MHA Admissions Requirements: What You Need to Know

America is aging. Between 2010 and 2020, the over-65 population in the U.S. grew at five times the rate of all other groups. This aging population requires more — and more expensive — health care. Older adults use healthcare services twice as frequently as their younger counterparts; per capita healthcare expenditures for older adults (65 and older) are more than double than those for working-age adults (19 to 65). These trends are straining the nation’s healthcare resources, creating demand for additional healthcare professionals and administrators.

If you’re an early to mid-career healthcare professional, now could be an optimal time to consider advancing in (or transitioning into) a healthcare administration career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical and health service managers is forecast to grow 28 percent between now and  2032, creating nearly 55,000 job openings annually. Healthcare administrators enjoy generous pay (hospital managers earn a median annual income of $125,280) and career versatility, among other benefits.

A Master of Health Administration (MHA) can help you gain the expertise to become an effective, data-driven strategic healthcare leader who champions improvement in health systems and fights health services disparities. An online MHA from Tulane University enables you to pursue this degree in a part-time program from a nationally recognized institution — while continuing to work full time and without having to relocate. Here’s everything you need to know about the Tulane online MHA admissions requirements and what you can do to prepare a compelling application. 

What Are the Tulane Online MHA Program Admissions Requirements?

To be eligible for the online MHA at Tulane University, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a GPA of 3.0 or more. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. 

If you meet these requirements, the next step is to complete an online application through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for public health. Besides completing the application form, you need to pay an application fee and submit the following documents: 

• Statement of purpose
• Short essays
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume or CV
• Transcripts

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose outlines your career goals and relevant professional and academic experiences and achievements. In your statement, explain why you are applying to the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, what has led you to pursue an MHA at this point in your career, and how the Tulane online MHA program will help you achieve your professional goals. Also, highlight past educational, professional, or personal experiences that speak to your ability to succeed in the MHA program and the health administration profession. Be sure to include specific examples. 

Short Essays

Candidates to the Tulane MHA program must submit three essays to SOPHAS. The first essay (500 words) should describe a challenge you’ve encountered in your academic or research endeavors and how you dealt with it. The second essay (250 words) should explain your commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The third essay is optional. It offers the opportunity to provide additional context to any part of your application and is the place to address any weaknesses, such as a low GPA. To find out how best to approach this matter, consult an enrollment advisor.

Letters of Recommendation

Your SOPHAS application form requires contact information for three recommenders. However, you only need to submit two written letters of recommendation with your Tulane MHA application. These letters should highlight the skills, experience, and personal attributes that will make you a successful MHA student and health administrator. A Tulane enrollment advisor can provide guidance on who to ask to write your recommendations and what their recommendations should include. 

Resume or CV

You must also submit your most recent resume or CV as part of your application. Organize your resume to highlight the experiences, skills, and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to excel in the Tulane MHA program and contribute value to class discussions and projects.

Transcripts

List all the courses you have completed and the grades you achieved in your online application. You must also arrange for all schools you attended to forward official transcripts directly to SOPHAS. Once SOPHAS receives them, a representative will confirm that all the academic information is correct and mark your application as “Verified.” This is a critical step to ensure your application is considered complete and ready for review by the Tulane admissions team.  

Application Fee

The non-refundable application fee for the online MHA is $145. Contact an enrollment advisor to find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver.

Admissions Information for International Students

If you earned your bachelor’s degree outside the U.S. and Canada, you must submit a World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course by Course evaluation confirming your credentials.

The online MHA at Tulane requires English proficiency. For this reason, non-native English speakers must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A TOEFL score of at least 89 or an IELTS band of 6.5 is preferred. You don’t have to submit language testing scores if you have previously earned a degree from an accredited U.S. institution. 

The admissions team also interviews non-native English speakers to gauge their oral communication skills. The interview is not a substitute for the TOEFL or IELTS requirement. 

Why Earn an Online Master of Health Administration From the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine?

The online health administration master’s program at Tulane can help you develop crucial skills to advance your healthcare management career. You will learn to build healthcare administrative policies from health care, business, regulatory, political, and ethno-cultural perspectives. U.S. News & World Report ranks the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine as the 12th-best public health school in the United States.

As a Tulane online MHA student, you will learn essential skills such as harnessing data, critical thinking and analysis, strategic management, and finance. The curriculum also covers leadership of healthcare organizations, population health, and communications and strategy. Tulane MHA students complete an Administrative Residency to demonstrate their mastery of critical competencies, gaining practical, real-world experience while honing their management skills. 

If you’re ready to start your application or learn more about the program, contact an enrollment advisor. For more information about tuition, fees, and financial aid, see the Tulane Tuition and Financial Aid page.