No GMAT Online Healthcare MBA Programs: Which Ones Either Don't Require or Conditionally Waive the GMAT Requirement?
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For budding entrepreneurs and future executives, choosing to pursue a master’s degree can be an empowering decision that can also be overwhelming. With so many factors to consider when applying to graduate schools, candidates considering an online healthcare MBA may be happy to know that several programs offer the option to waive admissions test requirements for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Known as a GMAT waiver, an MBA applicant can substitute work experience, degrees, or other measurable proof of academic and professional experience in place of a standardized test score.
The field of healthcare is experiencing rapid growth, and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that employment in this field will continue at a rate of 28 percent (2021-2031), much faster than the national average. To compete in a dense job market full of qualified applicants, bachelor’s degree holders from a variety of disciplines are seeking healthcare MBA degrees to enter this burgeoning professional field.
Research from Coursera (2023) shows that MBA degree salaries are generally much higher than those in comparable roles who don’t have an MBA. The starting median salary for MBA graduates at US companies in 2021 was projected to be $115,000, according to a 2021 corporate recruiters survey from the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). That’s $40,000 higher than projections for direct-from-industry hires, and $50,000 higher than job candidates with a bachelor’s degree.
Unfortunately, the belief that all graduate school programs require GMAT scores keeps many talented candidates from pursuing advanced degrees. The GMAT has a well-founded reputation for being one of the most challenging entrance examinations, which prevents many would-be-qualified applicants from applying to online healthcare MBA programs. Fortunately, many MBA programs are granting test exemption waivers to qualified applicants whose qualifications and potential can be measured through relevant professional and academic experience.
What Skills Does the GMAT Exam Measure?
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test that assesses business school readiness. The exam is divided into the following four skill areas:
- Analytical writing: measuring critical thinking and communication skills
- Integrated reasoning: measuring information evaluation skills
- Quantitative: measuring data analysis and conclusive reasoning skills
- Verbal: measuring the ability to comprehend, evaluate, and correct written arguments
Although GMAT scores are a simpler way for admissions committees to measure an applicant’s academic and professional readiness, many schools are recognizing that not only is the GMAT a barrier to entry to degree programs for some but also that the skills measured on the GMAT can be assessed through other factors such as previous academic and professional experience.
Read on to learn more about what evidence is required as part of a GMAT test waiver.
When Can the GMAT Requirement Be Waived?
While there are some general commonalities in admissions requirements for graduate schools, each school is unique in its admissions selection process. This includes determining whether or not to waive standardized test scores in favor of education or experience. When considering a GMAT waiver option in MBA programs, it is essential to thoroughly research each institution’s waiver requirements before applying. It is not advised to assume that all MBA programs will offer a GMAT waiver and contacting individual institutions directly is recommended to learn more about this option.
Here are four common qualifications accepted in place of GMAT scores for some online healthcare MBA programs:
- Automatic GMAT Waivers: Some schools grant GMAT waivers automatically to applicants with five to seven years of work experience. In some cases, test scores are not necessary if candidates demonstrate a minimum number of years of relevant professional experience.
- Work Experience: In their desire to admit a diverse and well-rounded cohort of applicants, online MBA programs are closely analyzing work experience in order to remove the financial burden and time required for GMAT preparation for seasoned professionals. John Byrne, a contributor to the leading MBA resource blog Poets and Quants reports that 86 percent of the latest class of online MBA students at the University of North Carolina’s (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School were granted admission without GMAT or graduate record examination (GRE) scores due to having double the work experience of students in the on-campus program. The MBA@UNC program validates the efficacy of its GMAT waiver requirements by comparing students who received a GMAT/GRE waiver with the performance of students who submitted test scores over an 18-month period. The MBA program “…found no meaningful differences in the academic performance of the two groups. Therefore, when evaluating applicants who have a significant amount of professional experience, we rely instead on what we believe are more reliable indicators of ability—career trajectory and success, previous academic performance, and quantitative experience.”
- Academic History: Undergraduate and prior graduate school transcript review is another common factor that’s considered in a GMAT waiver. Grade point averages (GPA) in a range from 2.75 to 3.0 or greater are at the minimum of acceptable GPA thresholds when applying for a GMAT waiver. Undergraduate rigor is another factor in which admissions committees look at official transcripts of completed coursework and academic performance in business-related disciplines such as statistics, microeconomics, finance, marketing, and related courses when considering whether to grant an applicant a GMAT waiver. Previously conferred advanced degrees are also considered when deciding whether to waive the GMAT for an applicant.
- Professional Certifications: Some schools consider rigorous professional certifications in place of GMAT scores. Examples of these professional certifications that can be used to waive the GMAT requirement include Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Analyst (CFA).
Discover online healthcare MBA programs that feature a GMAT waiver as part of their admissions requirements.
Sample Online Healthcare MBA Programs That Waive the GMAT
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a fully online MBA in healthcare management. Featuring one of the lowest tuition rates in the nation and accredited by the ACBSP—the leading global business education accrediting body that ignites a standard of excellence within its accreditation process—this program aims to train its graduates to become impactful leaders in the healthcare industry.
The healthcare management concentration exposes graduates to healthcare’s current state and history and how industries use information systems. Graduates learn about the challenges organizations face when integrating and introducing technology systems. Students also engage in evaluating, developing, and analyzing organizational structures and processes to ensure effective delivery of health services to diverse patient populations.
GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission to this program. This 30-credit program includes courses such as healthcare informatics; topics in health administration; social & organizational issues in healthcare; organizational strategy in a global environment; leading organizational change; and strategic opportunity management.
- Location: Manchester, NH
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (12 months); part-time (24 months)
- Estimated Tuition: $627 per credit
The George Washington University School of Business offers an online healthcare MBA for students who want to excel in healthcare’s business and leadership aspects. The GMAT can be waived for qualified applicants. Ranked among the best online MBA programs by U.S. News & World Report and AACSB-accredited, this program offers seven unique graduate-level certificates including healthcare quality; health sciences; integrative medicine; regulatory affairs; clinical research administration; clinical research practice; and clinical & translational research.
This 46.5-credit program includes 31.5 credits of core courses, three credits in technology selectives, and 12 credits of healthcare-focused electives. Healthcare-focused electives include patient safety systems; medicines development; health information, quality, and outcomes; issues and trends in health systems; and epidemiology. Core MBA courses include financial accounting; decision-making & data analysis; managerial accounting; finance; and operations management.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a university or college that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies, official transcripts of all post-secondary academic programs attended, a current resume; GRE or GMAT scores, one letter of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. The GRE or GMAT requirement is waived for U.S. board-certified physicians or applicants who have five or more years of relevant, professional, full-time work experience.
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 60 months
- Estimated Tuition: $2,215 per credit
Ohio University’s AACSB-accredited College of Business offers an online MBA program with nine unique concentration options to choose from. The concentration in healthcare is a fully online program that does not require the GMAT or GRE for admission and courses are taught by award-winning faculty who are active scholars in the healthcare administration industry. Notably, through Ohio University’s unique Leadership Development Conference, students will engage with their peers in person. All online and professional MBA students are required to attend this event at least once.
In this online and hybrid MBA, graduates will learn to use their business knowledge to approach issues in the healthcare field and help their organizations run more efficiently. Made up of 35 credits, the program includes courses such as descriptive analytics; accounting for executives; strategic marketing; operations management; strategic use of information systems; and organizational behavior and human resource management. Courses in the healthcare concentration include foundations of leadership in healthcare; quality, safety & service in healthcare leadership; and financial innovation and growth strategies in healthcare.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, official transcripts for all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions, a minimum of two years of professional experience, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a current resume. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.
- Location: Athens, OH
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 60 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,032 per credit
Concordia University’s online master of business administration program in healthcare management specializes in business careers in healthcare. Students in this program will learn strategic leadership principles, study information systems, and gain practical industry experience. This fully online program does not require GRE or GMAT scores for admission.
Comprising 39 credits, the program includes courses such as organizational leadership and development; managerial research methods and design; global economics; strategic human resource management; healthcare strategic leadership; quality practices; healthcare informatics; and applied ethics for healthcare leaders.
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $625 per credit
The Queens University of Charlotte offers an online MBA program with six concentration options so students can tailor their education to their interests, professional aspirations, and needs. Its healthcare management concentration prepares students to manage all aspects of the business side of medical practice and support nurses, doctors, and other practitioners as they prevent and treat illness. Pairing their masters-level business knowledge with focused expertise in healthcare management, students in this program will understand how the healthcare employee lifecycle affects staffing, apply up-to-the-minute healthcare laws, and learn to address ethical challenges.
Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. While three years of professional work experience is preferred, admission is not required. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission.
The courses included in this concentration are drawn from Queens’ online MHA program, based on core competencies defined by the American College of Healthcare Executives’ (ACHE) Higher Education Network. Courses in this 39-credit concentration include health services organization and delivery; management and human resources of healthcare organizations; quality improvement for healthcare organizations; and managerial epidemiology research & statistics.
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,165 per credit
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business offers a fully online MBA program with five concentrations to choose from. The health services concentration comprises 39 credits and a GMAT waiver option is available for applicants with relevant academic and professional experience. This AACSB-accredited program has been named among the top ten universities in the United States for diversity for four consecutive years by the Princeton Review.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, three evaluation forms or reference letters, a current resume, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students. As mentioned above, a GMAT waiver option is available for applicants with relevant academic and professional experience.
The core curriculum includes courses such as strategic cost analysis and decision making; information technology and business strategy; topics in corporate finance; operations and supply chain management; and marketing strategy. The concentration in health services includes courses such as healthcare marketing; leadership; health economics; and healthcare innovation.
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $555 per credit
Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School offers a flexible MBA program featuring fully online interactive courses, allowing for asynchronous or fully synchronous learning styles. Students can tailor their schedule to their professional and personal obligations while having the same access to student organizations, networking opportunities, and experiential learning as the in-person programs. This online MBA allows students to choose from eight in-demand specializations to customize their online MBA experience. One such specialization is available in healthcare management, innovation, and technology.
Johns Hopkins University has temporarily suspended testing requirements for all applicants to their part-time programs. This includes this flexible MBA program, which can be completed fully online. The program comprises 54 credits and the concentration in healthcare management, innovation, and technology includes courses such as frameworks for analyzing healthcare markets; health innovation and evaluation; and emerging frontiers in health technologies and strategies.
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $1,800 per credit
