How to Apply — M.H.A.

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The Master of Health Care Administration program accepts applications in the following ways:

It is your choice to determine which application may be best suited to your situation. Applications are reviewed once they are complete and/or verified, and students may start the program at the beginning of the next available term (spring or fall). Start dates for upcoming terms are:

  • Summer 2025 — June 2, 2025
  • Fall 2025 — August 11, 2025
  • Spring 2026 — January 5, 2026

Individuals may also consider applying to enroll in select non-degree coursework.

Direct Application Process

Applicants may apply to the M.H.A. program directly through Des Moines University.

Additional application documents will need to be sent directly to DMU.

Please direct application documents to the Admissions Office at:
Des Moines University
M.H.A. Admissions
8025 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Email: DMUAdmit@dmu.edu

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 work with grades and degrees. Official transcripts sent by the institution's Registrar's office must be submitted directly to DMU. For those with degrees completed outside the U.S., please review information for international students regarding transcript evaluation requirements.

Evaluations and References

A minimum of three references. 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 and may be uploaded to your application prior to submission or sent separately to the Admissions Office via email.

  1. Why do you want to pursue your M.H.A. at Des Moines University?
  2. Discuss the most challenging issue facing the U.S. healthcare system today, and explain what contributions you hope to make with your M.H.A. degree.
  3. How will the M.H.A. degree build upon your previous academic, professional, or clinical experiences toward attaining your professional career goals?
  4. 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 application prior to the submission or sent separately to the Admissions Office via email.

Résumé or CV

Applicants must compose a professional résumé or CV. This may be uploaded to your application prior to submission or sent separately to the Admissions Office via email.

TOEFL Requirement

TOEFL is required of all international applicants. Please use the TOEFL code 6847 to have scores submitted directly to Des Moines University. A TOEFL score of 600 on TOEFL paper exam or a score of 100 on the online exam and writing score of 27 are strongly recommended to be considered for admission.

SOPHAS and HAMPCAS Application Process

Applicants may also apply through SOPHAS or HAMPCAS.

All supporting documents may be submitted through SOPHAS or HAMPCAS. As transcripts and test scores may take several weeks to process by SOPHAS or HAMPCAS, it is strongly recommended that you begin your application well in advance of your desired start term.

Additional Application Materials

In addition to the online application, you must submit:

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts showing all previous undergraduate and graduate work with grades and degrees. Transcripts must be submitted directly to SOPHAS. For those with degrees completed outside the U.S., please review the information for international students regarding transcript evaluation requirements.

Evaluations and References

Contact information for a minimum of three references. Evaluations may come from an employer, supervisor, academic advisor, professor, or mentor and 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:

  1. Why do you want to pursue your M.H.A. at Des Moines University?
  2. Discuss the most challenging issue facing the U.S. health care system today, and explain what contributions you hope to make and with your M.H.A. degree.
  3. How will the M.H.A. degree build upon your previous academic, professional or clinical experiences toward the attainment of your professional career goals?
  4. Describe any unusual obstacles or hardships you have encountered, and explain how these experiences have shaped your professional growth and leadership potential.

Résumé or CV

Applicants must compose a professional résumé or CV and upload to the SOPHAS application.

TOEFL Requirement

Applicants with degrees completed in languages other than English must submit TOEFL scores to be considered for admission. Please use the TOEFL code 5688 when completing your application. TOEFL scores will then automatically be included in the SOPHAS application.

Application Review

Each application is reviewed by our admissions committee. The committee reviews applications for evidence of the applicant’s intent and purpose in pursuing the degree, work/volunteer/leadership experience, and past academic performance.

If you have any questions, contact:

Des Moines University
M.H.A. Admissions
8025 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Email: DMUAdmit@dmu.edu
Phone: 515-271-1499

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 only be reviewed if it was completed within the past 4 years at 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 only be processed once an applicant is admitted to the degree program.

Accommodations in Education Policy

The university complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Iowa Civil Rights Act, and other laws relating to the accommodations of disabilities in its educational programming. Review our Accommodations in Education Policy for more information.

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