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Quick Links to degree info:
Quick Links to upcoming events:
InterAct Distance Education
InterAct Express
Conferences
Fall Institute
Nov 2–6, 2012 • Scottsdale, AZ
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ACPE Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ACPE Graduate Degree program?
ACPE has the flexible and proven answer designed exclusively for busy physicians who want a medical management degree that will prepare you for any role in health care leadership. Earn your degree at your own pace and in the format (live and/or distance learning) you prefer.
ACPE programs include the Master of Medical Management (MMM) offered by Carnegie Mellon University or University of Southern California, the Online Part-Time MBA with a Concentration in Medical Management offered by University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management (MS-HQSM) offered by Thomas Jefferson University.
The program has two parts – 125 contact hours (or 6-8 classes) of ACPE Prerequisites and then the University degree curriculum.
Both the ACPE Prerequisites and the Online MBA can be completed 100% online.
The MS-HQSM includes nine online courses, plus a Capstone project presented at an ACPE conference upon completion of all coursework.
You may choose a more face to face learning format for the ACPE Prerequisites combined with the Master of Medical Management degree which is a hybrid learning format of intensive on-campus sessions mixed with distance education and independent study.
You may complete the degree in 2-4 years, depending on your choice of formats and university options. There is no application required to begin the prerequisite courses and many courses in the curriculum are available to begin today. Once a university is chosen, no GMAT is required.
Since 1997, over 800 physicians from nine countries have received their master's degree from one of the ACPE partnering universities – Carnegie Mellon University, University of Southern California and University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
When and where are program courses held?
ACPE Prerequisite courses are offered in three formats – live conferences held several times a year across the country, InterAct distance education courses, either offered in a self-study/self-paced format or scheduled throughout the year in 3–6 week-long virtual classes, or delivered at individual locations upon the request of an organization (Phisician Development Leadership Program).
How long does it take to complete?
Start to finish, both sections of the program can be completed in as few as 2 years or spread out up to 10 years. The ACPE Prerequisites can be completed in as few as 6 months or spread out over 7 years (from the year of your first qualifying test). Each student's schedule is customized to suit individual needs - you go at your own pace. Once in the university section of the program, you'll spend one year to eighteen months completing the Master of Medical Management degree or an average of 2 1/2 years to complete the Online Part Time MBA (minimum of 22 months, maximum 4 years in the MBA). The MS-HQSM can be completed in 16-18 months by taking 2 courses per term.
What are the program's requirements?
The ACPE Master's degree program is designed for MDs & DOs only.* No GMAT is required and no application is necessary to begin the Prerequisites. You may start any time as ACPE Prerequisites are offered year round. ACPE membership is not required of master's degree participants however those who join ACPE receive substantial discounts on tuition for Prerequisite courses, along with the full range of benefits available to members of the College.
*The Online Part Time MBA is available to non-physician clinical leaders as well but has additional requirements at the point of application, contact the University of Massachusetts Amherst for details.
How much does the program cost?
There is no charge to enroll in the program or take tests. The only fees are the tuition charges for Prerequisite courses and the travel expenses incurred for live courses. You can pay in advance or pay as you go. The estimated tuition cost for the ACPE Prerequisites begins at $6,500. See the University Comparison Chart for current tuitions available at the four partnering programs.
How do I begin participating in the Graduate Program?
Begin by registering for your first ACPE Prerequisite course – call ACPE at 800-562-8088 or select a program from the Course Listing and register online. Most physicians start with the Physician in Management Seminar but you may start with any course in the Prerequisite curriculum.
Can I get credit for other management courses I've taken?
Candidates with graduate level coursework from other universities and/or executive training programs that have been graded and awarded within the past ten years are eligible to transfer up to 60 hours as transfer credits toward your Prerequisite transcript. Acceptance of transfer credit is pending review of the course content and candidate's transcript. Content must be similar in breadth and depth to the ACPE curriculum. Transfer credit for the university portion of the program is not generally available.
E-mail if you are interested in transferring credit.
What is the difference between the four Master's Degree Programs?
The four Master's Degree Programs differ in content, format, cost and credential. Click here to see the University Comparison Chart.
In most cases, it probably doesn't matter which degree you get, simply get the training and the credential to help guarantee that you will be skilled and competitive in the marketplace. What matters most is what you are able to do with that training.
