Hi, I am currently working on a bachelors in biology with a minor in chemistry and have caught interest in obtaining a MHA. I was planning on applying to pharmacy school but now I realized that I am interested in the business side of health care. My question is when I apply for the Masters in Health Care Administration does my major matter since it's not a business degree?
Advice on MHA
- Thread starter StanDizle4Shizl
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No, your major does not matter. Though some schools such as USC requires applicants to take an accounting class. Taking a stats class helps you out as well.
some other programs also require or recommend an microeconomics class.
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If you're serious about pursuing a MHA, I would recommend that you begin looking around for the entry requirements different schools have. It would serve you well to take a courses in statistics, accounting, economics, and possibly finance as well. Also, depending on whether your institution offers it, taking an entry level health administration course might be a good idea as well. Good luck!
Exact answers I've been looking for. Thanks guys! I graduate in the fall '11, so I guess I have quite a bit of time to do some research. And another question, generally how competitive is the program? Is it hard to get into a masters program for this?
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I've also been wondering about the competitiveness of these programs; I'm currently in the application process for Fall 2011. I'm an economics major but have taken several health/public health related courses during my undergrad. I agree with what other people have said--many of the schools I looked at wanted statistics, basic economics, basic business, etc. However, some schools offer these prereq courses before matriculation or during...JHU offers a microeconomics course during the first quarter of their program. Some schools have smaller programs (meaning fewer people) so those are probably going to be more competitive (JHU only accepts 18-22 people per year for this program). Other programs have larger classes, such as UNC, and they accept >60 (I think)--this is not to say that UNC is not competitive b/c it seems impossible to get accepted. However, from what I can tell, fewer people apply to this program in general over epi programs, etc. If you are a math person, I would consider taking the GMAT (I DID!) b/c most of these programs will accept this in lieu of the GRE (more vocab based instead of critical reasoning, and the math is little bit more difficult on the GMAT). My applications are almost done and I applied to four schools--I'll let you know the outcome if that helps you on competitiveness, etc.
From what I remember at the interview, adcoms at Hopkin's MHA program like their applicants to have business credits (e.g. accounting, microecon, stats) as well as relevant working experience. This on top of good GRE scores and GPA. They run on a quarter system and essentially condense a 2-year program into 8 months. So they want to make sure students can handle the course load.
If your major wasn't business related or haven't been exposed to any business courses you should be able to justify why you want to enter a business field, albeit in a healthcare setting. I feel this would show personal maturity that you've researched what you're getting into and have somewhat developed a 10-year career plan.
In short, an important thing to consider in your PSE/Interview is 1) Why would you be a good fit for the program and 2) What unique aspect can you bring to the university culture.
If your major wasn't business related or haven't been exposed to any business courses you should be able to justify why you want to enter a business field, albeit in a healthcare setting. I feel this would show personal maturity that you've researched what you're getting into and have somewhat developed a 10-year career plan.
In short, an important thing to consider in your PSE/Interview is 1) Why would you be a good fit for the program and 2) What unique aspect can you bring to the university culture.
Yeah please keep me updated on your status, and after reading this, I think I'll take the GMAT but when can you take it? I haven't graduated yet. Do I wait to graduate or can I take it whenever? As well as what is a good score? I don't know much about these tests.
guriel - Right now I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, does that have any relevant to what they're looking for, as far as working experience goes?
Also does it matter if I attend a CAHME accredited school?
guriel - Right now I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, does that have any relevant to what they're looking for, as far as working experience goes?
Also does it matter if I attend a CAHME accredited school?
I am applying to UNC, Minnesota, VCU, and Johns Hopkins. I have a 3.5 GPA, 1100 GRE, and 2 years work experience (Staffing Coordinator at a 250 bed hospital, Transport Coordinator for aeromedical service). Some days, I fell like I have a good chance at getting into one of the schools, other days I am not so sure. My GRE score is pretty weak (68th verbal, 43 quant.). I feel like my GRE score might ruin my chances, but hopefully the other parts of my application can prop me up.
I feel the same way too!
3.74 GPA, 1120 GRE/5.0 writing, 2.5 yrs as pedatric-neonatal respiratory therapist/ecmo specialist and 5 yrs before as radiology assistant, cardiac monitor tech, unit clerk, etc. GRE is 60th verbal and 54th quant.
applying to Hopkins, Columbia, UCLA, NYU, Harvard, Yale and Trinity.
Stan - Truthfully, any job can be drawn out to become relevant in the healthcare field. Most business experiences and skills are transferable, the key is if you can describe them in such a way.
As a technician, an interesting talking point would be to describe any patient inequities you may have seen. So perhaps you were inspired to enter health management because you had front line experience with the donut hole in medicare and want to help resolve it through policy development. Or perhaps you had some role in improving the efficiency of this particular Walgreen's pharmacy.
Broad strokes, but I hope you get the idea.
As a technician, an interesting talking point would be to describe any patient inequities you may have seen. So perhaps you were inspired to enter health management because you had front line experience with the donut hole in medicare and want to help resolve it through policy development. Or perhaps you had some role in improving the efficiency of this particular Walgreen's pharmacy.
Broad strokes, but I hope you get the idea.
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As far as a good score for the GMAT (for MHA programs) I'm not really sure. I was shooting for 700+ but from what I can tell, that is much higher than average. As most people take the GRE for PH degrees, I have had a hard time gauging how the GMAT compares. You can take it any time, as it only covers pretty basic math (with a difficult twist usually) and critical reasoning, comprehension, sentence correction, etc. I took it the fall of my senior year, but that was pretty late. I would suggest taking it in the summer between Junior and Senior year to give yourself time to focus on studying the material. I'll post any updates when I find out (hopefully acceptances!!).
It seems as the more you guys post, the more questions I have! My other question is, should I work for a bit after graduating with my 4 year and then apply for the masters program or can I just apply right after I obtain my bachelors? And if you guys applied with working experience, where did you work to add to your resume?
Thanks for these informative answers! Good luck eatprayMHA
Thanks for these informative answers! Good luck eatprayMHA
sent you a pm
Really good advice thanks! Good luck everyone and keep me updated on your status, I will probably have more questions