The Graduate Record Examination, more commonly known as the GRE, is a standardized test for those looking to attend graduate school and receive their MHA online. Whether you’re managing a medical practice, working as a hospital administrator, or working in the health insurance field, more than likely your time is in short supply, and spending months studying for the GRE may not be realistic. Fortunately, taking the GRE isn’t your only option for getting into a top-tier online MHA program.
Once you start looking, you’ll find many online MHA programs with no GRE requirement. These programs put the focus on other admissions requirements instead, such as professional letters of recommendation, experience working in the healthcare industry, and completion of certain math or science classes. Read on to see a list of this year’s top no-GRE online MHA programs, learn what to expect during the admissions process, and get answers to common questions from prospective students just like you.
Top 25 No-GRE Online MHA Programs in 2022
A quick search turns up numerous online MHA programs, many of which require no GRE. To help you choose the best online MHA program, we compiled the following list. Not only do these programs not require GRE or GMAT test scores, but they also rank high on other variables, such as affordability, student services, student-to-teacher ratio, and program or school size. Much of the data came from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). To learn more about our methodology, click on the “About the ranking” button. Then keep reading to learn about schools that top the list.
Indiana’s Ball State University offers two no-GRE master’s in psychology programs online. The Master of Arts in Educational Psychology is designed to expand the knowledge and skills of nonclinical professionals responsible for training leaders and teachers in areas related to psychological theories of classroom assessment, developmental psychology, research, learning, and more. The curriculum combines core foundational courses in research methodology, tests and measurements, learning, and statistics with electives and coursework in the student’s chosen specialization: gifted and talented, human development, neuropsychology, or applied behavior analysis. All courses are presented in a 100% online asynchronous format.
Ball State’s Master of Science in Quantitative Psychology delivers foundational and advanced knowledge in social-science-related statistics and data analysis. Students complete 33 credits of core coursework, including courses in either the quantitative or mixed method concentration. Both thesis and research options are available. The program is presented in fully online asynchronous or blended (online/on-campus) formats. On-campus courses are held on Ball State’s main campus in Muncie.
Program Highlights:
MA in Educational Psychology; MS in Quantitative Psychology
Credits: 30 (MA in educational psychology); 33 (MS in quantitative psychology)
Length: Less than one year full-time; 18 months to three years part-time
Cost: $438/credit (Indiana residents); $656/credit (out-of-state residents)
Mode: Fully online (MA in educational psychology); fully online or partially online (MS in quantitative psychology)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
Touro University offers three online master’s in psychology programs, starting with its Master of Science in Forensic Psychology offered through Touro University Worldwide. This no-GRE online psychology master’s degree prepares students for employment in various settings through a curriculum that combines theoretical and applied concepts in forensic psychology. Students have the option of choosing a specialized area of study in either sex offender issues or community criminal issues.
The Master of Arts in Industrial & Organizational (I&O) Psychology, also offered by Touro University Worldwide, is designed for those interested in nonclinical careers in research, assessment, and analysis. Students choose one of three concentrations: coaching and consulting, human resource management, or occupational health psychology. Both the MS in forensic psychology and the MA in industrial and organizational psychology are 100% online with no required residency and no GRE.
Touro also offers a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology through the School of Health Sciences of Touro College. Coursework is entirely online. However, students are required to complete a 240-hour capstone internship in the New York City area. GRE scores are not required but are preferred for this program.
Program Highlights:
MS in Forensic Psychology; MA in I&O Psychology; MS in I-O Psychology
Credits: 36 (all programs)
Length: 1 year (MS in forensic psychology, MA in I&O psychology); 15 to 21 months (MS in I-O psychology)
Cost: $500/credit (MA in forensic psychology, MA in I&O psychology); $840/credit (MS in I-O Psychology)
Mode: Fully online (MA in forensic psychology, MA in I&O psychology); fully online with in-person internship (MS in I-O psychology)
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) (Touro University, School of Health Services of Touro College); WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) (Touro University Worldwide)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program from the private nonprofit National Louis University (NLU) combines coursework in psychology, organizational development, organizational behavior, and human resource management to provide students with the knowledge and skills to resolve workplace issues and maximize employee satisfaction and productivity. The program culminates in a capstone project; each student identifies a specific business problem and conducts a literature review and assessment, resulting in recommended solutions detailed in a consultative report. The curriculum is presented in a 20-month accelerated format with 100% asynchronous courses, allowing students to complete their studies anytime and anywhere. Up to nine credits can be transferred into this no-GRE online master’s in psychology.
NLU’s MS in industrial and organizational psychology program is aligned with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology Guidelines for Education and Training in I/O Psychology.
Program Highlights:
MS in I/O Psychology
Credits: 36 to 42
Length: 20 months
Cost: $759/credit
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: HLC (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
The Texas Tech University (TTU) Master of Education in Educational Psychology program provides students with foundational knowledge and skills to do educational psychology research in nonclinical professional settings. The 45-credit program is presented in a hybrid format that combines online asynchronous coursework with face-to-face classes on TTU’s Lubbock campus. Students have the option of concluding their studies with or without a thesis. GRE scores were required for admission into this program the past, but they have been waived for several terms now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
Students seeking school psychology certification or licensure should consider pairing their MEd in educational psychology with TTU’s 15-credit School Psychology Graduate Certificate.
Program Highlights:
MEd in Educational Psychology
Credits: 45
Length: Varies
Cost (tuition and fees for nine credits): $8,653/semester (Texas residents); $16,180 (out-of-state residents)
Mode: Partially online
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania now features a 100% online format with no on-site requirements, making it an excellent choice for working students around the country. New cohorts begin each fall semester with foundational positive psychology theory, science, and research coursework. During the spring semester, students focus on the application of positive psychology knowledge and skills in a range of professional settings. The program culminates in the summer semester with a capstone project in which the student, working independently with guidance from an advisor, uses the theories and practical applications gained during their studies in writing an academic paper.
