Gerontology: Long-term Care Administration

Master of Science (MS)

7-week 100% online 

Interdisciplinary Gerontology – Long-term Care

The Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Gerontology (MSIG) with a specialization in Long-Term Care (LTC) provides an interdisciplinary education in aging studies that prepares individuals to be administrators of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care, hospice and other home and community-based services.

The MSIG LTC program at BGSU is a flexible, professional degree that can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis through online classes. It is the only National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Board (NAB) and Health Services Executive (HSE) accredited graduate long-term care program in Ohio. This allows a license to have more portability between states, professions and job promotion. Students graduating from an HSE program are eligible to take the licensure exams for assisted living, nursing home and home and community-based services administration. The MSIG LTC program includes the nationally required 1,000-hour internship, which is the only face-to-face requirement of the program, so students are eligible to sit for licensure for federal, state of Ohio, and many additional states who accept reciprocity from NAB accredited programs. 

Have questions?

Our online enrollment specialists are here for you from registration to graduation. Contact us with questions about applying, financial aid, program details, student support and more. online@bgsu.edu | 419-372-3226

Why study interdisciplinary gerontology at BGSU?

  • Courses are 100% online and can be completed on a full-time basis or on a part-time basis for working professionals (internship is face-to-face)
  • The only NAB-accredited graduate long-term care program in Ohio and one of a select few available across the United States
  • HSE-approved means graduates can take the licensure exams for assisted living, nursing home, and home and community-based services 
  • Graduating from a NAB, HSE program means your license will have more portability between states, professions, and job promotion 
  • The Administrator in Training (AIT) provides additional practical training and experience in the students’ local areas 
  • A low faculty-to-student ratio means small class sizes and individualized attention
  • Expert and caring faculty with experience in the field

Career opportunities

Graduates of the MSIG LTC program are prepared for careers as administrators of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Graduates are also prepared to work for social service and non-profit agencies such as county aging services and Area Agencies on Aging. Other professional opportunities include the areas of policy and outreach within healthcare organizations, as well as local, county and state health programs.

Courses/Cost/Time

Program strengths

  • BGSU is one of only a handful of universities in the United States that has earned the Quality Matters Online Learner Support Certificate, the gold standard for online support services.
  • Broaden your professional career opportunities
  • The program can be completed in a minimum of 4 semesters.
  • The curriculum pattern is flexible to meet the needs of working professionals.
  • Faculty and student engagement in the classroom is exceptional.
  • Faculty are experts in the field and all hold graduate or doctorate degrees

My experience in the MSIG LTC program was absolutely amazing. The professors went above and beyond to make sure we understood the material and could relate it to our desired career paths, which made a motivating learning environment. I thoroughly enjoyed this program and BGSU will forever hold a place in my heart.

Cheyenne Abrego

Cheyenne Abrego

ProMedica Senior Care - Perrysburg Commons

Portrait of cheerful disabled senior man sitting on wheelchair

Sample courses

  • Current Perspectives in Gerontology
  • Aging Policy and Programs 
  • Principles of Assisted Living and Home and Community-Based Services
  • Health and Aging
  • Principles of Nursing Home Administration

Quality Matters LogoBGSU is the only university in Ohio and one of just nine in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of our seven-week online programs. The certificate recognizes that our programs provide the critical services needed for student success and that we use student feedback to continuously improve those services.

BGSU College of Heath and Human Services 

You will be enrolled in and receive your degree from the College of Health and Human Services

Updated: 10/03/2023 02:03PM