Are you looking to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector and step into a leadership role? A Long-term Care Administration Certificate Program could be your ideal pathway. This specialized program is meticulously designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required to excel in the dynamic field of long-term care administration. Specifically, for those aspiring to become licensed nursing facility administrators, particularly in Texas, this certificate program offers targeted and comprehensive training.
What to Expect from a Long-Term Care Administration Certificate Program
This graduate certificate program provides focused coursework that directly aligns with the core competencies needed for effective long-term care administration. The curriculum is structured to prepare individuals to sit for the Texas state licensing exam for nursing facility administrators. While the program provides robust academic preparation, it’s important to note that any queries related to licensure and specific state exam requirements should be directed to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). They are the definitive source for the most up-to-date and detailed information regarding these crucial aspects of professional certification.
Admission into the Program: Key Requirements
To be considered for admission into the Long-Term Care Administration Certificate Program, prospective students must meet certain academic criteria. The application process is streamlined through an online application portal, and a non-refundable application fee is required. For domestic applicants, this fee is $20, while applicants with international credentials will have a $60 fee.
Academic prerequisites include holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. For international degrees, it’s important to ensure equivalency to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree, as three-year degrees may not be recognized. Official transcripts from every institution where course credit was earned are mandatory. In terms of academic standing, a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 or a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework is necessary. For applicants who have completed graduate courses, a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate coursework is also required. Notably, the GRE is not a mandatory component of the application.
English Proficiency for International Applicants
For applicants whose native language is not English, demonstrating English proficiency is a crucial step. This requirement is waived for those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or from a country listed on the program’s exempt countries list. Acceptable English proficiency tests include TOEFL iBT (minimum 78 overall), PTE (minimum 52), IELTS (academic) (minimum 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each module), Duolingo (minimum 110 overall), and TOEFL Essentials (minimum 8.5 overall). Meeting these score thresholds is essential for admission, as the program does not offer conditional admission based on English proficiency.
Curriculum: Courses You Will Take
The Long-Term Care Administration Certificate Program is a 15-semester credit hour program, designed to provide a concentrated and impactful learning experience. The core courses are structured to cover all critical aspects of long-term care facility management:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LTCA 5322 | Environmental Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5323 | Governance Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5324 | Personnel Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5325 | Resident Care Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5335 | Financial Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Beyond the coursework, practical experience is a cornerstone of becoming a licensed nursing facility administrator in Texas. A minimum of 1,000 internship hours is required for licensure. The program may require enrollment in LTCA 5681 to facilitate this crucial field placement component.
This long-term care administration certificate program offers a direct and efficient route to gaining the qualifications necessary for a rewarding career in long-term care leadership.
