Accreditation is a process through which educational institutions and programs are evaluated to ensure they meet established standards of quality. In the context of nursing, the DOE works with specialized accrediting bodies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These bodies assess nursing programs on various criteria, including curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, to ensure they provide quality education.