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A National Profile of NASPAA Programs with Health Specialty Tracks

Abstract This paper presents the findings from a Robert Wood Johnson Foundationfunded study designed to develop a national profile of accredited and unaccredited NASPAA programs with health specialty tracks, one of the most rapidly increasing practice domains. The results will be used to establish baseline data for the comparison of health specialty tracks, to provide a knowledge base for the creation of standards and guidelines, and to yield insights into program directors’ observations on the initiation of an additional accreditation process. We used a typology with six classifications to examine all facets of these programs through data collected from a cross-sectional study consisting of a written survey, a telephone interview, and a syllabi review. We found 50 percent of NASPAA programs with health specialty tracks to be geographically concentrated but positioned within a variety of institutional locations. Program size as measured by the number of students enrolled, curriculum structure, and the number of faculty varied. Health management and policy specialty tracks continue to increase, and respondents believe this track adds value to the mission of their institutions. Telephone interview responses indicated a slight preference for an additional accreditation of health specialty tracks. However, the shared responsibility for specialty track offerings found in some programs, the variety of institutional settings, and the variation in program size, structure, and resources indicate the need for flexible, adaptable standards and guidelines that are compatible with the unique features of this specialty track.