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This document is the second in a series of three HA Web pages discussing graduate study. The other two are:

• Part 1--The Basics, and
• Part 3--Getting Accepted.

How can I decide which graduate school is best for me?

First, do some thinking about what you value in terms of a program and a setting. For example, what kind of concentration, if any, are you seeking? Do you prefer a particular region? Do you prefer an urban or a rural campus? What kind of housing would you like?

Once you have at least a general idea of what you're looking for, check the HA Web list of graduate schools and the page on rankings of graduate schools. Then, e-mail or write those that meet at least your most important needs. Their addresses can be obtained through the HA Web list and/or the AUPHA's book on graduate study.

Don't hesitate to e-mail or write a large number of schools at first. In fact, there's no harm in sending a mass e-mail message or xeroxed form letter; graduate schools expect this and will not be insulted. In your message or letter, request a university catalog, information on the graduate program, plus application forms and any other information or answers to questions you consider important. If a school doesn't send you everything you need the first time, write a specific followup e-mail message or letter reiterating your need for what's missing. Unfortunately, some programs will no longer send a complete university catalog without a hefty fee.

Once you have all your basic information, look through it for the concerns you consider important, then narrow your list to six or so top contenders. At that point, you may want to consider writing for further clarifications or even visiting the campuses. Visiting may enable you to get the best "feel" for a university; you can meet students and faculty and also give the program officials a chance to meet you.

If you do visit campuses, write the relevant officials of their graduate programs in advance of your visit; they can assist you if you want to meet students or faculty, see university housing, or whatever.

Your final choices for graduate schools to apply to should include no fewer than three programs. No matter how badly you want to attend a particular university, it's always best to diversify your chances.

Some graduate programs are in Schools of Business, some in Schools of Public Health, and others elsewhere. Is this difference important?

1. Variously located programs may offer different degrees, such as the M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration), the M.H.A. (Master of Health Administration, or Hospital Administration), the M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration), or M.P.H. (Master of Public Health) depending on the type of school in which they are located, plus hybrid variants like the joint M.B.A./M.H.A.
2. Aside from the type of degree offered, program location often indicates much about the substantive orientation of the degree. Usually, Business Schools tend to be more private-sector-oriented, Public Health Schools more toward public health agencies, Public Affairs Schools more toward government, and Schools of Allied Health, more toward generalist health services or hospitals.
3. Programs in Schools of Business tend to require the GMAT rather than the GRE (see below).

You will need to carefully consider these differences in the light of your own career orientations and preferences. Probably no one degree will be preferred by all employers. Often, a person's competence, experience, and suitability for a particular job, plus the fact that he/she has same sort of relevant Master's degree from a recognized institution will be more important for hiring than the details of the degree.

How important is accreditation of graduate schools?

In a few cases, lack of accreditation will occur simply because of some bureaucratic technicality. However, in most cases it will mean either

1. that the institution's degree is not primarily a health administration degree but rather some other type of degree (for example, a business administration degree), in which case it should be accredited by the relevant accreditation body for that type of degree, or
2. that the quality of the institution's degree is below the generally acceptable minimum for such programs.

The AUPHA's book on graduate study contains full information on accreditation of HA graduate programs.

If the institution is in the first category above, you will need to decide if it really provides enough health administration coursework to suit your needs. If it is in the second, it probably should not receive serious consideration, since a degree from it will not be of much benefit.

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