Southern Adventist University’s baccalaureate program in Health Services and Senior Living, housed in the School of Business, received Health Services Executive (HSE) accreditation in June 2021 and is currently the only program of its kind in Tennessee. In 1995, Southern became the first university to receive accreditation from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) for this type of baccalaureate program. Since then, Southern’s Health Services and Senior Living program (previously known as Long Term Care Administration) has consistently earned accreditation every five years.

NAB has now introduced the HSE accreditation, which replaces the program’s previous accreditation and reflects changes in the senior living industry. In addition to long-held standards for education and experience in the skilled nursing or long term care environment, this accreditation certifies that students gain an understanding and hands-on learning in assisted living, residential care, and independent living, along with home- and community-based services.

Southern is committed to preparing students for every facet of this meaningful field, providing in-depth courses on administration, finance, human resources, and marketing specific to the health services environment. Students also complete 1,000 internship hours, split between the different areas of care.

“Our university was the first to achieve accreditation of this type and demonstrates our commitment to providing excellence in Christ-centered education,” said Stephanie Sheehan, Ph.D., dean of the School of Business. “Our reaccreditation and successfully meeting all thresholds for the new Health Services Executive standards established by NAB continues to keep Southern as a leader in preparing competent young professionals entering this industry.”