MBA for Health Leaders
Athabasca University’s collaboration with the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) allows students to earn both an MBA and the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation. The CHE is Canada’s only professional credential available to health leaders.
About the Certified Health Executive (CHE)
A Certified Health Executive (CHE) is a skilled professional who is committed to both personal career development and their profession. A CHE gains valuable insight into the most advanced health leadership practices and is better able to lead an organization.
The CHE program is a self-directed online program that can be completed at your own pace. You must be a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL), and you must complete all requirements within 3 years.
Earn your MBA for Health Leaders and your CHE designation
The MBA for Health Leaders gives you credit towards the CHE Select Program and the Maintenance of Certification (MOC 1) requirements. Completing both the MBA and the CHE requires the following:
To be accepted into the AU online MBA, you must meet 1 of the following qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of managerial experience (managerial experience includes managing people, projects, and/or budgets). You may also qualify to enter through the accelerated entry route.
- An accepted professional designation and at least 5 years of managerial experience.
- 8 years of managerial experience.
For full admission requirements and program application details, visit the Graduate Calendar.
After successfully completing phase one of the MBA, you can apply for membership with the CCHL and apply to the CHE Select Program.
- Become a member of CCHL and pay annual fees.
MBA students are encouraged to apply to the CHE program before graduating from the MBA. Submit the following information to the CHE program at che@cchl-ccls.ca:
- your application form and payment ($900 for AU MBA students)
- a resumé showing 2 years of health leadership experience in Canada with detailed position descriptions
- a letter of reference from a current or former employer
- proof of enrolment in the AU MBA program Read the Applying for CHE Guide.
Note: All criteria must be met. Being in the MBA program does not guarantee automatic entry into the CHE program or vice versa.
While you complete your AU MBA, you will receive the following credit toward CHE requirements:
- LEADS Learning
- LEADS in Action Project
- 7 “MOC I” credits provided after successfully completing the CHE program towards the maintenance of certification
To get your designation you must also successfully complete the following:
- LEADS 360 Assessment
- Leadership Development Plan
- Evaluation and Review
CHE evaluators will determine your eligibility for the CHE credential.
Alumni of the MBA program have up to 1 year after graduation to apply to the CHE program to benefit from this strategic partnership.
About CCHL
CCHL is a national non-profit professional association dedicated to developing, promoting, advancing, and recognizing excellence in health leadership. CCHL is committed to creating and sustaining a learning environment for its members.
AU Faculty of Business contacts
General inquiries:
AUSC_Coaching@athabascau.ca
Dr. Kam Jugdev
Professor, Project Management and Strategy
kamj@athabascau.ca
CCHL contacts
Further information on CCHL and the CHE designation:
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Stéphane Joannette
Manager, CHE Program
The Canadian College of Health Leaders
sjoannette@cchl-ccls.ca
613-235-7218 / 1-800-363-9056 ext. 239
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