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Master of Health Services Administration - Overview

Domestic Students Admission Criteria

Student walking on the paved sidewalks of Xavier University on a sunny morningApplication Materials:

Domestic students application materials include, but are not limited to:

  • Preferred undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Two completed recommendation forms (from instructor or employer, family members not accepted)
    • References for the MHSA/MBA Dual Degree option should address the applicant's quantitative analytical skills
  • Current resume
  • Statement of intent: a 1,000 - 1,200 word essay
  • Official transcripts from undergraduate institution and anywhere student has taken collegiate level courses
  • Personal interviews with Admissions Committee members

All of the above items must be submitted by the deadline of June 1 of the year you wish to begin the program in order to be considered for admission. Once your initial application has been accepted for review, additional information will be requested as needed.

The following are also highly recommended, though not required:

  • Accounting course
  • Economics course
  • Statistics course
  • Computer literacy course with working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

The GMAT/GRE is not required for admission to Xavier's MHSA program.


Admission Criteria:

I. Academic Potential ("knowledgeable and highly skilled" from the Mission statement)

  • Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.0 minimum verified by transcripts
  • Writing ability as shown in the "Statement of Intent" Essay

II. Leadership Potential ("values-oriented servant leaders" from the Mission statement)

  • Truthful answers to all application questions, including disciplinary and criminal history
  • Supportive written references from at least two sources (employer and/or faculty member)
  • Examples of leadership service reflected on the resume

III. Commitment-to-the-Profession Potential ("servant leaders who will contribute to the health of society by continuously improving the management of health-related organizations" from the Mission statement)

  • Reflective and complete content in the "Statement of Intent" essay
  • Honest and authentic exchange during the personal interviews with Admissions Committee members, especially with respect to the candidate articulating why he/she wants to earn a MHSA degree

Admissions Practices

  • Full-time MHSA classes begin in August of each year; Executive MHSA classes begin in Fall and Spring each year
  • The full-time class consists of no more than 30 students
  • The full-time classes move through the program as a cohort.
  • Interested candidates start with our Recruitment Coordinator who directs them to the application process delineated on our website.
  • When the application package is deemed to be complete, the Recruitment Coordinator schedules the candidate for personal interviews with members of the Admissions Committee (MHSA Director plus Faculty members).
  • Once the interviews have been completed, the Admissions Committee members weigh the candidate against the Admissions Criteria (above).
  • Agreement to admit the candidate also requires approval by the Associate Dean of the College of Professional Sciences. An acceptance letter is then sent to the candidate with a deadline to accept.
  • Agreement to not admit the candidate or to place conditions on the candidates are handled with the applicant.
  • Once students accept admission, they are considered part of HSA and regular contact is maintained.