Online Master’s Degrees in Gerontology – Nursing Home Management
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Geriatrics is a branch of medicine focused on caring for older adults. Gerontology is much broader than that. It encompasses the social sciences, behavioral sciences, humanities, and more. This is a field for people interested in a career in aging. It can include any academic discipline, but what unifies it all is a focus on aging.”
Edward Miller, PhD, Department Chairman of Gerontology, UMass Boston
In 2016, the number of seniors living in the United States reached 50,000,000 and the number of Baby Boomers turning 65 is estimated at 10,000 people per day. As of October 2024, more than 62,800,000 seniors are 65 or older. This influx of older adults in the US population will mean an increased demand for geriatric-specific healthcare services. Hospital-based care, long-term care facilities, in-home care, chronic condition management, and hospice will all require a more robust, qualified workforce ready to handle the unique needs of seniors.
While those just turning 65 may not need constant care and attention, a workforce that understands the healthcare needs of adults in their 70s, 80s, and 90s will be required. In fact, the number of US adults over 65 will increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, representing a 47 percent increase.
The United States needs more healthcare professionals qualified to manage the systems and teams capable of responding to this demand. John Whitman, executive director of the TRECS Institute, indicated in a lecture that nursing facilities were experiencing increased difficulty filling key nursing home positions. Whitman stated that he is “concerned we don’t have enough people coming into these DON (director of nursing) and administrator positions.”
Professionals already in healthcare looking to advance into management or those with management backgrounds looking to transition into healthcare may consider pursuing a master’s degree in gerontology or nursing home management. Graduate-level education in nursing home management can put degree-holders in a solid position to find employment at one of the more than 15,000 nursing homes in the U.S.
| Featured Nursing Home & Aging Services Administration Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Texas State University | Master of Long-Term Care Administration (incl. TX LTCA Certification) | View Full Profile |
| Arizona State University | Aging (MS) | View Full Profile |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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In addition, the medical management field is both lucrative and predicted to be a high-growth occupation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), growth for medical and health managers is predicted at 29 percent in the decade preceding 2033—much faster than the average job growth predicted for all occupations (4 percent).
Experienced professionals interested in earning a master’s degree in gerontology and nursing home management can expand their skills through online programs. Designed with the busy schedules of working professionals in mind, online master’s programs provide the opportunity for advancement into managerial or leadership positions in the field, often without requiring a student to physically relocate or drastically change the established schedule by which they live their lives.
Keep reading for more information on distance-based programs and distinguished professors leading courses in online master’s programs in gerontology.
Meet the Expert: Edward Miller, PhD
Dr. Edward Miller is the department chairman of gerontology at UMass Boston, where he leads research focused on the intricacies of federal and state policies impacting vulnerable groups, with a special emphasis on older adults requiring long-term services and support. He holds a PhD in political science and health service organization and policy and a master’s in public affairs from the University of Michigan, as well as a bachelor’s in biology from Cornell University.
Dr. Miller has an impressive publication record, authoring and editing influential works such as “The Covid-19 Pandemic and Older Adults: Experiences, Impacts, and Innovations” and “The Affordable Care Act: Advancing Long-Term Care in the United States.” His research contributions span over 147 peer-reviewed articles featured in leading journals like Milbank Quarterly, The Gerontologist, and the American Journal of Public Health.
As the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy, Dr. Miller plays a crucial role in shaping discourse on aging and social policy, further evidenced by his membership on several editorial boards. His professional journey includes a post-doctoral fellowship at Yale University’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, a Fulbright scholarship in New Zealand, and a tenure as a social policy analyst at the Congressional Research Service.
MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about gerontologists?
Dr. Miller: People don’t know what gerontology is. It is often confused with geriatrics. Geriatrics is a branch of medicine focused on caring for older adults. Gerontology is much broader than that. It encompasses the social sciences, behavioral sciences, humanities, and more. This is a field for people interested in a career in aging. It can include any academic discipline, but what unifies it all is a focus on aging. You can work with older adults, families, and even communities. It is truly multi-disciplinary.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring gerontology students?
Dr. Miller: People who want to pursue this career need to have some expertise and interest in older adults. Older adults impact every sector of the economy, so some training in aging is helpful for anybody, whether you pursue a gerontology degree or not.
