Georgetown University's Executive Master's Program Earns CAHME Reaccreditation

Eight-year reaccreditation affirms program's commitment to excellence in healthcare leadership education.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:20pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a stethoscope icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the healthcare focus of the Georgetown EM-CQSL program. The image utilizes flat, vibrant neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn a common medical tool into modern pop art.Georgetown's reaccredited healthcare leadership program equips graduates to drive innovation and quality improvements across the industry.Spring House Today

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) Board of Directors has approved the reaccreditation of Georgetown University's Executive Master's in Clinical Quality, Safety & Leadership (EM-CQSL) program for an eight-year term. The EM-CQSL program is a collaboration between Georgetown University's School of Health and MedStar Health, designed to prepare healthcare leaders for the complex and rapidly changing industry.

Why it matters

CAHME accreditation is a prestigious achievement that signifies the EM-CQSL program meets rigorous, peer-reviewed standards focused on outcomes and workforce relevance. This reaccreditation affirms Georgetown's commitment to excellence in healthcare education and ensures graduates are equipped with the competencies needed to catalyze innovation, advance practice, and positively impact patient care.

The details

The EM-CQSL program combines the academic rigor of a leading research university with the operational expertise of one of the region's largest healthcare systems, MedStar Health. Courses are taught by experienced healthcare leaders and practitioners, including clinicians, executives, and patient safety experts, who bring deep, real-world insight to the classroom. Through this collaboration, students benefit from exceptional faculty, exposure to health system challenges, and opportunities to build meaningful professional networks.

  • The CAHME Board of Directors approved the reaccreditation on April 19, 2026.
  • The EM-CQSL program was first accredited by CAHME several years ago.

The players

Christopher King

Dean of the Georgetown University School of Health.

Carole Hemmelgarn

Program Director of the EM-CQSL program at Georgetown University.

Maureen C. Jones

President & CEO of the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

Brian Gay

A hospital quality assurance director and graduate of Georgetown's EM-CQSL program.

Georgetown University School of Health

A home for scholars and students to work collaboratively across disciplines to address human health and well-being.

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What they’re saying

“CAHME accreditation is a noteworthy achievement for the EM-CQSL program. It affirms our commitment to preparing healthcare leaders for a complex and rapidly changing industry. Equipped with these competencies, our alumni will catalyze innovation, advance practice, and positively impact the lives of individuals and communities across the globe.”

— Christopher King, Dean of the School of Health, Georgetown University

“We are proud of our CAHME reaccreditation. It is more than a milestone; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence. Accreditation ensures that our program meets the highest standards in healthcare education. By engaging deeply in continuous evaluation and improvement, we strengthen not only our curriculum, but also our mission to prepare leaders who advance quality, safety, and transformational change in healthcare.”

— Carole Hemmelgarn, Program Director, EM-CQSL, Georgetown University

“Knowing that Georgetown's EM-CQSL degree program is CAHME accredited gives me confidence that the instruction and training I received as a graduate student was top-notch. Similar to the status afforded a hospital that has achieved Joint Commission accreditation, CAHME accreditation represents a 'seal of approval' for graduate programs in healthcare education, given the rigorous standards and criteria which must not only be met, but sustained. I'm proud to have graduated from one of only four CAHME-accredited programs in Healthcare Quality and Safety and believe doing so will benefit my professional career as well as the patients and communities I serve.”

— Brian Gay, Hospital Quality Assurance Director, Georgetown EM-CQSL Graduate

“CAHME advances the quality of healthcare management education through accreditation that emphasizes rigor, accountability, and continuous improvement. Accreditation by CAHME signals that a program has met rigorous, peer-reviewed standards focused on outcomes and workforce relevance. Through evaluation by experts in both academia and healthcare practice, accredited programs demonstrate that their curriculum and competency models are aligned to industry needs and designed to prepare graduates for meaningful impact in the field.”

— Maureen C. Jones, President & CEO, CAHME

What’s next

The EM-CQSL program will continue to undergo regular evaluations and improvements to maintain its CAHME accreditation status over the next eight years.

The takeaway

Georgetown University's EM-CQSL program's CAHME reaccreditation demonstrates its commitment to providing a world-class healthcare leadership education that prepares graduates to drive innovation, enhance patient safety and quality, and make a meaningful impact in the evolving healthcare industry.