If the multitude of reports in the news discussing the red-hot demand for healthcare professionals has you interested in returning to college to earn your master’s in healthcare administration, accreditation is an important factor in deciding which degree program is best suited to your needs. Verify that the program you choose is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).
What is Accreditation?
As the U.S. Department of Education explains, accreditation helps assure students that they are receiving a quality education from their college or university. Private education associations, like CAHME, set criteria and then evaluate learning institutions or specific programs to see whether or not they meet the established criteria. If they do, they are considered to be accredited by the organization. Some accrediting organizations are regional; others operate on a national scale. While the U.S. Department of Education does not accredit schools or programs, it does maintain a list of national organizations that are considered to be reliable sources of accreditation.
What is CAHME?
The only organization recognized to grant accreditation to master’s degree programs in healthcare administration, CAHME is acknowledged by both the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Devoted to ensuring quality and continuous improvement in education programs for professionals in the fields of healthcare administration and healthcare management, CAHME is a multidisciplinary group of professional, clinical, academic and commercial organizations. The standards it sets are used as the benchmark in healthcare administration education programs around the world. Accreditation by CAHME assures both students and employers that a degree program contains all appropriate content and is presented in an effective way so that graduates are properly prepared to join the workforce.
How Do I Discover Whether or Not a Program is Accredited by CAHME?
Because they assure students that their degree programs are quality programs that employers and other educational institutions will respect, colleges and universities clearly list their accreditations on their websites. If you are unsure whether or not a program that intrigues you is CAHME accredited, you can also visit CAHME’s website and search its list of accredited programs.
What Should I Expect in a Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Program?
A Master’s in Healthcare Administration program is designed to prepare people to work as upper level managers in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings, explains U.S. News and World Report. This graduate-level degree program typically requires students to complete around 30 credits of advanced coursework in topics like finance, law, ethics, administration, human resources, management and policy, studying the interplay of these areas within the world of healthcare. Because the programs are often geared toward working professionals, they tend to be very flexible. Options for full-time and part-time study are available. Students can also choose between traditional or online formats.
With the recent changes in healthcare law and the country’s aging population, the demand for healthcare is predicted to skyrocket. This explosive growth means healthcare providers and the skilled professionals who manage and support healthcare delivery have a wide range of incredible opportunities in the job market. If you are interested in earning a master’s in healthcare administration, accreditation by CAHME assures you of a quality degree program that will prepare you for professional success.
Related Resource: Benefits of Obtaining an MHA
