Applications are encouraged from persons who have earned undergraduate or graduate degrees in any discipline or field of study. However, to be eligible for admission to the graduate program, completed course work must include basic preparation in microeconomics, financial accounting and business statistics. In addition, a working knowledge of college-level algebra is necessary preparation for the graduate program’s courses.

The prerequisite requirements may be met by the following specifications:

completing specified prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better within the past five years at any accredited college or university or
providing other evidence of competency acceptable to the admissions committee.

Any or all of the three prerequisite courses may be taken in VCU’s School of Business during the summer session immediately before the fall semester when the student enrolls in the graduate program in health administration. The courses provide an excellent opportunity for students without a strong background in business to fulfill the course work requirements for entrance into the graduate program.

To be considered for admission into the graduate program in full status, the applicant must meet the following minimum qualifications: (1) present evidence of personal achievement, scholarship, intellectual ability and professional promise, (2) hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is fully accredited by the Association of American Universities or by a regional accrediting agency, (3) have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate work or provide evidence of high achievement in a substantial amount of graduate-level course work, (4) attain a satisfactory score (at least 50th percentile in each category) on the Graduate Record Examination or the Graduate Management Aptitude Test, and (5) other factors such as personal interview and prior work experience. Enrollment in the program is limited and competition is strong. Meeting the minimum qualification above is not generally sufficient for admission.

Applicants who have completed the prerequisite course work and meet the other requirements may be admitted into the graduate program in full status. Full status is maintained as long as the student achieves a GPA of 3.0 in all course work each semester.

If an applicant presents qualifications that approximate the admissions requirements and standards, that applicant may (at the discretion of the Admissions Committee) be admitted into the graduate program on provisional status. Advancement to full status may be approved by the faculty when the student has satisfactorily completed one or more semesters of graduate studies. Students admitted on provisional status who do not meet GRE/GPA standards will be reviewed by the faculty for dismissal from the program or continuation on probationary status at the end of their first semester of graduate studies if they have not earned at least a 3.0 GPA for all courses attempted or if they have earned a grade of less than “C” in any course. Complete information regarding academic requirements and standards is set forth in Academic Policies and Regulations for the Graduate Programs in Health Administration (M.H.A. and M.S.H.A.).

VCU is a state-aided institution, and preference is given to applicants with equal qualifications who are Virginia residents. International applicants must meet all the regular admission requirements, score a minimum of 600 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language, submit evidence of a preapproved residency site in the home country and submit evidence of financial responsibility as stated in the Graduate Studies at VCU section of this bulletin.

Application forms and instructions for applying to all graduate programs are available on the Graduate School Web site.

Requests for further information regarding admission requirements, standards and procedures may be directed to the Director, M.H.A. Program, Department of Health Administration, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980203, Richmond, VA 23298-0203.

Admission for VCU Honors students

VCU Honors Students are eligible to apply for admission to the M.H.A. Program during their junior or senior years of undergraduate study. The application process is the same as for other applicants with the following exceptions: (1) requirements for the GRE or GMAT are waived; (2) application fee is waived; and (3) official transcript is not needed (as grades can be accessed in the VCU system). The admission decision will be made by the M.H.A. Admissions Committee, at which time a place will be reserved for the student, provided the student graduates with honors and completes the prerequisite course work.