When you’re investing in an MHA program, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the best education for your buck. CAHME approval is a great indicator showing whether the Master of Health Administration degree fulfills tight quality standards. The Commission on Accreditation for Healthcare Management Education is a premier professional accrediting board that reviews programs educating health administrators. It’s fully recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accrediting (CHEA). Since this review process is voluntary, universities that go the extra step to achieve it value their MHA degrees. Business, medical, healthcare, and public health schools across the United States and Canada who apply for approval are rigorously monitored for excellence. There are currently 94 MHA and Healthcare MBA programs backed by this discipline-specific agency. Resource: Top 10 Best Online MHA Programs 2015

Regional vs. Professional Accreditations

Most everyone has heard that regional accrediting is crucial to receive financial aid and transfer college credits later. There are six regional agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education to consistently review colleges and universities. Any prospective school you’re considering should be accredited regionally rather than nationally. Professional accreditations are different because they certify only MHA or MBA programs, not the entire institution. Using strict academic standards, the agency selects only top-of-the-line degrees in health administration. The Commission solely accredits master’s programs with campus-based or distance learning formats for healthcare leadership.

Value of a CAHME-Accredited Degree

Spending two or more years pursuing an MHA won’t be as valuable if the degree hasn’t received professional approval. Attending a CAHME-accredited program virtually guarantees that the curriculum and field experiences will be worth your time. Students in accredited MHA programs can transfer without sacrificing credits. Graduates can rest assured that they’ve built the necessary skills for entry into administrative roles. Future employers will hold more weight to Master’s degrees from accredited colleges because of the high-caliber academic requirements. MHA or Healthcare MBA programs with professional accreditations meet the needs of full-time and part-time students while supporting rigorous education. Some scholarships may only accept applicants attending a CAHME-accredited program.

Finding Accredited MHA Programs

Selecting from the plethora of Master’s in Healthcare Administration programs is tough, especially with the looming threat of diploma mills. Using the CAHME’s program directory to find accredited programs is your best bet. You simply have to enter your state or province and click on the degree type you’re searching for. Once the search is complete, you’ll reveal nearby colleges accredited for their degrees in healthcare administration. Quality MHA, MBA, MPH, and MS degrees are now at your fingertips. When a CAHME-accredited program catches your eye, click the link for more information, including contacts. Accreditations are important for narrowing down your choices, but then contact the program’s admissions staff to learn more. Curriculum, internships, tuition, class sizes, and specialty tracks are other factors to consider. Health administrators hold tremendous responsibility in making the executive decisions that keep medical delivery systems running smoothly. They’re rewarded with a high average yearly salary of $103,680. Having quality training is essential to fine-tune communication, problem-solving, clinical, and leadership skills. Therefore, most employers now require master’s degrees for health administration job openings. Not all healthcare administration programs are created equal though. Choose an MHA program with CAHME accreditation to ensure your education equips you for career advancement and state licensing. Additional Resource: Top 20 Affordable Online Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Programs for 2015

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