What Degree Do I Need for a Nursing Home Administration Career?
A 4-year bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for a career in nursing home administration, with larger institutions requiring a master's degree. Prospective nursing home administrators must pass a state licensing exam, and many choose to pursue certification in specialized areas. Continue reading to learn more about the degree requirements for this field.
<h3 id="section---BachelorSDegreeInNursingHomeAdministration">Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Home Administration</h3>
<p>If you want to begin a career in nursing home administration, you'll need to pursue at least a 4-year bachelor's degree in a field such as public health administration, long-term care administration and health care management. Coursework covers such topics as human resources, financial management and legal issues related to nursing home administration.
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<p>A list of approved undergraduate programs in this field is available from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). Additional qualifications vary by state.
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<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutEducationInHealthcareAdministration">Important Facts About Education in Healthcare Administration</h3>
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<table border="1"><tr><td>Online Availability</td><td> Certificate and master's degree programs available fully online</td></tr>
<tr><td>Prerequisites</td><td> Bachelor's degree required for entry into master's program</td></tr>
<tr><td>Continuing Education</td><td> May be required to maintain a necessary license</td></tr>
<tr><td>Specializations</td><td> Long term care, human services, public administration, health care information systems</td></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$101,340 <i>(Medical and Health Services Managers)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>28% <i>(Medical and Health Services Managers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
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<h3 id="section---CertificateInNursingHomeAdministration">Certificate in Nursing Home Administration</h3>
<p>In addition to an undergraduate degree in nursing home administration, some colleges award certificates in areas like health care administration, health care financial management and long-term care administration. Specialized coursework covers topics that may include long-term care regulatory management, public health and policy, healthcare marketing and economics, healthcare delivery systems and nursing facilities services.
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<p>Among the accrediting organizations are the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).
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<h3 id="section---MasterSDegreeInNursingHomeAdministration">Master's Degree in Nursing Home Administration</h3>
<p>Most nursing home administrators hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) or a Master of Health Administration (MHA). Coursework at this level often covers the psychology and physiology of aging, healthcare policy, epidemiology, corporate finance and managed care.
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<p>AUPHA also maintains a list of approved master's programs in health administration and health care management. Most programs require a practicum or internship, and some require a fellowship or residency.</p>