The certification mark certifies that - The persons authorized by the certifier meet the following criteria: 1. Mission and/or philosophy of the nursing education unit is congruent with that of the governing organization, or differences are justified by the nursing education unit purposes. 2. Faculty, administrators, and students participate in governance as defined by the parent organization and the nursing education unit 3. Nursing education unit is administered by a nurse who is academically and experientially qualified, and who has authority and responsibility for development and administration of the program. 4. Policies of the nursing education unit are consistent with those of the governing organization, or differences are justified by nursing education purposes. 5. Faculty members (full- and part-time) are academically and experientially qualified, and maintain expertise in their areas of responsibility. 6. Number and utilization of full- and part-time faculty meet the needs of the nursing education unit to fulfill its purposes. 7. Faculty performance is periodically evaluated to assure ongoing development and competence. 8. The collective talents of the faculty reflect scholarship through teaching, application, and the integration and discovery of knowledge as defined by the institution and the nursing education unit. 9. Student policies of the nursing education unit are congruent with those of the governing organization, publicly accessible, non-discriminatory, and consistently applied; differences are justified by the nursing education unit purposes. 10. Students have access to support services administered by qualified individuals that include, but are not limited to: health, counseling, academic advisement, career placement, and financial aid. 11. Policies concerned with educational and financial records are established and followed. 12. Curriculum developed by nursing faculty flows from the nursing education unit philosophy/mission through an organizing framework into a logical progression of course outcomes and learning activities to achieve desired program objectives/outcomes. 13. Program design provides opportunity for students to achieve program objectives and acquire knowledge, skills, values, and competencies necessary for nursing practice. 14. Practice learning environments are selected and monitored by faculty and provide opportunities for a variety of learning options appropriate for contemporary nursing. 15. Fiscal resources are sufficient to support the nursing education unit purposes commensurate with the resources of the governing organization. 16. Program support services are sufficient for the operation of the nursing education unit. 17. Learning resources are comprehensive, current, developed with nursing faculty input, and accessible to faculty and students. 18. Physical facilities are appropriate to support the purposes of the nursing education unit. 19. Information about the program intended to inform the general public, prospective students, current students, employers and other interested parties, is current, accurate, clear, and consistent. 20. Complaints about the program are addressed and records are maintained and available for review. 21. Compliance with Higher Education Reauthorization Act Title IV eligibility and certification requirements is maintained. 22. There is a written plan for systematic program evaluation that is used for continuous program improvement. 23. Student academic achievement by program type is evaluated by: graduation rates, licensure/certification pass rates, job placement rates, and program satisfaction.