History and Accreditation

History

At its founding in 1953, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing offered the first baccalaureate nursing program in public higher education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Four years later, the College launched the first Master of Science degree program, and, in 1994, the state's first publicly supported PhD program in Nursing in collaboration with The University of Massachusetts Medical College Graduate School of Nursing. In 2005, the College offered its first PhD program, sponsored uniquely by the College of Nursing, and, in 2006, the first Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in the state.

Continuous accreditation, first by the National League for Nursing and currently by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), along with the success of graduates in passing both licensing and certification exams, testify to the enduring quality of the College's programs, faculty, and curriculum.

The Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is one of the twelve schools and colleges comprising the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which was founded in 1863. The University classified among the Carnegie "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity"  and it is the flagship campus of the five-campus Massachusetts public university system. Sponsored research now totals over $230 million a year, with increasing emphasis on the life sciences and biotechnology applications.

Embodying the University's commitment to high quality, accessible education, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is committed to meeting the challenges faced by the nursing profession in the context of the changing dynamics of society and the delivery of health care.

In 2008 the College of Nursing moved to the renovated Skinner Hall. The move to our own building in the center of the campus sent a clear message that the Commonwealth and the University are committed to building a solid future for nursing education and scholarship that will benefit residents of the state and beyond.

On September 16, 2021, The University announced the College of Nursing to be renamed the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing in honor or Elaine Nicpon Marieb, a teacher, philanthropist, author and distinguished alumna of the University of Massachusetts, and the College of Nursing.

Accreditation

The  Elaine Marieb College of Nursing as part of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is accredited by the  New England Commision  of Higher Education (NECHE) The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Massachusetts are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org) and prelicensure programs are approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. PhD programs are accredited by NECHE, the same agency that accredits the entire University.

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