Palo Alto College Nursing program receives ACEN Accreditation
May 1, 2026
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has granted initial accreditation to Palo Alto College’s Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program. ACEN is a non-profit, non-governmental organization recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. ACEN provides specialized accreditations for all levels of nursing education programs utilizing a voluntary peer review process to ensure nursing programs meet national standards for quality and excellence.
The ACEN Board of Commissioners approved the accreditation status at its March 2026 meeting, confirming that the program met or exceeded their standards and criteria. The decision carries an effective date of December 2, 2024 through Fall 2030.
Achieving ACEN accreditation as we prepare to graduate the first cohort of students, affirms the quality and excellence of Palo Alto College’s nursing program while strengthening our commitment to preparing Southside students to meet the growing healthcare needs of our community.
Dr. Robert Garza
The ACEN onsite survey in October 2025 revealed that Palo Alto College met all criteria and no recommendations were made; the Board of Commissioners’ vote affirmed the survey report and recommendation for accreditation. Donna Wallis, Executive Director of Nursing, shares that “teamwork, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence by the nursing faculty and staff were essential for the successful survey and adds that our first cohort will graduate from an ACEN accredited nursing program.”
The Palo Alto College Nursing program in located in the Southside Education and Training Center (SETC) to serve the growing demand for nurses in the Southside and throughout Bexar County.
