MHA Guidebook

The core competencies for the Master of Health Administration program are stated below. The competency model includes four domains:

1. Management Science and Technology
2. Strategy and Leadership
3. Public Policies and Community Orientation
4. Economics and Financial Management
5. Professionalism and Communication Skills

See the MHA Competencies Document for detailed listing of the MHA competencies.

Applicants to the MHA degree are required to complete both a SOPHAS application. Required Documentation (all items are required regardless of GPA or GRE scores):

• Complete SOPHAS application (requires the following)
  • Transcripts
  • GRE taken within five years preceding application or equivalent scores (see section 6.2 Admissions Tests Information for more information)
  • Minimum of two letters of recommendation..
  • Statement of purpose and objectives
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Applicants whose native language is not English or who have not earned a degree in the United States must also submit TOEFL scores earned within two (2) years of the desired term of entry. A minimum total score of 79 on the internet-based test, 213 on the computer-based test, or 550 on the paper-based test are required. Applications submitted with TOEFL scores that do not meet the minimum requirements will be denied with no exceptions. (see section 6.2 Admissions Tests Information for more information)
• USF Graduate School application fee (applicants will receive a request for the $30 fee once the SOPHAS application enters our USF system).

The admission committee reviews and considers all required application documentation (listed above). To be admitted to an MHA degree, applicants must meet the following criteria.

USF Graduate School Admission Criteria

1. An applicant must have one of the following (a, b, or c):
   1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and satisfying at least one of the following criteria:
      1. “B” average or better in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student working for a degree, or
      2. “B” average or better  in all work attempted while registered as an upper division undergraduate student working for a baccalaureate degree.
   2. A bachelor’s degree with a “B” average or better from a regionally accredited institution and a previous graduate degree with a “B” average or better from a regionally accredited institution.
   3. The equivalent bachelors and/or graduate degrees from a foreign institution.
2. Submission of standardized test scores if required by the graduate program.  For Graduate Programs that require the GRE, the Personal Potential Index (PPI) may be required.  Refer to individual program admission requirements for information
3. Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must also demonstrate proficiency in English* in one of the following ways:
   1. By providing scores of 79 or higher on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
   2. By providing a score of 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
   3. By providing a score of 53 or higher on the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A)
   4. By earning a score of 153 (or equivalent) on the GRE Verbal exam.
   5. By earning a baccalaureate or higher degree at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
   6. By earning a baccalaureate or equivalent degree at a foreign institution where English is the language of instruction (must be documented on the transcript  or on an official Certificate of Medium of Instruction from the Institution).
4. Details of USF Graduate School admission information may be found at http://www.grad.usf.edu/graduate-admissions.php

Additional College of Public Health Master of Health Administration Criteria

• MHA applicants must meet the minimum GRE scores for their program (defined in the GRE Scores Table in section 6.2 Admissions Tests Information of this catalog) AND the minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in upper division courses (GRE scores must be submitted regardless of GPA and GRE scores).
• In lieu of the GRE, only applicants to the Department of Health Policy and Management may submit a GMAT score for the MHA, MPH.
• Undergraduate majors are diverse and include: Life sciences, social sciences, business, or health professions.
• Prerequisite undergraduate courses: Microeconomics or equivalent (prerequisite must be completed prior to enrolling in PHC 6430 Health Economics I) and Accounting (prerequisite must be completed prior to enrolling in PHC 6160 Health Care Financial Management). 
• Basic computer competency is expected.
• Students in all online public health courses are expected to meet certain technology requirements in order to successfully participate in their courses. It is the student's responsibility to ensure all requirements are met prior to the start of the semester. For more information, visit: http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/eta/students_tech_requirements.htm.
• Applicants admitted to the MHA or an MPH with a concentration in the Department of Health Policy and Management who have a score on the GRE Verbal of Analytical Writing test which is below the 40th percentile may be required to take REA 2105—Critical Reading and Writing—or an equivalent English composition course, during the first semester of enrollment, and pass with a grade of “B” or better in the class. 
• Meeting of these criteria shall not be the only basis for admission.

To start the application process, see section 6.1 Application Procedures.

Program Coursework (Updated with approved changes effective Fall 2014)

Notes

1. During 2nd semester meet with advisor and begin planning field experience. See http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academic affairs/fe/index.htm. Students with substantial work experience can negotiate a reduced number of hours with their advisor (e.g.,1 credit hour) if the student has meaningful experience (involving decision‐making) in a health care or related Organization

2.  Any grade below a C (C- to F) is required to be retaken. The grade will be included in the student’s GPA
3. The College reserves all rights to repeal and/or modify

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This version of the MHA Guidebook is the official version of the USF College of Public Health Guidebook for the MHA degree effective from July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016. This is a subset of and supplement to the USF Graduate Catalog. If there are conflicts between the two documents the USF Graduate Catalog prevails. The College of Public Health reserves the right to change its rules, courses, and requirements from time to time and to make all such changes applicable to all students, whether new or continuing, when in its sole judgment such changes are deemed necessary. .

To view the complete USF Graduate Catalog, go to:http://www.grad.usf.edu/catalog.asp; overarching USF regulations and policies go to http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/