Your MHA Admissions Process
Your future in health care administration starts here.
We’re excited to help you begin. Follow these steps to get started on your application.
The Master of Health Care Administration program at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences accepts applications in the following ways, giving you flexible options when applying to the MHA program:
- Submitted directly through Des Moines University
- Submitted via SOPHAS, the Centralized Application Service for Public Health
- Submitted via HAMPCAS, the Healthcare Administration, Management and Policy Centralized Application Service
Applications are reviewed once they are complete and/or verified, and students may start the program at the beginning of the next available term. Start dates for upcoming terms are:
- Summer 2026 — June 1, 2026
- Fall 2026 — Aug. 10, 2026
- Spring 2027 — Jan. 11, 2027
Interested in exploring public health without committing to a full degree? You may also apply to enroll in select non-degree coursework.
Application Process
1. Review the Requirements for Admission
Review the MHA program’s admission requirements before proceeding.
2. Submit Your Application Using One of Our Flexible Options
Submit your online application through one of the following:
- Submit directly through Des Moines University
- Submit via SOPHAS*
- Submit via HAMPCAS*
*If applying via SOPHAS or HAMPCAS, these systems may take several weeks to process transcripts and test scores. We strongly recommend beginning your application well before your desired start term.
3. Provide Additional Application Materials
In addition to the online application, you must submit the following application materials:
Official Transcripts
Official transcripts showing all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework, including grades and degrees, are required. Official transcripts sent by the institution’s registrar’s office must be submitted directly to DMU, SOPHAS or HAMPCAS.
Applicants with degrees and/or coursework from higher education institutions outside the U.S. must plan to fulfill all standard application requirements, and additionally are required to submit a course-by-course Foreign Transcript Evaluation through World Education Services. Coursework taken at foreign institutions must be evaluated for U.S. equivalence by WES, and an official copy must be sent from the service directly to DMU or the Centralized Application Service. Your application will not be complete and cannot be verified without an official course-by-course evaluation. Certification through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates does not waive this requirement.
Evaluations and References
A minimum of three references is required. Evaluations may come from an employer, supervisor, academic advisor, professor or mentor. Evaluations must be on business letterhead and come directly from the letter writer, and should address the following:
- Academic background
- Experience in leadership
- Future career goals
- Commitment to service and the industry
- Qualities that make you a strong candidate
Statement of Purpose and Objectives
The statement of purpose and objectives should address the following:
- Why do you want to pursue your MHA at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences?
- Discuss the most challenging issue facing the U.S. health care system today, and explain what contributions you hope to make with your MHA degree.
- How will the MHA degree build upon your previous academic, professional or clinical experiences toward attaining your professional career goals?
- Describe any unusual obstacles or hardships, and explain how these experiences have shaped your professional growth and leadership potential.
This may be uploaded to your DMU, SOPHAS or HAMPCAS application.
Résumé or CV
Applicants must compose a professional résumé or CV. This may be uploaded to your DMU, SOPHAS or HAMPCAS application.
TOEFL Requirement for International Applicants
Test of English as a Foreign Language exam scores are required of all international applicants unless the applicant has earned a degree from an accredited university in any country whose sole national language is English. Results from the International English Language Testing System or the United States Medical Licensing Examination are not accepted in lieu of TOEFL. ECFMG certification does not waive this requirement.
Note the following, depending on your application method:
- Use the TOEFL code 6847 to have scores submitted directly to Des Moines University.
- Use the TOEFL code 5688 to automatically include TOEFL scores in the SOPHAS or HAMPCAS application.
A TOEFL score of 600 on the TOEFL paper exam or a score of 100 on the online exam and a writing score of 27 are strongly recommended to be considered for admission.
Application Review
Our admissions committee reviews each application. The committee looks for evidence of the applicant’s intent and purpose in pursuing the degree, as well as work/volunteer/leadership experience and past academic performance.
Transfer Credit
Students with previously earned graduate credit may apply for a transfer of up to 12 semester hours of coursework. Transfer coursework is subject to the approval of the dean and/or program director and will be reviewed only if completed within the past four years with a grade of B or better. Students must apply for transfer credit within one term of enrolling in a master’s degree at DMU. Requests for transfer credit will be processed only after an applicant is admitted to the degree program.
Accommodations in Education Policy
DMU is committed to providing equal education opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. Our Accommodations in Education Policy ensures compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Iowa Civil Rights Act and other relevant laws.
To learn more about our policy and how we support students with disabilities, view the Accommodations in Education Policy.