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Assisted Living Administration Concentration
At VCU Gerontology, students learn from faculty who are licensed and experienced in assisted living administration. We presently have a 100% pass rate on the national licensing exam and 100% job placement.
Leadership of assisted living communities requires administrators to exhibit both technical expertise and a compassionate approach to delivering high quality services and support to residents, families and employees. Evidence from the field highlights assisted living administration as a career with a growing demand, high job satisfaction and many opportunities.
Because many individuals working in these settings lack gerontological education, pairing administrative training with a Masters in Gerontology degree allows students to apply their knowledge of aging and older adults in ways that will not only enhance their success as an assisted living administrator, but will also enhance the sector as a whole through innovation, strong leadership and the promotion of elderhood.
The concentration in assisted living administration is accredited by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) which recognizes the program for its top quality education and training for assisted living administrators. Students enrolled in the NAB-accredited program will be prepared to sit for the national NAB core and residential care/assisted living exams.
NAB is the nation's leading authority on licensing, credentialing and regulating administrators of organizations along the continuum of long term care.
The M.S. in Gerontology, Assisted Living Administration concentration maintains a 100% pass rate on the NAB Core and RCAL exams. Furthermore, graduates of this concentration find employment in the assisted living or long-term care sector before or shortly following graduation.
The M.S. in Gerontology concentration in Assisted Living Administration meets licensure requirements in Assisted Living Administration in Virginia. For all other states, please see the Professional Licensure Disclosures website.
The M.S. in Gerontology concentration in Assisted Living Administration does not meet the requirements for licensure in Nursing Home Administration.
Without a concentration, the M.S. in Gerontology program does not lead to any professional licensure or certification.
To learn more about NAB Academic Accreditation, please visit the NAB website.
Student Learning Outcomes
Connect Gerontological Theory to Practice
Students will demonstrate a holistic theoretical understanding of adult development and elderhood from a biological, psychological, social and spiritual perspective. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge to real work challenges connected to aging and the provision of aging services, using a strengths-based, person-centered lifespan orientation.
Integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Gerontological Practice
Students will demonstrate knowledge of how discrimination, oppression and marginalization at the individual and institutional levels, based on age and intersectional identities, impacts health and longevity. Students will demonstrate the ability to act as an advocate by shaping authentic, person-centered attitudes (both their own attitudes and the attitudes of others) about aging and elderhood and to challenge institutional discrimination.
Develop Critical-Thinking and Problem-Solving
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving using gerontological research to evaluate best-practice approaches and the effectiveness of policies and services that support elders, their family members and the community.
Uphold professional and Ethical Standards
Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in an on-going, self-reflective process of their professional gerontological practice. Students will demonstrate the ability to uphold professional standards through individually and collaboratively applying ethical decision making processes.
Identify and Respond to Community Needs
Students will demonstrate knowledge of older adult services and will be able to make contributions to community identified needs through the successful delivery of services and effective communication with elders, their families, the community and the public. Community engagement will take the form of field work, research, grant writing, experiential learning opportunities, education and training.
Care, Services and Supports Domain of Practice
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in promoting quality of care, quality of life and providing ancillary services as they relate to senior living and health services organizations.
Operations Domain of Practice
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in financial management, risk management and human resources management as they relate to senior living and health services organizations.
Environment and Quality Domain of Practice
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the care setting and regulatory compliance for senior living and health services organizations.
Leadership and Strategy Domain of Practice
Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in leadership and organizational strategy as they relate to senior living and health services organizations.
In 2016, VCU Gerontology received its initial accreditation from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) for the Assisted Living Administration concentration within the MS in Gerontology program. In 2021, the program achieved successful reaccreditation and has continued to uphold NAB’s standards of academic excellence. VCU Gerontology’s program remains the only NAB-accredited program designed specifically for future Assisted Living Administrators.
This accreditation has opened VCU Gerontology's door to students across the country who want to become well-prepared, licensed (where applicable) assisted living administrators, by providing them a quality educational experience that has been endorsed by those who set the national standard in practice competencies. This recognition also encourages those pursuing this career to receive a foundation in Gerontology -a field that continues to change the world a little bit with each graduate.
In 2025, Genworth invested $50,000 in supporting students enrolled in the Assisted Living Administration concentration. These funds help support students through the administrator residency practicum (also known as the administrator-in-training or AIT program). This generous gift was renewed for 2026. This investment in future assisted living administrators has been instrumental in helping students achieve their goals.
Genworth’s support enabled me to fully engage in my practicum, assisting me with tuition, and caring for my family. Now I am well on my way to becoming a licensed administrator and continuing to pay it forward. THANK YOU, GENWORTH, FOR BELIEVING IN ME!
Glynis Boyd Hughes, M.S. Class of 2026
