<p>What would be the advantages and disadvantages to getting a degree at a state university for an accredited or non-accredited major? For example, CSU Northridge is accredited for health care administration for undergraduate degree and offers a masters for the program. While Sacramento State University offers an undergraduate degree for health care administration, but isn’t accredited. How would an accredited school for certain majors benefit those looking for a job after they graduate? Would volunteer services make up for getting a degree that isn’t accredited?</p>
<p>If you are planning to have a career in the field, I would avoid getting an unaccredited degree if it is a field that generally requires accreditation </p>
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<p>Looks like you mean AUPHA certification, as described here:
[Undergraduate</a> Certification - The Association of University Programs in Health Administration](<a href=“http://www.aupha.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3519]Undergraduate”>http://www.aupha.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3519)
List of schools with AUPHA certification for undergraduate programs:
[List</a> of Undergraduate-level AUPHA certified member programs. - The Association of University Programs in Health Administration](<a href=“http://www.aupha.org/custom/directory/programs.cfm?corpType=full%20certified&progtype=undergraduate]List”>http://www.aupha.org/custom/directory/programs.cfm?corpType=full%20certified&progtype=undergraduate)</p>
<p>There is another organization for the field, the CAHME. It only accredits master’s degree programs.
[CAHME</a> : The Standard of Excellence in Healthcare Management Education Since 1968](<a href=“http://www.cahme.org/]CAHME”>http://www.cahme.org/)</p>
<p>@doanutfactory I’d avoid a non-accredited school. If you get a degree from there it’s basically useless if someone finds out that it’s not accredited.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone! I attended Sac State for 3 semesters, and this Spring 2013 I will be attending a CC in hopes of transferring to either Long Beach or Northridge for health care administration. I’ve been debating whether or not to stay at Sac State because depending on whether I get all of the classes I won’t be able to transfer till either Fall 2014 or even Fall 2015. A major downfall, I started school in Fall 2011 too. Due to budget cuts the CSUS system are suffering so the schools are not accepting Spring transfers. As you can see I’ll be spending quite some time at a CC and I’m afraid of being judged as not taking my education seriously since I’ll be at a CC for so long (3-4 years where people are graduating already!). </p>
<p>I regret for being so indecisive about my major till now. Do you think this is a wiser choice to transfer even though Ill be spending an extra year or more at a CC? Or should I just stay at Sac State to get my undergraduate degree, try to find work for a year, then get a masters degree that’s accredited? Much help appreciated! I’ve been asking around, but no one has been able to help me I don’t know what to do at this point.</p>
<p>If you can afford it I would go for the accredited masters degree assuming the school accepts the BA at Sac St.</p>
<p>@egelloc80: Does that mean that graduate schools won’t accept you if your undergraduate degree isn’t accredited? If that’s the case, I’m willing to take the extra 1-2 years at a CC to transfer to the right school. I most definitely plan to obtain a masters degree after I have some work experience. But, I’ve heard that people won’t hire you even with the undergraduate degree if it’s not accredited. I wanted to make sure if this was true.</p>
<p>Does accreditation matter for hiring straight out of college in this field? If not, then don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Is accreditation necessary for hiring after a Masters? Then you do need to pursue your Masters at an accredited place.</p>
<p>Check the admissions policies for the Masters programs. Usually they don’t give a rip about special accreditation at the undergrad level. Usually what they care about is your GPA and whether you have the right pre-reqs.</p>
<p>Sometimes the reason why different organizations accredit undergrad programs and others accredit the grad programs is because the grad departments and undergrad departments are having a turf war within that professional field. Sometimes there is no turf war, just historical reasons. Find out which kind of degree will actually get you a job, and then do what it takes to complete that one. If employers will hire you with the bachelors from your current U, you will save a whole bunch of time & trouble. Pay a visit to your own career center and ask the department about job placement.</p>
<p>@happymomof1: But, the problem is if I get a degree in this field that’s not accredited doesn’t that mean I’m at a disadvantage to get a job? Or the job will be very low pay compared to someone who got an accredited undergraduate degree. I most definitely will pursue a masters because in order to move up the ladder in this field I need a masters that’s accredited. Thank you for your information it really helped I will go talk to my advisers at Sac State and at the CC to make a final decision.</p>
<p>If anyone else would like to add more information I would greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>When you are at the career center, (or speaking with people in the department itself) ask for the contact information for one or two recent graduates who are now working in this field. Usually recent alums are very happy to pass on useful information to current (or potential) students.</p>
<p>I would also advise you to rewrite your question about hiring in this field, and post it in the Parents Forum. Use a title along the line of “Does graduating from a program accredited by X matter?” so that you catch the attention of other people who can advise you.</p>
<p>also going to the forum for the school you are currently in can also attract people who will have more definate answer for your situation</p>
<p>I did some research and it appears the undergraduate degree that Sac State offers for the concentration of health care administration is accredited by the “American Kinesiology Association.” Mainly because Sac State is a school that has a huge program for Kinesiology majors. So, could it possibly mean that getting the degree at Sac State would not be correct for my field of study? I’ll still ask my advisers because now I’m confused. Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait till school starts to ask.</p>