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UW-La Crosse
UW-Parkside
UW-Platteville
UW-Stevens Point
UW-Stout

Meet the changing demands of today’s seniors with compassion.

A strong leadership team has a significant impact on the quality of care provided to seniors. Acquire the strategic skills necessary to meet the changing demands of today’s seniors and contemporary senior living care models.

In the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate, you’ll learn about senior care and services delivery, including:

  • Gerontology
  • Ethical, legal and regulatory factors
  • Generational dynamics
  • Healthcare financial management
  • Leadership and management skills
  • Healthcare human resource strategies

The Senior Living and Services Leadership Certificate offers adults working in healthcare or related fields the opportunity to obtain cutting-edge knowledge and skills tailored to our older adult population that helps meet their needs in our modern era. These courses and experience align well for professionals in long-term care facilities, clinics, and agencies, who want to strengthen their administrative skills.” —Keely Rees, PhD, MCHES, Academic Director, MS in Healthcare Administration, UW-La Crosse

According to the  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Key drivers of growth include continued high demand for healthcare and senior care services, due to a growing senior population seeking different care models than previous generations.

RELATED: Healthcare Administration Salaries

Courses are completed entirely online, an ideal format for busy professionals, especially those working variable shifts. You can watch lectures, participate in online forums with your classmates, and although assignments have deadlines, you can do homework whenever it’s convenient for you—all course content is accessible online from any device. Learn more about online learning with UW Extended Campus.

Who Should Apply?

The certificate program is an ideal way for those currently working in senior care, long-term care, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and related healthcare settings, or other administrative occupations, to expand their skills and knowledge of senior living and services in a flexible, online format.

A bachelor’s degree and prerequisite courses in elementary statistics, medical terminology, and oral communication/public speaking are required for admission. Learn more about admission requirements and applying to the program.

Degree-seeking students in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration may choose to earn the certificate as an additional credential.

Universities of Wisconsin Collaboration

The Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate is offered through the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program. This certificate program is a partnership of UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Stout.

Accreditation

Whether online or on campus, University of Wisconsin programs have a reputation for delivering world-class education and student support. Accreditation is your assurance that you will graduate with skills that are relevant to your field and valued by employers. The Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate is approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

To be eligible for the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA), and
  • Prerequisite coursework:
    • elementary statistics,
    • medical terminology, and
    • oral communication/public speaking.

Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of coursework.

You may also need to submit the following application materials:

  • Official college transcripts,
  • Your resume,
  • Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic),
  • A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this certificate.

If you are a degree-seeking student in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, and are interested in earning the certificate as an additional credential, you must declare your interest with your academic advisor at your home campus. You do not need to submit an application.

International Guidelines

This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S., but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact your preferred home campus admissions office.

If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.

Application Deadline

All application materials need to be completed two weeks prior to the semester start to be considered for admission.

Are there specific enrollment/start times?

You may start the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate at the beginning of any semester. Fall semester begins in early September, spring semester in late January, and summer semester in early June.

How to Apply

While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.

Step 1. Select a home campus from our list of program partners: UW-La Crosse, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Stout. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.

Step 2. Apply to your preferred home campus using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Please review the application instructions for your preferred home campus below. If you are applying to UW-Stout, you will not use the UW System Online Admission Application, you will use the UW-Stout Online Application.

Apply as a “Graduate Applicant.”

  • When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “Yes”, and that you would like to earn a “Graduate Degree”.
  • Select “UW-La Crosse” as the campus.
  • Choose “Healthcare Administration-Collaborative” and then click on “Senior Living and Services Leadership Certificate-Collaborative” for program.

$56 application fee.*

  • *For a limited time, UW Extended Campus is offering an application fee waiver to those who haven’t yet applied for the Summer or Fall 2024 semesters. To redeem, use coupon code APPLY24 on the UW Online Application payment page.

Financial aid is available if you qualify.

Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant.”

  • When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
  • Select “UW-Parkside” as the campus.
  • Choose “Senior Living & Services Leadership Certificate” for program.

No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).

Not eligible for financial aid.

Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant.”

  • When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
  • Select “UW-Platteville” as the campus.
  • Choose “Online Graduate Special” for program.
  • State that you are interested in the Graduate Certificate in Senior Living & Services Leadership in the essay portion of the application.

No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).

