If you've been shopping for and comparing healthcare administration programs, then you've likely heard that CAHME accreditation is important. The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) is a discipline-specific professional accrediting agency that sets high standards for health administration degrees. The CAHME offers voluntary accreditation to public health, medical, and business schools that offer graduate programs for preparing healthcare administrators. Universities can apply for candidacy status to be reviewed by the CAHME board for meeting the criteria established for excellent healthcare management education. Currently, there are 91 healthcare administration programs fully accredited by the CAHME across the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Before choosing your MHA or MBA in Healthcare program, read on to discover why accreditation from the CAHME is crucial.
CAHME vs. Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is granted to universities that meet certain academic standards based on their geographic location. There are six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Attending a regionally accredited institution is a must for students to earn transferrable credits, quality for financial aid, and receive a high-quality education. Accreditation from the CAHME is different because it's programmatic and only concerned with the curriculum of one degree. The CAHME only accredits prestigious and selective healthcare administration programs based on strict professional guidelines. Although the CAHME doesn't accredit any online colleges, the association does extend accreditation to campus-based universities with online learning options.
Importance of CAHME Accreditation
Investing in a master's degree in healthcare administration can be expensive, so it's important to get the best bang for your buck. Approval from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) basically guarantees that you'll get the excellent education you're paying for. Prospective students looking at CAHME-accredited programs can rest assured that the school continually strives to be exceptional. The CAHME only accredits health administration programs that are flexible to meet diverse learning needs, address a broad scope of career options, and support hands-on education models. Graduates from CAHME-accredited programs often benefit from a competitive edge in the market because employers know they're properly prepared for the role's complex management responsibilities.
Finding an Accredited Healthcare Administration Degree
Choosing the right graduate school for a master's degree in healthcare administration can be an overwhelming decision, but CAHME approval can guide you in a good direction. To locate graduate programs accredited in healthcare management, simply head to the CAHME program directory. You can conduct the search based on your state/province of residence or degree you're looking to obtain. The search results will list the university's name, state/province code, program type, and degree name. Clicking on the CAHME-accredited program will also provide convenient program links and contact information. From there, you can finalize your search by weighing other important factors, including financial aid, faculty credentials, student engagement, admissions criteria, internships, curriculum specializations, and job placement.
Building the skill sets to plan, direct, and coordinate increasingly complex healthcare facilities in the 21st century virtually requires earning a master's degree. Not all healthcare administration degrees are created equal, though. Make sure you're steering clear of the so-called diploma mills by selecting an institution with at least regional accreditation. However, choosing a healthcare administration program that's gone the extra step to receive CAHME accreditation will certainly maximize your investment and future career opportunities as a healthcare leader.