Launched in fall 2023, the Centenary University RN to BSN creates an academic pathway for registered nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, May 18, 2026—Centenary University’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program has earned accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a leading accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. The CCNE assesses baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing against rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes.

            “Centenary University is steadfast in its commitment to the health and wellbeing of all people,” said President John R. Schol, D.Min. “Earning CCNE accreditation is a powerful affirmation of that mission and an important step forward for our growing nursing programs. Our RN to BSN degree offers a rigorous, flexible pathway for working nurses to advance their careers while helping to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our communities. This recognition underscores Centenary’s dedication to delivering high‑quality, practice‑ready academic programs that improve lives, support healthier futures, and strengthen New Jersey’s healthcare workforce for years to come.”

            Centenary’s Director of Nursing Rebecca Cooper, DNP, was appointed to her role last spring, midway through the accreditation process. After completing a required 86-page self-study and preparing for a site visit in September, Dr. Cooper was recently notified of final accreditation approval from the CCNE Accreditation Reviewer Committee. Full accreditation was recommended following the site visit, and will now be retroactive to September 2025. 

            “Accreditation of Centenary’s program is important because it demonstrates the university’s commitment to academic excellence, accountability, and continuous quality improvement,” Dr. Cooper said. “It is also critically important to our graduates. Accreditation validates the quality of their education, enhances their professional credibility, and supports their eligibility for advanced education, leadership opportunities, and certain employment and tuition assistance programs. In addition, accreditation assures employers and graduate schools that Centenary University graduates have been prepared at the highest level.”

            Launched in 2023 in collaboration with Atlantic Health System, the RN to BSN degree creates an academic pathway for nurses to advance to healthcare leadership positions requiring a BSN, as well as branch out into public health and school nursing careers. The program can be completed in five semesters and is structured in a cohort model to ensure that working professionals build a sustainable network as they pursue their BSN. Taking into consideration the time constraints of adult students, classes are fully asynchronous and many working nurses can complete the majority of the practicum experience at their place of employment. 

            Centenary’s RN to BSN currently enrolls 19 students. Many work at Overlook Hospital in Summit and are recipients of Centenary’s Reeves Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to Overlook RNs who enroll in Centenary’s RN to BSN and supplements additional tuition reimbursement from Atlantic Health. The program graduated its first student in December, with seven more students earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the university’s 15st commencement on Saturday, May 16.

            “Centenary University is dedicated to preparing highly competent, ethical, and practice-ready nurses,” Dr. Cooper said. ““Our RN to BSN program is designed specifically for nurses in New Jersey who are seeking a flexible, rigorous pathway to advance their careers through evidence-based practice, leadership development, and real-world application to support career advancement.” 

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning. Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township, Centenary provides students with hands-on, personalized educational experiences that prepare them for success in a global and evolving workforce. Guided by its commitment to student success, university vitality, and world engagement, Centenary empowers students to lead lives of purpose, impact, and lifelong achievement.