Not eligible for financial aid.

Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant.”

  • When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
  • Select “UW-Stevens Point” as the campus.
  • Choose “Grad Non-Degree Seeking” for program.
  • State that you are interested in the Graduate Certificate in Senior Living & Services Leadership in the essay portion of the application.

No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).

Not eligible for financial aid.

  • If you are applying to UW-Stout, you will not use the UW System Online Admission Application, you will use the UW-Stout Online Application.
  • No application fee.
  • Not eligible for financial aid.

Step 3. Send your resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation (if required); and arrange to have your official college transcripts (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate student admissions office of the home campus to which you applied. Please request electronic transcripts, if this service is offered by your previous school(s), to be sent directly to the admissions email of your chosen home campus. Electronic transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.

4 Courses. 12 Credits. 100% Online.

Courses in the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate focus on developing the strategic skills necessary to meet the changing demands of today’s seniors and contemporary senior living care models.

It is possible to complete the certificate in one year; however, based on work and personal obligations, you may decide to take longer.

CourseCredits

Acquire the knowledge and tools for the development and implementation of programs and practices that advance a high quality and safe living or service environment for frail seniors and other populations in need of care or service. You will learn the foundation of academic and professional disciplines in senior services and examine regulations in senior care and service organizations.

HCA 701 course syllabus

3 Credits

This course provides an up-to-date review and exploration of topics critical to the success of an administrative leader in senior care and services. Selected topics focus the knowledge and application of leadership and management skills necessary in today’s healthcare and aging services environment.

HCA 702 course syllabus

3 Credits

This course is a study of the principles of healthcare finance. You will explore topics such as financial and management accounting, the financial reporting structure of healthcare organizations, financial statement analysis, cost and budgetary methods, sources of revenue and expenses, processes for billing, and capital investment decisions.

HCA 720 course syllabus

3 Credits

Examine the complexities in healthcare human resource management strategies. Gain the knowledge and tools to develop high-potential workforces using a people-centered approach to human capital management, organizational culture, communication, and talent development, ensuring a competitive advantage in creating sustainable, high-performance healthcare organizations in rural and urban settings.

Prerequisites: HCA 700, HCA 720 *for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students

HCA 730 course syllabus

Note: students will be required to complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training in this course and will follow the IRB process for assignments. The IRB is a federally-mandated review board which exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

3 Credits

*HCA 720 and HCA 730 are courses in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program. HCA 701 and HCA 702 are courses in the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate only, and are not available as electives in the master’s program. If you are a degree-seeking student in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration earning the certificate as an additional credential, you will be required to complete HCA 701 and HCA 702 in addition to the master’s program curriculum to earn the certificate.

Course availability for the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate varies each semester, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.

Spring 2024

Course Preview Week: January 16 - January 22, 2024
Semester Dates: January 23 - May 03, 2024

CourseCredits

This course provides an up-to-date review and exploration of topics critical to the success of an administrative leader in senior care and services. Selected topics focus the knowledge and application of leadership and management skills necessary in today’s healthcare and aging services environment.

HCA 702 course syllabus

3 Credits

This course is a study of the principles of healthcare finance. You will explore topics such as financial and management accounting, the financial reporting structure of healthcare organizations, financial statement analysis, cost and budgetary methods, sources of revenue and expenses, processes for billing, and capital investment decisions.

HCA 720 course syllabus

3 Credits

Examine the complexities in healthcare human resource management strategies. Gain the knowledge and tools to develop high-potential workforces using a people-centered approach to human capital management, organizational culture, communication, and talent development, ensuring a competitive advantage in creating sustainable, high-performance healthcare organizations in rural and urban settings.

Prerequisites: HCA 700, HCA 720 *for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students

HCA 730 course syllabus

Note: students will be required to complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training in this course and will follow the IRB process for assignments. The IRB is a federally-mandated review board which exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

3 Credits

Summer 2024

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Course Preview Week: May 21 - May 27, 2024
Semester Dates: May 28 - August 09, 2024

CourseCredits

Acquire the knowledge and tools for the development and implementation of programs and practices that advance a high quality and safe living or service environment for frail seniors and other populations in need of care or service. You will learn the foundation of academic and professional disciplines in senior services and examine regulations in senior care and service organizations.

