Pittsfield, Mass. – April 30 – Berkshire Community College (BCC) received official word this week that the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has restored continuing accreditation to the Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) program through 2023.
In its notification to the college, ACEN acknowledged that deliberations on their change in status centered on the materials that were submitted to the board following the visit by the peer accreditation team.
In mid-April, BCC announced that it would voluntarily and temporarily suspend admission to the first year of its ADN program for fall 2019. The ACEN announcement does not change this decision.
“BCC has developed and is implementing a systematic evaluation plan,” said Dr. Jennifer Berne, BCC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. “To do this work effectively, our team of faculty and staff will use the 2019-2020 academic year to continue making systematic improvements to our internal curricular processes and make the adjustments recommended by our accrediting and licensing bodies; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABORN) and ACEN.”
ACEN accreditation is a mark of distinction, certifying that a nursing program adheres to the highest national standards of education. To become accredited, nursing programs must demonstrate that the program meets ACEN’s exacting standards of quality through an extensive review. Accreditation provides students with useful information for their career and educational decision-making while also assists employers seeking graduates who are highly competent practitioners.
“Achieving ACEN reaccreditation is a major accomplishment and one that affirms the high-quality of BCC’s nursing education program,” said Ellen Kennedy, President of BCC.
BCC offers both a two-year associate in nursing degree as well as a 10-month practical nursing certificate. For more information about these programs, call 413-236-1636 or visit www.berkshirecc.edu/nursinginfo.
About Berkshire Community College
Berkshire Community College (BCC) is a public, fully accredited, community college offering associate degree and certificate programs, as well as various other educational opportunities, primarily to the residents of Berkshire County and surrounding areas. Visit BCC online at www.berkshirecc.edu.