GRE scores are not required for admission into the MA in positive psychology program except for applicants who obtained their bachelor’s degree less than three years prior to applying for the graduate program.
Program Highlights:
Master of Applied Positive Psychology
Credits: 8 courses plus capstone
Length: 1 year full-time
Cost (total est. program): $71,784
Mode: Fully online
Accreditation: MSCHE (school)
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | HLC |
Admission Requirements for No-GRE Online MHA Programs
Many of the MHA programs online that require no GRE are designed especially for working professionals. Schools understand that many prospective students wish to get a master’s degree but don’t have the time to study for a standardized test like the GRE or GMAT.
Admissions offices still need to gauge the likelihood of success for prospective students, so many adjust their admissions requirements in one of two ways. First, they look for certain academic requirements, such as a minimum GPA or certain prerequisite classes. Second, they expect students to have extensive work experience in the healthcare and/or management field. The best online MHA programs where no GRE is required have admissions requirements similar to these:
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Minimum Undergraduate GPA
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Letter or Essay of Professional Intent
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Relevant Work Experience
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Letters of Recommendation
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Interview
One of the best ways to predict a student’s success in graduate school is to see how well they did as undergrads. This is why so many MHA online programs require at least a 3.0 GPA. Many MHA programs that don’t require the GRE, such as the one at Ohio University, expect their applicants to have this minimum GPA. Students who don’t may still apply but might need to submit GRE test scores or have sufficient professional work experience, similar to requirements at Seton Hall University.
The master of healthcare administration is a unique degree, and schools seek students who have thought through what they plan to do with it. Programs similar to the no-GRE online MHA program at the University of Cincinnati ask applicants to complete an essay that explains how enrolling in the program will help them reach their professional and personal goals. When requesting letters of recommendation, make sure at least one comes from a current or former supervisor or professional mentor who can attest to your professional abilities.
The MHA degree is a professional degree that’s a good fit for students who are already working in the medical management field. Having real-world experience brings new perspectives to the classroom and helps students understand the context of what they’re learning. While many MHA programs with no GRE requirement prefer applicants with several years of work experience in the healthcare field, others, such as the program at George Washington University, make that experience a nonnegotiable requirement.
Recommendation letters are common for any application, regardless of degree level or subject matter. But online MHA programs with no GRE adjust this requirement in two potential ways. First, they require two or three letters of recommendation instead of just one or two. Second, they ask for at least one professional, not academic, letter of recommendation. This reinforces the admission office’s desire for students with strong professional backgrounds. You’ll see this requirement in action at The University of Scranton.
While this isn’t the most common admission requirement, it’s still sometimes used by schools with online MHA programs and no GRE requirement, such as Florida Atlantic University. Interviews are typically conducted by graduate admissions officers to learn more about applicants. The admissions committee might be on the fence about an applicant; an interview gives both the applicant and the admissions office a chance to talk through potential red flags (which oftentimes have reasonable explanations) and even temporary exceptions to hardline admissions eligibility requirements. Interviews are valuable when the admissions office needs more information from the applicant to make a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About No GRE Online MHA Programs
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs that don’t require the GRE?
Yes, there are many of them. The best way to find these no-GRE programs is to go to the CAHME website and use the ADVANCE 3.0 Search Programs search tool. From there you can search for MHA programs that are only offered online or in a hybrid learning format. Then go to each school’s website and see if they include the GRE (or GMAT) in their admissions requirements. Generally speaking, not requiring the GRE is a selling point for online MHA programs, so usually it will be prominently noted on the program homepage.
Also, keep in mind that some GRE-free online MHA programs that aren’t accredited by CAHME might be accredited by another governing body. For example, the online MHA with no GRE required at Florida Atlantic University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the online MHA with no GRE at East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
How much do no-GRE online MHA programs cost?
The tuition rates vary tremendously for the best online MHA programs with no GRE required. Program prestige, student residency status, the number of required credits, and the type of school all affect the price. For example, at Louisiana State University Online, the online MHA program costs $303 per credit. At the University of New Haven tuition is $773 per credit, while nonresident students in the executive MHA program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can expect to pay $1,602.45 per credit (though resident students pay just $586.23 per credit).
How quickly can I complete my no-GRE MHA program?
It depends on the program. Some, like the one at Bellevue University, are set up with a cohort model in which students progress as a group. This means there’s little flexibility in terms of how quickly you can graduate. Most of these programs are part-time and last about two years. But some of the best online MHA programs with no GRE allow students to choose between a full-time or part-time academic track, with the former taking about a year to complete and the latter taking about two years. Ohio University is one such program that gives students this option.
For online MHA programs that do need GRE scores, is there any way to get the requirement waived?
Yes, but not for every program. For example, Appalachian State University’s online MHA program doesn’t require GRE or GMAT test scores from applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. However this waiver isn’t automatic, and prospective students must formally request it. Other schools provide automatic waivers or waivers that apply when other conditions are met, such as a certain number of years of work experience. Read the application guidelines carefully for the online MHA program with no GRE requirement that you favor.
Should I submit my GRE scores even if an MHA program doesn’t require them?
Even when an MHA online program doesn’t require the GRE to apply, they will often accept GRE or GMAT test scores from applicants, especially if students don’t have the best GPA or work history. For example, at Weber State University, GRE or GMAT test scores are optional. But the program recommends applicants submit them if they have less than five years of healthcare or management experience, haven’t taken certain quantitative courses, or don’t have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.