Are there Online MHA Programs that Waive or Do Not Require the GRE?

Because of the huge applicant pool, master of healthcare administration (MHA) applicants often look to tests like the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) to distinguish themselves. The GRE is a standardized test established in 1939 and owned and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is a standard requirement for graduate school applications. It aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills by testing algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and vocabulary knowledge.

The cost of taking the GRE, however, goes beyond simple fees. According to ETS research, test-takers can prepare for one to three months studying for the GRE. What’s more, extensive test preparation courses can cost several thousand dollars. The financial burden and intense time commitment mean that test-takers with additional work and family obligations may lack access to equal resources and a level playing field.

As a result, some have criticized the GRE, noting its inability to predict a student’s future success and its disadvantage for women, minorities, and the economically disadvantaged. Two academics, Casey Miller and Keivan Stassun published an article in the journal Nature, explaining that “women score 80 points lower on average in the physical sciences than do men, and African Americans score 200 points below white people. In simple terms, the GRE is a better indicator of sex and skin color than of ability and ultimate success.”

Fortunately, not every master of healthcare administration (MHA) program asks applicants to submit a GRE score. Check out various online MHA programs that either forgo the GRE requirement entirely or offer waivers for applicants who meet specific criteria.

Featured No GRE Online MHA Programs
Ohio University	Online Master of Health Administration (MHA)	View Full Profile
Purdue Global	Online Master's - Health Care Administration	View Full Profile
George Mason University	MHA in Health Systems Management - Executive Concentration	View Full Profile
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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) program where students can deepen their skills and knowledge of vital issues that shape organizations and healthcare practitioners. The program prepares students to advance their organization in quality and risk management, policy, healthcare informatics, and more.

Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited bachelor’s degree program and a minimum of three years of professional healthcare experience. Application requirements include official transcripts from each university or college attended, a current resume, a one or two-page essay indicating how this EMHA program will enhance their career goals, and three letters of recommendation.

This fully web-based program consists of 11 courses (44 credits) in subjects such as healthcare organizational behavior and human resource management; healthcare statistics and research; healthcare ethics and law; financial accounting for healthcare managers; leadership for healthcare executives; healthcare quality and risk management; and epidemiology and health planning, among other topics.

• Location: Orlando, FL
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

The George Washington University

George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health offers an online master of health administration program focusing on developing healthcare leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to manage health-related organizations and programs. As graduates, students will come away with a comprehensive understanding of ethics, business administration, law, financial management, and human relations.

While all courses are delivered online, students must attend two immersions on GW’s Washington, D.C., campus, one immersion at an off-campus health organization, and one immersion held virtually.

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. This program is designed for experienced professionals, so work experience is required. Applicants will need 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. GRE scores are not required for admission.

Made up of 50 credits, the curriculum includes courses such as healthcare management and strategy; medical informatics and decision management; healthcare financial management; community engagement; economics and quantitative methods; quality and performance improvement; and healthcare law and policy.

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Regis College

Regis College’s online MHA is another example of a non-GRE program. It is a fully online program focusing on the ethical, political, and policy considerations 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 of governance, technological and medical advances, human resources management, and public relations and communications.

To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, a current resume, official academic transcripts, a personal statement, and one letter of recommendation.

Comprising 36 credits, classes cover topics like health ethics and law; concepts in health administration; healthcare quality management; economics of health care; health policy, politics, and perspectives; sociological, political, and economic perspectives in gerontology; and strategic management of healthcare organizations.

• Location: Weston, MA
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Maryville University

Maryville University offers an online master of health administration program that can be completed entirely online, requiring no campus visits. In addition to a general online MHA program, Maryville offers concentrations in health informatics and analytics; healthcare leadership; population health management; and senior services. The curriculum is fully accredited and is designed to align with the ten key knowledge areas of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative 3.0 GPA, an understanding of basic statistics, and a personal statement. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as the healthcare industry and its impact on healthcare management; healthcare operations; healthcare human resources and organizational behavior; healthcare quality and performance improvement; healthcare law, ethics, and risk management; healthcare financial management; and population health management.

Completing this program can qualify graduates for leadership positions across various healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and more. They can take up roles such as administrative service managers, healthcare consultants, hospital directors, nurse managers, nursing home directors, political scientists, and healthcare recruiters, among many other such roles.

