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published on June 19, 2019 - 12:36 PM
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Due to a documentation shortfall, Fresno State has announced the loss of its School of Nursing’s accreditation for its master’s program.

Dr. Jody Hironaka-Juteau, dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Fresno State, said the revocation was the result of failing to satisfy certain documentation requirements of the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE’s decision, announced on June 5, does not affect any graduates of the master’s program, including those received degrees in May 2019, or any other accredited programs in the School of Nursing

The master’s program typically enrolls 20 to 30 students per year. It has been accredited since 1968 and has produced 1,500 graduates. Meanwhile, Hironaka-Juteau said she believes the School of Nursing can meet CCNE’s requirements for a full restoration of accreditation, eliminating any effects on the 23 students currently enrolled in the two-year master’s program.

“We did not expect the commission to take this action, and we regret the temporary uncertainty this issue has created for our students,” Hironaka-Juteau said. “We are moving swiftly to restore accreditation to the nursing master’s program and we are committed to minimizing any potential impact on our 23 currently enrolled students.”

CCNE determined that the master’s degree program failed to adequately document or provide adequate supporting data of its methods for assessing and evaluating student outcomes, curriculum, clinical experiences, faculty performance and overall program goals. In some instances, the accredited body noted that Fresno State had plans and policies in place to address such issues, but failed to adequately document that it had implemented its policies or plans.

To expedite a resolution, Fresno State has arranged for CCNE to review the master’s nursing program during a visit in September to consider reinstating the master’s program accreditation. If reinstated, it would be retroactive to the time of the visit, resulting in no net impact to the students currently enrolled. Fresno State will be notified of CCNE’s accreditation decision next spring.

“The educational quality of the nursing master’s program is exemplary, as evidenced by our graduates’ success in their profession at medical institutions throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond,” said Dr. Robert Harper, interim provost at Fresno State. “The loss of accreditation resulted because we didn’t sufficiently document our procedures and results to the accrediting body’s satisfaction.”


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