Posted 6 October, 2026
The University of Northern Iowa’s baccalaureate nursing program has earned Initial Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), providing national recognition that the program meets established standards for nursing education.
The accreditation is effective June 26, 2024 – the date UNI Nursing was granted ACEN candidacy – with the program’s next accreditation evaluation visit scheduled for spring 2031.
The achievement follows an extensive review of the program, including its curriculum, faculty, student support, resources and outcomes. For current and prospective students, accreditation provides an independent endorsement of a nursing program’s educational quality and its commitment to ongoing evaluation and improvement.
“Accreditation is an important milestone for UNI Nursing because it represents an independent, comprehensive review of everything that goes into educating our students,” said Nancy Kertz, chief academic nurse administrator and head of UNI’s Department of Nursing & Public Health. “From the curriculum and clinical experiences to our faculty and facilities, reviewers looked closely at how we are preparing students for professional nursing practice.”
As part of its decision, ACEN identified an Area of Strength in UNI Nursing’s curriculum, specifically recognizing the program’s intentional focus on preparing practice-ready nurses. The Commission highlighted UNI’s integrated approach to classroom instruction, laboratory and simulation experiences, clinical reasoning and clinical learning.
According to ACEN, that approach allows students to immediately apply theory through hands-on learning while supporting the development of clinical judgment and readiness for practice.
Students learning within UNI Nursing’s recently completed facilities use skills and assessment labs, hospital-style simulation suites and specialized spaces for critical care, labor and delivery, pediatrics and trauma care. The program also partners with healthcare organizations throughout the region to provide clinical experiences.
“To have ACEN recognize our focus on preparing practice-ready nurses is especially meaningful,” Kertz said. “That has been central to how we’ve designed the curriculum, our learning environments and the experiences students have throughout the program. It reflects the tremendous work of our faculty and staff, along with the support of colleagues and leaders across the university who helped make nursing at UNI possible.”
UNI welcomed its first Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort in fall 2024, establishing the university’s first stand-alone nursing degree. Since then, the program has expanded its enrollment, facilities and clinical partnerships as its inaugural class moves toward graduation in spring 2027.
The program reached another milestone in fall 2026 with the launch of UNI’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The 12-month pathway is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or have completed significant college coursework and are pursuing a transition into nursing.
“This accreditation represents an important achievement for UNI and for the future of nursing education in our state,” said UNI President Mark Nook. “In a remarkably short period of time, our faculty and staff have built a program centered on rigorous preparation, meaningful clinical experiences and the individual support UNI is known for. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to preparing nurses who are ready to serve patients and communities across Iowa and beyond.”
“Being part of UNI’s inaugural nursing class has been such a unique experience,” said Camille Landphair, a student in UNI’s first nursing cohort. “It has been really special to watch this program grow from the beginning and to now be approaching graduation from an accredited nursing program. Through simulations, clinical experiences, hands-on learning and faculty support, I have learned to think critically, advocate for my patients and trust myself in challenging situations. I am really proud to be part of UNI’s first nursing class and excited to carry everything this program has taught me into my career as a nurse.”
ACEN accreditation is a voluntary peer-review process for nursing education programs designed to support educational quality and continuous improvement.
A copy of the complete ACEN Board of Commissioners decision letter is available from the University of Northern Iowa Department of Nursing & Public Health upon request.