Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.S. in Health Care Administration (HCAD) program is based upon the completion of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. For HCAD program admission a score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and record of one's undergraduate academic performance are required. Students for whom English is not their native language must achieve a TOEFL score of at least 575 (paper-based) or 230 (computer-based). International applicants that score below minimum acceptable levels on the verbal portion of entrance examinations may be admitted under the condition that they pass an English proficiency exam or complete U.T. Arlington's Graduate English Skills Program prior to beginning graduate coursework. Applicants are encouraged to submit with their application a resume that highlights professional and personal accomplishments, linguistic abilities, computer expertise and leadership experience. A standardized test score (GMAT or GRE) will not be used as the sole criterion for denying an applicant's admission to the HCAD program.

Multiple criteria are used to make admission decisions. Quantitative measures include an applicant's GMAT or GRE scores and grade point average as calculated by the Graduate School. These measures are integrated into a formula, or index, that multiplies the grade point average by 200 and adds the total GMAT score. Index factors are weighed equally at the outset of applicant evaluation. A graduate grade point average is used in the index when it is 3.0 or above and is based on at least 24 semester hours. For unconditional admission, the applicant's composite total from the index must be 1050 or higher and items 1 through 5 above should strongly indicate potential for successful academic performance as a graduate health care administration student.

Along with grade point average and GMAT or GRE scores, admission criteria include the following:

• GMAT or GRE sub scores (verbal and quantitative)
• GMAT or GRE writing sample
• Grades in specified undergraduate business and non-business courses (math, accounting, economics, statistics, for example)
• Educational objectives and quality of written expression of the application essay
• Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with the applicant's academic background and/or work experience
• Undergraduate Major
• General and specific program accreditation status of degree granting institution
• Professional work experience
• Professional certification or licensure
• A personal interview, at the discretion of the program advisor

Unconditional Admission

The GMAT or GRE test may be waived for applicants with an earned graduate degree in an appropriate health care related discipline or profession.

The GMAT or GRE test may also be waived for applicants with five or more years of increasing responsibility in managerial, professional, and/or technical positions in the health care industry, and with a 3.0 grade point average on undergraduate work as calculated by the Graduate School; detailed work history required with application.

Students who are unconditionally admitted, have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 as calculated by the Graduate School (or 3.0 at the graduate level), and enroll for a minimum of six semester credit hours will be eligible for available fellowship and/or scholarship support. A standardized test score (GMAT or GRE) will not be used as the sole criterion for determining fellowship and/or scholarship eligibility.

Probationary Admission

For an applicant with an index score below 1050, probationary admission may be available when at least three items of 1 through 5 above strongly indicate potential for successful academic performance as a graduate health care administration student. Items 6 through 10 will also be used to identify positive indicators for admission. Students who are admitted on probation will have one or more conditions specified, such as no grade less than 'B' for the first 12 hours of graduate study.

Provisional, Deferred and Denied Admission

A provisional decision to admit may be granted when the applicant meets criteria for unconditional or probationary status but one or more applicant credentials are incomplete. A deferred decision may be made when an applicant's file is not sufficiently complete to make an admit or deny decision.

For an applicant with an index score less than 1000 and other evidence that indicates lack of potential for academic success as a graduate health care administration student, admission will likely be denied. However, all applicant data will be carefully reviewed before an admission denial is made.

NOTE:  Talk to program advisor for possibility of GMAT waiver.