Mount Carmel College of Nursing offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP
Both programs deliver completely online coursework with scheduled on-campus immersions starting in the third semester, designed for busy professionals balancing work, life, and school.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $47,040 | 1.5 years (full-time) |
| Certificate AGACNP | $23,520 | 1 to 1.5 years (full-time) |
MCCN achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate and provides a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The College awarded $483,737 in scholarship money from the Mount Carmel Foundation in 2023 and has been educating nurses for 120 years.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is approximately $47,040 and requires 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The program requires 48 credit hours delivered over five semesters in a cohorted module format where students progress through the program together.
Students never take more than two classes simultaneously to promote healthy work-life-school balance. The hybrid format combines online and face-to-face coursework with campus visits beginning in the third semester.
Graduate Core Courses (12 credits)
NURS 501: Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice (3)
This course teaches how to find, appraise, and synthesize research so students can apply the best evidence to clinical decisions and practice change.
NURS 502: Quality, Safety and Effectiveness (3)
This course builds skills in quality improvement and patient safety, including data tools, root cause analysis, FMEA, and systems factors that shape safe care.
NURS 503: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing (3) (Required for cohorts prior to Fall 2023)
This course introduces key nursing theories and explains how theory supports professional practice, clinical reasoning, and nursing scholarship.
NURS 506: Health Care Systems and Health Policy (3) (Required for cohorts after Fall 2023)
This course explains how the U.S. health system works and how policy decisions shape access, cost, and outcomes, with analysis of policy options and tradeoffs.
NURS 504: Leadership in Advanced Nursing Roles (3)
This course develops leadership skills for master’s-prepared nurses, with focus on leading teams and change across health care settings.
Direct Care Core Courses (12 credits):
NURS 520: Advanced Pharmacology (3)
This course applies pharmacology principles to safe prescribing and medication management across the lifespan, with attention to current APRN requirements.
NURS 521: Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (3)
This course links disease mechanisms across body systems to clinical presentation and complications, including comorbidities and multi-organ effects.
NURS 522: Advanced Health Assessment for Nurse Practitioner (3)
This course strengthens advanced history and exam skills across the lifespan and builds clinical reasoning through supervised lab-based practice.
NURS 525: Role Transition – APRN (3)
This course prepares students for NP role entry by covering scope of practice, professional standards, and core skills like teamwork, informatics, and scholarly writing.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Courses (24 credits):
NURS 574: Procedures & Diagnostics for the AG-ACNP (1)
This course introduces common acute care procedures and diagnostic data interpretation used in AG-ACNP practice.
NURS 590: Acute/Emergent Care 1 (7) [150 clinical hours]
This first practicum builds foundational AG-ACNP management skills for adult acute and chronic problems, with focus on assessment, evidence-based decisions, and patient education.
NURS 591: Acute/Emergent Care 2 (8) [250 clinical hours]
This second practicum increases clinical independence in evaluating and managing adult acute and chronic conditions using evidence-based plans of care.
NURS 592: Acute/Emergent Care 3 (8) [250 clinical hours]
This final practicum confirms readiness for practice through advanced management of complex acute, critical, and chronic illness with strong clinical judgment and team-based care.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 650 total clinical hours across three specialty courses beginning in the third semester. MCCN provides a Clinical Coordinator offering resources to help students find appropriate preceptors for well-rounded clinical experiences. Students must secure preceptors by the end of the second semester.
Clinical Requirements:
- 650 total clinical hours
- 150 hours in Acute/Emergent Care 1
- 250 hours in Acute/Emergent Care 2
- 250 hours in Acute/Emergent Care 3
- Clinical sites typically in hospital settings (ICU, sub-acute care, emergency care)
- May include ambulatory, outpatient, and rehabilitative settings
- Student responsibility to secure preceptor for each clinical experience
- Clinical Coordinator provides resources and guidance
- Preceptor must be secured at least 4 weeks prior to first clinical course
MSN Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Completion of accredited U.S. baccalaureate nursing program (ACEN or CCNE)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in baccalaureate and any subsequent graduate work
- Current unencumbered RN licensure in state of residence and/or where clinicals will be completed
Admission Categories:
- Unconditional Admission: All admission criteria met
- Conditional Admission: Students not meeting minimum requirements may be considered; must earn B or higher in first three graduate courses without drops, withdrawals, or incompletes
Experience Recommendation:
- Two years recent clinical experience recommended for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track
Application Materials:
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Two recommendation letters from individuals with minimum Master’s degree (work supervisors, professional colleagues, former faculty members)
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- $30 application fee
International Students:
- TOEFL minimum scores: 79 internet-based, 213 computer-based, 550 paper-based
- TOEFL scores valid two years from test date
- Official scores mailed directly to MCCN Office of Admissions
Direct Admit Pathway:
- Qualifying MCCN students and alumni receive early assurance of admission into intended program
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate is approximately $23,520 and requires 1-1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 24 credit hours (or more depending on transfer credits) delivered over approximately three to four semesters in a hybrid format with online and face-to-face components. The program is designed for Master’s-prepared APRNs seeking to add AG-ACNP specialty certification. Students with existing NP certification may receive transfer credit for up to 150 clinical hours.
