LEWISTON, Idaho — The Lewis-Clark State College Master of Nursing (MSN) program has been granted a five-year accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the nation’s leading accrediting body for nursing programs.
The accreditation decision, issued May 2026 and effective through June 2031, represents the maximum term available to a new program.
“We are extremely pleased and proud to have received initial accreditation of our Master of Science in Nursing program, the first graduate degree launched at LC State,” said Krista Harwick, interim dean of the School of Professional Studies. “This formal recognition confirms that our program meets the rigorous standards of excellence established for nursing education. In our program, students can be assured they will receive personalized instruction and mentorship by exceptional faculty, and an education designed to prepare them for leadership roles in the profession.”
The MSN program offers three pathways: the fully online, post-licensure BSN to MSN and RN to MSN tracks, and the new Direct Entry MSN track — a pre-licensure option that opens the door to nursing for those with a prior bachelor's degree in another field. The Direct Entry pathway is expected to be an attractive option for adult learners and is a part of the college’s new LC State Elevate program.
The Direct Entry track follows a hybrid format, pairing in-person foundational nursing courses and clinical experience with online graduate coursework and a final leadership practicum. Students graduate fully prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and with a master's degree focused on nursing leadership, making it an ideal pathway for motivated career-changers seeking both professional credentials and graduate-level preparation.
For more information about LC State’s graduate nursing program and the various pathways, visit www.lcsc.edu/nursing.
CCNE is a national accrediting agency for baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship programs in nursing, officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. CCNE accreditation demonstrates to students, employers, and the broader stakeholder communities that a program meets the highest standards of nursing education.