New MHA Students

Congratulations on your admission to the MHA Class of 2012!  The purpose of this page is to ensure that your transition to graduate school is a smooth one. If you have additional questions before Orientation, please contact Suzanne Havasy, MHA Program Coordinator, or Scott Malan, MHA Program Assistant.

Important Dates

• August 19-21, 2009: Orientation
• August 22, 2009: Welcome Party
• August 24, 2009:   Fall courses begin  

Fall Course Information

Suzanne Havasy will register you for fall courses. Classes will be held Monday – Thursday, 1 – 4 PM in the Grant House. View course descriptions here. Use the VCU Bookstore's textbook module to identify required course materials here.

Pre-Orientation Checklist

Enrollment Preparation

• Prerequisites: Prior to Orientation, all incoming MHA students must complete a 3-credit course in Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, and Statistics from an accredited college or university and earn a grade of C or better in each course. Each course must be completed no more than 5 years prior to matriculation to the program. Survey courses do not satisfy the prerequisite requirement. Submit the Prerequisite Verification Form to Suzanne Havasy prior to Orientation.
• Formal Acceptance:  After receiving the Program’s offer of admission, you should receive formal notice of admission from the VCU Graduate School. You must reply to the formal notice and submit the required deposit to the School.
• Official Transcript(s): Submit your official undergraduate transcript showing a conferred baccalaureate degree from a fully accredited college or university to Suzanne Havasy at PO Box 980203, Richmond, VA 23298. An official transcript is also required for any school where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed, even if a degree was not conferred. Use the Transcript Request Form.
• Certificate of Immunization:  Submit the Certificate of Immunization to VCU Student Health.
• VCU email:  The VCU email set-up page will ask for your V-number, which can be found on your formal admission letter from the VCU Graduate School.   Please submit your VCU email address to Scott Malan immediately.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

• FAFSA: To be eligible for financial aid, you must complete a FAFSA form.
• VCU Financial Aid: The VCU Office of Financial Aid offers payment plans, loans, work-study opportunities, etc.
• Departmental Scholarships: The Department of Health Administration has a limited number of scholarships to disperse to MHA students who have completed a FAFSA.  If you are selected to receive a departmental scholarship, you will be notified around June 1, 2009.
• External Scholarships: In the past, MHA students have sought external scholarships from organizations such as ACHE, AUPHA, and MGMA.

Staying in Touch

• Blackboard: Within a few days of submitting your VCU email address to Scott Malan, you will have access to the “MHA Class of 2012” page on Blackboard. Check this page regularly for important pre-orientation announcements, tips on the dress code, job opportunities, etc.
• Bio and Picture: Each year, we ask the incoming class to submit a short bio and a picture to distribute to faculty and students. The picture must be cropped so that only your face is in the picture. Resize so that it is approximately 2" tall x exactly 1.5" wide. Save the photo as a JPEG or insert into a Word document before submitting. The bio must be 75-100 words and can include hometown, undergraduate institution/major, healthcare experience/interests, work experience, hobbies, and family. If you are a dual degree student, mention that also. Submit the bio and photo to Scott Malan by June 1.
• Contact information Update Form: Submit the Contact Information Update Form to Suzanne Havasy by June 1.

Getting Settled

• Parking: Obtain a parking pass for the MCV Campus from VCU Parking and Transportation. Most students prefer the 8th Street Deck, followed by A-Lot or I-Lot.
• Housing: Most MHA students live in the city of Richmond, either in Shockoe Bottom, the Fan, or the Museum District. Students also live in the surrounding areas of Midlothian and Chesterfield. Check the MHA Class of 2012 Blackboard page for tips on finding housing.
• Part-time Employment: The majority of MHA students have a part-time job (10-20 hours/week) by the spring semester of their first year. Our alumni/ae and supporters in the Richmond area are always looking for MHA students to serve as interns or assist with special projects. Check the MHA Class of 2012 Blackboard page for job opportunities.
• Health Insurance: Student health insurance is not required, but if you are interested in obtaining student health insurance through VCU, visit the VCU Student Health website. 
• Business Dress: Students are expected to dress in buiness casual attire when attending classes. Business professional attire is expected for special events, presentations, and guest speakers. Tips on business dress can be found on the Class of 2012 Blackboard page.