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.
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing Home Administration
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.
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.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutEducationInHealthcareAdministration">Important Facts About Education in Healthcare Administration</h3><p></p><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>
</p><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.
</p><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).
</p><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.
</p><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>