• Location: St. Louis, MO
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

George Mason University

George Mason University offers an online master of health administration (MHA) in health systems management program that prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare organizations. Students in this program develop contemporary business, strategic, decision-making, and analytic skills needed for successfully navigating the evolving healthcare industry in the post-pandemic era.

This online program also includes a field-based capstone practicum which must be completed in the final semester of study. Also, students must choose healthcare quality or executive as one of their concentrations. The program comprises 47 credits and includes courses such as statistics in health services management; leadership and organizational behavior; quality measurement and evaluation; health economics; management of health information systems; and legal issues in health administration.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0, official transcripts, a current resume, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation.

Graduates can take up roles such as hospital administrators, medical records and health information managers, population healthcare coordinators, healthcare policy consultants, medical and health services managers, and administrative services and facilities managers.

• Location: Fairfax, VA
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 30 months

Ohio University

Ohio University’s online master of health administration program provides students with the strategic insight and confidence to lead healthcare organizations into the future. In addition to a foundation in healthcare administration, students can add a specialization in one of five focus areas: business analytics, healthcare leadership, aging studies, quality improvement, or project management.

For admission to the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0, one letter of recommendation, a personal statement, a current resume, and TOEFL or IELTS scores for international students. Two years of professional work experience in the US healthcare system is required. GRE scores are not required for admission.

This 36-credit program includes courses such as health law; human resource management in healthcare; leadership of health organizations; health policy; strategic planning and marketing in health services; evaluation and quality improvement in healthcare; and ethical issues in healthcare.

Upon completing the program, graduates can take up roles such as hospital administrators, healthcare administrators, health information managers, operations managers, medical services managers, health services managers, and healthcare executives.

• Location: Athens, OH
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months

Queens University of Charlotte

Queens University of Charlotte’s online MHA program adheres to the ACHE core competencies. The online program prepares students to apply business principles to healthcare settings. This combination of healthcare and business enables students to manage, structure, and lead successful healthcare ventures.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a minimum of two years work experience in a healthcare organization. Applicants with lesser GPAs must have five years of healthcare work experience. Other admission requirements include official transcripts from each institution attended, two years of full-time healthcare work experience, a current resume, a career statement, and two letters of reference. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission.

Consisting of 36 credits, the program includes courses such as health services organization and delivery; organizational behavior in healthcare organizations; financial management; management and human resources of healthcare organizations; quality improvement for healthcare organizations; managerial epidemiology research & statistics; and clinical issues in health services management.

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of Scranton

Based on the ACHE Healthcare Leadership Alliance competency model, the University of Scranton’s online MHA program provides graduates with expertise in business, leadership, communication management, relationship management, and the healthcare environment.

The program consists of 47 credits. Students may add an MHA specialization in global health or health informatics. These specializations add 6 more credits to the curriculum, for a total of 53 credits, and include 150 hours of fieldwork. The core curriculum includes courses such as healthcare law; human resources management; healthcare economics and policy; leadership in healthcare organizations; administrative issues; healthcare operations and quality; healthcare ethics; and healthcare IT management.

The major admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0, official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, a current resume, three years of work experience, and three letters of recommendation. GMAT or GRE scores are not required for admission.

• Location: Scranton, PA
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 30 months

University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati’s College of Allied Health Sciences offers an online master of health administration program preparing students to become the next generation of executive healthcare leaders by combining competency-based coursework with real-world experience in an innovative learning environment.

To be accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree program from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, a personal statement, two years of work experience, and TOEFL scores for international students.

This 40-credit program includes courses such as global health systems; healthcare finance; healthcare marketplace; evidence-based decision making for managers; total quality management; health policy & regulation; legal & ethical issues; emerging issues in health systems management; and health systems management.

At the end of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities such as hospital administrators, health policy advocates, clinical leads, pharmaceutical administrators, and operations managers.

UC also offers four certificate programs: healthcare administration; healthcare operations; healthcare finance; and healthcare policy and regulation. Each certificate requires 12 credits of relevant coursework.

