Innovation & Leadership in Aging Studies Admission & Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
The Innovation and Leadership in Aging Studies program, applications are accepted, processed, and acted upon for Fall, Spring, or Summer admissions process as they are received. This means there is no specific application deadline. Students should plan to allow for at least 10 business days processing time for applications prior to the start of a semester. Therefore, we encourage applicants to submit their applications as early as possible before the desired semester start. Submitting an application does not guarantee admission. Applicants are ranked on admission criteria and program seat availability. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office if you have questions.
- Online graduate application
Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.
- $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications
After you complete the Graduate Online Application:
- Log in to eServices with your StarID.
- Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.
Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:
Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.
- Baccalaureate, masters, and/or doctorate degree from an accredited institution; no specific major or emphasis is required.
The Graduate Studies Office and the MHA Department will check this item once we have received all of your transcripts. Although no specific major or emphasis is required, preference may be given to students with healthcare related degrees.
- Cumulative GPA of the highest earned degree of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits; provisional admissions are provided on a case-by-case basis for those students that do not meet the minimum GPA. A provisional admission may be granted that requires a student to earn a B grade in all courses in the program for their first semester.
The Graduate Studies Office and the MHA Department will check this item once we have received all of your transcripts.
- Cover Letter/Reflection
Prepare a cover letter introducing yourself and why you are interested in the Master of Healthcare Administration. Include a 350-word reflection on the future of Healthcare. In this reflection, please describe what you believe will drive the future of healthcare (e.g., technology, access, costs, quality, etc.).
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
- Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
- Professional Resume
Prepare a resume that includes education, work experience, volunteer activities, etc. Put your name on all pages.
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
- Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
- Two recommendations
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- If you have not submitted contact information yet, select “Continue” to go into your application and complete program app and recommender information.
- After clicking “Submit Application” you will need to contact the Graduate Studies Office for any recommender information changes.
- Your recommenders will receive an e-mail from the Graduate Studies Office asking them to fill out the recommendation form.
- To check the status of your recommendations later, select “Summary” in the Applications tab.
- This requirement will be verified by the MHA Program
PLEASE NOTE: For students with no more than 1 year of healthcare experience, students must have evidence of an undergraduate healthcare internship experience and/or specific course work related to healthcare administration/leadership. If these requirements are missing, students will need to take the following courses prior to admission to the MHA program:
- HSAD 416 – Healthcare Leadership and Management
- HSAD 419 – Healthcare Finance and Reimbursement Methods
- HSAD 420 – Health Policy and Economics
Innovation & Leadership in Aging Studies Graduate Certificate Application Deadlines
- Summer: May 9 (flexible)
- Fall: August 1 (flexible)
- Spring: December 1 (flexible)
Steps to Apply
You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
NOTE: Students interested in applying to the combined MS in Nursing & MHA program should apply using the MHA application in GradCAS.
The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.
Innovation & Leadership in Aging Studies Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. No specific degree, major, or emphasis is required.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.
- Provisional admission may be granted individually.
- Students with less than one year of healthcare experience must have evidence of undergraduate healthcare internship experience and/or specific coursework related to healthcare administration/leadership.
- Students who do not have a degree in healthcare or experience in the field are required to complete the following courses before applying:
- Healthcare Leadership and Management
- Healthcare Finance and Reimbursement Methods
- Health Policy and Economics
Innovation & Leadership in Aging Studies Graduate Certificate Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume that includes education, work, and volunteer experience.
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application. Upload your documents in the Academic History section of the application.
- If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
- Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional and academic sources directly familiar with your skills and experience.
- A letter of Intent/Reflection introducing yourself and outlining your interest in the Innovation & Leadership in Aging Studies graduate certificate. Include a 350-word reflection on the future of healthcare describing what you believe will drive the future of the industry, such as technology, access, cost, quality etc.
International Student Requirements
- An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
- The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- For students whose native language is not English, or who were not taught in English, an official score from either TOEFL (6678 MSUM code) or IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) is required.
- TOEFL scores-550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
- IELTS score of 6.5
For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.
Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.
Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
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