Overview
Earn a Certificate of Professional Learning or choose as a concentration with the Diploma in Business Administration
Canada’s aging population has created a demand for skilled professionals to supervise, manage and operate retirement communities. Our flexible online Retirement Community Management program equips you with the necessary skills to advance in this rewarding and rapidly-growing industry.
- Developed in collaboration with the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)
- Covers healthy aging, facilities management, marketing, finance and people management
- Earn a Certificate of Professional Learning or a Diploma in Business Administration with a concentration in Retirement Community Management
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Program highlights Learn More
- Flexible online learning
- Taught by industry experts
- Earn a Certificate of Professional Learning or a Diploma with a concentration
- Open enrolment program
Retirement Community Management program features:
- Developed in collaboration with the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA)
- Convenient and flexible online courses
- Learn from experienced instructors and connect with professionals across various disciplines
- Gain practical skills and learn to apply real-world examples

What you'll learn Learn More
- Healthy aging through nutrition and fitness for seniors
- Physical site management operations
- Resource management
Through our Retirement Community Management program, you’ll learn to:
- Outline the importance of senior living facilities and retirement communities
- Explain government laws and policies associated with the operation of a retirement community residence
- Assess appropriate plans and strategies for facility management related to design, safety, and environmental requirements
- Identify psychological, physiological, social, and spiritual needs of seniors
- Analyze senior living health and wellness plans including nutrition, fitness and overall wellness
- Develop management strategies specific to retirement communities including staffing, finance, sales, and quality improvement
Learn more about the Retirement Community Management program
- Professionals in any industry looking to advance their skills, knowledge, and experience in retirement community management
- Individuals seeking to pursue a new career in the retirement management industry
- New Canadians starting a new career or academic program
- Retirement community directors
- Operations managers
- Marketing and sales
- Recreation managers
- Human resource professionals
- Personal support workers
- Culinary and Food service
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Outline the importance of long-term care, senior living facilities and retirement community residences within social services and healthcare
- Explain governmental laws and policies associated with the operations of a retirement community residence
- Assess appropriate plans and strategies for facility management relevant to the design, safety, and environmental requirements
- Identify the psychological, physiological, social and spiritual needs of seniors
- Analyze health and wellness program plans including food and nutrition, fitness and wellness
- Develop and assess management strategies specific to the operations of retirement communities including staffing, finance, sales and quality improvement
The following objectives will be threaded within each course:
- Demonstrate an awareness of ethical practices and professional standards applicable to retirement community living and the professional associations
- Exemplify the skills, attitudes and behaviours required to work and collaborate with people and develop personal management skills
- Employ effective communication practices
Check out our latest Business Program Preview webinar to explore our online Retirement Community Management program
What our recent graduates say

Adam
Business Administration graduate
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
Judelyn '23
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting
I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.
My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.
Although challenging, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I started my journey in Canada with temporary junior accounting jobs. It allowed me to integrate myself into the Canadian workforce and culture. After gaining more Canadian work experience, I landed a permanent job. Currently, I work as Treasury Analyst in a HydroElectric Generation company.
Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.
In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.
While studying at McMaster University, I developed my self-discipline and changed how I perceive things, which is priceless. I have to experience it to learn and discover it. I am self-motivated. I noticed I enjoyed studying – understanding in depth and not memorizing, which I usually did when I was younger.
The McMaster University courses were challenging to be honest, and my teachers taught me to be a critical thinker. I began thinking outside the box. The good thing is that if I had an idea or answered a question, they let me explain why I came up with that answer – that, for me, was so engaging for a student to understand more and strive to improve rather than simply dismissing a student’s incorrect answer.
From personal experience, the teaching style of McMaster University is different, and I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better. Until now, I have applied the ways and self-discipline I had gained even with this Treasury Designation exam I took recently. I want to thank and let McMaster know the influence/the lessons they had instilled in me that changed my outlook and mindset, making me better and excel in what I want to be.
Judelyn
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting

Tracy
Project Management graduate
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career.
I feel very strongly that McMaster Continuing Education can really help you reinvent your career. I found that the Business Administration program was really the best fit for me, because the learning that I was able to take in through this program was really cutting edge and current to the labour market. The learning that I took on is something I use every day.
Adam
Business Administration graduate
I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better.
My family migrated to Canada in 2006 from the Philippines (Asia). I hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting from my home country.
Although challenging, I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. I started my journey in Canada with temporary junior accounting jobs. It allowed me to integrate myself into the Canadian workforce and culture. After gaining more Canadian work experience, I landed a permanent job. Currently, I work as Treasury Analyst in a HydroElectric Generation company.
Despite the obstacles, I was determined to gain Canadian credentials. The pandemic made it more challenging, but I persisted. I balance work, study, and family.
In December 2019, I enrolled at McMaster University. Later earned a Diploma in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and completed a Diploma in Accounting.
While studying at McMaster University, I developed my self-discipline and changed how I perceive things, which is priceless. I have to experience it to learn and discover it. I am self-motivated. I noticed I enjoyed studying – understanding in depth and not memorizing, which I usually did when I was younger.
The McMaster University courses were challenging to be honest, and my teachers taught me to be a critical thinker. I began thinking outside the box. The good thing is that if I had an idea or answered a question, they let me explain why I came up with that answer – that, for me, was so engaging for a student to understand more and strive to improve rather than simply dismissing a student’s incorrect answer.
From personal experience, the teaching style of McMaster University is different, and I appreciated the opportunity to discover my full potential and strengths, which inspired me to do better. Until now, I have applied the ways and self-discipline I had gained even with this Treasury Designation exam I took recently. I want to thank and let McMaster know the influence/the lessons they had instilled in me that changed my outlook and mindset, making me better and excel in what I want to be.
Judelyn
Business Administration with a concentration in Finance/Accounting
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative.
I am constantly reinventing myself. McMaster Continuing Education has been transformative. I was introduced to new ideas and new skills. Because of that, I’ve had new opportunities in my career. McMaster Continuing Education is the best place to take professional development courses. The programs fit into your life.
Tracy
Project Management graduate
Certificate of Professional Learning in Retirement Community Management
Certificate of Professional Learning in Retirement Community Management
Advance your skills with a Certificate of Professional Learning in Retirement Community Management
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Information Box Group

Certificate of Professional Learning in Retirement Community Management
Earn the Certificate of Professional Learning in Retirement Community Management by completing all 3 required courses listed below.
Certificate of Professional Learning in Retirement Community Management Requirements
Academic Credit: 9 Units
Retirement Community Management courses can also be completed as part of the Business Administration Diploma with a concentration in Retirement Community Management.
Courses (complete all 3)
Retirement Community Management Courses
Retirement COmmunity Management Courses
Advance your career with online Retirement Community Management courses
Explore course options below and register today!
The Retirement Community Management courses can be completed in any order
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Retirement Community Management Schedule
Retirement Community Management Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information. The cost for Retirement Community Management courses is $724.08 per course.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Healthy Aging (RCM 101) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |
|
Residential Site Operations (RCM 102) | Date: May 8 – Jul 16
Format: O |
|
Retirement Community Management (RCM 103) | Date: Jan 16 – Mar 26
Format: O |