The Graduate Record Examination, more commonly known as the GRE, is a standardized test for those looking to attend graduate school and earn a degree, like a MHA online. Whether you’re managing a medical practice, working as a hospital administrator, or employed in the health insurance field, your time is precious. Why spend it studying for GRE when lots of online MHA programs no longer require if for admission?
Programs with no GRE requirement focus on other admissions requirements, such as professional letters of recommendation, experience working in the healthcare industry, and completion of certain math and science prerequisite classes. Read on to see our 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 about earning your MHA degree online from prospective students just like you.
2024’s Best Online MHA Programs: No-GRE
A quick Google search turns up numerous online MHA programs with no GRE requirement, but choosing the best one is not quite so easy. To help you, we’ve researched 2024’s best online MHA programs based on several important elements, including affordability, access to student support services, student-to-teacher ratios, and program and school size.
Much of the data used comes from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). To learn more about our methodology, click on the “About the ranking” button. Keep reading to learn about 2024’s best schools that do not require GRE scores.
The MHA at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is designed to teach students to be effective managers able to take on leadership roles in a wide range of health services positions. They’ll develop leadership skills they need for positions in healthcare management, financial management, and more. The curriculum takes a competency-based approach, emphasizing business and leadership knowledge, and emphasizes organizational and financial management, human resources, and leadership. The program culminates in a capstone project. This degree program is offered fully online with full- or part-time options, so students can maintain their commitments to their family, career, and education.
Program Highlights:
Master of Health Administration
- Credits: 42
- Length: One year and nine months (full time); three years and six months (part time)
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: NAB and CAHME
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration Online program at Liberty University provides students with the opportunity to become leading forces in medical organizations, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need in informatics, public health, and nursing disciplines. Coursework covers management techniques, financial models, and principles to succeed in business. Students choose from 13 specializations: general, accounting, finance, healthcare law and compliance, human resources, leadership, marketing, nonprofit management, project management, public administration, public relations, strategic mmanagement, and supply chain management and logistics. Graduates will be prepared to be healthcare administrators in public and private organizations. The program is offered fully online and offers flexibility in scheduling.
Program Highlights:
Master of Science in Healthcare Administration Online
- Credits: 48
- Length: Two years
- Mode: Online
- Accreditation: CEPH and SACSCOC
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
Saint Joseph’s University Master of Health Administration prepares students to seek careers where they can guide the growing healthcare industry into the future. They’ll learn the skills and knowledge they need to be successful health managers. The program is designed for healthcare professionals with considerable experience in the health delivery system who wish to seek roles in management and the administrative aspects of health organizations and the health system. Curriculum focuses on topics such as population and status assessment, health policy, organization development, operations and information systems, legal principles, and leadership. Students choose from a general track or a concentration in organization, development and leadership and have an option to dual enroll in the health informatics master’s program. Flexibility is built into the program so students can choose the course of completion that is best for them and maintain their personal and professional commitments.
Program Highlights:
Master of Health Administration
- Credits: 36
- Length: Two years
- Mode: Online, hybrid, or in person
- Accreditation: MSCHE
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NEASC |
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 | NECHE |
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 | 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 | 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 | ACCSC |
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 | WSCUC |
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 | 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 | 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 | HLC |
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 | 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 | HLC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
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 | SACSCOC |
School Services & Accreditation
| Career Services | Yes |
| Academic Counseling | Yes |
| Accreditation | NWCCU |
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 | MSCHE |
Admission Requirements for No-GRE MHA Programs
Many of the MHA programs online that require no GRE are designed especially for working professionals. Schools understand that many prospective students are working professionals without 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 the following:
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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 performed academically as undergrads. This is why so many MHA online programs require a stated minimum GPA on undergraduate coursework. Many no-GRE MHA programs, like the one at Ohio University, expect their applicants to have an undergrad GPA of 3.0 or higher. GRE scores are often required of applicants not meeting minimum GPA figures. Another common alternative to GRE requirements is substantial work experience in the healthcare field. One program offering this alternative is the MHA program at Seton Hall University.
The master of healthcare administration is a unique degree, and schools seek students who are fully committed to their healthcare administration studies and careers. No-GRE programs like the one at the University of Cincinnati ask applicants to complete an essay that explains how enrolling in the program will help them reach their professional 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 is a professional degree that’s a good fit for students who are already working in the healthcare 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 relevant work experience, others, such as the program at George Washington University, make that experience a nonnegotiable requirement.
Recommendation letters are a common application requirement for most degree programs. But online MHA programs with no GRE adjust this requirement in two important ways. First, they require two or three letters of recommendation instead of just one or two. Second, they ask for at least one non-academic letter from a professional colleague of the applicant. This reinforces the admission office’s desire for students with strong professional backgrounds. One program with this requirement is the MHA program 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 academic and professional goals. Admissions interview are often the determining factor in admissions selections, so be sure you take your interview seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions About No GRE Online MHA Programs
Are there CAHME-accredited online MHA programs that don’t require the GRE?
Yes. In fact, there are lots of them. The best way to find these no-GRE programs is to go to the CAHME website and use the site’s program search engine. 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 respected accreditor. For example, the online MHA program at Florida Atlantic University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. And the online MHA at East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
How much do no-GRE online MHA programs cost?
Tuition rates for online MHA programs with no GRE requirement can vary substantially from program to program. Factors impacting cost include student residency status, the number of required credits, whether the school is public or private, and even the school’s or programs reputation. Nevertheless, quality, fully-accredited online MHA programs are available at all tuition levels. For example, Louisiana State University Online’s MHA program features an affordable tuition rate of just $416 per credit. By comparison, the current per-credit tuition rate at the University of New Haven tuition is $773, while nonresident students in the executive MHA program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can expect to pay $1,608.50 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 online MHA programs are part-time and require around two years to complete. But some of the best online MHA programs with no GRE allow students to choose between full-time or part-time options 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 these options.
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. Some schools provide automatic waivers while others provide them when certain conditions are met, like having a stated number of years of work experience. Be sure to contact each program you’re considering for details on GRE waivers.
Should I submit my GRE scores even if an MHA program doesn’t require them?
Once again, that depends on the specific program. Programs not requiring GRE scores will often consider them if you choose to submit them. And example is the MHA program at Weber State University. One very important piece of advice, here. If a program accepts GRE scores as an option, only submit your score if it’s a good one. You have nothing to gain and possibly everything to lose by submitting a score that’s below par.