Course Overview

The role of the nursing home administrator is to supervise, plan, develop, monitor, and maintain appropriate standards of care throughout all departments in the nursing home. The nursing home administrator must have effective communication, leadership, and business skills in order to be successful.

This Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators-approved specialty program is designed to provide core knowledge for those interested in pursuing a career in the long-term care administration field. The courses may also satisfy State of Pennsylvania license renewal requirements.

Course Scope

Consisting of sixteen courses, each 7.5 hours in length, the 120-hour program is taught by Penn State faculty and subject matter experts (SMEs). Enrollment is ongoing: begin in the spring and finish in the fall, or begin in the fall and finish in the spring.  The fall and spring sessions each have eight classes, for a total of sixteen sessions.

This training program satisfies the 120-hour education component as part of the NHA exam candidate application.  For information on qualifying for the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) exam, please visit requirements for admission to licensing examination; examination procedures.

NHA Course Details

Days: Monday and Wednesday evenings*
Times: 6:00-9:30 p.m.*
Delivery: Live Online via Zoom
Cost: $185 per 7.5 hour class

(*occasionally schedule adjusted due to holiday, instructor conflict)

Fall 2024 Schedule

Course Start Date End Date Registration
HPA 5052 - Risk Management Monday, August 19 Wednesday, August 21 Register here
HPA 5038 - Preparing for Licensure Monday, August 26 Wednesday, August 28 Register here
HPA 5045 - Understanding Regulations Tuesday, September 3 Wednesday, September 4 Register here
HPA 5048 - Health Support Services Monday, September 9 Wednesday, September 11 Register here
HPA 5051 - Social Services, Family/Community Relationships; Resident Rights Monday, September 16 Wednesday, September 18 Register here
HPA 5046 - Nursing Department, Resident Care Monday, September 23 Class is one day: 2:00-9:30 p.m. on Zoom Register here
HPA 5039 - Administration, Organization and Management of LTC Facility Monday, September 30 Class is one day: 2:00-9:30 p.m. on Zoom Register here
HPA 5041 - Government in Healthcare Policy; Regulations and Reimbursements Monday, October 7 Wednesday, October 9 Register here
HPA 5053 - Strategic Planning Monday, October 14 Wednesday, October 16 Register here
HPA 5050 - Dietary Department and Resident Nutrition Monday, October 21 Wednesday, October 23 Register here
HPA 5042 - Fiscal Management, Budget and Accounting Monday, October 28 Wednesday, October 30 Register here
HPA 5043 - Personnel Management, Labor Relations Monday, November 4 Wednesday, November 6 Register here
HPA 5040 - Gerontology Monday, November 11 Wednesday, November 13 Register here
HPA 5049 - Facilities Management Monday, November 25 Class is one day: 2:00-9:30 p.m. on Zoom Register here
HPA 5044 - Third Party Reimbursement Monday, December 2 Wednesday, December 4 Register here
HPA 5047 - Rehabilitation Services and Special Care Monday, December 9 Wednesday, December 11 Register here