HSA Frequently Asked Questions

APPLICATION PROCESS:

What are the admission requirements?
Complete admission requirements and recommendations can be found on the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Health Systems Administration page.

Is any full-time work experience required before applying to the program?
There are no work experience requirements for admission to the program. We have students who have been working in the field for 15 years as well as students who have recently graduated from undergraduate programs.

Is a specific undergraduate degree required?
No, we have students with clinical backgrounds as well as students from non-clinical backgrounds.

Are there any pre-requisites for the program? Is a statistics course or other quantitative course required for admission to the program?
Accounting is the only required prerequisite; it must be taken within five years and successfully completed. However, the successful applicant will be able to demonstrate capacity for strong quantitative skills through their college transcripts and/or GRE/GMAT test scores. Students who receive a GRE/GMAT waiver but who have not taken a college level quantitative course (e.g. college algebra, calculus, statistics), should plan to submit GRE/GMAT test scores or enroll in such a course to demonstrate their capacity for quantitative skills.

The effective health care administrator is a leader and critical thinker. The attributes for managerial leadership supported by critical thinking will be developed and honed over the course of the program. However, applicants must demonstrate a capacity for strong quantitative skills and strong writing skills prior to entry into the program.

What are the application deadlines?
The application deadline for full-time, Fall entry is April 1st. Application materials and other admissions related information can be found on the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Health Systems Administration page.

THE PROGRAM:

What are the characteristics of a typical student in the program?
Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience. Some are recent college graduates. Others have worked in the health field as clinicians (physicians, nurses, and therapists) or have advanced degrees in related fields (e.g. public health). The diversity is a microcosm of the health care field, and provides an opportunity for the students to learn from each other.

The most important characteristics are: a willingness to work hard and to develop strong management skills; an intense interest in understanding the health care system; and a commitment to making it work better.

How long will it take me to complete the program?
Our full-time program can be completed in approximately 1 1⁄2 years (four semesters), plus a summer session between the 2nd and 3rd semesters. This estimate includes the residency (internship) which is taken during the last semester. Currently this program is not available for part-time study.

How long is the resideny and when do I complete it?
The residency is the experiential portion of the curriculum. Students complete the residency in the last semester of study (Spring semester of the second year) and are expected to attend the residency site at least 40 hours (5 business days) a week. During this time, students also complete a course and attend the integrative case seminar.

Why an MS?
Masters degrees in health services administration have a variety of designations, all of which have equal status in the field. Within universities the various colleges and schools are authorized to grant specific degrees. Regardless of the formal degree, most graduates identify themselves as having a "masters in health administration".

What are typical careers for which the MHSA is appropriate?
Graduates take on the full range of managerial roles in the full range of organizations that finance, regulate, supply and provide health services. These include health insurance plans, organizations involved in health service investment, governmental agencies and consulting and supply companies. The largest employer of program graduates is hospitals or health systems. Growth in opportunities is expected in medical group practices, long-term care institutions, home health services, freestanding diagnostic centers and wellness programs. Also, a significant number of graduates are working in consulting organizations and professional and trade associations at both the local and national levels.

This is a very dynamic field. New kinds of organizations and opportunities are continually emerging for which your master's degree is an excellent foundation.

Is the program accredited? Yes, the Master of Health Systems Administration program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

TUITION & FINANCIAL AID:

What is the tuition?
For information on tuition, please visit http://finaid.georgetown.edu.

Is financial aid available? If so, how do I apply?
Complete information on need-based financial aid, part-time employment, and supplemental loan programs is available from the Georgetown University Office of Student Financial Services. The Office of Student Financial Services can help you apply for need-based financial aid, download applications, search for scholarships, and obtain detailed information about the many options available for meeting graduate school costs. The Office of Student Financial Services can also be reached by phone at (202) 687-4547.

Are there graduate assistantship (GA) or research assistant (RA) positions available?
Yes, a limited number of Graduate Assistant (GA) and Research Assistantships (RA) positions are available each year. These positions support faculty in a variety of teaching, research, and continuing education initiatives. Applicants must apply by January 15th in order to be eligible for a GA position. For more information, please contact an admissions representative.

Are there other paid positions available to students in the program?
Yes, from time-to-time, the Department receives information from local employers regarding part-time opportunities. Most recently these have included positions at Washington Hospital Center, Children’s National Medical Center, and American Cardiology Association.

Where can I find information on scholarships?
The Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) maintains an extensive listing of scholarship opportunities for health administration students.