Bachelor of ArtsAging Studies

A group of senior citizens sit at a game table where two are playing chess A group of senior citizens sit at a game table where two are playing chess








Deliver high-quality care to the world's aging population.

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In the coming years, the number of adults over age 65 – and even those over 85 – is expected to grow exponentially. This population surge will require care, services, and other programs focused on older adults and their needs.

The Bachelor of Arts in Aging Studies prepares students for many potential professions that deliver high quality care and services within community organizations, government agencies, long-term care and senior living organizations, hospitals, home health companies, and more.

“It's not how old you are. It's how you are old.”
—Jules Renard

Why earn your degree at Bellarmine?

The Aging Studies degree at Bellarmine engages students with an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on the psychological (cognitive) and physical changes that occur with aging and equips students with knowledge of the health care system.

Students in the program also complete a 90-hour internship with local and community partners in the Louisville area, providing an opportunity to aid the older adult population or persons with disabilities through projects and support, and to prepare students for a future career in various professions. 

Faculty members who teach in the program are recognized as national experts and serve on committees for state and national organizations, which presents numerous travel and networking opportunities for students in the department.

Program Highlights

  • An interdisciplinary curriculum featuring courses from Health Care Administration and Public Health, Exercise Science, Nursing, Psychology, Biology, Communication, and Philosophy
  • Experiential learning to directly apply classroom knowledge during a required internship with local and community partners in the Louisville area
  • Student association on campus that partners with the national professional association for health care leaders and holds events in the surrounding community
  • Local, state, and national conferences are offered to students to present research and to network with professionals in their career field

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from Bellarmine with a degree in Aging Studies will:

  • Analyze the historical context and current trends of the components, relationships and organizational principles that comprise the field of health and aging services and senior living;
  • Synthesize contemporary best practices for including programmatic, financial, clinical, logistical, technological and social impact aspects in the developing and implementing an organization’s strategic plan
  • Examine principles of sound executive leadership and business operations and their application to health and aging services or senior living
  • Evaluate quality assurance and performance improvement opportunities and champion innovation in the care and services for older adults;
  • Assess legal and ethical considerations inherent in the operation of an organization providing health and aging services or senior living; and
  • Integrate federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards to the provision of health and aging services or senior living.

Internships

Experienced leaders of highly regarded organizations in the fields of health care, senior living, public health and aging services serve as mentors during internships designed to familiarize students with such operations. Every students can expect to gain first-hand, relevant career experience by completing a departmental rotation in a care center, participating in internal and external meetings, or performing approved projects for the host organization.

Career Opportunities

Potential careers you can pursue with a degree in Aging Studies include:

  • Director of Independent Living Apartments
  • Home Health Care Office Manager
  • Hospital Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)
  • Director of Activities
  • Senior Living Marketing and Sales Director
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Health Care Data Analyst
  • Health Insurance Representative
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

In addition to a rewarding career, salaries in these fields range from $43,060 – $76,970 per year, depending on your chosen profession.

Career Development Center

Faculty

Jessica Hume, Ph.D., MFA, Department Chair (email)
Anne Veno, DNP, MBA, RN (email)
Harry Dadds, J.D., LL.M. (email)
Chris Ekstrom, Department Assistant

Accreditation

The Department of Health Care Administration and Public Health at Bellarmine University is one of only 15 programs in the nation accredited by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). NAB granted accreditation in 2021 for the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration degree. Students with this degree are eligible to sit for the national nursing home administrator and assisted living licensure exams, and are eligible for licensure in the majority of states following graduation.

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Contact Information

Undergraduate Admissions
Phone: 502.272.8000
Email: admissions@bellarmine.edu