Master of Long Term Care Administration (M.L.T.C.A.) Major in Long Term Care Administration
Program Overview
The master's degree is becoming the degree of choice among employers who are seeking highly qualified long-term care administrators to lead their facilities and to care for their residents. Long-term care administration is a highly technical field and provides for a very complex workplace due to ever changing state and federal regulations surrounding operations. The goal of the School of Health Administration is to offer a program which will teach a holistic approach to long-term care administration in an interdisciplinary field.
This 33-hour, online master’s degree will offer students the opportunity to take all necessary coursework to pursue a license as a long-term care administrator. The program will cover the five required National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) Domains of Practice: Resident centered care and quality of life; Human resources; Finance; Environment; and Leadership and management (National Association of Boards, n.d.). Knowledge of these five areas encompasses the minimum requirements to seek a license. The proposed program will also encompass further coursework in identification and mitigation of elder abuse and the design of proper environments for residents who suffer from dementia and related disorders. The degree will be housed in the School of Health Administration.
This degree will equip graduates with the knowledge and practical skills to operate long-term care facilities as the administrator of record. Our graduates will gain an excellent understanding of how long-term care facilities operate and be able to seek employment and be prepared as licensed long-term care facility administrators. If approved, Texas State will be the first university in the state to offer a master’s degree in long-term care. We will be one of only two master’s level programs in the United States with a specific focus on long-term care administration.
Application Requirements
Application requirements consist of institutional and program requirements for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Additional information and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website.
Unless otherwise noted on The Graduate College program page, AI tools can only be used to correct spelling and grammar errors in application materials.
Institutional Requirements
Institutional requirements are the minimum standards for admission to any graduate program at Texas State. These include:
- Completed online application
- Nonrefundable application fee
- Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s)
- $55 fee, or
- $90 for applications with international credentials
- Post-Baccalaureate Programs (Certificate, Certification, Non-Degree, and Visiting)
- $20 fee, or
- $60 for applications with international credentials
- Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s)
- Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. Final transcripts showing degree completion are required before the student may register for their second term of enrollment.
- GPA requirements (a higher GPA may be listed in the Program Requirements)
- Doctoral programs require a 3.00 overall GPA or a 3.00 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Master’s and Specialist programs require a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Post-Baccalaureate programs require a 2.50 overall GPA or a 2.50 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list. Some programs may restrict acceptable tests or require higher scores than the institutional scores; this will be noted in the Program Requirements.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall if taken on or before January 21, 2026
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 4 overall if taken after January 21, 2026
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
- official Texas State Intensive English Program score of 90% or higher in the highest-level course (level 5)
The institution does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
- completed online application
- $55 nonrefundable application fee or a $90 nonrefundable fee for applications with international credentials
- baccalaureate degree (in any area, per state guidelines) from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- official transcripts required from each institution where course credit was granted
- competitive overall GPA or a competitive GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- official GMAT or GRE scores are NOT required for admission
- responses to specific essay questions on the statement of purpose
- resume/CV detailing work experience, extracurricular and community activities, and honors and achievements
Applicants should refer to The Graduate College website for additional information regarding the admission process.
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with an 80 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official PTE scores required with a 53 overall
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Long Term Care Administration (M.L.T.C.A.) degree with a major in Long Term Care Administration requires 33 semester credit hours.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LTCA 5302 | Elder Abuse and Mistreatment | 3 |
| LTCA 5305 | Environmental Design for Dementia | 3 |
| LTCA 5322 | Environmental Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5323 | Governance Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5324 | Personnel Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5325 | Resident Care Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5335 | Financial Management in Long Term Care | 3 |
| LTCA 5681 | Internship in Long Term Care (take twice; for those who require a 1,000 hour internship towards licensure, state dependent) | 12 |
| OR Complete the following: | ||
| Healthcare Organization and Delivery | ||
| Choose 9 hours from the follwoing: | ||
| Analytics and Information Systems Management in Healthcare | ||
| Healthcare Law and Policy | ||
| Health Care Quality and Operations Improvement | ||
| Data-Guided Healthcare Decision-Making | ||
| Strategic Management and Marketing for Healthcare Organizations | ||
| Policy Development in Healthcare Arena | ||
| Marketing of Health Services | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Comprehensive Examination Requirement
All students are required to take a written comprehensive examination in their last semester of the program. Students have to pass the comprehensive exam during the last semester in at most two attempts. If a student fails to pass the comprehensive exam in two attempts during the final semester, the student will retake the comprehensive exam during the next regular semester.
Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.
