Applicants for the Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree are required to use SOPHAS, the centralized Schools of Public Health Application Service (see possible exception noted below). The complete application process includes materials completed through SOPHAS as well as materials provided directly to Ohio State. You must meet all SOPHAS and individual program requirements before your application will be processed and reviewed.
We recommend that you begin by visiting the SOPHAS web site at http://www.sophas.org/, to familiarize yourself with the process and the materials that will be needed to complete your application.
Possible exception to SOPHAS
Applicants who are already enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at Ohio State should contact the College of Public Health admissions staff (cph@osu.edu), as there are several factors that may determine the correct application process.
Application Checklist
This checklist is intended to assist you in preparing for the application. It is not a substitute for the full application instructions, nor does it include the procedures and requirements associated with the online application itself, which will be available when you go to the web site.
Items to be completed online or provided to SOPHAS:
- A completed online application at https://portal.sophas.org/
- A nonrefundable online application fee, determined by the number of schools to which you are applying
- As part of the online application, you will need to:
- Enter your contact information and personal data
- Enter ALL of your U.S. coursework at the college level and above (undergraduate, graduate and professional). You will also need to complete a section on universities attended and degrees earned.
- Submit a personal statement, which may be composed offline and pasted into the application
- Enter information on your work experience, volunteer experience, honors and awards received.
- Submit a résumé, which may be uploaded if available in an appropriate format
- In addition to material entered online, you will need to arrange to have these items sent to SOPHAS:
- One copy of official transcripts for all prior undergraduate, graduate and professional study
- Official GRE or GMAT scores
- Official TOEFL scores (for international applicants only)
- Three letters of recommendation. Contact your references in advance to make sure they agree to submit a recommendation on your behalf as well as to find out whether they would prefer to send the recommendations electronically or by paper.
Items to be provided to the Ohio State University Graduate Admissions Office:
- Supplemental application (you will receive an e-mail with instructions inviting you to complete the supplemental application).
- Nonrefundable secondary application fee: $40 for domestic applicants, $50 for international applicants
- International applicants who are admitted will be asked to provide an affidavit of financial support and supporting documents if seeking a non-immigrant student visa; please do not send these until requested.
Item to be provided to The Ohio State University College of Public Health:
- A 2- to 3-page example of your best writing. You may use a short paper, an excerpt from a longer paper, a technical writing sample, or a report from your place of employment.
Send to:
MHA Program Admissions
Ohio State University College of Public Health
M006 Starling-Loving Hall
320 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus OH 43210
