Admissions

The Doctor of Health Administration program is designed to allow ambitious health care professionals to turn their clinical or administrative experiences into opportunities to teach, shape public policy, and lead complex organizations. 

Requirements

Applicants are recommended to possess the following:

• Significant, at least three years, health care experience, utilizing a master’s or post-baccalaureate degree is required. This may include clinical care, administration, management, or another health care-related field. Students from a wide variety of backgrounds may apply.
• A post-baccalaureate degree or master's degree

After initial screening, final candidates may be interviewed by the admissions committee.

Application checklist

1. Complete university application, which includes:

• Application fee
• Personal Information
• Contact Information
• Educational History Information
• 3 Reference Forms. References must be professional, personal references will not be accepted. Applicants provide the email address of 3 individuals on the application and the recommendation form is electronically sent to be completed.
• Career Goal Essay: In 1000 words or less describe your professional aspirations and include how you believe the DHA will contribute to this trajectory.
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae. Please include any relevant publications, presentations, or research experience. There are no length requirements.

2. Once you have completed and submitted a University application, you will need to submit the following supplemental materials:

• Official transcripts from all institutions where a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or other post-baccalaureate degree was earned
• Current organizational chart with applicant's position highlighted (if available)  (can be included with resume in application or emailed to oesadmis@musc.edu)
• Current position description  (can be included with resume in application or emailed to oesadmis@musc.edu)

Please note: All above information must be received before an admission decision can be made. It is the applicant's responsibility to review the progress of his/her application by viewing the Check Application Progress link above.

*Test Scores, such as the GRE or GMAT are not required.

Application Process

The DHA Program has a rolling admissions process. Once all required application materials have been received, they are shared with the DHA admissions committee for review. Admissions decisions are generally available in 2-4 weeks after an application is complete. 

New cohorts begin each fall. Please, apply early to ensure space will be available in the next incoming cohort and to allow time to properly prepare for enrollment.

For program details, applicants are encouraged to contact the program directly.

Distance Education Information

MUSC has been approved by South Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Currently, MUSC accepts applications to the Doctor of Health Administration from students who live in all states.

To learn more please see the Office of Institutional Effectiveness' State Authorization page.

International Applicants

MUSC’s DHA degree program is unable to admit international students. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States. This is not a fully remote program and travel to campus in Charleston, SC is required. once per semester for the required in-person sessions.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina, even if purchased legally in another state. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Scholarship Eligibility

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means those scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC's code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.

Application Deadlines