Traditional AGACNP Certificate Courses (24 credits, 650 clinical hours):
- NURS 574 Procedures & Diagnostics for the AG-ACNP (1 credit)
- NURS 590 Acute/Emergent Care 1 (7 credits – 150 clinical hours)
- NURS 591 Acute/Emergent Care 2 (8 credits – 250 clinical hours)
- NURS 592 Acute/Emergent Care 3 (8 credits – 250 clinical hours)
Summer Start Curriculum Plan:
Semester 1 – Summer (8 credits, 150 clinical hours):
- NURS 574 Procedures & Diagnostics for the AG-ACNP (1 credit, first 4 weeks)
- NURS 590 Acute/Emergent Care 1 (7 credits, full semester – 150 hours)
Semester 2 – Fall (8 credits, 250 clinical hours):
- NURS 591 Acute/Emergent Care 2 (8 credits, full semester – 250 hours)
Semester 3 – Spring (8 credits, 250 clinical hours):
- NURS 592 Acute/Emergent Care 3 (8 credits, full semester – 250 hours)
Transfer Credit: Certified nurse practitioners with acute care experience (minimum one year) may receive transfer credit for 150 clinical hours of the 650-hour requirement, evaluated individually following national accreditation guidelines. Minimum 500 direct clinical hours required for board certification.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 650 total clinical hours (or 500 hours with approved transfer credit) across three semesters. Clinical setup is part of the admission process, and students must secure placements by Week 3 of the first semester or face potential plan of study adjustments.
Clinical Requirements:
- 650 total clinical hours (minimum 500 hours for board certification)
- Possible 150-hour transfer credit for certified NPs with acute care experience
- Clinical hours begin within first 3 weeks of first semester
- Hospital settings emphasized (ICU, sub-acute care, emergency rooms)
- May include ambulatory, outpatient, and rehabilitative settings
- Graduate Clinical Coordinator provides resources, guidance, and assistance with affiliation agreements
- Student responsibility to secure preceptor for each clinical experience
- Preceptors must be in place prior to starting first clinical course
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing (MS or MSN) from ACEN or CCNE accredited program
- Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Current unrestricted APRN license or eligibility for Ohio APRN licensure
- Current APRN specialty certification
Experience Requirements:
- Minimum one year advanced practice experience in acute care setting (similar scope to AG-ACNP role)
- Acute care setting experience required
Application Materials:
- Completed application ($30 fee)
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals with minimum Master’s degree
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Interview at discretion of interview committee
- Official transcripts from all institutions
Program Completion Requirements:
- Successful completion of specialty track coursework
- Achievement of 650 clinical practicum hours (or 500 with approved transfer credit)
- Maintain 3.0 GPA minimum
- Pharmacology courses must be completed within last 5 years for transfer credit acceptance
Application Deadlines:
- Summer Cohort: March 30
- Fall Cohort: July 15
- Start date dependent on previous academic credits
Tuition
Master’s degree and Post-Graduate Certificate programs cost $980 per credit hour. A $30 application fee applies to all graduate programs.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Additional Student Responsibilities: Books, transportation, meals, clinical compliance (immunization, drug screening, background checks), and uniform costs are student’s responsibility. Tuition and fees may be adjusted annually.
Graduate to DNP Pathway: MCCN offers an efficient pathway allowing students to maximize credits and work toward DNP degree while completing graduate program, earning credit for both programs simultaneously.
Application Deadlines
MSN-AGACNP Program:
- Fall admission enrollment period: December 1 to June 30
- Spring admission enrollment period: August 2 to November 30
- Admits in Fall (August) and Spring (January)
Post-Graduate Certificate:
- Summer Cohort: March 30
- Fall Cohort: July 15
Accreditation
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits Mount Carmel College of Nursing’s Master’s program and tracks through December 31, 2032. The Higher Learning Commission accredits the institution, and the Ohio Department of Higher Education authorizes the Master’s program and tracks.
Post-Graduate Certificate graduates meet professional standards set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), and are eligible for AG-ACNP certification upon completion.