Accreditation is recognized worldwide as an important, objective method to review professional education programs to identify strengths, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement. There is a need to assess the quality of education programs in light of the globalization of education (specifically, distance delivery, satellite and offshore programs), the mobility of students and professionals and with increasing education costs, students, parents, taxpayers and institutions want to be assured of program quality. Schools of Nursing use accreditation reviews to identify areas for development, to provide evidence of resource deficiencies to senior administrators, to guide important decisions about expansion of students, and to guide changes in, or the continuation of, programs.

The CASN accreditation program is voluntary in most provinces and territories. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador and in British Columbia the British Columbia College of Nurses have used CASN accreditation process results as a key input to their approval process. In the past decade, the Nova Scotia College of Nurses, Nurses Association of New Brunswick, College of Regulated Nurses of Manitoba and Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association shave held joint or integrated approval and accreditation processes.

Achieving Eminence through Excellence

Benefits of CASN Program Accreditation

• Enhances program quality
• Promotes national standards
• Attracts top students
• Leverages requests for greater support
• Strengthens curricular decisions
• Thoughtful and constructive feedback
  
• Fosters faculty reflection and analysis
  
• Optimizes student outcomes
  
• Provides recognition for your hard work and dedications
  

Looking for more information?

Visit the Value of Accreditation to learn about the benefits of CASN Program Accreditation.

Accreditation fees are set by the CASN Board of Directors and approved by CASN Council. The exact cost is determined at the time of application based on the scope of the review. A rationale for the fees is provided, and schools may appeal if needed.

• Accreditation Review Application Fee: $550 CAD (due one year prior to review)

• Accreditation Fee: $7,050 CAD

Fees are for CASN member schools, in CAD, and are subject to change. They are based on one program within a single educational unit conducted in a virtual format. Non-member schools pay an additional accreditation support fee.

For in-person visits, schools are responsible for travel, accommodation, and meal expenses for the review team.

Schools may choose to accredit multiple programs (e.g., BScN, PN, NP, or bridging programs) at the same time, which may reduce overall costs. Fees for international schools are negotiated and outlined in a memorandum of understanding.

For detailed information, please contact Layal Bou Abdo, Managing Director, Accreditation and Evaluation by e-mail at lbou-abdo@casn.ca.

CASN member schools or partnerships who wish to be reviewed must complete an application form that can be submitted electronically to the accreditation national office. This program information is provided by the accreditation program staff to the reviewer team and includes relevant information such as the name of the school, the type of collaborative partnership it is in, the name of the organization granting the degree, number of sites and other information about the special features of the program etc.

Access the BScN Application Form 

Access the NP Application Form

Access the PN Application Form

Our dedicated reviewers play a vital role in upholding the quality and integrity of CASN’s accreditation programs.

Principles and Practices Guide

Click here to view Accreditation of Interprofessional Health Education’s (AIPHE) Principles and Practices Guide for integrating interprofessional education into the accreditation standards for six health professions in Canada.

The report is also available here.

Path A is the term for an accreditation review recommended for new schools of nursing, new partnerships offering nursing education programs, new nursing education programs. This path offers the opportunity for a formative review of the program or partnership against the CASN accreditation standards during the initial implementation period, and a summative review once the program has graduated students. The purpose of a path A review is to assess how well the educational unit(s) and nursing education program(s) are developing in relation to CASN accreditation standards. A successful path A review allows students to graduate from an accredited institution and program. The school(s) must undergo a Path B review within two years of the first graduates to determine the progress on how the educational unit(s) and nursing education program(s) are continuing to meet the CASN accreditation standards. Path B reviews that follow a Path A review focus on unmet and partially met key elements and evidence that has changed since the previous accreditation review.

Path B applies to existing School(s) of Nursing with ongoing nursing education program(s) which has/have graduates from the program. Typically, the school(s) of nursing holds/hold a current accreditation status from CASN. Path B is a one step process; a summative review to determine whether the educational unit and nursing education program are meeting CASN accreditation standards. See “What is Path A Accreditation for further information about Path B accreditation visits that follow a Path A review.