Jobs in Healthcare Administration are in high demand and often well-paid positions. On average, someone employed in this field earns in excess of $63,000. These skilled professionals, who formulate policies and oversee institutions like hospitals, medical clinics and nursing homes typically all possess a Master's in Health Administration (MHA). The first step to earning an MHA is to be accepted into an MHA academic program. The following are several steps needed to gain admittance into an MHA curriculum.
Resource: Top 10 MHA Online Programs 2016-2017
A High Level of Achievement in Undergraduate Studies and on Placement Exams
MHA degrees are awarded by the graduate schools of accredited four-year colleges and universities. Although both the application process and academic requirements vary depending upon the school, most institutions will expect an applicant to have earned a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in their undergraduate study. Some MHA programs will require a GPA of well over 3.0. Proof of undergraduate achievement will need to be documented. An applicant's collegiate transcripts must be sent to a school's Faculty Admissions Committee.
Applicants will also be expected to have earned proficient scores on both the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). The minimum requirement will be set by schools individually. Most institutions will have required MHA candidates to have taken these exams within five years prior to the application process.
Proficiency in the English Language
Most schools have prerequisites that all students, but in particular those applicants for whom English is not either their native tongue or primary conversing language, to display a proficiency in it. Foreign students will need to earn a minimum score (as set by each college or university individually) in either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. In addition, some academic institutions might require international students to obtain visas enabling them entrance into the United States.
A Written Personal Statement
Though not a requirement everywhere, a good number of schools will ask MHA applicants to author a personal statement. This document is not merely an essay explaining why a prospective degree candidate should receive consideration for admission, but should be the individual's detailed plan for why they wish to earn the degree, their academic goals and how they hope to parlay their academic accomplishments into the healthcare profession.
A Resume
Some schools will require applicants submit their resumes. This document should contain a prospective candidate's relevant work experience, including the time they began and left any particular employment, their job title and job description. The resume should also include the student's academic history, including the degrees he or she has earned, the institutions they were attained at and the dates at which the degree program was started and completed. A resume's remainder can also include information like awards the applicant's earned and his or her level of computer skills.
Letters of Recommendation
Most colleges and universities will expect applicant's into this masters program to submit letters of recommendation explaining why he or she would be a good candidate to study healthcare administration at the graduate level. The specific number of letters an applicant will need to submit will be set by the school to which he or she is applying and can be written by individuals like employers, former professors or mentors.
The MHA program is typically quite rigorous and will require the study of a number of advanced subjects in the sciences, health, management and business. Though most institutions do not mandate degree or academic prerequisites, it is recommended applicants to MHA programs possess a Bachelor's degree in some type of science, health or business-related subject.