• Location: Cincinnati, OH
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Up to seven years

University of New Haven

University of New Haven’s online MHA program helps students develop business planning, statistical analysis, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and more skills. Graduates are prepared for various leadership roles, such as healthcare operations managers, administrative services managers, health insurance operations directors, healthcare program coordinators, and medical practice managers.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized institution in another country with a minimum GPA of 3.0, official transcripts for all previously attended institutions, a statement of purpose, two recommendation letters, and a current resume or CV. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission.

The program comprises 36 credits including coursework in management of healthcare organizations; management information systems in healthcare; financial management of healthcare organizations; law and public health; healthcare ethics; statistics for healthcare managers; healthcare leadership; and strategy and innovation in healthcare organizations.

• Location: West Haven, CT
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Auburn University at Montgomery

The online MHA degree offered by Auburn University at Montgomery is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in hospitals and other healthcare organizations. Graduates will have skills that include conducting data analyses, creating data visualizations, and leading teams.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 GPA; and submit a current resume or CV, transcripts, a statement of intent, and two letters of recommendation. GMAT/GRE scores are not required unless the GPA is less than 3.0. Work experience is preferable, but not required. Applicants may transfer up to 12 credits upon approval.

The 36-credit curriculum includes planning and marketing in healthcare, data analytics for healthcare administration, essentials of healthcare accounting, healthcare law and ethics, policy in healthcare, healthcare finance, human resources in healthcare, healthcare economics, and quality improvement and patient safety, among others, as well as a capstone project.

• Location: Montgomery, AL
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) applied for; Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

Purdue Global

Purdue Global’s master of health care administration (MHCA) is fully online, with no campus visits or internships required. Graduates are prepared for careers that include health services manager, clinical manager, or hospital administrator, among others.

The curriculum includes topics such as healthcare in the United States, the business of healthcare, organization behavior and management in healthcare, managing complex healthcare options, data driven decision making in healthcare, information powered patient care in the 21st century, and strategic planning and marketing for healthcare, and others. The 40-credit program also includes a capstone project.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum GPA of 3.0. They must also submit a professional resume, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and a personal history statement. GMAT/GRE scores are not required. Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores that are less than two years old.

• Location: West Lafayette, IN
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of North Carolina Wilmington

The mission of the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s MHA degree program is to “prepare early- to mid-level careerists to plan, direct, and manage healthcare services in a broad range of healthcare industries.” Students learn how to increase their operational management, ethical decision-making, and professional skills.

Students may transfer up to six credit-hours to meet the 48 credit-hours required to earn their degree. Topics in the curriculum include managing human capital in healthcare, healthcare informatics, legal and ethical issues for health professionals, managerial epidemiology and population health, long term care administration, and healthcare economics and policy, and others. A capstone and two practicums are required, however, the practicums may be waived based on specified work experience.

Work experience and GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission. Applicants need only to have a bachelor’s degree and a 3.0 GPA, and submit transcripts.

• Location: Wilmington, NC
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Wake Forest University

The fully online master of health administration at Wake Forest University offers flexibility in time and scheduling for students, as the coursework doesn’t have to be completed in a set order. The curriculum is “market-driven,” and focuses on creating equitable health systems. Campus visits and internships are not required.

Students complete 33 credits of core courses and select a three-credit elective that helps meet their personal goals, for a total of 36 credits. As well as a capstone, the curriculum includes subjects such as principles of health system management, financial management for today’s leaders, human resources management and organizational development, health information management systems, and strategic communication.

Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit transcripts and a resume. A minimum GPA, GMAT/GRE scores, or work experience are not required.

• Location: Charlotte, NC
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Expected Time to Completion: 16 to 24 months

Methodist University

Methodist University’s online MHA teaches students the skills they need to advance to high-paying leadership positions. They will know how to manage, lead, and improve an ever-changing healthcare system, how to create and apply evidence-based knowledge to enhance individual and community health, and meet the needs of a dynamic healthcare system.

The rigorous 36-credit curriculum includes applied business statistics, accounting for managers, organizational behavior, marketing management, business law and ethics, organization and leadership of healthcare organizations, strategic management for healthcare leaders, finance and economics of healthcare organizations, healthcare policy issues, global health, and a capstone project.

Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must also submit transcripts, two professional letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. GMAT/GRE scores and work experience are not required. As the program is fully online, no campus visits are necessary.

• Location: Fayetteville, NC
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 18 months

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH Institute of Health Professions)

The MGH Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital offers an online master of health administration as well as a health administration graduate certificate. The degree requires 36 credits to complete; and the certificate needs 12 credits. Both programs are fully online.

