Is Ohio State’s online Executive Master of Health Administration a CAHME accredited program? 

Yes, the online Executive Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree at The Ohio State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).  

Ohio State’s online Executive Master of Health Administration program is a healthcare management degree built for ambitious mid-career professionals seeking to advance into high-impact executive roles and lead transformational change in health services delivery, management, and policy. With all classes 100% online and asynchronous, the program offers the elite education you expect from a top-tier university with the flexibility needed by working professionals. The streamlined curriculum covers leadership competencies in the areas of management functions, health system policy, business and analytical skills, and leadership professionalism, while ensuring students complete the program in just 5 semesters. 

Following the announcement that Ohio State’s Executive MHA program was now a CAHME accredited online MHA program, we asked program director Debra Zevallos to share her thoughts on what this means for our students, for their career opportunities, and for her personally. 

Why is CAHME accreditation important for the Executive Master of Health Administration program? 

At its core, CAHME exists to advance the quality of healthcare management education, and that mission aligns perfectly with how we designed the Executive MHA. CAHME accreditation ensures our program meets national standards built by, and for, the healthcare management field with a strong focus on leadership competencies, real –world application, and continuous improvement. For an executive –level program, that matters. It means this degree was intentionally designed to prepare experienced professionals to lead in complex healthcare environments, not just earn a credential. 

Why is CAHME accreditation important for Executive MHA students? 

For our students, who are already healthcare leaders or emerging leaders, accreditation provides reassurance and return on investment. CAHME describes accreditation as a benchmark that signals students are well prepared to lead in healthcare management, and that’s exactly what it does here. It means your coursework is aligned with nationally validated competencies, your learning is practical and relevant, and your degree carries credibility well beyond our institution. 

Is CAHME accreditation important to employers? 

Yes, very much so! CAHME makes this very clear: accreditation serves as a trusted benchmark for both students and employers. Employers recognize that CAHME –accredited MHA programs hold themselves accountable to external standards and continuous review. When they see this credential, they know graduates have been educated in programs designed to produce leaders who can think strategically, manage complexity, and make informed decisions in real healthcare settings rather than just pass courses. 

How do you feel personally about earning CAHME accreditation? 

I’m genuinely proud. Accreditation tells me, and more importantly, our students, that we are delivering on what we promise. It shows that we took the time to be intentional in designing an executive program that respects our students’ experience, challenges them appropriately, and prepares them for what’s next in their careers. I’m proud to stand behind this program and say with confidence: this degree matters, and it’s built to serve leaders who want to make a real impact in healthcare. 

Your next step toward executive healthcare leadership.  

For professionals ready to expand their impact, the online Executive Master of Health Administration offers a clear path forward. With a focus on real-world application, flexible 100% online coursework, and executive leadership development, the program is built to help experienced healthcare professionals step confidently into the next phase of their careers.