Is the Doctor of Nursing Education program NLN CNEA accredited? 

Yes, the online Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) program at The Ohio State University holds initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). 

Ohio State’s online Doctor of Nursing Education is a professional nursing doctoral degree designed to prepare nursing educators with doctoral-level training in teaching skills to educate future nurses to meet healthcare workforce needs. To support busy nurse educators across the nation, 100% of these accredited nursing courses are online with no on-campus requirements. The DNE program offers two tracks: Academic Nursing Education for those who want to teach collegiate nursing education and Nursing Professional Development for those who actively train healthcare professionals in the workforce. 

We had the chance to ask program director Tara Spalla King a few questions about what this accreditation means for the program, its students, and for her personally. 

Why is NLN accreditation important for the Doctor of Nursing Education program? 

“Earning accreditation strengthens the DNE program’s credibility and signals our commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement in doctoral nursing education.” She also noted that this accreditation affirms that the program “meets the highest national standards, delivering evidence‑based, up‑to‑date curricula that prepare nurse educators for excellence.” 

How does accreditation benefit Doctor of Nursing Education students? 

“Accreditation assures DNE students that they are receiving a rigorous, high‑quality education that meets national standards and supports their future academic and professional growth. For our students, accreditation opens doors, enhancing employment opportunities, supporting financial aid eligibility, and signaling to employers that they have been prepared in a program committed to excellence in nurse educator development.” 

This accredited continuing education for nurses not only acts as a stamp of approval from the NLN CNEA, but it also makes many forms of financial aid more accessible to you. Federal financial aid and student loans consider accreditation factors when distributing funds and can be one way to defray the cost of earning your doctorate.  

Is accreditation important to employers of DNE graduates? 

“For many employers, including academic institutions, accreditation matters. It signals that DNE graduates are well‑prepared, competency‑driven, and ready to excel as nurse educators. Accreditation gives employers confidence that DNE graduates come from a program grounded in quality, rigor, and evidence‑based educational practice.” 

Even if you aren’t planning to make a career change, accreditation is still important because many organizations offer tuition reimbursement only to employees who enroll in an accredited academic program. This can open up brand new avenues of funding your education and advancing your career. Consider asking your employer about what tuition reimbursement options are available to you so you don’t miss out on “free money.” 

How does earning this accreditation make you feel?

“Earning accreditation fills us with pride and affirmation. Our vision for the nation’s first Doctor of Nursing Education program has been recognized for excellence and impact. This accreditation energizes us for the future. It honors the dedication of our students, faculty, and partners, and confirms our commitment to delivering a high‑quality, evidence‑based doctoral program.” 

Since its inception in 2023, Ohio State’s DNE program has been equipping students and graduates to be expert nursing educators dedicated to teaching clinical skills to prepare the next generation of nurses. If you are looking for a terminal nursing degree and want to make a lasting impact on the lives and careers of future nurses, connect with your Enrollment Advisor today by requesting more information about the online Doctor of Nursing Education program.