Applicants need to have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. They must also submit transcripts, a resume or CV, a statement of intent, a letter of intent, and undergo a background check. International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency through TOEFL or IELTS scores. Work experience and GMAT/GRE scores are not required.

The degree curriculum includes coursework in subjects that include healthcare administration and human resource management, financial management in healthcare, strategic planning and marketing in healthcare, health policy, healthcare ethics and law, organizational behavior and management theory, quality improvement in healthcare, population health management, health equity and community excellence in healthcare, interprofessional leadership development, and an integrated capstone.

Students seeking the graduate certificate will complete financial management in healthcare, strategic planning and marketing in healthcare, health policy, and healthcare administration and human resource management.

• Location: Boston, MA
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Degree 12 to 24 months; graduate certificate 15 weeks.

Texas State University

The master of healthcare administration (executive concentration) at Texas State University is intended for students in middle- to senior-level management positions. Although students with United States healthcare or supervisory experience are preferred, such experience is not required.

Applicants must have a baccalaureate from an accredited institution and a 2.75 GPA. They must also submit transcripts, a resume or CV, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation, and be proficient in English.

The 40-credit curriculum encompasses coursework such as healthcare analytics and information systems management, healthcare financial management, healthcare quality and operations improvement, data-guided healthcare decision-making, and emerging trends in healthcare human resources, among others, and includes a practicum. Students will also need to pass a comprehensive examination.

TXST also offers an online master’s in long term care administration (MLTCA) (36 credit hours), a masters of health information management – health informatics and data analytics (36 credit hours), and a master of health information management – healthcare information security (36 credit hours). All programs are fully online.

• Location: San Marcos, TX
• Accreditation: Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months

Northern Kentucky University

The MSHA program at Northern Kentucky University is a fully online, accelerated program that provides a pathway to a position in healthcare administration. At NKU, student success is a priority. Students may enroll in the fall, spring, or summer, and may enroll either part-time or full-time.

The 34-credit curriculum includes healthcare systems and environments, applied research methods for health management, finance and budgeting in healthcare, managerial epidemiology, strategic planning and marketing, health law, policy, and ethical issues, healthcare economics, and technical foundations for health informatics. Students also complete a healthcare management capstone project.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 GPA. Students with a GPA lower than 2.5 may be admitted, based on a review of their application. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency with acceptable TOEFL or IELTS exam scores. Students must also submit official transcripts and a professional resume. GMAT/GRE scores are not required.

• Location: Highland Heights, KY
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 12 months

Sacred Heart University

The interdisciplinary curriculum for the MHA program at Sacred Heart University is designed for students with clinical healthcare backgrounds as well as those with non-clinical healthcare backgrounds. It is fully online, and students may transfer up to six credits. Students learn how to manage the complex and dynamic healthcare industry.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a recognized four-year institution, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, CV or resume, and a personal statement. GMAT/GRE scores are not required. A GPA of 3.0 is preferred, but not required. Students without at least two years of healthcare experience will need to complete specified prerequisites.

The 37-credit curriculum includes core coursework such as management of healthcare organization, strategic management and marketing, healthcare informatics, leadership in healthcare environments, healthcare data analytics, and population and global health management, among others, as well as a capstone project. Electives include health economics, negotiations and conflict resolution, innovation and organizational change management, fund-raising for non-profits, emergency planning and preparedness, and communications and crisis management, and others.

• Location: Fairfield, CT
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Currently seeking the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) accreditation
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

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 replacing test scores as a measure of passion and competence. Furthermore, some schools that maintain a GRE requirement may be persuaded to waive it based on work experience or competitive undergraduate transcripts. Conversely, schools may overlook a less-than-ideal undergraduate GPA in favor of a strong GRE score. Ultimately, deciding whether to take the GRE requires a personal evaluation of one’s past performance and future goals.

There is a wealth of information online, but it is always best to contact an admissions counselor at the schools students are considering. Admission requirements can change every year, and sometimes they change faster than a school’s website does. Putting a human face on the admissions process can further individualize the experience, freeing it from an obtuse checklist of rigid requirements and making it 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 that’s right for anyone, whether they decide to take the GRE or not.