Admission requirements for the Master of Science in Administration

Applicants to the MSA degree program must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Each of the specializations has requirements in addition to general university minimum standards of admissions to graduate study (please see below). International students must take an English proficiency test and submit passing scores according to university standards.

General University requirements for admission to graduate study

MEET DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION:

1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must hold, or be candidates for baccalaureate degrees from regionally accredited institutions. Approval of applications from undergraduate seniors is conditional upon the awarding of the baccalaureate degree prior to commencement of graduate studies. Students who have graduated from recognized, although nonaccredited, institutions may apply for study as graduate students.
2. Earned a minimum cumulative baccalaureate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, or a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale on the last 60 hours of coursework in the baccalaureate degree.
3. Be in good standing at the institution of higher learning last attended.
4. Submitted official graduate admission test scores.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS

If you do not meet the above criteria, but are recommended by the department housing your proposed MSA specialization, then you may be admitted on a conditional basis. If you have graduated from a non-regionally accredited institution, then you may be admitted on a conditional basis and are required to earn at least an average grade of “B” (3.0 GPA) during the first 12 semester hours of graduate study at the University. Students admitted on a conditional basis who fail to achieve the "conditions" of their admission may be suspended from the program.

Acquisition and Contract

The Acquisition and Contract Administration Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Graduate GPA, if applicable
• Submission of letter of intent describing the candidate’s work experience and reasons for pursuing the degree program, including how the degree relates to career goals.
• Overall fit with the program.

Biomedical/Pharmaceutical

The Biomedical/Pharmaceutical Specialization requires applicants to meet the following minimum departmental admission requirements for regular admission:

• Minimum score on one graduate admission test as follows:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal score of at least 450 and Quantitative score of at least 550
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) Composite score of at least 465
• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score of at least 25
• Submission of two personal writing samples (e.g., written reports completed by the applicant or other representative samples of professional writing skills).
• Students with writing deficiencies may be admitted conditionally pending successful completion of the online course ENC 3250: Professional Writing
• Submission of three letters of recommendation
• Possess basic computer competency

Database Administration

The Database Administration Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Undergraduate degree major
• The applicant’s motivation for pursuit of a Master of Science in Administration degree, extent of related work experience in the field, and future goals related to the attainment of a Master of Science in Administration degree described in a letter of intent written by the applicant.
• Indication of the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program as reflected in three letters of recommendation.

Health Care Administration admission requirements

The Health Care Administration Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Undergraduate Senior Year/Major GPA
• Submission of letter of intent describing the candidate’s work experience and reasons for pursuing the degree program, including how the degree relates to career goals.
• Submission of three Recommendation Forms.

Human Performance Technology admission requirements

The Human Performance Technology Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Submission of letter of intent describing the candidate’s work experience and reasons for pursuing the degree program, including how the degree relates to career goals.
• Academic preparation
• Department review

Nursing Administration

The Nursing Administration Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing scores
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Submission of a letter of intent addressing how an MSA will help you attain your professional and personal goals.
• Submission of current curriculum vita (CV)/résumé

Public Administration admission requirements

The Public Administration Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Graduate GPA, if applicable
• Submission of letter of intent describing the candidate’s work experience and reasons for pursuing the degree program, including how the degree relates to career goals.
• Overall fit with the program

Software Engineering Administration

The Software Engineering Administration Specialization bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submission of one of the following graduate admission tests:
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA
• Undergraduate degree major
• The applicant’s motivation for pursuit of a Master of Science in Administration degree, extent of related work experience in the field, and future goals related to the attainment of a Master of Science in Administration degree described in a letter of intent written by the applicant.
• Indication of the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program as reflected in three letters of recommendation.