You Have Questions – We Have Answers
Please explore the questions and answers below to learn what many of our prospective students are concerned about. If you still have questions, please contact us.
Question 1: Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree to apply?
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or in the process of becoming a regionally accredited four-year college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale) is preferred.
- In the absence of a bachelor’s degree, 90 semester or 135 quarter units from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent abroad. Thirty units must be upper division.
Questions 2: Do you require a minimum GPA to apply?
Yes. Candidates must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 to apply. You must meet the minimum GPA requirements at the time of application and maintain the minimum through matriculation.
Question 3: What are the Personal Competencies for Admission and Matriculation (Technical Standards)?
Personal Competencies for Admission and Matriculation
A candidate for admission to the MHA degree program in the Department of Health Sciences Education must possess, or be able to achieve, through a reasonable accommodation, certain sensory and motor functions, that would enable the individual to carry out the activities described in the sections that follow. Upon matriculation to the program, the student must continue to possess, or be able to achieve through a reasonable accommodation, the personal competencies outlined below through their progression through the degree program. Graduates of the program are eligible for employment in a wide variety of academic and clinical teaching programs, using an extensive variety of educational methodologies. As a result, they must have the intellectual ability to learn, integrate, analyze, and synthesize numerical, visual, and textual information in the health professions fields. They must also be able to effectively and accurately integrate this information and communicate it to others by both oral and written means.
A candidate for the degree program in the Department of Health Sciences ordinarily must have abilities and skills of six general varieties, including but are not limited to: (1) observation; (2) communication; (3) motor; (4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; (5) behavioral and social and (6) ethical standards.
For candidates or students who require a reasonable accommodation to meet the competencies outlined below, please contact the Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy (HFCDHP) at Disability Accommodations (e-mail) or (909) 469-5297 or visit the HFCDHP web site.
Under all circumstances, a candidate or student should be able to perform the following in a reasonably independent manner, with or without a reasonable accommodation:
Observation
Candidates and students must have sufficient vision to be able to observe demonstrations and presentations by faculty and other students.
Communication
Candidates and students must have the ability to communicate orally and in writing with patients, families, groups, and other members of the health care team, as well as faculty and peers. Candidates and students must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in English with other students, faculty, staff, patients, family, and other professionals, in both oral and written formats, and must be able to read, write, and communicate verbally in English. Candidates and students must be able to interpret communication of others effectively. Candidates and students must be able to read and comprehend written material and communicate clearly and audibly during interactions with classmates, professors, patients, and members of the health care team.
Motor
Candidates and students should have sufficient motor function, or reasonable accommodations to enable them to operate commonly used educational equipment (including, but not limited to, computers, videotape players, overhead projectors), design, and produce educational materials. These activities require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch or vision with or without reasonable accommodations.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities
Candidates and students must demonstrate problem-solving skills, which include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Instructional design and the preparations of a Capstone/Thesis or special project require all of these intellectual abilities.
Behavioral and Social Abilities
Candidates and students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of the intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completions of all responsibility’s attendant to an instructor in an educational setting, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with students and colleagues. Candidates and students must be able to adapt to changing environments, and display flexibility in dealing with others at various educational levels in health professions and community settings. Compassion, integrity, concerns for others, interpersonal skills, interest, motivation, and professionalism are all personal qualities to be assessed during the admissions and educational processes.
Ethical Standards
Candidates and students must demonstrate the ability to reason morally in a professional and ethical manner with clients, communities, and other health care workers, as well as with faculty and peers.
Question 4: Can I transfer into your Master of Healthcare Administration program from another Master of Healthcare Administration program?
