A project undertaken at the Graduate School of Public Health of the University of Pittsburgh to develop an undergraduate external degree program in health services administration with a major in long-term care administration is described. Program activities were designed to: develop a work plan, identify the parameters of knowledge and skills needed by administrators of long-term care institutions, review existing courses relevant to the broad knowledge and skill components required, modify and expand existing courses that can be used in the external degree program, select trainees and test the effectiveness of the program, publicize the program, and evaluate the new program. An addendum to the report considers cost components of nontraditional and traditional programs. Appendices include course guides on human relations and health and society, a sample student educational record form, a sample study plan, a summary description of the degree program, and a summary description of a similar program offered by Virginia Commonwealth University. (SW)