https://pacs.ou.edu/Academics Parent Page: Academics id: 29519 Active Page: Bachelor of Arts in Lifespan Care Administrationid:31242

Providing Quality of Life 

Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Lifespan Care Administration will enter the workforce with one of the most in-demand degrees in the nation. There are now specialized health care roles that span all stages of life, and specialists are needed in the fields of pediatrics, adolescence, disability, and geriatrics. This is an online, accredited, and affordable degree program designed to improve the essential knowledge and skills of care facility staff and administrators. 

With classes that cater to your unique needs, you will quickly gain knowledge that you can apply to your responsibilities and goals across the range of human development. You will learn caregiving best practices across the lifespan, preparing you to provide quality care no matter the healthcare environment. 

Take the next step 

Applications are reviewed year-round for eight-week sessions in the fall, spring, and summer. Choose your program, choose your start, and apply today. 

If you have questions while filling out your application, please contact us at pacsinfo@ou.edu.

Apply Now

Want to Know More?

Loading...
 

"I am truly inspired by students in my classes each and every term. The stories that they tell, the obstacles they’ve overcome, the dreams that they have and are working hard toward every single day… I am humbled to get to be a part of their journey.”

~ Jennifer Gatlin, Instructor

Same Excellence of Learning 

Every OU Online program is built on the foundation of world-class University of Oklahoma faculty mixed with professors of practice providing valuable instruction. By linking industry experts with our online programs, we are offering the most advanced curriculum available and preparing students for future career success.   

Meet Jaime

Your personal admissions counselor. 

Schedule a Call
Request Information by Email

Benefits of the Lifespan Care Bachelor’s Degree 

Finish What You Started

 Get a first-class education with the pride of completing what you started. Our flexible online format allows you to complete assignments on your own schedule, leaving more time for what matters to you most. You’ll have support from our experienced faculty and advisors every step of the way.

Strong Career Growth

Pursue a job in one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. and one of critical need in Oklahoma. Job postings for bachelor’s-level lifespan care professionals grew 59% from 2019-2021, according to a 2022 EAB analysis. High demand will give you opportunities for better pay and career options. 

Transfer Credit & Finish Faster

 Our transfer credit policy gives you credit for what you’ve already done, so you can get your degree as quickly as possible. In addition to a world-class online academic experience, you’ll realize personal growth and transformation that will benefit both you and the organizations you go on to serve.

Invest in Yourself

A bachelor’s degree can lead to a 49% increase in salary or more, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The best investment you can make for your career is in yourself.

Estimated Tuition and Fees

The lifespan care degree program requires 120 credit hours to graduate, and some of those hours can be transferred to OU from other institutions.

For example, if a student transfers in 60 credit hours, only 60 hours at OU are required to complete the degree. At $367 per credit hour, the cost to that student would be $22,000.

Total Degree Cost

Oklahoma residents will pay $22,011-$44,022, depending on the number of transfer credits.

Cost Breakdown by Credit Hours 

1 Credit Hour = $366.85*  

3 Credit Hours = $1,100.55* 

6 Credit Hours = $2,201.10* 

9 Credit Hours = $3,301.65* 

Tuition & Financial Aid

*For Oklahoma residents 

Apply Now

 Take the next step for your career with a degree from OU. Applications are reviewed year-round for five start dates in the fall (2) , spring (2), and summer (1).

Apply Now

Admissions Counselor

 Have questions about a program? Need a transfer credit evaluation or help with the application process? Schedule a call with one of our admissions counselors.

Schedule a Call

Transfer Credit Policy

 Have credits from another institution? Save money and get your degree faster by transferring your credits to the University of Oklahoma.

Transfer Credit

Degree Details

Offered through the nationally ranked OU College of Professional and Continuing Studies, the online Bachelor of Arts – Lifespan Care Administration degree is a fast-paced, accelerated program designed to accommodate working adults. When you are admitted into the program, you will be assigned an advisor who creates an individualized graduation plan. This plan will help organize and identify the courses you need for your degree.

Degree Planning Worksheet

Degree Topics

  • Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development issues at all stages of the lifespan 
  • Human services administration, including legal issues, effective administrative models, leadership in human services organizations, and management of human resources 
  • How to identify early signs of health problems  
  • Basic health promotion strategies 
  • Issues in lifespan research 
  • Human service budgeting and finance, including how to formulate, execute, monitor, and evaluate fiscal operations of human services organizations 
  • Career and life development 
  • Applied behavioral analysis and care for those with autism or behavioral disabilities 

Course Offerings

Students in the online lifespan care administration program will pair core interdisciplinary courses with major-specific courses to obtain a well-rounded and relevant set of knowledge and skills. 

