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MHSA Program Information

Admission Materials & Criteria

Student walking on the paved sidewalks of Xavier University on a sunny morning

  • Preferred undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • A completed application through Xavier's free online application
  • Confirmation of acceptance by the stated confirmation deadlines
  • Visit the MHSA Admissions & Info Sessions page for comprehensive deadline information
  • International applicants have additional requirements. Visit the MHSA International Students Admissions page for these items. The MHSA faculty & staff cannot advise on international requirements, such as visa requirements. Visit the Xavier International Admission page for information and contact info for that office

The following are also highly recommended, though not required:

  • Accounting course
  • Economics course
  • Statistics course
  • Computer literacy course with working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

The GMAT/GRE is not required for admission to Xavier's MHSA program.

Application Materials - Xavier's Free Online Application

To create a more equitable admissions process, our MHSA program does not use paid third-party application systems, such as CAS systems. Applicants who are also submitting in CAS systems can apply to Xavier using the same materials, editing them for the Xavier MHSA program as they would when applying to other schools in the CAS. 

The following documents must be received for an application to be complete: 

  • Two completed recommendation forms (from instructor or employer, family members not accepted)
    • Up to four recommendations may be entered, but only two are required 
    • Additional guidelines are available on the Statement of Intent & Reference Guidelines page 
    • References for the MHSA/MBA Dual Degree option should address the applicant's quantitative analytical skills
  • Current résumé/CV
  • Statement of intent: a 500-750 word essay
  • Official transcripts from undergraduate institution and anywhere student has taken collegiate level courses. Transcripts are only considered to be official when sent directly from the issuing institution (or their transcript delivery service, such as the National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, or Credentials Solutions) to Xavier.* We cannot accept transcripts sent by the applicant. 

Post-Application

Interviews

Qualified applicants will be offered personal interviews with Admissions Committee members. Interviews are scheduled & held on a rolling basis, after the receipt of application materials.
  • Full-Time MHSA & MHSA/MBA Dual Degree: Interviews are held on campus at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH
  • Executive MHSA: Interviews are held online via Teams, but applicants who would prefer an on-campus interview may request to complete this on campus
  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Process Improvement does not require an interview. 

Decision Releases

  • Full-Time MHSA & MHSA/MBA Dual Degree:
    • Applicants who achieve the Priority Funding Deadline (application completed by December 1, 2024 and interview completed by January 10, 2025) will receive their decision by February 1, 2024
    • Applicants who apply after the Priority Funding Deadline may receive their decision a few days after their interview. Depending on seat availability, late applicants may be:
      • Offered admission
      • Placed on a wait list
      • Deferred to the next available start term
  • Executive MHSA: Interviews are held online via Teams, but applicants who would prefer an on-campus interview may request to complete this on campus
  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Process Improvement: Decisions are released on a rolling basis. The application may close early once all seats are filled.

Admission Criteria:

I. Academic Potential ("knowledgeable and highly skilled" from the Mission statement)

  • Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.0 minimum verified by transcripts
  • Writing ability as shown in the "Statement of Intent" Essay

II. Leadership Potential ("values-oriented servant leaders" from the Mission statement)

  • Truthful answers to all application questions, including disciplinary and criminal history
  • Supportive written references from at least two sources (employer and/or faculty member)
  • Examples of leadership service reflected on the resume

III. Commitment-to-the-Profession Potential ("servant leaders who will contribute to the health of society by continuously improving the management of health-related organizations" from the Mission statement)

  • Reflective and complete content in the "Statement of Intent" essay
  • Honest and authentic exchange during the personal interviews with Admissions Committee members, especially with respect to the candidate articulating why he/she wants to earn a MHSA degree

Admissions Practices

  • Full-time MHSA classes begin in August of each year; Executive MHSA classes begin in Fall and Spring each year. MHSA/MBA Dual Degree applicants may start MBA courses the summer before the MHSA courses begin.
  • The full-time MHSA class consists of no more than 28 students and full-time classes move through the program as a cohort.
  • Part-time Executive MHSA admits no more than 20 students and have flexibility with time to completion and number of courses per semester. 
  • Interested candidates start with our Assistant Director of Recruitment who directs them to the application process delineated on our website.
  • When the application package is deemed to be complete, the Assistant Director of Recruitment schedules the candidate for personal interviews with members of the Admissions Committee (MHSA Director plus Faculty members).
  • Once the interviews have been completed, the Admissions Committee members weigh the candidate against the Admissions Criteria (above).
  • Agreement to admit the candidate also requires approval by the Associate Dean of the College of Professional Sciences. An acceptance letter is then sent to the candidate with a deadline to accept. Confirmation deadlines can be found on the MHSA Admissions & Info Session page. 
  • Agreement not to admit the candidate or to place conditions on the candidates are handled with the applicant.
  • Late applicants may be placed on a waitlist for their desired entry term or deferred to the next available entry term. 
  • Once students accept admission, they are considered part of HSA and regular contact is maintained.