Why study gerontology with a long-term care administration specialization at BGSU in Ohio?
- NAB accreditation. The BGSU Bachelor of Science in Gerontology with Long-Term Care Administration specialization program is accredited by the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Board (NAB) as a Health Services Executive (HSE) program. Few universities in the U.S. – let alone Ohio – meet these rigorous accreditation standards. The HSE designation allows nursing home administrator license holders to transfer more freely from state to state.
- Higher positions, higher salaries. A specialization in long-term care opens the door to better paid, management-level positions.
- Financial accessibility. By choosing an accredited university program (versus the Core of Knowledge route) to prepare for the Ohio and/or federal nursing home administrator exam, you can apply for tuition coverage with scholarships, student loans and financial aid.
- Experiential learning. BGSU gerontology LTC majors get a wealth of real-world experience – including 50 hours of relevant volunteer or paid work before beginning a 1,000-hour, on-site internship called a practicum.
- Gerontology Student Association. Start making a mark – and key professional connections – right away. This student organization prioritizes meaningful local service projects, from Alzheimer’s research fundraisers to senior center meal prep. Most GSA events also count toward required volunteer hours.
- Graduate degree option. The undergraduate LTC sets the stage for seamless transition into the Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Gerontology with LTC specialization (MSIG-LTC).
Career - what can you do with a degree in gerontology with a long-term care administration specialization?
Roughly 70% of Americans turning 65 today are going to need some type of long-term care services and support at some point in their life, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. Demand for medical and health service managers, including nursing home administrators, is expected to far outpace other professions over the next few years.
Nursing home administrator jobs are executive-level positions involving oversight of the clinical, financial, regulatory and life safety of older adults. Administrators are equal parts creative problem-solvers and caring connection-builders.
As the common link among patients, providers, investors, insurers, community programs and policy-makers, they’re always working to improve efficiency and enhance the quality of life for those growing older.
BGSU graduates with a nursing home admin license are in high demand at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home service provider agencies and community organizations serving older adults.
Duties can include:
- Developing goals for quality and efficiency
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Preparing and monitoring budgets
- Recruiting/training/supervising staff
- Creating work schedules
- Representing the facility at investor meetings
- Maintaining records
Career paths
- Nursing home administrator
- Healthcare executive
- Health service executive
- Assisted living facility director
- Business development manager
- Health information manager
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Curriculum
Gerontology is a broad discipline incorporating many fields of overlapping study to better understand the diverse impacts of aging and apply this understanding to programs and policies that maximize positive outcomes for older adults.
BGSU offers all undergraduate gerontology students the flexibility to choose their career trajectory. Beginning with a base of liberal arts and general gerontology courses, you can then narrow your studies to two specializations, called cognates. Examples include:
- Health
- Nutrition
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Activities and life enrichment
- Public policy
For the bachelor’s in gerontology with LTC specialization, upper-level classes are geared toward preparation for nursing home administrator jobs – specifically those requiring licensure by the Ohio Board of Executives Long-Term Care Services and Supports (BELTSS) and/or the NAB, our accrediting body.
Accreditation standards require more coursework and internship hours. LTC students dive deeper into understanding of study areas like accounting, human resource management, marketing and healthcare law.
The BSG-LTC practicum is a 1,000-hour internship (compared to 400 hours for the general gerontology bachelor’s degree program). Assignments are full time (a minimum 35 hours weekly) at an approved skilled nursing facility, supervised by a licensed nursing home administrator. Undergraduate gerontology practicum assignments must be in Ohio.
Sample courses
- Aging, Individual and Society
- Principles of Nursing Home and Assisted Living Administration
- Business Finance
- Principles of Organization and Management
- Managing Change in Organizations
The gerontology program with a long-term care administration specialization is part of the Department of Human Services in the BGSU College of Health & Human Services.
Updated: 02/25/2025 09:37AM