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Department of Health Administration and Policy

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George Mason University Admissions Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive, and meeting the minimum application criteria does not guarantee admission. Selection criteria differ by program and are established by the faculty of that program. Applicants are evaluated on the strength of their academic background, results of standardized exams (if required by the program), work experience, and any additional evidence of potential success in the program. The faculty determines the number of admission offers to extend based on the resources available to the program. Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

The general university graduate admission standards include the following:

  • An earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or international equivalent. Applicants with a degree from an international institution must submit a transcript evaluation showing that the degree is equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in the United States.
  • A 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale or better in baccalaureate study. The GPA requirement may be higher for some graduate programs. For applicants with postbaccalaureate credits, a separate GPA is calculated for each institution. The difficulty of the baccalaureate degree and professional work experience may be considered in assessing the application for admission.

Individual Program Standards

Health Services Research, PhD

Criteria considered in addition to the standard university admissions criteria include professional and volunteer experience and evidence of the ability to write and conduct research at the doctoral level.

Graduate courses in statistics, economics, health systems and public health, health policy, and health informatics are recommended as preparation for the curriculum in the PhD in health services research program.

Students applying to the PhD program must hold a master’s degree or equivalent.

Students with MDs, JDs, or prior PhDs may also apply.

All applicants are encouraged to review the faculty research profiles and their areas of expertise. 

For additional questions, please contact the HAP office at 703-993-1929 or via email hap@gmu.edu. 

Application Link: 
Apply to the Health Services Research, PhD Program  

Health Informatics, MS

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must meet the general university admission requirements listed above in addition to the following program-specific criteria:

  • No GRE required
  • Preferred minimum GPA: 3.25
  • Transcripts required (International applicants must follow transcript evaluation guidelines)
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one academic reference preferred)
  • Goals statement focused on health informatics
  • English proficiency exam required (if applicable)

Additional Considerations

  • Technology background: Not required but considered a plus. Applicants with relevant experience may discuss potential course waivers with an advisor.
  • Healthcare background: Not required but considered a plus. Applicants with relevant experience may also discuss course waivers.
  • Career changers: Strongly encouraged to contact an informatics advisor before applying. The goals statement should clearly outline their transition plan into the health informatics field.

For full admission requirements and details, visit:
Health Informatics, MS - Admissions Information

Application Link: 
Apply to the Health Informatics, MS Program 

Application Review & Deadlines

Applications are reviewed as they are submitted, and prospective students are encouraged to apply. However, to be considered for admission in a specific semester, applicants should meet the deadlines below.

Fall Deadlines

  • On-Campus: April 1, 2025
  • Online: August 1, 2025

Spring Deadlines

  • On-Campus: November 1, 2025
  • Online: December 15, 2025

Late applications may be considered on a space-available basis.

For information about faculty leading the Health Informatics program, visit:
Health Informatics Faculty

Additional Information for International Students

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for the MS in Health Informatics is 51.2706, listed as Medical Informatics. It is considered a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) field. International students who wish to apply to Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training (CPT/OPT) opportunities when graduating from the program should contact George Mason's Office of International Programs and Services.

Health Systems Management, MHA

Work experience in the healthcare industry is preferred, but not required for admission. The GRE or GMAT is not required for admission to the program.

Health Informatics and Data Analytics Graduate Certificate

In addition to the University requirements listed above:

  • No GRE required.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.25 is preferred.
  • Transcripts are required. International applicants should follow evaluation requirements.
  • Goals statement is required and focus on health informatics field. Include specific statement about your experience with technology and health informatics. Make the statement specific to Mason program.
  • English proficiency exam required when applicable.

In addition: 

  • No technology background required, but plus on admission. Students without technical background are asked to complete free Health Informatics Bridge Course before starting classes. Access to the course is granted after admission to the program.
  • No healthcare background required, but plus on admission.
  • Students planning to change their careers are encouraged to contact an informatics advisor to discuss the program and its requirements. For these students, it is also particularly important to describe in the goals statement how they envision themselves in the informatics field.
     
  • Apply to the Informatics and Data Analytics Certificate Program (online and in-person)

If you are currently a graduate student enrolled in a degree program within the College of Public Health, fill out a one-page application form to add a certificate as a secondary program of study. Please review Mason’s requirements for graduate certificates and then contact the Department Manager at hap@gmu.edu or 703-993-1929 to obtain a copy of the application form.

