Bachelor of healthcare management earns inaugural AUPHA certification

The undergraduate healthcare management program at the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business has received Full Undergraduate Certification with the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), an international network of colleges, universities, faculty, individuals, and organizations dedicated to improving healthcare delivery through excellence in healthcare management and health policy education. Iowa State University is the only undergraduate program in Iowa to achieve this certification.

On February 27, the AUPHA Board of Directors approved Iowa State’s Undergraduate Review Report and granted the program Full Certified Undergraduate Program status. This marks the program’s inaugural certification and is awarded for a four-year term, with recertification scheduled for the 2029–2030 review cycle.

Nationwide, fewer than 50 undergraduate programs currently hold Full Certification from the AUPHA. With this distinction, Iowa State joins an elite group of nationally and internationally recognized programs that have demonstrated excellence through a rigorous peer review process.

AUPHA certification is widely regarded as the gold standard in undergraduate healthcare management education. Programs seeking certification must complete an extensive self-study documenting program structure, curriculum, educational processes, and assessment mechanisms aligned with established criteria. An external peer review panel conducts a comprehensive evaluation before making a recommendation to the AUPHA Board of Directors for final action.

“AUPHA certification affirms the quality, rigor, and national relevance of our healthcare management program,” said Natallia Gray, Ivy College of Business executive director of healthcare initiatives and director of the healthcare management program.

“This recognition reflects years of strategic planning, collaboration with healthcare partners, and dedication to preparing students to lead in complex healthcare environments,” said Raj Agnihotri, Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business.

Benefits for Students

• National and international recognition that their degree comes from a rigorously peer-reviewed program meeting established quality standards.
• Enhanced competitiveness for admission to prestigious graduate and professional programs.
• Stronger signaling to employers regarding curriculum rigor and career-readiness.
• Eligibility for the Foster G. McGaw Scholarship, awarded annually by fully certified programs.

Benefits for Faculty and the Program

• Authorization to display the AUPHA Certified designation in official materials and national directories.
• Eligibility for prestigious national awards, including the Gary L. Filerman Prize for Educational Leadership and the John D. Thompson Prize.
• Full participation in AUPHA governance, including voting privileges at the Annual Business Meeting.
• Expanded access to scholarly resources, benchmarking data, conferences, and professional development opportunities.

For the Ivy College of Business, the certification strengthens its portfolio of nationally recognized academic programs and reinforces its commitment to delivering high-quality, professionally aligned education.

March 10, 2026