St. John's College Current Students Academic Resources The Higher Education Act (HEA) Accreditation, Approval and Licensure

Accreditation of Institution and Programs

The baccalaureate nursing program at St. John’s College located in Springfield, Illinois is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is continuing accreditation.

 The masters nursing program at St. John’s College located in Springfield, Illinois is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the masters nursing program is continuing accreditation.

The clinical doctorate nursing program at St. John’s College located in Springfield, Illinois is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the clinical doctorate nursing program is initial accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding these programs on the ACEN website.

NC-SARA Student Complaint Process

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) Student Complaint Process

Online Students Enrolled in Illinois Programs

St. John’s College of Nursing has been approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Students taking distance education courses at St. John’s College of Nursing should resolve any issues or complaints with the College first. If an issue cannot be resolved internally, a student can file a complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and can follow the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) complaint process. Below are more details.

SARA – the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement – provides a streamlined, reciprocity-based process for participating postsecondary institutions to gain approval to offer interstate distance education in SARA member state without individually applying to each state for such approval, subject to certain limitations.* As such, students who are enrolled in online programs, and who have a complaint that is not resolved internally, may turn to the SARA State Portal Entity.

Students must first direct their complaint to St. John’s College of Nursing for investigation and resolution. If the complaint remains unresolved after all institutional procedures have been exhausted, complaints may be directed to the SARA State Portal Entity through the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) website. Students have two years from the date of the incident about which the complaint is made to appeal to the SARA State Portal Entity. Student complaints about grades or student conduct may not be filed to the SARA State Portal Entity. Complaints about fraud or criminal activity under SARA may be sent to the State Attorney General or the State Education Department. Here is the link to the NC-SARA complaint process (https://www.nc-sara.org/student-complaints).

*SARA Policy Manual, June 27, 2022; Version 22.1