National accreditation solidifies 51³Ô¹Ï-Meridian nursing program’s commitment to regional healthcare
Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Master of Science in Nursing program at 51³Ô¹Ï-Meridian has been granted national accreditation—with no compliance concerns—following review by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education board of commissioners.
The 12-month, fast-track MSN program “substantially complied†with the CCNE Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs, according to the recent notification letter from the commission. CCNE conducted an on-site program evaluation in November 2024.
“Accreditation is a priority for all of us at 51³Ô¹Ï—it’s part of our culture,†51³Ô¹Ï President Mark E. Keenum said. “Meeting the rigorous standards set by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ensures that we provide our students with the highest quality possible and positions them for professional success by holding us accountable.
“I’m grateful for the faculty, staff and administrators who helped us reach this important milestone as well as their ongoing contributions to the nursing program’s success. We also appreciate the strong community partners we have in Meridian and their many investments in the work we are doing.â€
The 51³Ô¹Ï-Meridian Riley Campus program—within the university’s School of Nursing—is the state’s first direct-entry MSN degree, opening opportunity for college graduates with non-nursing degrees to enter the nursing profession. With a rigorous, patient-centered curriculum, the MSN degree’s main objective is for graduates to emerge practice-ready and prepared for national licensure as registered nurses.
“51³Ô¹Ï chose to start a distinct kind of nursing program for a unique community of students—degreed individuals seeking new career paths,†said Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart. “This rigorous, 12-month accelerated format with maximum clinical hours and intensive study demands exceptional faculty, students and partners. Without question, that has been our formula for success.â€
Housed in Downtown Meridian’s historic Rosenbaum Health Sciences Building, formerly the Kress Building, the program is part of a renovation transformation funded by more than $6 million from university partner, The Riley Foundation. The facility also incorporates the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program and Interprofessional Simulation Center.
Begun in fall 2024, the program enrolled 36 students and is expected to grow to graduate 60 annually. There are approximately 90 such programs nationwide.
51³Ô¹Ï-Meridian Interim Administrative Head David Buys said, “Achieving CCNE accreditation is yet another indicator of the university’s commitment in taking care of what matters. Our highly educated graduates will be a great complement to the nursing workforce both in numbers and in academic preparation. We need more practice-ready nurses providing patient-centered care, and we’re making it happen for our local area and across the state.â€
51³Ô¹Ï is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .