LOUISVILLE, Ky. — February 29, 2012 – – Galen College of Nursing has been awarded candidacy status for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
“Candidacy status is a direct result of Galen’s ability to successfully demonstrate compliance with a select number of core requirements, comprehensive standards, and federal requirements,” said Mark Vogt, President of Galen College of Nursing. “For Galen, receiving candidacy status from SACS is just another step in our journey toward continued excellence for students and faculty.”
With changing times comes changing needs. Galen is working toward SACS regional accreditation to help students as they explore expanded educational goals.
“Galen is focused on ensuring that students have educational mobility and opportunity to advance within the nursing profession,” said Kathryn M. Mershon, MSN, RN, CNAA, FAAN, chair, Galen College of Nursing Board of Directors. “By seeking accreditation from SACS, we are sending the message to our students, their families, the health care community, and colleges and universities that Galen complies with a common set of rigorous standards.”
Galen began the process to seek membership in August 2009 with the submission of an application for membership, followed by a Candidacy Committee visit at all campuses in April 2011, and award of Candidacy in December 2011. Galen will now continue in the process to attain membership through the hosting of an Accreditation Committee visit.
Galen currently holds accreditation with the Council on Occupational Education, a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation by recognized agencies allows for institutions to participate in Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs.
About Galen College of Nursing
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
About SACSCOC
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. The Commission’s mission is the enhancement of educational quality throughout the region and it strives to improve the effectiveness of institutions by ensuring that institutions meet standards established by the higher education community that address the needs of society and students. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the Commission on Colleges that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education.
