• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Value of Accreditation in a Masters Program

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
buckeyebri

buckeyebri

Transfer Portal Phenom
    • I know we have some folks on here that are very familiar with college accreditation for Masters Programs and I wanted to assess the thoughts on how important this is when choosing a Masters program. My daughter is currently in an accredited program in an MPH/Epidemiology degree track. She is interested in switching to another University for location reasons, but when meeting with them learned that the program is not currently accredited. They are in the process of becoming accredited but it is possible that they may not by the time she would graduate.

    My question is what is the impact long term for her if the program is not accredited by the time she graduates? How will this be viewed in her career when searching for positions? Would it eventually preclude her from pursuing a PHD?
     
    buckeyebri said:
    I know we have some folks on here that are very familiar with college accreditation for Masters Programs and I wanted to assess the thoughts on how important this is when choosing a Masters program. My daughter is currently in an accredited program in an MPH/Epidemiology degree track. She is interested in switching to another University for location reasons, but when meeting with them learned that the program is not currently accredited. They are in the process of becoming accredited but it is possible that they may not by the time she would graduate.

    My question is what is the impact long term for her if the program is not accredited by the time she graduates? How will this be viewed in her career when searching for positions? Would it eventually preclude her from pursuing a PHD?
    Click to expand...

    Do you know where they are in the accreditation process? Also, whom are they trying to get accreditation from? (Hopefully, the CEPH.) Are they listed as an ASPPH associate member? http://www.aspph.org/members/index.cfm

    In any professional health field, accreditation is very important.
     
    Last edited:
    Upvote 0
    They are anticipating being accredited in two years thru CEPH. They have filed paperwork and will be an associate member after the first of the year. If she switches to this school it would be approximately a year after she graduates. This is of concern as to how that is applicable.
     
    Last edited:
    Upvote 0
    buckeyebri said:
    They are anticipating being accredited in two years thru CEPH. They have filed paperwork and will be an associate member after the first of the year. If she switches to this school it would be approximately a year after she graduates. This is of concern as to how that is applicable.
    Click to expand...

    I would be very hesitant to attend a program that is still going through the application process for accreditation--though I am naturally a cautious, low-risk individual. However, if they have provisional accreditation status, I wouldn't be concerned as that typically isn't granted unless the accrediting body has confidence in the program's ability to achieve full accreditation.

    Just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm the Director of Health Career Advising at CWRU and I would advise my students against applying to such a program in most situations.
     
    Upvote 0
    As above said, it depends on a few other factors (is she for sure going on for her phd?).....

    I've seen numerous schools "suddenly" not get the accreditation they expected, most famously in this area lately was Tri-C for their nurse program.

    And Buckeyegrad, I'm going to use that name when I apply for the PhD Business program at CWRU next month :wink:
     
    Upvote 0
    Seems that buckeyegrad had solid info on this as it is basically in his wheelhouse. Good info from him.

    My two cents worth on accreditation and higher ed is if it were one of my children in this position, I would advise her to NOT transfer to the program that is awaiting for/applying for accreditation. To some degree the whole accreditation process and "blessing" is a little scammish, it is the game that is currently being played. Employers look at accreditation status quite seriously (especially in health areas). Having a degree from an institution that is not accredited is, well, a step up from being not worth the paper it is written on. And if further degree pursuit is in the plans....
     
    Upvote 0
    buckeyegrad said:
    Do you know where they are in the accreditation process? Also, whom are they trying to get accreditation from? (Hopefully, the CEPH.) Are they listed as an ASPPH associate member? http://www.aspph.org/members/index.cfm

    In any professional health field, accreditation is very important.
    Click to expand...

    One last question, her current program is IUPUI and on the above site it is listed as a Transitional Program. They don't really explain this too well. On CEPH,org, it searches out as one of the programs. I take it based on this that her current program is good then.
     
    Upvote 0
    buckeyebri said:
    One last question, her current program is IUPUI and on the above site it is listed as a Transitional Program. They don't really explain this too well. On CEPH,org, it searches out as one of the programs. I take it based on this that her current program is good then.
    Click to expand...

    IUPUI is currently accredited as a program, which is typically defined as a department that exists in a school of medicine, allied medicine, or something similar. They are seeking to become a school of public health (i.e. self-existent at the university, not embedded in a larger school or college), which requires a different level of accreditation.
     
    Upvote 0
    You must log in or register to reply here.
    Back
    Top