Accredited LPN and RN Programs
Choosing the right LPN to RN bridge program is one of the most important steps in advancing your nursing career. Accreditation should be at the top of your checklist. Enrolling in an accredited program ensures that you’re receiving a quality education that meets national standards, and will be recognized for licensure, employment, and future advancement.
Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
What Does Accreditation Mean?
Accreditation is a formal recognition awarded to a nursing program that meets specific educational quality and professional standards. It is granted by independent accrediting agencies that evaluate curriculum content, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and alignment with current healthcare practices.
Accreditation ensures that:
- The program offers evidence-based and up-to-date nursing education
- Clinical training meets minimum national competencies
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam
- Your degree will be accepted by state nursing boards and employers
- You’re eligible for financial aid and credit transfer
Without proper accreditation, students may complete a program only to discover they cannot become licensed or find employment as an RN in their state.
Key Accrediting Bodies For LPN to RN Programs
In the United States, two primary organizations accredit nursing education programs:
1. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Accredits all levels of nursing education: LPN/LVN, ADN, BSN, and graduate programs
- Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and widely accepted across all 50 states
- Often accredits programs offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some universities
2. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Focuses on accrediting baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing programs, such as BSN, MSN, and DNP
- Typically accredits four-year institutions or online BSN bridge programs
- Also recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Note: If you’re enrolling in an LPN to BSN bridge program, look for CCNE accreditation. If you’re pursuing an LPN to ADN program, ACEN is the most common accrediting body.
Why Accreditation Matters for Licensure
To become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN), you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). But before you can sit for that exam, your state board of nursing must approve your educational background.
In almost all states:
- Only graduates of state-approved and accredited programs are eligible for licensure
- Programs without national accreditation may not qualify, even if they are locally approved
- Transferring licensure between states may be difficult if your degree lacks national recognition
Choosing a non-accredited program could mean needing to repeat your education later or being denied access to the NCLEX-RN exam.
Accreditation and Employment Opportunities
Accreditation plays a critical role in shaping your future nursing career—far beyond just qualifying for licensure. Whether you’re entering the workforce as a newly licensed RN or planning to pursue specialized or advanced roles, graduating from an accredited LPN to RN program significantly impacts your job prospects, professional mobility, and future education.
Why Employers Care About Accreditation
Many healthcare employers, especially hospitals, health systems, government agencies, and Magnet-recognized facilities require applicants to have graduated from nationally accredited nursing programs. Accreditation ensures that a program meets rigorous academic and clinical standards and prepares students with the competencies required for today’s complex healthcare environments.
Employers often view accreditation as a baseline indicator of:
- Clinical safety and competency
- Professional readiness and ethical standards
- Ability to work in interdisciplinary healthcare teams
- Familiarity with evidence-based practice and current care models
Without an accredited degree, you may be ineligible for roles in:
- Hospitals and acute care settings
- Specialty departments (ICU, pediatrics, surgical units)
- Public health nursing or federal healthcare systems (e.g., VA hospitals, military medical centers)
- Leadership positions like charge nurse or nurse supervisor
In short, even if you are licensed, some employers will not consider your application if your program did not meet recognized accreditation standards.
Career Progression and Advanced Education
Graduating from an accredited LPN to RN program is also essential if you plan to advance your nursing education in the future. Whether you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), nearly all advanced nursing programs require that your previous degrees come from an accredited institution.
Without that foundation:
- You may be ineligible to apply to BSN or MSN bridge programs
- Your academic credits may not transfer
- You may need to retake coursework or complete an additional program to qualify
This can delay your career progression, cost you time and money, and limit your options for leadership, teaching, or specialized practice in areas like pediatrics, critical care, or mental health nursing.
Licensure Portability and Interstate Recognition
Another crucial factor to consider is licensure mobility. If you move to a new state or apply for multistate licensure under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), your degree’s accreditation status will matter. Most state nursing boards will only recognize and endorse licenses earned through accredited and board-approved programs.
A non-accredited program could create roadblocks in:
- Transferring your license to another state
- Applying for a compact multistate license
- Meeting continuing competency requirements
What About Local or Institutional Accreditation?
Some nursing programs may advertise that they are “accredited” by local or institutional agencies. While this may be valid for general college accreditation, it does not replace ACEN or CCNE accreditation when it comes to nursing-specific standards.
Local or regional accreditations may:
- Be valid for institutional funding or credit transfer
- Not meet nursing licensure requirements in your state or others
- Be rejected by national nursing boards or employers in other states
If you plan to move, continue your education, or work for a major healthcare system, national nursing accreditation is essential.
