FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions from students applying to the Master of Health Administration Program in the Department of Health Services Policy and Management. Several of these questions have been adopted from Frequently Asked Questions at the Arnold School of Public Health web site.
What is the difference between the MHA and MPH degrees in Health Administration?
The MHA program prepares individuals for management and leadership positions in a healthcare organizations (e.g., hospital, nursing home, ambulatory care organization, physician group practice) or a healthcare-related organizations (e.g., insurance, not for profit health care organization). The MHA curriculum focuses on organizational behavior, planning, finance, and management of healthcare organizations in a dynamic environment. The MHA program also includes key elements of public health principles and planning to allow managers to incorporate a public health perspective in managing and leading health delivery and allied institutions.
The MHA degree is the premier graduate degree for professionals in the health care management field. Individuals who would like to work in organizational settings such as hospitals, group practices, home health and other healthcare organizations, health insurance, healthcare quality and allied organizations will find the MHA program well suited to meet their professional needs.
The MPH program prepares individuals for management and leadership positions in public health settings. The focus is on gaining an in-depth understanding of the determinants of the public's health, management and leadership of public health institutions and of the community, health education, public health finance, and mobilizing public and community resources for programs targeted at community health improvement. Those who wish to work in public health agencies such as state and federal health agencies, community-based or community health organizations will find the MPH program content suitable to their professional needs.
What is an accredited MHA program?
The Department of Health Services Policy and Management is committed to continuous program improvement. The MHA Program has been fully accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Health Management Education (ACEHSA's new name) since 1991. CAHME is an interdisciplinary group, devoted to quality improvement in the education of health care managers and administrators.
An MHA program accredited by CAHME has demonstrated that educational policies, admission criteria, curriculum, course content, and faculty credentials are in place to provide a high quality educational program. Accredited programs have demonstrated that faculty incorporate appropriate curriculum elements, research experience, and involve practicing healthcare professionals in the program, to enrich the educational experience
Who should apply?
The MHA Professional Program is designed for individuals with experience in a healthcare or related setting, who would like to work on the degree without attending live classes on campus, while pursuing career and personal commitments.
The on-campus mode of the MHA program is open to all applicants, with or without healthcare experience, who can attend classes on campus.
What is the tuition?
Tuition and fees for the MHA Professional Format program are the same as for on-campus, in-state MHA students, plus a one-time matriculation fee of $8,088, payable over the first two semesters. The fee schedule for the Arnold School of Public Health programs for both full time and part time enrollment is available at http://www.sph.sc.edu/currentstudents/fees.htm. Please refer to the Health Services Policy and Management section in this page to locate the program specific fees. Please note that for out-of-state MHA Professional Format students, the tuition per credit hour is the same as for in-state students, plus $25 per credit hour, not regular out-of-state tuition. The program-specific matriculation fee of $8,088 supports the state-of-the-art technology, program support, and intensive faculty interaction. For more information about tuition and fees, please visit: http://www.sc.edu/bursar/residency.html. For information on financial aid, please visit http://www.sc.edu/bursar/faqs.html.
What are the academic requirements for admission?
- Significant duration of healthcare or related work experience
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A four year baccalaureate degree
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Official transcripts of all college level work (transcripts not required for USC work)
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Completed hard copy of the application
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Official required test scores, either GRE, GMAT, MCAT or DAT
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Letters of Recommendation (2)
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Official TOEFL score for international students who have not received a degree from an English speaking institution
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Application fee
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Resume
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A career objective statement
What standardized tests are required?
GRE, GMAT, MCAT or DAT. These tests cannot be waived.
What GRE/GMAT scores are you looking for?
The Department does not have a formal GRE/GMAT level requirement. Typically, the Department expects GRE/GMAT scores to be above 1000 (verbal and quantitative combined). However, a portfolio approach is used to assess an applicant's credentials for admission. The GRE/GMAT, GPA, work experience and career statement are considered together. Among the academic requirements, deficiencies in standardized test scores or the GPA may be compensated for by appropriately higher levels of the other parameter.
I took the GRE a long time ago (8 years, 10 years, etc.). Do I have to retake this exam?
The Graduate School requires an official copy of your GRE score from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). ETS does not keep scores that are 5 years old or older. If the ETS cannot send an official copy of your test score, then you will need to retake the GRE.
What GPA are you looking for?
The general guideline is a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for admission. However, as indicated under the question on GRE/GMAT scores above, a portfolio approach is used to assess applicant's credentials for admission.
How do I apply?
Please visit the link to the MHA Professional Format Program Application Process for details. Please get an application packet from Sonja Snowdon. Phone (803) 777-3400, e-mail ssnowdon@gwm.sc.edu, or write to Sonja Snowdon, Department of Health Services Policy and Management, 800 Sumter Street, HESC Building, Room 116, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.
What is the deadline to apply for this MHA Professional Format Program?
Applications will be reviewed through June. All application materials should be received by June 30.
What about financial aid?
The University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health has a central financial Aid Office. In order to be considered for financial aid, applicants should file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form as early as possible, even before filing an application for admission. For more information about establishing residency and tuition, please visit http://www.sc.edu/bursar/residency.html. For information on financial aid, please visit http://www.sc.edu/bursar/faqs.html.
How long is my application valid?
Your application is valid for one year following the term for which you applied.
Can I transfer any credits toward a Master's Degree?
Requests to transfer credits are considered on an individual basis after students are admitted to that School. In order for transfer credits to be given, a course must be a graduate course from an accredited institution, not used for another degree, within 6 years of taking the course, appropriate to the student's course of study at USC Arnold SPH, and the course syllabus approved by the student's department, Dean's Office and the Graduate School.
Can I keep my current job while working on my MHA degree?
The MHA professional format Program is designed to allow you to complete the degree on a schedule that best meets your personal and professional needs. Courses are designed to meet the needs of working health care executives and professionals. The Program uses video-streaming lectures and asynchronous web-based instruction.
You will need to review the video-streaming lecture within the week the lecture was delivered. You will interact with faculty and students using Blackboard, a web-based course system. This mode of delivery and interaction allows a great deal of flexibility in scheduling your work and other commitments. However, the coursework requires the same commitment in terms of time as coursework delivered through a traditional classroom mode. Thus, the professional format is suited for students who are highly motivated for self-study.
You will need to come to campus once at the beginning of the Program for a one-time, one- day orientation on the Columbia campus (to register, complete a distance communication workshop, tour the campus and library, meet faculty and other students). In addition, you will need to come to the Columbia campus for one working day at the end of each semester.
How many total credit hours are required to complete the degree requirements?
The MHA program requires completion of 58 credit hours, 52 hours of instructional course work, and 6 credit hours of the residency project. The residency project is a special practical project that you complete at an organization of your choice, which could be the organization in which you are employed. The minimum time period to complete the MHA program is 21 months, if you decide to go full-time, which is very unusual for full-time working individuals. On a part-time basis (which has always been the case so far in our program), it will typically take three and a half years to complete.
What special computer facilities or capabilities do I need for this Program?
You will need to have a personal computer, a current operating system (e.g., Windows 2000 or later), and Microsoft Office Applications, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and the SAS statistical package. To access the lecture by video-streaming, you must have regular access to a high speed internet access, e.g., DSL, Road Runner.