However, it is optional to have a degree that says gerontology. You can get your undergraduate or master’s degree in anything. You can study older adults in any program. You should ensure that your advanced degree has most of the coursework related to older adults in some way, which will put you at an advantage when looking for work in this field.
Meet the Expert: Susan Enguidanos, PhD, MPH
Dr. Susan Enguidanos is an associate professor at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. She has conducted extensive research on home-based palliative care programs that found costs of care for those in their last year of life can be reduced by 33 percent while improving patient satisfaction with care.
Dr. Enguidanos has also conducted numerous studies investigating ethnic variation in access to and quality of care as well as examining patient and caregiver attitudes and beliefs toward palliative and hospice care. She teaches courses such as “End-of-Life Care” and “Social and Psychological Aspects of Death and Dying.” She also teaches a travel abroad course in Italy, examining ancient civilizations’ death and dying practices.
MHAOnline.com: What is something you wish the public understood about gerontologists?
Dr. Enguidanos: Gerontologists fill an important gap across biological, social, psychological, healthcare, and policy areas in our society as they work to address the diverse needs of the growing population of older adults. Educational programs uniquely prepare gerontologists to work in these fields to improve the quality of life for older adults.
MHAOnline.com: What advice would you give to aspiring gerontology students?
Dr. Enguidanos: Identify your passion and seek an education program that will help you attain your future goals. Be open-minded about exploring different opportunities offered by gerontology programs and faculty members. Seek opportunities to volunteer in the community, work in a faculty labs, or work on a research project in the gerontological field.
Featured Online Master’s Degrees in Gerontology
Arizona State University offers an online master of science of aging. It provides courses in 7.5- or 15-week formats. It is available in four specializations: aging services and case management, long-term care administration, innovation and entrepreneurship, or palliative and end-of-life care.
Courses include perspectives on aging and the life course, diversity in aging, interdisciplinary and community collaboration in aging, research and program evaluation issues in aging, and caregiving issues for families and professionals.
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One to two years
The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology offers an online master of arts in gerontology (MAG), as well as a master’s in aging services management, a master of science in gerontology, a master of arts in long-term care administration, a master of arts in medical gerontology, a master of arts in senior living hospitality, and a graduate certificate in gerontology.
The MAG program is specifically designed for working professionals, and the required 28 credits are available online. The MAG program is “ideal for individuals who already have obtained expertise in a field such as law, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy or other health-related professions who find themselves working with an aging population and desire additional training in this area.” Graduates from the online MAG program have gone on to work for prestigious companies such as Merrill Lynch and nursing homes across the country.
Required courses for the MAG degree include the mind-body connection through the lifespan, social policy and aging, longevity and death among ancient and modern European populations, emotion-cognition interactions and aging, applied legal and regulatory issues in aging, current issues in aging services management, and the aging family.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (12 to 18 months), part-time (18 to 36 months)
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an online MA in healthcare administration, with instruction in financial practices in healthcare administration; health and human service systems; health informatics and application; advanced research, writing, and communication; human resources in the healthcare sector; healthcare administration; advanced health policy and ethics; health sector quality and performance improvement; health informatics and application; finance for health service administrators; and strategic healthcare leadership.
The program offers an optional four-credit practicum to help prepare students for Minnesota Nursing Home Administration licensure.
- Location: Winona, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
At Concordia University Nebraska, students can earn a master of health administration with a concentration in gerontology. The program is completely online and does not require a GRE to apply. The MHA program requires 36 credits to complete, including core coursework such as health services organization, health information technology, health law and ethics, management of healthcare organizations, health outcomes and quality improvement, and strategic management in healthcare organizations.
To complete their concentration in gerontology, students must take specialized coursework that includes issues in gerontology and aging studies, social gerontology, and long-term care administration. Students must also complete a three-credit capstone practicum prior to graduation. MHA courses at Concordia are taught by healthcare leaders through a Christian ethics framework, with both industry professionals and aspiring professionals in mind.
- Location: Lincoln, NE
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The online master of science in nursing (MSN)—gerontological clinical nurse leader program offered by the University of Louisiana Monroe is designed to prepare students for career advancement as nurse leaders in acute care or other clinical environments. This accelerated online program helps students explore several healthcare delivery models, regulatory influences, managed care, and legal issues in pharmacology.
