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Where Hospitality Meets Healthcare: UCF Offers First-Ever Bachelor’s Degree in Senior Living Management
Today’s aging population wants and expects more from life than their parents before them. They want to travel, experience new things, lead an active life, and enjoy a lifestyle they have worked hard to achieve. With the University of Central Florida’s Bachelor of Science in Senior Living Management, students can gain the skills, knowledge and expertise to help support and shape the lifestyles that residents in senior living communities deserve.
UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management provides students with an unrivaled opportunity to live, learn and work in the heart of hospitality. UCF Rosen College educates the next generation of industry leaders through internationally recognized faculty, innovative academic programs, cutting-edge research, and strong industry and community partnerships.
Beginning in the fall semester of 2020, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management will introduce the Senior Living Management Bachelor of Science degree, which is an interdisciplinary program that combines the art and science of hospitality management with aging studies and health care management.
The Senior Living Management Program is the first degree program of its kind in the United States to combine the exceptional customer service approach found in hospitality management with an emphasis on establishing a high standard of living for residents by focusing on creating a feeling of home and community.
The undergraduate degree program was designed to adapt the culture and philosophy of hospitality to the senior living industry, meeting a call from industry leaders who understand that a culture of hospitality presents a strategic advantage for senior living communities by enhancing the overall experience of the residents.
The objective of the program is to prepare graduates for managerial positions in the senior living industry. This degree program will not require a medical or nursing degree. There is no patient care involved, just management of all aspects of a home or community. The major components focus on courses in hospitality management, healthcare management and gerontology. The curriculum covers all aspects of managing senior living communities including lodging operations, marketing, communications, accounting and financial management, legal aspects, food and beverage operations, facilities management, and events and entertainment management. Students also will be required to complete three units of supervised internships in senior living communities in the United States or abroad. The program is designed to be completed in 2-6 years and is available in face-to-face, fully online, or a combination of the two formats. The learning method selected depends on whether a student has an associate’s degree, starts as a freshman, or wishes to enroll part-time. As such, the program will be attractive not only to high school graduates, but to employees currently working in the industry who want to advance to managerial positions.
The senior living management degree program focuses on developing business acumen and management skills for independent and assisted living housing and continuous care retirement communities, where hospitality services are important components.
The program is assisted by an active advisory board, composed of top executives from the senior living industry.
UCF Rosen College is currently accepting applications for potential students who have the passion to work in the senior living management sector.
Program FAQ • Designed to be completed in 2-6 years. • Study in person, online or a combination of formats. • Part-time studies make the program attractive to current senior living employees who want to advance.
Contact information hospitality.ucf.edu rosenadmission@ucf.edu rosencollegeonline@ucf.edu
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LeadingAge Florida serves the entire continuum of care for senior living service providers including affordable housing, assisted living, nursing homes, home and community based services, continuing care retirement communities and other multi-service providers.
