Program Overview
This program is offered to Penn State Berks students in partnership with Penn State Abington.
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.
Program Format
Consisting of sixteen courses, each 7.5 hours in length, the 120-hour program is taught by Penn State University faculty and SMEs (subject matter experts). Enrollment is on-going with eight courses offered in each fall and spring term.
This training program satisfies the 120-hour education component as part of the NHA exam candidate application. For information on qualifying for the NHA exam please visit the PA State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators webpage.
Course Details
Live online via Zoom
Monday and Wednesday evenings*
6:00 pm-9:30pm (*note time exceptions in notes column below)
$185 per 7.5 hour class
(*occasionally schedule adjusted due to holiday, instructor conflict)
NHA Spring Online 2025 Schedule (PSU Abington)
| Course | Start Date | End Date | Registration | *Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPA 5052 - Risk Management | 1/21/25 | 1/22/25 | Register | Tuesday, Wednesday Session |
| HPA 5038 - Preparing for Licensure | 1/27/25 | 1/29/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5045 - Understanding Regulations | 2/3/25 | 2/5/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5048 - Health Support Services | 2/10/25 | 2/12/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5051 - Social Services, Family/Community Relationships; Resident Rights | 2/18/25 | 2/19/25 | Register | Tuesday, Wednesday Session |
| HPA 5046 - Nursing Department, Resident Care | 2/24/25 | 2/25/25 | Register | Monday, Tuesday Session |
| HPA 5039 - Administration, Organization and Management of LTC Facility | 3/3/25 | Register | Monday afternoon; 2pm-9:30pm class | |
| HPA 5041 - Government in Healthcare Policy; Regulations and Reimbursements | 3/10/25 | 3/12/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5053 - Strategic Planning | 3/17/25 | 3/19/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5050 - Dietary Department, Residen Nutrition | 3/24/25 | 3/26/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5042 - Fiscal Management, Budgeting and Accounting | 3/31/25 | 4/2/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5043 - Personnel Management, Labor Relations | 4/7/25 | 4/6/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5040 - Gerontology | 4/14/25 | 4/16/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5049 - Facilities Management | 4/21/25 | 4/23/25 | Register | Class is one day: 2:00pm to 9:30pm using Zoom |
| HPA 5044 - Third Party Reimbursement | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5047 - Rehabilitation Services and Special Care | 5/5/25 | 5/7/25 | Register |
NHA Spring Online 2025 Schedule (PSU Beaver)
Live Online via Zoom
Tuesday and Thursday evenings*
5:30pm-9:00pm
$185 per 7.5 hour class
(*occasionally schedule adjusted due to holiday, instructor conflict; please refer to the notes column below)
| Course | Date | Date | Registration | Notes |
| HPA 5039 - Administration, Organization and Management of the Long Term Care Facility | 3/4/25 | 3/6/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5046 - Nursing Department, Resident Care | 3/11/25 | 3/13/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5040 - Gerontology and the Diseases of Aging | 3/18/25 | 3/20/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5041 - The Role of Government in Healthcare | 3/25/25 | 3/27/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5043 - Personnel Management and Labor Relations | 4/1/25 | 4/3/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5044 - Third Party Reimbursements | 4/8/25 | 4/10/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5038 - Preparing for Licensure | 4/15/25 | 4/17/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5045 - Understanding Regulations | 4/22/25 | 4/24/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5042 - Fiscal Management, Budget and Accounting | 4/29/25 | 5/1/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5049 - Facilities Management | 5/6/25 | 5/8/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5050 - Dietary Department and Resident Nutrition | 5/13/25 | 5/15/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5048 - Health Support Services | 5/20/25 | 5/22/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5052 - Risk Management | 5/27/25 | 5/29/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5047 - Rehabilitation and Special Care | 6/3/25 | 6/5/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5051 Social Services, Family/Community Relationships and Resident Rights | 6/10/25 | 6/12/25 | Register | |
| HPA 5053 - Strategic Planning | 6/17/25 | 6/18/25 | Register | Tuesday, Wednesday session |
NHA Professional Licensure
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Attention Current NHAs:
Personal Care Home Administrator Competency Exam
If you are a currently licensed NHA in Pennsylvania you are eligible to sit for the PCHA exam. Call the Continuing Education Office at 215-881-7400 to schedule the exam.