FAMU Master of Health Administration Program Receives Seven-Year Reaccreditation

May 21, 2024
Andrew Skerritt
Jena Tavares was one of seven students graduating with their master’s in Health Care Administration this spring. (Credit: Christian J. Whitaker)
Jena Tavares was one of seven students graduating with their master’s in Health Care Administration this spring. (Credit: Christian J. Whitaker)

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) Board of Directors approved the reaccreditation of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU), Master of Health Care Administration (MHA) program for a seven-year term.

The MHA degree program was established in 2000 and graduated its first class in 2003. Administratively, the five-semester program is housed in the School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS), Division of Health Care Management. There were 32 students enrolled, with seven graduating in spring 2024.

The SOAHS is one of four colleges/schools and institutes that make up the FAMU’s health science academic core. Other components include pharmacy, nursing and public health. 

Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences Mary Simmons, Ph.D.,  was delighted with the reaccreditation news.

“This recognition affirms the strong leadership of Attorney Odell Stroud, Jr., and the outstanding work of our faculty and staff within the Division of Healthcare Management to provide an industry-leading educational experience for our students,” Simmons said. “The program’s curriculum and experiential learning opportunities prepare graduates to become transformational leaders who can tackle our nation’s most pressing healthcare challenges. This accreditation is a testament to Florida A&M University’s longstanding commitment to educational excellence and our goal of increasing diversity within healthcare management. I want to congratulate everyone involved for their dedication to promoting health equity through world-class education and training.”

Dean Mary Simmons congratulates a graduate during the spring 2024 Commencement ceremony. (Credit: Christian J. Whitaker)Dean Mary Simmons congratulates a graduate during the spring 2024 Commencement ceremony. (Credit: Christian J. Whitaker)

Since 1968, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) has served the public interest by advancing the quality of healthcare management education globally. CAHME accredits 150 academic programs in management, which has broadly been defined to include healthcare quality and safety, and population health.

CAHME works with leading academic programs and numerous healthcare practitioners to ensure that graduates entering the healthcare field have undergone an educational process meeting rigorous, measurable standards for effectiveness. The result is a formal academic education focusing on key competencies, plus practical experiences. This enables new graduates to quickly add value to an organization and grow into future leaders.

CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a graduate degree in healthcare management.

“CAHME’s mission is to advance the quality of healthcare management education globally.  CAHME-accredited programs have successfully navigated a complex and careful accreditation process managed by experts in the study and practice of healthcare management,” said Anthony Stanowski, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of CAHME. “The program meets rigorous standards set by leading academics and practitioners. We recognize their commitment to the field.”