Online MHA Programs – No GRE

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida’s College of Community Innovation and Education offers a unique online executive master of health administration (EMHA). This fully web-based program consists of 11 courses (44 credits) in subjects such as healthcare organizational behavior and HR management; healthcare statistics and research; healthcare ethics and law; financial accounting for healthcare managers; and epidemiology and health planning, among other topics. This program costs $773 per credit.

Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited bachelor’s degree program, in addition to a minimum of three years of professionals healthcare experience, among other requirements.

The George Washington University

From day one, the student experience focuses on building a global network, as the program is intended for professionals working in the field. The curriculum utilizes immersive experiences, small class sizes, and cutting-edge digital learning experiences to prepare graduates for leadership roles in collaborative environments. Admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a statement of purpose, a current resume, a brief interview, and two letters of recommendation.

As this is a program designed for experienced professionals, work experience is required. Applicants will need either two years of full-time work in the health sector or three years in a different industry. All students must be currently employed in the health sector.

Regis College

Regis College’s online MHA is another example of a non-GRE program. It is a fully online program that focuses on the ethical, political, and policy considerations that leaders and managers face in the health sector—social justice is woven into every course. The curriculum prepares students to tackle the obstacles and opportunities presented by governance, technological and medical advances, human resources management, and public relations and communications.

Classes cover topics like health policy, health information systems, management accounting in healthcare, marketing communications, and strategic management of healthcare organizations. Admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a current resume, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.

Maryville University

In addition to a general MHA program, Maryville offers concentrations in data management, healthcare strategies, population management, and senior services. The curriculum is fully accredited and entirely online, designed to align with the ten key knowledge areas of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Core classwork focuses on a comprehensive understanding of management, analytics, marketing, and collaboration, while electives can cover a wide variety of topics, such as gerontology, managerial epidemiology, health policy and economics, and healthcare informatics. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a 3.0 GPA, and a personal statement.

Other non-GRE online MHA programs include:

• George Mason University
• Ohio University
• Queens University
• Saint Joseph’s University
• The University of Scranton
• University of Cincinnati

While the GRE may be gaining ground over the GMAT and other standardized tests, more and more online MHA programs are switching away from the GRE as a requirement to reduce obstacles to what is a growing and lucrative career path.

Work experience and strong academic backgrounds are taking the place of test scores as a measure of passion and competence. Furthermore, some schools that maintain a GRE requirement may be convinced to waive it due to work experience or competitive undergraduate transcripts. On the opposite end of the spectrum, schools may overlook a less than ideal undergraduate GPA in favor of a strong GRE score. Ultimately, deciding whether or not to take the GRE requires the personal evaluation of one’s past performance and future goals.

There is a wealth of information on the web, but it is always best to reach out to an admissions counselor at the schools students are considering. Admissions requirements can change on a yearly basis, and sometimes they change faster than a school’s website does. Plus, putting a human face to the admissions process can further individualize the experience, liberating it from an obtuse checklist of rigid requirements and turning it into something more equitable and holistic.

In the past, a poor GRE score could severely limit one’s options. But today, there is an online MHA program out there that’s right for anyone, whether they decide to take the GRE or not.

The focus of an MHA is to ‘master’ the managerial processes for the health care industry. As such, an MHA takes a deep dive into health care laws, policies and health systems technology.

It does this by devoting core classes to areas like:

1. Accounting for Health Care Managers
2. Health Economics
3. Financial Management of Health Systems
4. Marketing and Strategic Planning in Health Care
5. Global Health Care Administration and Management
6. Ethics and Leadership for Health Care Managers

One may also spend time learning how to research. This may make use of case analysis in national and global health care policies and practices.

Learning how to weave these insights into decisions is also a key component. If you are already at work in the industry, an MHA may be perfect.

It may help you gain the confidence to step into leadership. For instance, a mid to senior management role in a range of health care settings.

Sometimes for these reasons, an MHA attracts students from healthcare backgrounds. Let’s say a nurse who wants to switch from working with patients to an executive role. Like managing a nursing home. Or a medical professional who wants to manage a clinical department.

Some students also pursue their master’s degree in health care management with a focus on informatics. Health IT managers like other medical and health services managers generally need a grad degree.

8 Potential outcomes from an MHA program:

1. Set professional relationships with project team players
2. Check and apply models of care delivery and options for payment
3. Give tactical plans to clinicians and staff
4. Make changes that impact patient care in a positive way
5. Assess and put in place new models of optimal health
6. Check and manage financial risk of various healthcare payment arrangements
7. Manage patient safety and security risks in health information systems
8. Understand how to set and reach goals

You won’t need GRE scores for some MHA programs. Or you may need them in cases where you lack work experience.

But schools usually have other ways of assessing each candidate. Here are a few common criteria from partner schools.

Official Transcripts. Expect to submit official transcripts. These verify you have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

In the case of an MBA Healthcare, this may suffice. But MHA programs may look for a specific background.

Like a bachelor’s degree in healthcare or a healthcare-related field. For instance, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Or you may need a bachelor’s degree and a clinical graduate degree (MD, Pharm.D, MSW, etc.). Again, this is up to each school to decide.

GPA. Each school has its own acceptable range for your Grade Point Average. On a 4.0 scale, 3.0 is the most common baseline. But some schools like Northern Illinois University accept a 2.75 – 3.0 range too. Grand Canyon looks at GRE or GMAT scores only if an applicant’s GPA is in the 2.8 to 3.0 range.

Resume or CV. This is a list of your work experience and any other awards, skills and activities.

Intake Interview. This can be a series of online multiple-choice questions. Or a final in-person interview that checks whether you and the program are a fit.

Letters of Recommendation. Most grad school application forms ask for references. These letters usually need to speak to your readiness to study at the graduate level.

Experience. Some universities look at any past and recent leadership experience. Some schools (Western Governors’ MBA is one) look for a certain level of experience. Like at least three years in business, industry, or at a nonprofit organization.

TOEFL or IELTS Scores. These may apply if your mother tongue is not English.