Application Procedure

We offer two programs: MSHCA Traditional Program and MSHCA Accelerated Program. Make sure to mark whether you are applying to the Traditional Program or Accelerated Program.

Applications are processed using the online Cal State Apply system. Cal State Apply is California State University's online resource to help you quickly and easily apply for graduate admission. Please make sure that you meet application deadlines and have your previous academic information ready. For example, you will be asked to submit information about the colleges you have attended (including community college). You will need the name of the college(s), dates attended, units completed, major, honors, and GPA.

In addition, you will be asked to include a statement of intent, your resume, GRE/GMAT score, and three (3) letters of recommendation. Everything needs to be included for your application to be reviewed and considered complete. Your letters of recommendation should be from your employer, past employer, or someone who knows your academic abilities. Your recommender will receive a link by email with instructions for the letter.

You do not have to complete the entire application during one session. You can save your application and revisit your application to add or change information when convenient.

Note: CSULB uses email as the official means of communication, so applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the university and check their email regularly. You may update your email address or check the status of your admission application by visiting the Applicant Self-Service webpage.

For more information on Cal State Apply, please check the Cal State Apply Graduate Application Guide.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the following steps:

 

Application Deadline

The MSHCA Traditional program application materials must be received within the October 1st - April 1st window preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying. The MSHCA Accelerated program application materials must be received within the October 1st - June 1st window preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying. (Note: International student application deadlines may be different. Please contact the Center for International Education office for deadline information.) There are no exceptions or conditional admits.

Application Procedure - click the link below for further information.

 

All applicants for either the traditional or accelerated MSHCA graduate program are required to meet the following minimum requirements for admissions consideration:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last sixty units of undergraduate study. (Accomplished candidates with a GPA slightly less than a 3.0 will also be considered for admission.) 
  2. At least nine units in financial accounting, microeconomics, and statistics.  All of which must be completed before the first semester of graduate study (but may be in progress during the application process) and must be taken within the last ten years. Note: a passing grade in the CLEP exam will fulfill our accounting and microeconomics prerequisites.  Courses may be taken at a community college.  Please check www.assist.org to determine equivalency.
  3. A minimum of three years of work experience in the health care industry OR the submission of GRE or GMAT test scores (must be current within the last two years).

Attention, International Applicants: Due to VISA regulations, most international students are not recommended to apply to the accelerated version of this degree program; please contact the Center for International Education if you have any further questions.

We strongly recommend that applicants with little-to-no work experience in the health care industry apply for admission into the MSHCA traditional program, the structure of our accelerated program tends to be ideal for those currently working in the health care industry.

Depending on the length of your work experience in the health care industry, GRE/GMAT testing may be required for admission into our MSHCA program. (This requirement can be waived for those applicants with completed doctorate degrees.) If you elect to take these tests more than once, please know that we will use your highest set of scores for your graduate application.

Two prerequisite courses can be met by taking the CLEP exam: financial accounting and microeconomics. Students must have a score of 50 or higher to pass the exam and received credit for the prerequisite.  It is suggested that the prerequisite course is completed and not the CLEP exam if a student has never taken an accounting or economics course. For students who completed prerequisites ten or more years ago, the CLEP exam is recommended to ensure that the student is prepared to begin the program.

TOEFL testing is required for international applicants.  The minimum university requirement for the TOEFL paper-based score is 550 and the TOEFL internet based score is 80.  For more information on the TOEFL, fees, preparation, and locations, visit the CIE web site.