Long Term Care Administration Certificate Program
Why LTC Certificate?
Licensure requirements for Long-term Care (LTC) Administration require a college degree as one criterion prior to sitting for the licensing exam. This certificate is intended to help students prepare for that examination and career. Moreover, the market demand for LTC, especially in health services involving the elderly, is growing at a rapid rate. At the same time, the elderly population currently seeking care is relatively knowledgeable of its health care, social, and psychological needs. Further, current trends in the industry are placing increasing reliance on other forms of adult care (assisted living facilities, adult daycare services, and home care).
Objectives of the LTC Certificate Program:
Prepare students who have a bachelor's degree for licensure as a Nursing Home AdministratorIntroduce students to alternative forms of adult health care services (assisted living, adult daycare services, home care)Increase student awareness of illnesses commonly associated with the elder adultIntroduce students to the needs of different facilities with regards to staffingGive students an overview of federal and state (Kentucky) regulations regarding long-term care provisionExplore socio/demographic changes affecting the industry.
Why at WKU?
The proposed certificate program is expected to address three areas of need in LTC administration and WKU mission, namely market demand and industry expectations, program restructuring, and growth in the global market.
Rationale for LTC:
The LTC certificate is one way of spearheading efforts to engage in program restructuring to accommodate the projected administration of long-term care facilities. This is a direct response to the growing challenge of aging population in America. As part of this process, the committee decided to lay down strategies to distinguish our program from others in the state and elsewhere based on a few, relevant content areas in health administration. LTC was unanimously agreed upon as one of the areas that can lead our program in achieving state and national recognition. Lastly, the LTC certificate program is expected to attract a large number of students, both current and graduates in diverse baccalaureate programs, since its content deals directly with a growing area of need and interest in health care industry.
LTC Certificate Curriculum
The certificate program consists of five courses, with two new courses proposed:
Class Title Credit Hours
| HCA 345 | Long-Term Care Administration | 3 hrs |
| GERO 100 | Introduction to the Aging Experience | 3 hrs |
| PH 443 | Health and Aging | 3 hrs |
| HCA 355 | Nursing Facility Administration | 3 hrs |
| HCA 353 | Quality and Patient Safety in Long-Term Care | 3 hrs |
Total - 15 hrs
For More Information, Contact:
Dr. William Mkanta
Assistant Professor, MHA Program Director
Office: Academic Complex 127C
Phone: (270) 745-5260
Email: william.mkanta@wku.edu
