The UW Executive Master of Health Administration (MHA) program is designed for mid-career professionals in health services who are interested in entering a health care management role or in cultivating management skills for their current position. Ideal candidates have at least seven years of clinical experience, with some exposure to management responsibilities or leadership.
Our UW Executive MHA program is a self-sustaining, fee-based program administered by the UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) in partnership with UW Continuum College.
Autumn 2025: Executive MHA Application Timeline
Application Opens: January 2, 2025
General Deadline: May 1, 2025
Applicants Notified: Within six weeks of the application deadline
Application Steps
Please complete an online application with the UW Graduate School AND a supplemental Executive MHA application. We recommend you begin your application early to complete all requirements on time. Details are outlined below.
Step One: Research the Program
Review Our Website
Learn as much as you can about our focus, format, and program expectations to consider if the program is right for you. You can also sign up for our admissions newsletter to learn more about the program and application process.
Meet Eligibility Criteria
Minimum Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent from a foreign institution
- Minimum grade point average: Students must meet one of the following options
- 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent measures of performance from an institution with no grading system) for credits earned at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree
- 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits
- Demonstrated English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English
International and/or Undocumented Applicants
International applicants are not eligible for the Executive MHA because it is a part-time program. They should consider the full-time MHA program instead. In addition to a health administration curriculum, the MHA program provides direct exposure to the U.S. health system through a summer internship.
Full-Time MHAUndocumented applicants can learn more about applying to the university and available financial options on our department’s student resources page.
Undocumented ApplicantsAttend an Information Session
We highly recommend that prospective applicants attend one of our monthly information sessions on Zoom to learn about the program’s format, curriculum, admissions, career outlook, and more.
Information SessionsBook an Advising Appointment
Meet one-on-one with our program recruitment specialist for a more in-depth discussion about the program and whether it is a good fit for you.
Advising AppointmentConnect with a Student Ambassador
Student ambassadors are current MHA students who help prospective students learn about the MHA program at the University of Washington. They have a wide variety of experiences and interests in health care.
Learn MoreStep Two: Prepare to Apply
Draft written materials, obtain unofficial transcripts, designate people to write letters of recommendation, and apply early for fee waivers.
Request Unofficial Transcripts
Obtain unofficial transcripts from each college or university where you have earned a degree or taken relevant coursework. Download unofficial transcripts or scan printed copies.
UW will request official transcripts when an offer of admission is made (international applicants) or accepted (domestic applicants).
Update Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Make sure your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) are up to date. The resume or curriculum vitae should include a complete history of your academic and professional work experience as well as any volunteer work, membership in professional organizations, licenses, honors (such as scholarships and awards) and publications.
Letters of Recommendation
Number Needed: 3
Identify three people who will write letters of recommendation, such as academic advisors, professors, supervisors, or mentors. Make sure you choose people who can evaluate your leadership and management skills and speak to your potential for a career in health services management. Consider getting recommendations from current or former employers or supervisors or former teachers, though professional recommendations are preferred
You will be asked to designate recommenders in the online application system with the UW Graduate School by providing names and email addresses. The online application system will then email specific instructions to each recommender. You will be able to return to the online application to check whether the application system has received the recommendations.
You are expected to be in contact with each recommender to make sure that the recommendations are sent to the online application system by the deadline.
Prepare Written Materials
Applicants can log into the UW Graduate School online application system and select the appropriate program to view information and details related to the written statements they need to prepare.
Application InfoGRE Scores (optional)
The GRE is no longer required! However, if applicants feel their GRE scores are a better representation of their academic preparedness for the program than their transcripts, they may include their GRE scores.
If you choose to submit GRE scores, you must self-report them in the online application with the UW Graduate School AND have scores sent directly to UW from the Educational Testing Service using the UW institutional code. Scores from the testing services must arrive by the application deadline to be considered. GMAT will not be accepted in place of the GRE.
UW Institution Code: 4854
Application Fee and Waiver
The UW Graduate School application fee is $90. Waivers are available to qualified applicants.
Please request an application fee waiver as soon as possible, at least seven days before the application deadline.
If you request an application fee waiver, DO NOT pay the fee or submit your application until you receive approval or denial. The application fee cannot be reimbursed. Contact us if you have not heard about your fee waiver and need to submit your application.
Fee Waiver InfoProof of English Language Proficiency (select students)
Applicants whose first language is not English might need to share proof of English language proficiency.
Test scores must be sent directly to the UW by the Educational Testing Service using the UW institution code. Only scores less than two years old will be accepted.
UW Institution Code: 4854
Learn MoreStep Three: Apply Online
The online application process is done through the UW Graduate School. Do not submit your application before applying or receiving your fee waiver. You can save your application and come back to it at any time to continue working on it.
Apply HereApplication Sections and Materials
- Program Name: Health Services Administration – Executive Program (EMHA)
- Letters of Recommendation: Make sure all three letters have been submitted.
- Upload Documents
- Written Statements
- Statement of interest in health care
- Personal history statement
- Diversity statement
- Leadership statement
- Case study
- GRE scores (optional)
- English Language Proficiency Scores (select students)
- Pay and Submit: Pay the nonrefundable application fee AND submit your application. DO NOT pay the fee if you applied for a fee waiver.