The School of Nursing’s UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Program and Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) Degree Program have both earned full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Board of Commissioners following a site visit and formal review in late 2024.

In addition, the California Board of Registered Nursing approved the School of Nursing’s programs, affirming they meet state-specific licensing and practice requirements.

CCNE accreditation is a trusted mark of quality for graduate nursing programs. It confirms the program meets national standards, qualifies students for financial aid and licensure, and enhances its reputation with employers and peers. It also reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in nursing education.

“It’s not just about meeting benchmarks,” said School of Nursing Dean Stephen Cavanagh. “It’s about transforming lives and advancing the future of how and where care is delivered to meet the needs of California and beyond.”

The DNP-FNP program, launched in 2022, marked the first DNP program at UC Davis. The hybrid program combines distance-based education with four on-campus immersions across three years. Charleen Singh, Ph.D., M.B.A., F.N.P.-B.C., CWOCN, R.N., is director.

UC schools of nursing at UC Davis, UCLA, UC Irvine and UCSF launched the multicampus, hybrid mental health certificate program to prepare nurse practitioners across California as psychiatric mental health specialists. The one-year program, which welcomed its first class in 2021, grew out of a course of study developed by UCSF.

UC Davis became the administrative home of the program in 2023 with a focus on expanding the impact on people in desperate need of mental health services and identifying ways to expand the curriculum and placement opportunities. Lynda Creighton-Wong, M.S., R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., P.M.H.C.N.S.-B.C., is director.

Accreditation for both programs lasts for five years. The next on-site evaluation will take place in fall 2029.