USF Nursing DNP program receives 10-year accreditation from CCNE

USF College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program received a maximum ten-year accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

CCNE, which accredited the program through Dec. 2025, made the decision after a recent review and evaluation at USF Nursing.

“This decision validates the effectiveness of our ongoing improvement efforts and also the college’s commitment to educational excellence, our students and our faculty,” said Melanie Michael, DNP, assistant professor and assistant dean of the DNP program at USF Nursing. “This also reflects the significance of the collaborative relationship that exists among faculty and doctoral students-which was reflected in the students’ feedback during the CCNE onsite review.”

The DNP program is the highest nursing practice degree a nurse can receive. This program gives nurses the scientific knowledge and practice expertise to provide the best quality of patient care. The DNP program at USF, which is available in two tracks, BS-DNP and MS-DNP, lives up to those expectations -giving students a top-quality expertise to excel as a nursing practice leader.

At USF, DNP students have the opportunity to learn from nationally-recognized faculty and staff, and practice in state-of the-art facilities including a high-fidelity simulation laboratory. Students also receive specialty training in high demand signature didactic, clinical and experimental residencies within USF and at community partners’ clinics and hospitals.

“I am proud of our DNP students, leadership, faculty and staff,” Dr. Michael said. “This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible to achieve without their continuous hard work and dedication.”

For more information on the DNP program click here.

Written by Vjollca “V” Hysenlika