Application Requirements
WesternU’s Master of Healthcare Administration degree is a leadership program designed for early and mid-career professionals ready to be promoted within a healthcare organization and move towards the next step of career advancement. Prospective students include future or current healthcare managers who wish to excel in leadership positions within a healthcare organization.
Step 1: Prerequisites And Application Requirements
The first step in the admissions process is to ensure you are on track to complete both the course prerequisites and application requirements in time to apply for your preferred year of entry.
Step 2: Make Yourself A Competitive Candidate
Admission to the MHA program is competitive so you should strive to not only meet but exceed the minimum requirements.
Step 3: Preparing And Submitting Your Application
See the apply now page for information on completing and submitting your application. There are a number of supporting materials that make up your completed application, and it is essential that you print and carefully follow the checklist to ensure that you properly submit these pieces by the deadline.
International Applicants
The MHA program is able to admit international students; however, it is not eligible to issue an I-20 for students seeking F-1 visa sponsorship. For more information, please visit https://www.westernu.edu/international
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you navigate through the application process, and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions.
All Prerequisites:
COMPLETION OF REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSES
- Must be completed at a regionally accredited U.S. institution (exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis) or its equivalent abroad
- Must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (a grade of “C-” or lower is not acceptable)
- One course cannot be used to satisfy more than one prerequisite
- All coursework taken from non-U.S. institutions (excluding English-speaking Canadian institutions) must be submitted to an approved service for evaluation.
Application Requirements
- Resume/CV
- Transcripts
- Special consideration for non-commissioned officers
COMPLETION OF REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSES
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or in the process of becoming a regionally accredited four-year college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale) is preferred.
- In the absence of a bachelor’s degree, 90 semester or 135 quarter units from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent abroad. Thirty units must be upper division.
- Applicants who did not earn a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. postsecondary institution or from a postsecondary institution recognized by the Ministry of Education in an English-speaking country must submit an official Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report. A minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computerized test, or 105 on the Internet-based test is required. WesternU must receive scores directly from Education Testing Service (ETS).
Letters of Recommendation
- 2 letters of recommendation from professional or academic references. An MOI letter will not be accepted in place of standardized tests.
- Methods of submitting letters of recommendation:
- Electronic: Letters can be electronically submitted by the recommender to the application service or other services such as Interfolio but the letter must be typed on official letterhead and signed.
- Paper: Letters must be typed on official letterhead and signed by the recommender. Letter should be mailed in a sealed envelope that is signed over the seal by the recommender. Letters can be mailed to: WesternU, Attention: Admissions Operations, 309 E. 2nd St, Pomona, CA 91766
- Email: Letters may be attached to an email sent directly from the recommender, but the letter must be typed on official letterhead and signed. The recommender’s email address must be a business or school email address. Emailed letters should be submitted to AO@westernu.edu.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – If Required
- The TOEFL is required for all applicants submitting coursework from foreign schools
- Applicants who did not earn a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. postsecondary institution or from a
postsecondary institution recognized by the Ministry of Education in an English-speaking country must
submit an official Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) score report. A minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computerized test, or
105 on the Internet-based test is required. WesternU must receive scores directly from Education Testing
Service (ETS) - TOEFL scores are valid for two years.
- Exceptions:
- The TOEFL exam will be waived for permanent and temporary residents of the United States who have completed at least six semester units, with a C or better, of College English/English Composition from an accredited institution in the United States. May not be an English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
- English courses taken from foreign countries whose native language is English will be accepted (e.g., Canada, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and the British West Indies)
- Exceptions:
- We do not accept TOEFL’s “The Best” score. We only accept the Internet-Based test submitted at the time of application. If you retake the test prior to the to the deadline, we will accept the test that has been most recently submitted.
- TOEFL exam must be taken by the application deadline. Official scores must be received before your application will be considered.
Other Documentation
- Certification programs and or trainings, if listed on application, will require official documentation from the institution or training company. Include programs for which an official document can be provided.