How important is regional accreditation?

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 6, 2014

I think the CCNE accreditation is what's most important. As long as it has that (or ACEN), I would not hesitate about the lack of regional.

The tuition is $250/month, more affordable than even WGU.

Which program are you looking at? I've looked at their site, and their RN-BSN program is $325/credit, with a full tuition for the RN-BSN being $9700, plus $1500 in textbooks, as well as other additional fees.

They do offer a payment plan where you pay $250/month, but it's definitely not cheaper than WGU (unless it takes you 4+ semesters/2+ years to finish your degree, and I've known nobody for whom it takes that long at WGU).

http://www.aspen.edu/degrees/bachelors-degree/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-completion-program/tuition

I would say that if you take 3 semesters at WGU to complete your BSN, WGU is still cheaper. And if you take less than 3 semesters, it's DEFINITELY cheaper.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Dec 6, 2014

Regional accreditation is extremely important for this reason: You cannot transfer those credits earned at a non-accredited school to anywhere else, AND the degree you earn is unlikely to get you admitted to any further, higher education.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 6, 2014

Regional accreditation is extremely important for this reason: You cannot transfer those credits earned at a non-accredited school to anywhere else, AND the degree you earn is unlikely to get you admitted to any further, higher education.

Are you sure about that? I don't think that's correct. I think the important accreditation is national (ACEN, CCNE). I've never heard of an educational institution or employer not accept a degree or classes taken from a school that was accredited by ACEN or CCNE.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Dec 6, 2014

I agree with meanmaryjean 100%. CCNE is very nursing specific. Jobs that require an accredited nursing program will require a program accredited by CCNE. However, if you want to gain admission to another university (e.g. for MSN), their definition of "accredited university" is regional accreditation + CCNE or NLNAC. Applicants need to satisfy both nursing program requirement (CCNE/NLNAC) as well as university-wide requirement (Regional accredited program). Obviously, there might be exceptions. If you apply to a for-profit MSN, it probably won't matter.

But when I look at nursing programs, CCNE and regional accreditation are a must! You will have hard time transferring credits for sure if you don't take courses at a regionally accredited school.

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2014

Are you sure about that? I don't think that's correct. I think the important accreditation is national (ACEN, CCNE). I've never heard of an educational institution or employer not accept a degree or classes taken from a school that was accredited by ACEN or CCNE.

CCNE/ACEN is important for a nursing program to be accredited. Regional accreditation is important if you want ANY of your classes to transfer to another school or for post-graduate programs. Any program you look at should have both if it grants a degree.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2014

I considered Aspen University back in 2011 until I looked further into their accreditation status. Although the school's nursing programs have national nursing accreditation through the CCNE, the institution itself is not regionally accredited.

Aspen University has institutional accreditation through the Distance Education & Training Council (DETC). This, for me, was a dealbreaker.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 7, 2014

Ideally you want your school to be regionally accredited. ACEN and CCNE are nursing-specific accreditations that are voluntary. Think of those as an accreditation that is "in addition to." Just because a program is ACEN or CCNE accredited does not mean that the program will be accepted by your state's nursing board. Excelsior College's program is one such example of this. It's ACEN accredited, but California will NOT accept that program for initial licensure. I could get my BSN through them, but since I'm already California licensed, it doesn't matter as much unless my prospective or actual employer requires that I have a BSN through a CCNE accredited program.

I look at Regional vs. National accreditation more like a pit than a mountain where you'd expect a nationally accredited program to be accepted everywhere as the "gold standard" of accreditation. It's the opposite. Here's one resource as to why this is: Regionally Accredited Online Colleges vs. Nationally Accredited | GetEducated.com

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Dec 7, 2014

Are you sure about that? I don't think that's correct. I think the important accreditation is national (ACEN, CCNE). I've never heard of an educational institution or employer not accept a degree or classes taken from a school that was accredited by ACEN or CCNE.

It's not a matter of a nursing school not accepting the degree. It has more to do with the (future) college/university's registrar not accepting classes taken at a school that is not regionally accredited. It's the reason why technical education credits usually don't transfer into universities.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 7, 2014

Thanks for the clarification, everyone!

smartnurse1982 · Dec 8, 2014

Which program are you looking at? I've looked at their site, and their RN-BSN program is $325/credit, with a full tuition for the RN-BSN being $9700, plus $1500 in textbooks, as well as other additional fees.
I would say that if you take 3 semesters at WGU to complete your BSN, WGU is still cheaper. And if you take less than 3 semesters, it's DEFINITELY cheaper.

Paying $250/month is cheaper for me now than paying $3,000+ up front.

I also need to go slower than the average person due to my working hours....i work 80+ hours a week,mostly nights.

WGU's program is $3000+ regardless of the # of credits you do per semester.

That would seem like a waste of $ to take only 6 classes per semester.

I know there semesters are every 6 months.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 8, 2014

Paying $250/month is cheaper for me now than paying $3,000+ up front.
I also need to go slower than the average person due to my working hours....i work 80+ hours a week,mostly nights.
WGU's program is $3000+ regardless of the # of credits you do per semester.
That would seem like a waste of $ to take only 6 classes per semester.
I know there semesters are every 6 months.

They have a few different payment plans. You don't have to pay the full tuition up front.

When I did my BSN, I did the minimum number of credits each semester (12) and it still only took me 3 semesters, which was around $10,000.