AI in Health Certificate

Admissions and Requirements
Applicants must meet George Mason University’s Graduate Admission Requirements and the College of Public Health’s program-specific criteria.
Most applicants should be prepared to submit:
•    Online application for graduate admission
•    Official college transcripts
•    Goals statement focused on health informatics and AI applications in health
•    Resume
•    Letters of recommendation
•    Evidence of completion of a graduate-level statistics course*

*Applicants who have not completed a graduate statistics course must request written approval from the program director.

Applications are considered for fall and spring semesters. Posted deadlines are priority deadlines. Applications submitted after these dates may still be reviewed, depending on space availability.

Already a Mason graduate student?
You may apply by submitting the Graduate Secondary Certificate Application to hap@gmu.edu.
For the most current deadlines and detailed application requirements, visit the program’s deadlines and requirements page for additional details. 

Questions? Contact hap@gmu.edu.
 

Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s (BAM) Pathways

Highly qualified undergraduate students in the Department of Health Administration and Policy may apply to a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) pathway. These structured programs allow students to begin graduate-level coursework while completing their bachelor’s degree. 

Students enrolled in a BAM pathway must meet all university requirements for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees and comply with AP.6.7 Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree policies and AP.6 Graduate Policies. 

For accelerated program inquiries, contact hapibam@gmu.edu. 

Accelerated MHA in Health Systems Management (Open to Students from Any Major)

 

Overview 

Highly qualified undergraduate students from any academic major may apply to the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) pathway and earn a bachelor’s degree and the Master of Health Administration (MHA) in Health Systems Management in an accelerated time frame. 

Students may complete both degrees with as few as 150 total credits, depending on their undergraduate program. Find the Catalog here.
 

Advantages for BS Health Administration Students 

Students enrolled in the Health Administration, BS program (Health Systems Management or Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration concentrations) benefit from additional curriculum alignment with the MHA program. 

Through the BAM pathway, approved graduate courses may: 

  • Substitute for select BS Health Administration course requirements 

  • Fulfill certain College of Public Health elective requirements 

Students in the BS Health Administration program may begin taking graduate-level courses after completing at least 15 HAP undergraduate credits and required course-specific prerequisites. 
 

Eligibility and Admission Requirements 

To apply to the BAM pathway, students must: 

  • Meet George Mason University graduate admission standards 

  • Submit two professional letters of recommendation 

  • Submit a personal statement 

  • Have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA 

  • Have a minimum 3.50 GPA in major coursework 


Transition to the MHA 

Students admitted to the BAM pathway will be formally admitted to the MHA program once they: 

  • Maintain a 3.25 overall GPA 

  • Maintain a 3.50 GPA in major coursework 

  • Successfully complete all undergraduate degree requirements 

  • Submit the application for graduation 

For accelerated program inquiries, contact hapibam@gmu.edu. 

Accelerated MS in Health Informatics (Open to Students from Any Major)

 

Overview 

Highly qualified undergraduate students from any academic major may apply to the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) pathway and earn a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and the MS in Health Informatics in an accelerated time frame. 

Students may complete both degrees with as few as 141 total credits, depending on their undergraduate program. Find the Catalog here.
 

Advantages for BS Health Informatics Students 

Students enrolled in the BS in Health Informatics program benefit from direct curriculum alignment with the MS in Health Informatics. 

Approved graduate courses may: 

  • Substitute for select BS Health Informatics course requirements 

  • Count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs 


Eligibility and Admission Requirements 

Students will be considered for admission to the BAM pathway after completing at least 60 undergraduate credits. 

To apply, students must: 

  • Meet George Mason University graduate admission standards 

  • Submit two letters of recommendation from a faculty member 

Students accepted into the BAM pathway may register for graduate-level courses after completing at least 75 undergraduate credits and required course-specific prerequisites. 


Transition to the MS 

Students admitted to the BAM pathway will be formally admitted to the MS in Health Informatics once they: 

  • Maintain a 3.25 overall GPA 

  • Maintain a 3.50 GPA in major coursework 

  • Successfully complete all undergraduate degree requirements 

  • Submit the application for graduation 

For accelerated program inquiries, contact hapibam@gmu.edu.