Courses Offered
Long Term Care Administration (LTCA)
LTCA 5302. Elder Abuse and Mistreatment.
This course introduces students to key concepts, issues, practices, and challenges related to elder abuse and mistreatment, including its forensic, legal, and medical aspects. Students learn how elder abuse and mistreatment is defined, the frequency of occurrence, and the factors that increase or reduce risk. Emphasis is placed on practical skills such as assessment, prevention, intervention, and effective screening and reporting. Students examine the impact of elder abuse and mistreatment on older adults, caregivers, families, and society, with emphasis on ethical, legal, cultural, and multidisciplinary considerations in professional practice across diverse care settings globally.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5305. Environmental Design for Dementia.
This course examines environmental design considerations relevant to dementia care and aging populations. Students analyze how physical, cognitive, and psychological aspects of dementia interact with residential and care settings, with attention to home environments and institutional facilities. Students explore design principles, housing models, and care environments through empirical research and professional standards. Students evaluate social and physical factors that influence resident functioning and well being and assess environmental features that support or constrain care delivery. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of design approaches used in dementia related settings.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5322. Environmental Management in the Post-Acute Care Continuum.
This course compares performance analyses of long-term care facilities with a focus on organizational culture, and internal and external customer satisfaction. Plans of managerial action to maximize customer satisfaction will be examined, alongside key environmental management issues and regulatory requirements specific to long-term care settings. Students construct and analyze environmental policies and procedures, develop an understanding of environmental standards of care, and demonstrate strategies for promoting safety. This course prepares future administrators to provide safe, secure, and engaging physically and emotionally supportive environments that uphold patient and client dignity across a variety of long-term care settings.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5323. Governance Management in the Post-Acute Care Continuum.
This course analyzes the regulatory systems, governance structures, and administrative requirements that inform the operation of long-term care facilities. Students investigate federal and state statutes, including Texas licensure rules and Medicaid certification standards, to understand how legal mandates shape facility policies and management practices. Students evaluate accountability measures, enforcement processes, and survey protocols used to assess compliance. Through a combination of document analysis, case-based inquiry, and critical evaluation of regulatory scenarios, students develop an evidence-informed understanding of how administrators navigate complex oversight environments. Emphasis is placed on examining regulatory expectations and assessing their operational implications for skilled nursing facilities.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5324. Human Resource Management in the Post-Acute Care Continuum.
This course examines human resource management functions within long-term and post-acute care organizations. Topics include workforce planning, job analysis, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, performance management, leadership development, and employee retention. Students explore relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards that shape human resource practices in nursing homes, assisted living, residential care, and home and community based services. Students analyze how demographic, regulatory, and organizational factors influence human resource decision making and evaluate common tools used in healthcare settings, such as training needs assessments and workforce planning models. Emphasis is placed on understanding professional practices and organizational contexts rather than advocating specific management approaches.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5325. Resident Care Management in the Post-Acute Care Continuum.
This course examines the administrative frameworks governing resident care in long-term care facilities. Students analyze the integration of nursing standards, quality indicators, and oversight of geriatric pharmacology. The curriculum evaluates how legislative requirements shape clinical policies and management decision-making. By investigating the intersection of regulatory mandates and care delivery, students develop the analytical skills necessary to oversee complex environments while maintaining alignment with healthcare policies and safety standards.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5335. Financial Management in the Post-Acute Care Continuum.
This course examines financial performance within the post-acute care continuum by analyzing fiscal data from selected facilities. Students evaluate trends in revenue, expenditures, and census patterns to understand the factors influencing organizational financial outcomes. The course compares major reimbursement systems and assesses how differing payment methodologies shape administrative and financial decision making. Through structured quantitative analysis and case based inquiry, students investigate how reimbursement structures affect budgeting, resource allocation, and long-term financial planning. Emphasis is placed on developing analytical competence in interpreting fiscal reports and understanding the financial environment of post-acute care organizations.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
LTCA 5681. Internship in Long Term Care.
This course examines the operational and administrative functions of a licensed nursing facility through a supervised internship experience. Students analyze day-to-day management practices, evaluate regulatory and organizational requirements, and observe decision-making processes in real-world settings. The course emphasizes applied learning, allowing students to investigate workflow patterns, staffing considerations, and quality assurance procedures. Students complete 1,000 internship hours, which may be distributed across two semesters to meet licensure requirements. Through structured field engagement and guided faculty oversight, students develop a systematic understanding of facility administration and the factors that shape organizational management.
6 Credit Hours. 0 Lecture Contact Hours. 24 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
