the curriculum is up to date on advances in nursing and healthcare.

"I'm very proud of the EMSON faculty and staff for their participation in the accreditation process," she said. "The continuous self-assessment of our nursing programs results in improvement and growth of professional nursing education and contributes to improvement of the health of the people of Arkansas and beyond."

EMSON's graduate programs include Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. Both are offered online, so nurses who are already working can have access to U of A higher education from anywhere.   

The online M.S.N. offers a Nurse Educator concentration for graduates to teach the next generation of nurses. The D.N.P. is a practice-focused doctorate that prepares advance practice nurses to function as experts and leaders in increasingly complex health-care settings.  

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is an autonomous accrediting agency that ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing. CCNE accreditation holds nursing programs accountable by:

• Ensuring mission statements, goals, and outcomes are appropriate to prepare individuals to fulfill their expected roles.
• Evaluating the success of a nursing program in achieving its mission, goals, and expected outcomes.
• Assessing the extent to which a nursing program meets accreditation standards.
• Informing the public of the purposes and values of accreditation and to identify nursing programs that meet accreditation standard.
• Fostering continuing improvement in nursing programs — and, thereby, in professional practice.

Visit the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in the U of A College of Education and Health Professions for more information on the variety of programs offered.