Admission Requirements
All applicants to either the MSHCA Traditional or Accelerated Program are required to meet the following minimum requirements for admission consideration:
- 1. Satisfy the university requirements for graduate admission.
- 2. Have a GPA of 3.0 or above from your baccalaureate degree. (Accomplished candidates with slightly less than a 3.0 GPA will also be considered for admission).
- 3. Complete the following prerequisites: financial accounting, microeconomics, and statistics for a total of 9 units with a “C” or better. It is strongly recommended to have them completed before the start of the first semester of graduate study. Prerequisite courses must be completed within the last ten years. Note: passing grade in the CLEP exam will fulfill our financial accounting and microeconomics prerequisites.
(The Accelerated Program is offered through the College of Professional and International Education, for more information please see the CPaCE website.)
Application Procedure
We offer two programs: MSHCA Traditional Program and MSHCA Accelerated Program.
Make sure to mark whether you are applying to the Traditional Program or Accelerated Program. Applications are processed using the online Cal State Apply system. Cal State Apply is California State University’s online resource to help you quickly and easily apply for graduate admission. Please make sure that you meet application deadlines and have your previous academic information ready.
You will be asked to include a statement of purpose, your resume, supplemental application form, two (2) letters of recommendation, and transcript from your bachelor’s degree granting institution (sent to CSULB). Your letters of recommendation should be from your employer, past employer, or someone who knows your academic abilities. Your recommender will receive a link by email with instructions for the letter.
You do not have to complete the entire application during one session. You can save your application and revisit your application to add or change information when convenient.
Note: CSULB uses email as the official means of communication, so applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the university and check their email regularly. You may update your email address or check the status of your admission application by visiting the Applicant Self-Service webpage.
For more information, please check the MSHCA graduate application website.
Accelerated Program
The Master in Health Care Administration Accelerated Program (MSHCA-AP) is designed to prepare working professionals for administrative positions in health care organizations which requires a minimum five years of work experience and combines online and weekend courses. For students admitted in Fall 2026 or later, the MSHCA-AP program requires 42 credit hours consisting of 14 core courses. The program offers foundation courses early and more advanced healthcare specific courses later in the program.
Prerequisites
At least nine units of financial accounting, microeconomics, and statistics, all of which must be completed before the first semester of graduate study (but may be in progress during the application process) and must be taken within the last ten years. Note: a passing grade in the CLEP exam will fulfill our accounting and microeconomics prerequisites.
