Programs not currently accredited must first be accepted into Candidacy Status before they can participate in the full review process.

Meet the Requirements: Prior to the application process, a sponsoring institution must develop a program that meets the professional curriculum content and quality of the program as measured by the Health Services Management Accreditation Standards and Program administrators must ensure that the program is sustainable per its resource and needs assessment. The program must be developed to ensure stability professionally and financially.

Note: Programs applying for initial accreditation do not have to wait until they have a graduating class to apply.

STEP 1: Letter of Intent & Credentialing Disclaimer

Submit Documentation: Once the program verifies that it meets the minimum requirements for application and has begun enrollments, the program’s President / CEO submits the letter of intent describing its readiness to pursue accreditation.

The letter of intent must include the following:

• Describe support for the program.
• State reasons for the program inception or program need.
• Confirm state and institutional authority to provide the degree-granting program.
• Indicate the month and year of the program launch.
• Indicate projected month and year of first graduation class

Credentialing Disclaimer

In addition to the Letter of Intent, programs must sign the Credentialing Disclaimer statement found here. The document must be signed by someone with signing authority at the institution.     

Click the button below to submit a letter of intent for accreditation and a signed credentialing disclaimer.

STEP 2: Program Submits Application

Programs will be invoiced an application fee when submitting their application for accreditation, prior to acceptance into candidacy.

When applying for CAHIIM accreditation, there are six (6) required documents that must be completed prior to the submission to CAHIIM:

1. Curriculum Mapping Document
– Complete and upload the Curriculum Mapping document found here.

2. Syllabi (2)
– Submit a sample syllabus for a core Health Services Management course from the final phase of the program.
– Submit the syllabus for their required applied experiential learning.

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for the Program Director
– Submitted CV must be up-to-date.

5. Curriculum Vitae for the Faculty Members
– Faculty member(s) must be teaching in the program. Submitted CVs must be up-to-date.

6. Profile Page
– The profile page is a document which provides CAHIIM with all contact information for the program.
– The blank, fillable document can be downloaded here.

STEP 3: Application Review

Upon payment of the application fee, CAHSM staff reviews the materials within 90 days to ensure all requirements are met. Programs may be requested to provide additional information or clarification. CAHSM’s senior staff reserves the right to make final administrative decisions of a program’s application status with CAHSM.

STEP 4: Acceptance into Candidacy

Successful programs are invoiced a candidacy fee, assigned a CAHSM Educational Program Code (EPC) and a Self-Assessment due date, and provided with their CAHSM Accreditation System (CAS) login information.

An application may be rejected if it does not meet the conditions for application or there are documented issues of non-compliance with the Standards at any time.

Expiration of Candidacy Status

This status will be terminated if it is found that the requirements for candidacy have not been maintained at any time or the maximum 2-year period has elapsed. If the program has been informed of this action, the program must reapply by submitting a new application for candidacy.

Once Candidacy is established (for new programs), or when an accredited program reaches the end of its seven-year term (continuing programs), it enters the Comprehensive Program Review Process.

Stage 1: Program Submits Self-Assessment

Using the CAHSM Accreditation System (CAS), the program identifies its strengths and weaknesses and demonstrates how it meets each Accreditation Standard.

Staff completes a formal review and assessment of the information submitted and provides a preliminary assessment within 90 days.

Request for clarification or additional information may be requested and is reviewed by CAHSM quality education staff in the order received. The program’s site visit date is coordinated during this time, and the program is invoiced the Site Visit Fee.

The following documents will be provided for this stage:
1. Site Visit Checklist
2. Site Visit Itinerary Template

Stage 2: Site Visit

A team of trained Peer Reviewers (volunteer academic professionals) conducts a virtual or on-site visit to validate the Self-Assessment. They interview students, faculty, and advisory committees, and review physical or digital program records to ensure the program’s operations align with its stated goals and CAHSM Standards.

Stage 3: Program Response

After the site visit is concluded, the site visit team will complete a Site Visit Report that is generated within 10 days of the conclusion of the visit. The program is required to provide a formal response to this report within 30 days of receipt.

Stage 4: Council Recommendation

The Health Science Accreditation Council (HSAC) evaluates the program’s level of compliance after reviewing all assessment stages and the program’s responses. The Council then makes a formal recommendation for accreditation status to the Board of Directors.

Stage 5: Board of Directors Decision

The CAHSM Board of Directors reviews the recommendation at its next meeting to make the final decision to approve or defer the accreditation award.

Programs with unresolved Standard deficiencies that require additional implementation time may be assigned a six-month Progress Report. Programs must complete and submit this report within the Accreditation System by the specified due date. Failure to submit this report by the due date may place the program on Administrative Probationary Accreditation. An unsatisfactory progress report or a Substantive Change in Program Director during the progress report process may result in a Focused Review and site visit of the program.

Official Notification

Programs are officially notified of their accreditation status within 10 days of the Board of Directors’ final decision. They are listed on the program directory and accessible to the public. Programs are accredited for a period of seven (7) years before the next accreditation cycle commences.