Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the purpose of this directory?
The purpose of the directory is to provide students and early careerists with a list of available postgraduate administrative fellowships, and to provide a place where sponsoring organizations may promote their fellowships and increase visibility for these programs.

2. What do the degree abbreviations stand for?
Below is an explanation of the degree abbreviations in the fellowship listings.

AA: Associate of Arts
MPH: Master of Public Health
BA: Bachelor of Arts
MBA: Master of Business Administration
MD: Doctor of Medicine
MHA: Master of Health or Hospital Administration
MHSA: Master of Health Services
MHSc: Master of Health Science
MPS: Master of Public Service
MSA: Master of Science in Administration
MSHA: Master of Science in Health Administration
MSN: Master of Science in Nursing Administration
MPA: Master of Public Administration
PhD: Doctor of Philosophy Administration
RN: Registered Nurse

3. What are the relevant associations to be aware of?
CAHME—Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education was organized in 1968 to provide accreditation to individual academic programs offering a major course of study in health services administration, leading to a professional master's degree. CAHME has been granted formal recognition by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. The Commission is the only organization recognized to grant accreditation to master's level health administration programs in the United States and Canada.

CAHME establishes criteria for graduate education in health services administration, planning and policy; conducts surveys that will encourage universities to maintain and improve their programs; determines compliance with the Commission's criteria; and provides ongoing consultation to health services administration programs. The Commission promotes quality education in health services administration.

The Commission has 10 corporate members: the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American College of Medical Practice Executives, the American College of Physician Executives, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the American Public Health Association, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, the Canadian Institute of Health Management, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. There are 15 Commissioners; 13 are appointed by the corporate sponsors and two public Commissioners are appointed by the members of the Commission.

AUPHA—Association of University Programs in Health Administration

The Association of University Programs in Health Administration is a consortium of faculty from academic programs in colleges and universities joining together in an international cooperative effort to improve health services delivery through education for administration. Through graduate and undergraduate programs, community service, research and continuing education, the Association's member programs are advancing administrative technology and are preparing qualified administrative leadership for health services.

4. At what time of the year can an organization post a fellowship?
An organization can post a fellowship at any time.

5. If an applicant has a question about a posting within the directory, who should they contact?
This information is provided as a service to healthcare executives and potential fellowship recipients. The sponsors of the fellowship programs are fully responsible for all information in the Directory. ACHE does not perform any independent verification of the information and is not responsible for the accuracy of information. Applicants should direct questions and requests for further information directly to the contact person listed at each sponsoring organization. As a condition of use, the user agrees to hold ACHE harmless from any liability arising from the use of this Directory. ACHE is not responsible for discontinuation of or changes in the sponsoring organization's fellowships.

6. What is the general length of a fellowship?
Typically, an organization's fellowship is one-year experiential learning and postgraduate training is preferred. However, six-month and two-year fellowships also have been developed.

7. Is there a general time when most fellowships begin?
While fellowships' start dates vary, many fellowships begin at the end of spring or early summer.

8. Is there a list of "no longer active" fellowships available?
Yes, view the archived listings.

9. How do I add, modify or post a listing for my organization?
Log in to the listing page. You can select an existing organization from the drop-down list or enter a new one. If you need assistance, please contact ACHE's Customer Service Center at (312) 424-9400.

10. When an organization adds, modifies or posts a listing, how long does it take to update on the Web page?
The listings are updated immediately.

11. What is the difference between an Administrative Residency and an Administrative Fellowship?
Typically an Administrative Residency is one of the final steps required to obtain a master's degree in health administration. Such experiences are usually arranged by an academic program in collaboration with a preceptor.

An Administrative Fellowship is a developmental experience that requires completion of a graduate degree before the fellow begins the program. Fellowship programs usually receive a large number of applicants from many different academic programs.

Although some opportunities in the directory may be listed as Administrative Residencies, most are Fellowships requiring a graduate degree; some of these Fellowships will only accept applicants who have graduated from CAHME-accredited health administration programs.