An Introduction to AACN’s Mission-Aligned Admissions Process (MAAP)

A well-designed admissions process is essential to enrolling students whose preparation, experiences, and potential align with a school’s mission and who are positioned to succeed in nursing education. As part of its commitment to advancing excellence in academic nursing, AACN supports schools in developing admissions processes that are mission-driven, evidence-informed, transparent, and aligned with institutional values and program goals.

This webinar introduces AACN’s Mission-Aligned Admissions Process (MAAP), a structured approach for examining alignment across access, policy, criteria, process, and outcomes. Participants will explore how academic metrics, applicant experiences, and personal attributes can contribute to a balanced review when criteria are clearly defined and applied through transparent and consistent practices.

The session will also introduce AACN’s MAAP Services, which help schools understand the process, assess their current admissions system, and develop and implement a mission-aligned approach. Whether a program is beginning to examine its admissions practices or looking to strengthen an established process, this webinar provides a practical foundation for continuous improvement.

Speakers

Wanda Thruston, DNP, APRN, RN
Director of Access and Engagement
American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Brigit Carter, PhD, RN, CCRN, FADLN, FAAN
Chief Access and Engagement Officer
American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Outcomes:

• Describe the foundational principles and components of AACN’s Mission-Aligned Admissions Process (MAAP).
• Explain how access, policy, criteria, process, and outcomes align with institutional mission, values, and program goals.
• Differentiate among academic metrics, applicant experiences, and personal attributes and explain how each contributes to a balanced admissions review.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen transparency, consistency, and alignment within current admissions practices.
• Describe AACN 3-tier MAAP Services which help schools learn the process, assess their current admissions system, and develop and implement a mission-aligned approach.

Pricing and CE Credit

This webinar is free to deans, faculty, staff and students from AACN member schools of nursing. All non-member audiences will be required to pay a $59 webinar fee.

Continuing Nursing Education

One nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) credit is associated with this webinar; attendees must be present for the entire webinar and complete the evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.