Aging Services Leadership Major, B.S.

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Department of Health Professions	Available Program Format(s): Online
College of Health and Human Sciences

About the Program

A degree in Aging Services Leadership will provide students with a broad understanding of the field of aging services and long-term care. Aging services is the umbrella term for the field including but not limited to long-term care (LTC), senior living, eldercare, long-term services and supports (LTSS), and gerontology. By completing the Aging Services Leadership degree, students will have foundational knowledge pertaining to the wellspan and healthspan, physiological, and social aspects of aging, coupled with the skills required to implement patient-center care, including understanding the rising needs of our aging population, demographic shifts, LTC business acumen, and the role society plays in the aging process. Students will gain hands-on experiences in the aging services sector through immersive classroom experiences, expert course content, and the senior experience - all which prepare students to be advocates working towards improving the quality of life and aging experience for this growing population.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the Aging Services Leadership Major, students will:

Identify characteristics of older adults,
Describe shifts in population aging,
Recognize stereotypes and myths surrounding ageism,
Investigate common health disparities in older adults,
Evaluate programs and services for our older population,
Explore workforce development and career exploration in the aging services field,
Recognize topical issues surrounding aging and caring for our older population,
Assess the knowledge and skills encompassed in the business side of providing aging and long-term care services,
Understand the role patient-centered care and innovation plays in the future of providing care for our older population, and
Evaluate characteristics required to cultivate an age-friendly society.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.
- Students in the Aging Services Leadership major are required to take HCM 3700 - Health Disparities in the U.S. as part of the program core.

Required Ancillary Courses: 6 credits

All students must complete the following courses. These courses can also count towards the General Studies Requirements.

SOC 1010 - People, Power, and Progress Credits: 3
PSY 1001 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3

Required Courses: 45 credits

AGE 1010 - Aging Services Leadership: Introduction to Aging and Long-Term Care Service Credits: 3
AGE 2020 - Ageism and Ableism in Society Credits: 3
AGE 3030 - Aging Services: Current Topics, Trends, and Future Considerations Credits: 3
AGE 3800 - Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum Credits: 3
COMM 3220 - Communication and the Elderly Credits: 3
HCM 2500 - Health Care Management Foundations, Professionalism, and Applications Credits: 3
HCM 3150 - Health Care Organization and Management Credits: 3
HCM 3700 - Health Disparities in the U.S. Credits: 3
ITP 3111 - Aging Warriors: Understanding the Health Issues of Aging Men Credits: 3
ITP 3200 - Ethics in Health Care Credits: 3
PUB 2000 - Community Health Worker Fundamentals Credits: 3
PUB 4000 - Health Policy - Practice and Development Credits: 3
SOC 1040 - Introduction to Social Gerontology Credits: 3
SOC 3040 - Sociology of Aging Credits: 3
PSY 2270 - Death, Dying, and Grieving Credits: 3
or
SOC 3100 - Death and Dying Credits: 3

Restricted Electives: 12 credits

A minimum of 6 credit hours must be upper division.

HCM 3030 - Health Care Jurisprudence Credits: 3
HCM 3100 - Entrepreneurship in Health Credits: 1
HCM 3200 - Managing Quality in Health Care Credits: 2
HCM 3400 - Human Resources Management in Health Care Credits: 3
HCM 3500 - Health Care Research Methods Credits: 3
HCM 3550 - Leadership in Health Care Credits: 1
HCM 3600 - Health Information Systems Credits: 3
HCM 3750 - Professional Practice Management Credits: 1
HCM 4030 - Financial Management in Health Care Credits: 3
HCM 4040 - Health Care Economics Credits: 3
HCM 4300 - Strategic Management in Health Care Credits: 3
ITP 1700 - Medical Terminology Credits: 3
ITP 2800 - Health, Society, and the Environment Credits: 3
ITP 2950 - Wellness Coaching I Credits: 3
ITP 3000 - Men’s Health Credits: 3
ITP 3100 - Health Education and Counseling Credits: 3
ITP 3700 - Physiology of Aging Credits: 3
ITP 3800 - Stress and Sleep: Impact on Health and Disease Credits: 3
ITP 3850 - Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4100 - Women’s Holistic Health Credits: 3
ITP 4400 - Wellness Coaching II Credits: 3
ITP 4700 - Community Health Education and Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3
ITP 4800 - Lifestyle Medicine Across Gender and Lifespan Credits: 3
ITP 4950 - Community Coaching for Health Credits: 3
HCPS 4000 - Health Care Operations Credits: 3
HCPS 4010 - Evidence Based Health Care Delivery Credits: 3
PUB 1000 - Principles of Public Health Credits: 3
PUB 3000 - Health Behavior Theory and Practice Credits: 3
PUB 3010 - Community Health Survey, Assessment and Health Improvement Planning Credits: 3
PUB 3020 - Introduction to Epidemiology in Public Health Credits: 3
PUB 3030 - Essentials of Environmental Health in Public Health Practices Credits: 3
PUB 4010 - Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Credits: 3
PUB 4030 - Advanced Community Health Worker Credits: 3

Senior Experience: 3 credits

HCM 4610 - Health Professions Internship Credits: 3
or
ITP 4999 - Applied Learning with Lifestyle Medicine Credits: 3

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirement	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Ancillary Courses	6 credits
Major Requirements	45 credits
Restricted Electives	12 credits
Senior Experience	3 credits
Unrestricted Electives	18-27 credits (Depends on if a minor is chosen or if a student has an associate’s degree in a related health care field.)

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.