For additional direction about which program to complete, talk to alumni from each program. For information on how to connect with ACPE Alumni or for other questions about the degree program, please call Barbara Linney or Tina Ramsey at 800-562-8088 or email blinney@acpe.org or tramsey@acpe.org
If I took courses years ago but never took the test for credit, am I still eligible to take the test or do I need to retake the course?
Tests can be completed in any order and at any time - the only restriction is that no more than 7 years elapses between the date of the first test and the date of the last test. We encourage testing soon after each course even if you are unsure that you will complete the program, simply to keep your options open and to avoid having to catch up on material from years past. Remember there is no charge for testing.
What do alumni have to say?
ACPE conducts a survey of its graduates every two years. Click here to view the 2011 Survey Summary. Click here to view a list of graduates from all our affiliated universities. In addition, members can visit ACPE's Interactive Member Directory (must be logged on) and select “more search options” to find alumni to email or talk to.
You may also contact the University Representatives for a list of alumni who can describe the graduate program experience for you.
What about the next step – board certification?
For the physician executive, board certification in medical management can be the key to success in today's competitive health care environment. CPE (Certified Physician Executive) certification can be a valuable credential that can help you advance your career, enhance your credibility, and attain the satisfaction of reaching a major achievement. By adding 25 more specific hours to your degree Prerequisite curriculum, you will meet the educational requirements for application for the CPE. View CPE Completion Chart »
To become a CPE you must apply to be accepted into the Certifying Commission in Medical Management's CPE Certification Program. This is a week-long skill development and assessment period that culminates with an oral presentation before a panel of health care leaders.
After a final assessment by the Credentials Committee of the Certifying Commission, you will receive the CPE certification. The CPE attests not only to your knowledge and experience in the field, but also in your ability to share that with others, be it a hiring committee for a future position or with your current staff or peer group. You are also able to put the CPE initials after your name. You are then eligible to become a Diplomate in ACPE, which is the path to fellowship in the College. Over 1,500 physicians have become board certified in medical management since the Certifying Commission began in 1997.
To apply for the CPE Certification Program visit their web site www.ccmm.org »
What kind of management position can I expect to receive once I complete my graduate degree in management?
First of all, if you do get a master's degree, keep in mind that it will definitely help you do a management job, but it will not be an automatic guarantee that you will get a management job. When you finished your medical degree, you could go somewhere and immediately be a doctor. The same is not true for the master's degree programs in management. You will still need proven experience and credibility in the marketplace.
With that said, perhaps the best way to answer this question is to refer to the specific jobs our current MMM and MBA graduates are working in today. Here are the top five categories of positions held by our ACPE graduates:
Medical Director
Department Chief or Department Chair
Department or Program Director
President
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Chief Medical Officer
Email to request our most recent ACPE Alumni Survey Results to learn more about salaries, job titles and career advancement paths of graduates. Or if you have career advancement questions in general, contact our Director of Career Development, Barbara Linney at ACPE, 800-562-8088.
I know without actual management experience, I won’t get a shot at a management job. So how do I acquire opportunities to get this experience while advancing my education and credentials?
Here are a few tips from the hundreds of physicians we work with who have succeeded in their leadership advancement:
- See chaos as an opportunity to step up to the plate. Be available to assume more responsibility, especially during difficult times for the organization, i.e. mergers, changes in leadership, implementation of organization-wide technology solutions.
- Be willing to slowly advance from voluntary, unpaid leadership positions to larger, reimbursed management roles.
- Volunteer to serve on Task Forces, Committees, Ad Hoc Initiatives. Participate enthusiastically and be vocal about your willingness to serve and even lead these efforts.
- Consistently attend and actively participate in meetings, especially meetings that others view negatively.
- Be open and vocal about your interest in positions such as Department Chair, Chief of Service, etc.
- Volunteer to handle often-avoided tasks like conflict resolution, coding, compliance, scheduling, and finances.
- During times of transition when leadership unexpectedly departs, you could make an offer and say, "I'm willing to assume whatever responsibilities you need me to."
- Be tuned into opportunities to re-engineer processes or innovate systems like patient flow or turn around times. Start a team and collaboratively establish new methods. Then widely report on the improved outcomes, focusing first on the financial improvements and then on items like increased patient satisfaction.
- Look for building projects and expansions of new service lines in your health care community and find ways to get involved in these new initiatives.
- Let others see you managing people and information.
- Run short, efficient meetings that begin and end on time using an agenda that has been prepared in advance and distributed to the participants.
- Make compelling public presentations.
- If you are visible, energetic, and efficient, people will think of you when they have management tasks that need to be done.
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