Some course options include: 

  • Lifespan Development 
  • Lifespan Health 
  • Human Service Administration 
  • Human Service Budgeting and Finance 
  • Management of Care Facilities  
  • Biology of Human Aging 
  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Healthcare 

Manageable Accelerated Courses

All undergraduate courses in this program are eight weeks long. Most students choose to take four courses (or 12 credit hours) a semester; two courses the first half of the semester and two courses the second half of the semester. The number of credit hours you take each semester should be discussed with your advisor and be reflective of your personal and work schedules — these courses are fast-paced and intensive.  

Depending on how many credit hours you transfer from another institution, along with the number of courses you take each semester, this program can be completed in as little as 18 months. 

Become a Registered Behavior Technician

If you’re ready to fulfill your purpose and make a difference, the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential is a great place to start.

Becoming an RBT is the first step toward joining one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. Through this online course, you’ll gain unrivaled skills from a regionally accredited university, combining your training and assessment in just eight weeks.

At the completion of our course, you will be ready to apply to take the national exam with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to earn your RBT credential.

Prepare to make a difference in the lives of those you help today. 

Explore the details of the RBT credential

B.A. – Lifespan Care FAQ

Are online programs different from in-person programs offered at the University of Oklahoma?

The University of Oklahoma’s online bachelor’s degree programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Created by university faculty and staff, the online programs are held to the same high standards of quality as our in-person programs. When you graduate from an online program, your diploma will look the same as those received by students who attend class on campus.

What are the admissions requirements?

To be admitted to the online bachelor’s degree, students must have 24+ hours of letter-graded college credit and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. 

Students must: 

  • Go to the undergraduate application page and create an account if you are new to OU. If you are a returning student, log in. When prompted during the application process, choose College of Professional and Continuing Studies as your campus. 

  • Provide official college transcripts from all institutions 

  • International students must demonstrate English proficiency 

The admissions committee operates under a rolling admission process, and admissions may continue until two weeks before the start of classes. The committee strives to respond to all applicants within two weeks from the time a completed application is submitted.  

For more information on the admissions process or to request a transfer credit evaluation, please schedule a call and an admissions counselor will be in touch shortly. 

Do I need an associate degree to apply?

No. Applicants should have at least 24 hours of letter-graded college credit, but they do not need an associate degree to be admitted. 

If you do have an associate degree, all lower-division, general education requirements are fulfilled if your degree is from a regionally accredited, Oklahoma institution. If your associate degree is from out-of-state or is an applied science associate degree, we will evaluate the credits on a course-by-course basis. 

When can I start classes?

Our programs are offered year-round and in eight-week increments. You can apply to begin in the fall, spring, and summer. 

Our eight-week sessions tend to carry consistent calendar dates as follows: 

Fall        

  • First eight weeks:  August–October 
  • Second eight weeks:  October–December 

Spring     

  • First eight weeks:  January–March 
  • Second eight weeks:  March–May 

Summer   

  • Eight weeks:  June–July 

How long will it take to complete my degree?

Typically, students complete 30 credit hours per academic year over the course of five, eight-week sessions. If you have questions about how long it will take to complete your degree, Future Student Services is happy to evaluate your transcripts.  

How much will it cost?

Tuition and fees depend on Oklahoma residency, non-residency, and affiliations with the United States Armed Forces, as well as certified sworn-police-officer statuses. 

Will my credit hours transfer to OU?

Credit hours from regionally accredited institutions will transfer into our program. We will review credit hours from nationally accredited schools on a case-by-case basis, determining if credit will be applicable towards any OU degree.   

Typically, the university does not accept college credit from nationally accredited institutions. 

How many hours can I enroll in per semester?

The maximum number of credit hours a student may enroll in one semester is 19. This breaks down to nine credit hours per eight-week session. This nine-credit-hour enrollment limit is applied to the summer term as well. 

Is the College of Professional & Continuing Studies accredited?

Yes. The college is a part of the University of Oklahoma, which is a regionally accredited institution through the Higher Learning Commission. 

Will life and work experience transfer?

We do not accept life or work experience. However, military and law enforcement training may apply. 

Are financial aid & scholarships available for online programs?

Yes. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. 

Do I need to be online at a certain time?

No. In your courses, you will need to meet assignment deadlines as outlined by the faculty member. However, you do not need to be logged in at the same time as your classmates or your professor. 

How are courses administered?

All course material is available online, and all student assignments are submitted through our web-based learning management system (Canvas LMS). The courses are set up in five eight-week sessions, and assignments are due when required by the faculty member.