Bachelor of ScienceSenior Living Leadership

a group of senior citizens sit in a recreation room and exercise with low-impact equipment a group of senior citizens sit in a recreation room and exercise with low-impact equipment








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

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The Bachelor of Science in Senior Living Leadership prepares students for leadership roles in assisted living centers, home health organizations, senior living centers, organizations that serve persons with disabilities, and many more settings.  

In the coming years, the number of adults over age 65 who need long-term care and senior living services is expected to grow exponentially. This requires well-prepared leaders who can effectively plan, organize, and direct aging care and senior living organizations to achieve strategic goals, advance their mission, and ensure that high-quality care is given to residents and patients.

Why earn your degree at Bellarmine?

The Senior Living Leadership degree at Bellarmine follows the curriculum and accreditation standards from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB), a mark of excellence for health and aging leadership programs. 

Students in the program also complete a 500-hour internship at a local care center to prepare for success for any certification or licensure exams and for success in a future career. 

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.

“Caring for our seniors is perhaps the greatest responsibility we have. Those who walked before us have given so much and made possible the life we all enjoy.” —Senator John Hoeven

Program Highlights

  • An interdisciplinary curriculum featuring courses from Health Care Administration and Public Health, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Psychology, Biology, and Communication
  • Experiential learning to directly apply classroom knowledge during a required internship
  • Curriculum structured according to industry-specific accreditation standards to prepare students for success upon graduation
  • Student association on campus that partners with the national professional association for health care and long-term care administrators 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 Senior Living Leadership 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 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 Senior Living Leadership include:

  • Assisted Living Executive Director
  • Director of Independent Living Apartments
  • Business Office Manager for Home Health Care
  • Director of Adult Day Services Center
  • Director of Activities
  • Senior Living Marketing and Sales Director
  • Public Policy Analyst 
  • Health Care Data Analyst
  • Health Insurance Representative

In addition to a rewarding career, salaries in these fields range from $47,910 – $104,280 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