Academics Colleges College of Nursing & Health Sciences Healthcare Leadership & Administration Program Healthcare Leadership & Administration Program Admission

Healthcare Leadership & Administration Program Admission

Apply for the Healthcare Leadership Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program

Before you can be considered for admission into the Healthcare Leadership program, you must first apply for admission to WSU. Declare a Pre-HLA (PHLA) major when applying.

Once you are admitted to the university, you will complete the HLA program application. This short application asks about your previous experience and your long-term goals so that we can better advise you.

Admission Requirements

Before admission to the HLA program, students will need to demonstrate that they:

Have earned an associate’s degree
Hold a minimum of junior standing (60+ credits)
Have completed the Communication requirement (Goal 1) of Winona State’s General Education Program (GEP)
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
Demonstrate current or previous experience in a healthcare-related field

If you do not meet these requirements, contact us to discuss your options and next steps.

Apply for the Healthcare Leadership Master’s Program

You’ll complete one application to apply to Winona State Graduate Studies and the Healthcare Leadership master’s (MHL) program at the same time.

Students can enroll in the HLA undergraduate online degree completion program with the intention to graduate with the MHL master’s degree.

Talk to your advisor about your intentions to continue to the graduate program and they will make the graduate courses available to you.

The HLA undergraduate major will take up to 9 credits at the graduate level that will apply to both degrees and accelerate their MHL program completion.

MHL Admission Requirements

Students with a 2.75 cumulative GPA in a related field of study from an accredited university along with health-, allied health- or healthcare-related professional experience are eligible for program admission.

Major GPA will also be considered.

MHL Application Materials

In addition to the information you’ll need to provide in your application, you must submit the following materials:

In your admission essay, please address the following:

Explain why data is important in health care and why healthcare leaders should use data. Use evidence from literature to support your ideas with APA in-text citations (include an APA reference list at the end of the essay that includes your sources).
Provide an example of when you have used data in your professional role and what the outcome was.
Your capstone will involve using data to execute a continuous improvement project at your organization. What are you interested in doing such a project on? Will you have access to data and resources in your organization to execute it?
What are your career goals post-graduation and how does this degree support you in fulfilling that achievement?

The admission essay must be no longer than 3 pages (excluding your reference page), double spaced, and in size 11 font.

Written recommendations from professional relationships who can attest to your qualifications for graduate study.

Letters should include the following:

Reference’s professional relationship with applicant
Reference’s professional role/title
Examples of applicant’s leadership experiences
Examples of applicant’s professional writing and communication experiences
Overall ranking for graduate study

Carefully review the Statement of Understanding Form (PDF), so you are aware of your rights and responsibilities. Applicants are encouraged to save and print their own copy.

The Healthcare Leadership & Administration Faculty Admissions committee will review your application materials and determine if you will advance to an online meeting with faculty.

After the faculty interview, we’ll determine program admission.

Transfer Credits & Prior Learning

Students can transfer up to 9 credits if the course(s) meet MHL program objectives and learning outcomes. Credit for prior learning may also be an option.