The 38-credit program includes courses such as advanced nursing theory, health policy and global health, health care law and ethical decision-making, advanced pathophysiology, role development for the clinical nurse leader, quality improvement and patient safety, advanced pharmacology for the clinical nurse leader, and biology of aging.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor of science degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing school, an unencumbered registered nurse license, a GPA of 2.8, two years of clinical nursing experience, and official transcripts.
- Location: Monroe, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 20 months
McDaniel College offers a 100 percent online master of science degree in gerontology. Students can also earn the MS on campus or in a hybrid online/campus format. Applicants to the McDaniel program are not required to submit GRE scores. In addition to the MS degree, gerontology courses at McDaniel College are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for social workers, psychologists, and counselors. Some of the core courses in the MS curriculum include biology of aging, psychology of aging, interdisciplinary approaches to gerontology, introduction to research methodology, and aging in a diverse society.
The MS program at McDaniel College requires 30 to 36 credits. It allows students to “master an interdisciplinary approach to studying gerontology and improve their ability to work with a diverse population of older adults and their families.” Enrolled students must complete and present a thesis before being awarded their degree. Students at McDaniel have full access to the school’s Center for the Study of Aging, which offers lectures and events throughout the year. Graduates of the program are prepared to obtain managerial or administrative positions at healthcare facilities, long-term care facilities, government agencies, research institutions, or a wide array of private businesses.
- Location: Westminster, MD
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
The University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMB) offers an online master of science degree in the management of aging services. The UMB program is specifically designed for students to find or grow in jobs in the aging field, including long-term care, assisted living, elder housing, senior centers, and adult day care.
The MS degree requires 30 credits, but UMB also offers a graduate certificate in gerontology that requires only 15 credits. In addition to coursework covering topics such as program development and management, advocacy, organizational finance, service delivery, resource management, marketing, and health, students in the MS program must complete a capstone project to graduate. Recent capstone projects of distinction have included topics such as bullying in senior housing, care for aging veterans, and hoarding among the elderly.
- Location: Boston, MA
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Three semesters on a full-time basis, two years for a typical part-time student
Seton Hall University offers an online master of science program in nursing, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (MSN, AGNP), preparing graduates to practice as nurse practitioners serving adult to elderly populations in primary or acute care settings. Based on their career aspirations, the student can choose a track in acute care or primary care. The program includes three immersion experiences held at Seton Hall’s Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus in Nutley, New Jersey.
This online program is for those who already have a BSN degree and are looking to advance their career in nursing. Graduates will be able to provide various healthcare services promoting wellness, preventing illness, and managing adults’ illness and health needs across their lifespan. Moreover, graduates will be prepared for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care or Primary Care certification exams through ANCC and AANPCB. Acute care track graduates may also take the certification exam through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Comprising 48 credits, the program includes courses such as forces in health care, theoretical basis of nursing, nursing research, health promotion, advanced clinical pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, advanced health assessment and clinical decision making, health concepts of aging, advanced specialty theory, and acute care theory. Both tracks have four practicums, and clinical hours for both tracks are met through practicums.
- Location: South Orange, NJ
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Three to four years
The School of Health and Human Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers an online master of science program in gerontology. This program teaches students about the aging process and related issues. Graduates of this program will be prepared to apply theory and research to address the needs of older adults and will be equipped to become leaders in aging services.
Accredited by the Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council, this fully online program does not require GRE scores for admission. Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a statement of purpose, official transcripts, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores for non-native English speakers.
This 30-credit program includes courses such as social services for the aging, research methods in gerontology, health and aging, diversity, inclusion, and aging, theoretical foundations of aging, a seminar on critical issues of aging, and an integrated capstone in gerontology.
- Location: Greensboro, NC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: One year
Texas Tech University offers an online, 36-credit master of science in human development and family studies, with an option to specialize in gerontology. The gerontology specialization requires students to complete 24 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of electives. The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance makes the Texas Tech program possible. The university also offers a gerontology certificate that requires the completion of only 15 credits.
Some of the core courses that students at Texas Tech can expect to take include perspectives in gerontology, adult development and aging, physical health and nutrition in aging, policy and aging, environment and aging, aging in the family, program evaluation and research methods, and gerontechnology.
Texas Tech is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which means that students from most U.S. states can legally complete an online course through Texas Tech.
- Location: Lubbock, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
