How to Choose a Healthcare Program: 15 Things to Check Before You Apply

Choosing where to study matters almost as much as choosing what to study. Two programs with the same degree name can differ widely in cost, clinical training, and how many graduates pass their certification exam on the first try.

After years of hiring and training new healthcare professionals, I can usually tell which programs prepared people well. Here's what to check before you apply, and where to find each answer.

Quality: will this program get you licensed and hired?

1. Accreditation. This is non-negotiable. In most healthcare fields, only graduates of accredited programs can sit for the certification or licensing exam. Look the program up in the accreditor's own directory, not just on the school's website. Each career page on Healthcare Tracks links to the right accreditor.
2. Accreditation status. New programs may hold "candidate," "provisional," or "developing" status. That can be fine, but confirm in writing that graduates can sit for the exam.
3. First-attempt exam pass rate. A program's pass rate on the certification exam tells you how well it teaches. Many accreditors require programs to publish it.
4. Graduation rate. How many students who start actually finish? A low rate can mean the program admits more students than it supports.
5. Job placement rate. What share of graduates work in the field within 6 to 12 months?

Clinical training: where you'll actually learn the job

1. Who arranges clinical placements. Strong programs place you at clinical sites. Some programs leave students to find their own, which can delay graduation.
2. Where the clinical sites are. Ask how far you may have to travel and whether any rotations are out of state.
3. The variety of settings. Exposure to hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialty areas makes you more employable.

Cost: the full picture

1. Total cost, not just tuition. Add fees, books, uniforms, equipment, exam fees, background checks, and living costs for the full length of the program.
2. In-state tuition and regional exchanges. Public schools charge residents much less. Regional exchange programs can lower out-of-state tuition too. See the State & cost tab.
3. Financial help. Ask about scholarships, graduate assistantships, hospital tuition help in exchange for a work commitment, and loan repayment programs.

Fit: can you realistically complete it?

1. Length and format. Full-time, part-time, evening, hybrid, or online coursework? When does it start?
2. Class size and support. Smaller classes often mean more faculty time. Ask about tutoring and advising.
3. Licensing in your state. If you plan to work in a different state from where you study, or you're choosing an online program, confirm the program meets that state's licensing requirements.

Admission: can you get in?

1. Requirements and deadlines. Note the prerequisites (and how recent they must be), minimum GPA, test policy, required patient-care or observation hours, and deadlines. If admission is rolling, apply early.

How to find the answers

• The program's website. Look for pages titled "program outcomes," "student achievement data," or "accreditation."
• Information sessions. Most programs hold them online. Bring your list of questions.
• Current students and recent graduates. Ask the program to connect you, or look for them on LinkedIn.
• The accreditor's directory. It confirms status and sometimes lists outcome data.

Healthcare Tracks has an interactive version of this checklist that saves your progress and prints. Open the What to check tab, and use the Find programs tab to see how to apply for each career.