Transfer of Credits
The maximum number of graduate level credit hours that may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution is eight (8) semester credit hours. Only graduate credit relevant to the Master of Healthcare Administration degree at Western University of Health Sciences, which has been completed within the last five years, may be applied toward completion of the Master of Healthcare Administration degree. To be considered for transfer credit, the course must have been taken after the award of a bachelor’s degree and be eligible for graduate studies credit at the issuing institution. The student must have received a grade ‘B’ or above in the course. An official transcript and a course description must be submitted to the Chair of the Department of Health Sciences for consideration by the faculty. The Department of Health Sciences faculty will determine whether courses undertaken at other institutions qualify for transfer. No transfer credit will be given for the following courses:
- HA 5992 – Interprofessional Leadership Roundtable
- HA 5994 – Interprofessional Leadership Immersion
- HA 5107 – Organizational and Healthcare Leadership
- HA 5109 – Competencies for Healthcare Executives
Question 5: How many students will you be accepting?
We anticipate seating a class of 25 students.
Question 6: Do you give preference to California residents?
No.
Question 7: Can international students apply?
No
Question 8: Is tuition the same for in-state and out-of-state residents?
Yes. We are a private institution, so the tuition rate is the same for all students. Visit the MHA Budget page for more information on tuition, scholarships, and loans.
Question 9: Can I turn in more than the required number of recommendation letters?
Yes. However, it is advisable to limit the number to one-two extra since a total of three-four well-chosen recommendations will usually paint a clear picture of the candidate, and additional recommendations will only add to the committee members’ reading time.
Question 10: Do you have an early decision process?
No. There is not an early decision process in place for the MHA program.
Question 11: How will I know if the committee is requesting an interview?
If you are selected for an interview, you will be notified by email.
Question 12: How does the committee decide which applicants are offered seats?
The admissions committee works diligently to select the best candidates for our program by reviewing a broad range of information. We seek students who are motivated to build a future in healthcare leadership, as well as current healthcare managers who aspire to excel in leadership roles within healthcare organizations.
Question 13: When are acceptance letters and final notifications mailed?
Decision letters are distributed via email on a rolling basis, depending on the applicant’s submission date.
Question 1: Can I speak with a counselor about my application?
Feel free to contact us after reviewing the site with any additional questions you might have.
Question 2: How can I submit an application to the program
The application consists of a primary application. Primary applications must be completed and submitted electronically and in complete status on or before the application deadline.
Question 3: How much does the applications cost?
Application fee is $50
Question 4: Can I request a refund for offer deposits?
All deposits are non-refundable.
Question 5: If admitted, how much is the admissions deposit?
$500
Question 6: What address should I use if I need to mail any additional application materials?
For official transcripts, please mail to:
Western University of Health Sciences
Attn: Admissions Operations/program you are applying for (MHA, etc.)
309 E Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766
For unofficial documents, please upload to the online application as indicated in the application instructions.
Question 7: How do I pay my application fee?
All application fees require payments made by credit card. Only cards with Visa and Master Card logos will be accepted. No checks, money orders, or cash will be accepted for payment of application fees.
Question 8: What if I do not have a Visa or Master Card?
Payment may be made with a Visa or Master Card prepaid gift card, which can be purchased at many major chain stores or online. Please be aware that the gift card must contain a balance sufficient to cover the application fee in one full payment.
Question 9: How do I withdraw my application?
You may withdraw your application by visiting the application status page. Scroll to the bottom of your application and select withdraw my application.
Question 10: How do I delete an application I accidentally started?
Applicants cannot delete their own application once started. Please submit a request to Admissions Operations at AO@westernu.edu
Question 1: Can you provide me with some information about the accreditation process?
Please visit our accreditation page for more information.
Question 2: Where can I find more information about the curriculum?
For detailed information, visit our examine the curriculum page.
Question 3: What are the hours for your library?
You can find the library hours on our website along with additional information about the library and learning resource center.
Question 4: Can I visit your campus?
We would love to have you on campus. If you are interested, please look at our scheduled tours page.
Question 5: How long is your program?
The 46-unit degree may be completed in one- or two-years’ time. The traditional track is scheduled for completion in 6 semesters (2 years) and the accelerated track is scheduled for completion in 3 semesters (1 year). Six units of graduate level coursework taken at another regionally accredited institution may be submitted for transfer credit.
Question 6: How much is tuition and fees for the Master of Healthcare Administration?
Visit the MHA Budget page for tuition information as well as scholarship and loan recommendations.
Question : Is the MHA program online only?
Yes, this is an online program.