University of the Incarnate Word's MHA Program Earns Reaccreditation

CAHME reaccredits UIW's Master of Health Administration program for 8 more years

Apr. 19, 2026 at 5:21pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a stethoscope icon repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn a common medical tool into modern pop art.CAHME's reaccreditation of UIW's MHA program celebrates the university's commitment to training the next generation of innovative healthcare leaders.San Antonio Today

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) Board of Directors has approved the reaccreditation of the University of the Incarnate Word's (UIW) Master of Health Administration (MHA) program for an eight-year term. This reaccreditation is a testament to the program's commitment to academic excellence and student-centered learning.

Why it matters

CAHME accreditation is a prestigious recognition that signals a healthcare management education program has met rigorous, peer-reviewed standards focused on outcomes and workforce relevance. This reaccreditation affirms the strength of UIW's MHA curriculum, mentorship, and the positive impact its graduates are making in healthcare organizations and communities.

The details

The MHA program at UIW has been reaccredited by CAHME for an eight-year term. This marks the second time in a row the program has received this recognition, reflecting years of collaborative work, continuous improvement, and a strong mentoring culture that supports every student's professional development. The program's exceptional faculty, dedicated students, and mission-driven focus on leadership formation, model curriculum, and real-world application were all cited as key factors in earning this reaccreditation.

  • The CAHME Board of Directors approved the reaccreditation on April 19, 2026.
  • The MHA program at UIW was first launched in 2009.

The players

Dr. Chris Nesser

UIW's MHA Program Director.

Dr. Eva Fernandez

UIW Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Jeannie Scott

HEB School of Business and Administration Dean at UIW.

Maureen C. Jones, Ph.D., RN

President & CEO of CAHME.

University of the Incarnate Word

A private, non-profit, Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“CAHME has challenged our program to grow stronger through rigorous self-assessment, stakeholder engagement, and innovation. Receiving another highly successful re-accreditation from CAHME is a testament to our program's commitment to academic excellence and putting our students at the center of everything we do.”

— Dr. Chris Nesser, UIW's MHA Program Director

“The MHA program is an essential component of UIW's academic portfolio, bringing together mission-driven leadership formation, a model curriculum, and extensive real-world application. With CAHME's affirmation, we are confident that our MHA graduates are prepared to lead healthcare organizations with competence, integrity, and a deep commitment to community well-being, even as healthcare needs continue to evolve in our region and beyond.”

— Dr. Eva Fernandez, UIW Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

“We are immensely proud of the MHA program's outstanding performance in the CAHME accreditation review. These exceptional scores reflect our faculty's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, our students' dedication to the highest standards of healthcare leadership, and our college's mission to prepare professionals who will positively shape the future of healthcare. This recognition affirms the strength of our curriculum, the quality of our mentorship, and the impact our graduates are making in the communities we serve.”

— Dr. Jeannie Scott, HEB School of Business and Administration Dean at UIW

“CAHME advances the quality of healthcare management education through accreditation that emphasizes rigor, accountability, and continuous improvement. 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, Ph.D., RN, President & CEO of CAHME

What’s next

The MHA program at UIW will continue to focus on providing students with a rigorous, mission-driven curriculum and extensive real-world experience to prepare them for leadership roles in the evolving healthcare industry.

The takeaway

UIW's reaccreditation by CAHME underscores the strength and quality of its Master of Health Administration program, which is committed to developing competent, ethical, and community-focused healthcare leaders. This recognition affirms the program's ability to adapt and innovate to meet the changing needs of the healthcare sector.