Assisted Living Administrator Training Programs and Schools

<p>Because individual states have different licensing and certification requirements, you may want to review the requirements of your state licensing board before choosing an assisted living administration program. Degree programs, in majors such as healthcare administration, can provide you with the educational training you need to obtain state licensure or national certification. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b> Degree Options</b> </td><td> Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Aging or Lifespan Health Master of Science in Health Services Administration</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Certificates</b> </td><td> Gerontology Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Certificate Program in Long-Term Care</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Courses</b> </td><td> Hospital organization and administration, health economics, long-term care organization, health program planning and evaluation, health care law and ethics, healthcare reimbursement, health care quality measures</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---WhatDegreeProgramsAreAvailable">What Degree Programs Are Available?</h3> <p>Some states may require that you hold a bachelor's degree, while others may require that you only have a high school diploma. For more in-depth study and to increase your career opportunities, you may want to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree in a field related to assisted living administration, such as health services administration or healthcare administration. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatSchoolsShouldIConsider">What Schools Should I Consider?</h3> <p>In some schools, assisted living and nursing home administration are offered as concentrations or tracks in gerontology degree programs. You can also look for undergraduate programs that provide an internship or practicum in an assisted living facility where you can gain experience. The following schools offer assisted living administrator training programs: </p> <ul><li>Pennsylvania State University (Harrisburg) </li><li>Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Weatherford) </li><li>Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond) </li><li>University of South Florida (Tampa) </li><li>University of Southern California (Los Angeles) </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCouldITake">What Courses Could I Take?</h3> <p>While the curriculum depends on the degree program you choose, most programs will include studies in management and health care law. Gerontology degree programs will include courses more specific to the elderly. Other possible courses in these programs might include the following: </p> <ul><li>Epidemiology </li><li>Health information systems </li><li>Death and bereavement </li><li>Aging processes </li><li>Retirement </li><li>Gerontological services </li><li>Nutrition </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatQualificationsDoINeedToBeAnAssistedLivingAdministrator">What Qualifications Do I Need to Be An Assisted Living Administrator?</h3> <p>According to the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB), some states require assisted living administrators to obtain licensure (<i>www.nabweb.org</i>). In some states, you may be able to earn assisted living administrator certification with only a high school diploma and training through a state-approved program. </p> <p>In those states that do require licensing, the minimum requirements to take the Registered Care/Assisted Living Administrator (RC/AL) exam include having two years of professional experience in an assisted living facility and one year of management experience, if minimum education is a high school diploma, along with completion of an RC/AL course consisting of 40 hours of study. Depending on the state where you plan to work, you may also need to take a state law exam.</p>