The next admission cycle to the AIT certificate program will begin in Spring 2026.
Help meet the need for more nursing home and long-term care administrators by pursuing the University of Southern Indiana’s Graduate Certificate in Administrator-in-Training (AIT) residency. At USI, you’ll gain effective and strong leadership skills for working with staff, residents and their families — all while being equipped with the knowledge and know-how to manage day-to-day operations related to administrator-in-training jobs within long-term care and nursing home facilities.
Our long-term care and nursing home administrator-in-training program begins with nine credit hours of online courses. From there, you’ll go hands-on during 1,040 hours of residency in a long-term care facility with a qualified preceptor and complete licensure examination preparation with a USI faculty member with expert insight. We’ll make sure you have everything you need as you prepare for how to become a nursing home administrator and long-term care facility administrator.
At USI, our long-term care and nursing home administrator-in-training program prepares you to work with every department and team within a healthcare facility. You will learn how to effectively and efficiently run a business unit, manage people and patients, and build a happier and healthier world in your community.
When you complete our Graduate Certificate in Administrator-in-Training program and your required residency hours, you’ll have met the necessary requirements to be eligible for the National (NAB) and Indiana Health Facility Administrator exams.
Read about AIT Residency Program student success
Did you know that USI is the first academic institution in the Hoosier State to offer a long-term care and nursing home administrator-in-training program? And USI already has graduates using their Administrator-in-Training (AIT) certification at locations in southern Indiana. That’s because, at USI, we help you get results.
USI faculty and staff are dedicated to giving you the support you need no matter the modality for which you're taking classes. Check out our robust resources for online students including what online learning is, technology requirements and frequently asked questions.
This residency will be fulfilled in a long-term care facility, working alongside an experienced Certified AIT Preceptor, for 1040 hours for no less than 6 months and not to exceed 12 months.
To enter this graduate certificate, you can begin by filling out the form below. After submission, your application will be reviewed by the department chair. Upon approval, an application to the School of Graduate Studies will be made available. There will be between one and three review cycles annually of applications.
Administrator-in-Training Residency Application/Interest Form
Nearly 20 percent of Americans are 65 or older, according to a U.S. report from the Administration on Aging, and that number is only expected to grow in the coming years.
During your 1,040 residency hours as part of USI’s Administrator-in-Training program, you will apply and demonstrate what you have learned in post-acute care situations in the healthcare industry. You will work alongside an experienced, highly qualified Indiana Health Facilities Administrator at their preceptor location.
You can expect to focus on:
You’ll be prepared for licensure exams and administrator-in-training jobs in both long-term care and nursing home facilities.
*income information provided by O*NET Online. Occupation opportunities vary by region and experience.
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
Laisha Gonzalez Ramos '24 learned at a young age that many older adults need healthcare advocates. During her studies at USI, she gained experience with behavioral health during her Administrator-in-Training (AIT) residency at a psychiatric facility in Jasper, Indiana. “It opened up my eyes to a lot of problems people with mental illnesses face,” she says. “I learned so much, including how to manage staffing shortages and the importance of care plans, documentation, medications and state and federal regulations regarding care.”
Requirements for licensure and certification vary by profession and by state. USI has reviewed the educational requirements for each state and licensing agency to determine if the academic program here at USI meets the educational requirements to be eligible for licensure/certification in each state or not.
Please note that some states may have additional requirements for licensure, such as residency requirements, additional non-academic certifications, etc. that USI cannot determine. We encourage you to check with your state's licensing agency for all requirements needed to obtain licensure.