HCA 701 course syllabus

3 Credits

This course is a study of the principles of healthcare finance. You will explore topics such as financial and management accounting, the financial reporting structure of healthcare organizations, financial statement analysis, cost and budgetary methods, sources of revenue and expenses, processes for billing, and capital investment decisions.

HCA 720 course syllabus

3 Credits

Examine the complexities in healthcare human resource management strategies. Gain the knowledge and tools to develop high-potential workforces using a people-centered approach to human capital management, organizational culture, communication, and talent development, ensuring a competitive advantage in creating sustainable, high-performance healthcare organizations in rural and urban settings.

Prerequisites: HCA 700, HCA 720 *for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students

HCA 730 course syllabus

Note: students will be required to complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training in this course and will follow the IRB process for assignments. The IRB is a federally-mandated review board which exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

3 Credits

Fall 2024

Registration Opens: April 08, 2024
Course Preview Week: August 27 - September 02, 2024
Semester Dates: September 03 - December 13, 2024

CourseCredits

This course is a study of the principles of healthcare finance. You will explore topics such as financial and management accounting, the financial reporting structure of healthcare organizations, financial statement analysis, cost and budgetary methods, sources of revenue and expenses, processes for billing, and capital investment decisions.

HCA 720 course syllabus

3 Credits

Examine the complexities in healthcare human resource management strategies. Gain the knowledge and tools to develop high-potential workforces using a people-centered approach to human capital management, organizational culture, communication, and talent development, ensuring a competitive advantage in creating sustainable, high-performance healthcare organizations in rural and urban settings.

Prerequisites: HCA 700, HCA 720 *for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students

HCA 730 course syllabus

Note: students will be required to complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training in this course and will follow the IRB process for assignments. The IRB is a federally-mandated review board which exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

3 Credits

Spring 2025

Registration Opens: November 11, 2024
Course Preview Week: January 21 - January 27, 2025
Semester Dates: January 28 - May 09, 2025

CourseCredits

This course provides an up-to-date review and exploration of topics critical to the success of an administrative leader in senior care and services. Selected topics focus the knowledge and application of leadership and management skills necessary in today’s healthcare and aging services environment.

HCA 702 course syllabus

3 Credits

This course is a study of the principles of healthcare finance. You will explore topics such as financial and management accounting, the financial reporting structure of healthcare organizations, financial statement analysis, cost and budgetary methods, sources of revenue and expenses, processes for billing, and capital investment decisions.

HCA 720 course syllabus

3 Credits

Examine the complexities in healthcare human resource management strategies. Gain the knowledge and tools to develop high-potential workforces using a people-centered approach to human capital management, organizational culture, communication, and talent development, ensuring a competitive advantage in creating sustainable, high-performance healthcare organizations in rural and urban settings.

Prerequisites: HCA 700, HCA 720 *for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students

HCA 730 course syllabus

Note: students will be required to complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training in this course and will follow the IRB process for assignments. The IRB is a federally-mandated review board which exists to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects.

3 Credits

*HCA 720 and HCA 730 are courses in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration program. HCA 701 and HCA 702 are courses in the graduate-level Senior Living and Services Leadership Certificate only, and are not available as electives in the master’s program. If you are a degree-seeking student in the Master of Science in Healthcare Administration earning the certificate as an additional credential, you will be required to complete HCA 701 and HCA 702 in addition to the master’s program curriculum to earn the certificate.

Upon completion of the Senior Living and Services Leadership Graduate Certificate, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills appropriate for healthcare settings.
  • Demonstrate strategic leadership and decision making skills necessary in healthcare.
  • Evaluate operational performance across diverse healthcare organizations.
  • Develop strategies to recruit, train and sustain an effective healthcare workforce.

Tuition is a flat fee of $725 per credit. There are no additional course or program fees, with the exception of textbooks which are purchased separately.

  • You’ll pay the same tuition whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state.
  • You will not pay technology fees. If software or special technology is required in a course, it will be provided to you and is included in tuition.
  • You will not pay segregated fees (fees for student services, activities, programs, and facilities).
  • Textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition.

Students enrolling in certificate programs may be eligible for financial aid. Refer to your home campus for more information.

Experience UW Senior Living and Services Leadership

Learn about senior living and services leadership, meet the faculty, read student stories, and more. Read the blog.