Centenary University’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program has officially been granted accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The stamp of approval from the CCNE—a premier national accrediting agency officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education—serves as a major validation of the university’s academic quality, curriculum rigor, and student outcomes.
The rigorous approval process wrapped up following a comprehensive evaluation led by Centenary’s Director of Nursing, Rebecca Cooper, who assumed leadership midway through the campaign. The department completed a meticulous 86-page self-study and hosted a pivotal on-site evaluation team.
Following a flawless site review, the CCNE Accreditation Reviewer Committee granted full accreditation, which will be applied retroactively to September 2025.
“Accreditation of Centenary’s program is important because it demonstrates the university’s commitment to academic excellence, accountability, and continuous quality improvement,” Cooper said. “It is also critically important to our graduates. Accreditation validates the quality of their education, enhances their professional credibility, and supports their eligibility for advanced education, leadership opportunities, and certain employment and tuition assistance programs.”
First launched in the fall of 2023 in strategic partnership with Atlantic Health System, the RN to BSN degree program was built explicitly to help registered nurses smoothly transition into high-demand leadership, public health, and school nursing roles.
Designed around the hectic schedules of full-time working healthcare professionals, the program features:
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Asynchronous Learning: Fully online coursework that permits adult students to balance demanding hospital shifts with their education.
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Workplace Practicums: Working nurses can complete the vast majority of their required clinical practicum hours directly at their current place of employment.
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Cohort Structure: A 5-semester track where students progress together, fostering a sustainable, lifelong professional network.
The accreditation announcement follows a weekend of celebration on the Hackettstown campus. Just days ago, on May 16, Centenary celebrated its 151st commencement ceremony, where seven RN to BSN students proudly walked the stage to collect their bachelor’s degrees.
The program currently enrolls 19 active students, many of whom are practicing RNs at Overlook Hospital in Summit. Through Centenary’s specialized Reeves Scholarship and supplemental tuition reimbursement from Atlantic Health System, these frontline workers are able to advance their credentials with minimal financial burden.
“Our RN to BSN degree offers a rigorous, flexible pathway for working nurses to advance their careers while helping to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our communities,” Centenary University President John Schol, said. “This recognition underscores Centenary’s dedication to delivering high‑quality, practice‑ready academic programs that improve lives, support healthier futures, and strengthen New Jersey’s healthcare workforce for years to come.”
