PCOM Launches New Master's Degree Program
November 13, 2015
Graduates of the ALTCA program can take advantage of careers in organizations including
nursing home facilities; home health care programs; assisted living facilities; and
opportunities in community-based aging organizations along the continuum of care.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of medical and health
service administrators is expected to grow by 23 percent by 2022—much faster than
the average for all occupations in the U.S. What’s more, the BLS reports that there
will likely be increased demand for nursing care facility administrators as Baby Boomers
continue to age.
To that end, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has launched a new
master’s degree program in Aging and Long Term Care Administration (ALTCA), for those
interested in advancing their career in the growing field of aging services and the
administration of institutional and community-based care.
At the core of the new program is the Nursing Home Administration 120-hour program,
which satisfies the educational requirement for licensure in Pennsylvania. In addition,
students will complete a six-credit Administrator in Training course, which provides
1,000 hours of administrative experience in a long-term care facility.
The interdisciplinary program features courses in the biological, environmental and
psychosocial aspects of aging as well as courses in organizational development and
leadership (supervised by Jeffrey Branch, EdD, assistant professor, psychology, and
director of the Organizational Development and Leadership Graduate Program) to provide
students with management and leadership skills.
“The focus on administration is directed toward furthering the careers of those already
employed in the aging services, as well as those who have an interest in working in
facilities and providing services for the aging population,” said Ilene Warner-Maron,
PhD, RN-BC, NHA, clinical assistant professor, psychology, and co-director of the
ALTCA program.
Dr. Warner-Maron says graduates of the program can take advantage of careers in organizations
including nursing home facilities; home health care programs; assisted living facilities;
and opportunities in community-based aging organizations along the continuum of care.
About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands
of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists
who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms.
PCOM operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic
medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service
to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care
to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For more information, contact:
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360