Accreditation and Approvals

The M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing is approved by the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upon completion of the undergraduate program, graduates are eligible to take the licensing examination (NCLEX) for professional registered nurses. This license is transferable within the United States nationally by state.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Villanova University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education http://www.ccneaccreditation.org .

Villanova University is approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

The Villanova University Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, a specialized accrediting body recognized by both the USDE and The Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Villanova University is authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Higher Education to grant the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Doctoral programs in nursing do not have specialized accreditation. Doctoral programs exist within regionally accredited universities. Villanova University is accredited by the Middle States Association Commission on Higher Education.

The Villanova University Fitzpatrick College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of Continuing Education in Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Commission on Accreditation.