St. Charles Community College is proud to announce the SCC Associate Degree Nursing Program has been granted continuing accreditation from the Accreditation Commissions for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

“The ACEN commended the flexibility, courage and resiliency demonstrated by the nursing program faculty and leaders,” said Barbara Kavalier, Ph.D., SCC president, “as well as SCC's institutional colleagues during the global pandemic.”

According to Amy Koelher, SCC vice president for workforce and community education and provost of the SCC-Dardenne Creek Campus, the accreditation process determines if nursing programs are meeting specific state and national standards.

“The fact that our faculty was able to undergo the rigorous accreditation process during the pandemic and do such an amazing job is a true testament to our program's strength,” Koehler said. “The nursing team did an amazing job and truly showcased SCC's outstanding nursing program and exceptional faculty.”

The process is quite vigorous and requires several steps, Koehler added. It includes writing an extensive self-review and self-study report, indicating how the program is meeting the ACEN standards and criteria. Then, ACEN peer-evaluators schedule a site visit to see the program firsthand.

“Due to the pandemic, our faculty needed to create a way for the site visit to be done remotely, while effectively demonstrating all aspects of how we are meeting and exceeding the criteria,” said Koehler.

Working with the SCC Online and E-Learning Department, the Nursing Department created an interactive, self-guided tour of the SCC-Dardenne Creek Campus to showcase its resources. In March 2021, the ACEN Board of Commissioners approved SCC's accreditation.

“The accreditation process keeps nursing curriculum up to date on current trends and current advances in both nursing and in healthcare,” Koehler explained. “Accreditation advances the nursing profession and enhances the overall care provided by nurses. I am truly proud of the SCC nursing program and the fact that they received continuing accreditation status.”

The next scheduled accreditation evaluation visit is set for fall 2028.