How to Verify Accreditation Status
To verify whether a program is accredited by ACEN or CCNE:
- ACEN-accredited programs: Visit www.acenursing.org
- CCNE-accredited programs: Visit www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE
- Also check with your state board of nursing for approved programs
When researching programs, ask the admissions office:
- Which organization accredits your nursing program?
- Is this program approved by the state board of nursing?
- Will I be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN after completing this program?
List of LPN/LVN to RN Programs
Alabama
Mobile, AL
University of South Alabama
- Associate - LPN to BSN Pathway
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 4-Semester program
- Complete in minimum of four semesters
- 48 total credit hours
- 14 total courses
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- $50 application fee
- Bachelor's - LPN to BSN Pathway
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 4-Semester program
- 48 total credit hours
- 14 total courses
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts spring/summer/fall
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- $50 application fee
Arkansas
Russellville, AR
Arkansas Tech University
- Associate - LPN to RN
Campus Based - Website
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Arkansas State Board of Nursing accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- 67 total credit hours
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts fall
- 100% licensure pass rate
- Cohort-based structure
- Bachelor's - LPN to BSN Hybrid
Online & Campus Based - Website
- No entrance exam required
- Starts fall
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Work experience required
- Requires 1,000 LPN work hours
- Fall admission only
- Hybrid format
- Bachelor's - LPN to BSN Nursing Program
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- 120 total credit hours
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Hybrid or traditional format
- Current Arkansas LPN license
- 16 hours articulated credit
- Fall admission, May 1 deadline
- Bachelor's - LPN to BSN Traditional
Campus Based - Website
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- LPN license required
- Deadlines: Feb 15, Sep 15
- TEAS exam required
Kentucky
Louisville, KY
University of Louisville
- Bachelor's - LPN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- $375 per credit
- 3-Year program
- Complete in as few as three years
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- 84 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Bachelor's - LPN-to-BSN Pathway Program
Online Learning - Website
- $375 per credit
- 3-Year program
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Start before taking NCLEX
- 30-credit Professional Nursing Portfolio
- Online, no campus requirement
- Academic counselor and mentor support
North Carolina
Asheville, NC
South College-Asheville
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN-BSN)
Campus Based - Website
- LPN to BSN bridge program.
- 39 months full-time duration.
- On-campus format.
- CCNE accreditation.
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
- Current LPN license required.
- Start dates in January, April, June, October.
- Classroom, lab, and clinical training.
Ohio
Kent, OH
Kent State University
- Associate - LPN and Allied Health to B.S.N
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- Complete in four or five semesters, depending on the cohort
- 121 total credit hours
- 3 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 95% licensure pass rate
- Cohort-based structure
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Associate - LPN to ADN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Launch your career as a registered nurse
- Build on credits and LPN experience
- Complete your associate degree
- Seamless pathway to advanced degrees
- Continue working as an LPN while learning
- Low regional campus tuition rates
- Four campuses to choose from
- In-person and online prerequisite courses
Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
South College
- Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing (LPN/ASN)
Campus Based - Website
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS, HESI
- 21-Month program
- Complete in may be completed in 7 quarters (21 months)
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Associate - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN)
Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- No entrance exam required
- 39-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Ranked #1 for Nursing in Knoxville
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN)
Campus Based - Website
- LPN to BSN bridge program.
- Eligible for NCLEX-RN exam.
- 39-month completion time.
- On-campus modality.
- No TEAS test required.
- Current LPN license needed.
- Financial aid available.
- Multiple campus locations.
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- LPN to BSN bridge program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Designed for completion in 39 months
- Requires current LPN license
- No TEAS Assessment required
- Classroom, lab, and clinical training
- Covers mental health nursing
West Virginia
Morgantown, WV
West Virginia University
- Associate - LPN to Bachelor of Science
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Afternoons, evenings, and weekend classes
- Online didactic courses with in-person clinicals
- 22 escrow credits for LPN experience
- Transition course NSG 213 for LPNs
- Two campus locations in West Virginia
- Built-in support and resources
- Bachelor's - LPN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Offered at Keyser and Beckley campuses
- Afternoon/evening and weekend classes
- Online didactic with in-person clinicals
- Transition course NSG 213 for LPNs
- 22 escrow credits for LPN experience
More LPN Bridge Program Guides
Discover more guides and resources for practical nursing bridge programs to continue your education and career in nursing.
Advance your nursing career by earning your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This bridge program helps LPNs become RNs faster, with expanded clinical skills, higher pay potential, and more career opportunities.
Learn how to transition from LPN to BSN and earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing. This path offers long-term career flexibility, higher earning potential, and eligibility for advanced roles.
Confused about the difference between LVN and LPN? Discover how these titles compare, and why they’re essentially the same role with different names based on your state.
Explore how the roles, responsibilities, and education requirements change when moving from LPN to RN. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right nursing path.
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