The NLNAC is perhaps the best-known nursing accreditation agency, with more than 1,600 nursing schools accredited during its watch. It offers accreditation for both undergraduate programs as well as post-graduate studies and nursing certificate programs. Some of its accreditations last for 10 years. For example, the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, was accredited in 2007 and will be reviewed next in 2017.
Like the NLNAC, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is a nationally recognized accreditation agency that accredits a range of general nursing curriculum. Among colleges that are accredited by this group are the University of Utah and Georgia Southern University.
Unlike the NLNAC and the CCNE, the American College of Nurse-Midwives accreditation division offers services for specialized programs. Some schools offering midwife programs are already accredited by the big national groups, but also have the nurse midwife designation to ensure students are receiving the most updated information in that specific field. Among nursing programs accredited by this group is the Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies.
Like specialized midwife accreditation, the COA specializes in accrediting nursing schools that offer degrees in advanced practice nursing. Typically, accreditation will last up to 10 years. Among universities accredited by this group is Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.