Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing – (MSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – (Post-BSN DNP)
The program prepares nurses for advanced practice in acute care settings with focus on acutely ill and complex chronically ill patients in high acuity specialty areas including critical care, trauma surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, and hospital medicine.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $107,060 | 2 years |
| DNP AGACNP (Post-BSN) | $139,373 | 2.5 years (FT) |
Students receive broad exposure to managing acute and complex patients through clinical rotations in metropolitan-Atlanta hospitals and specialty practices.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is approximately $107,060 and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis (4 semesters).
MSN Curriculum
The 48-credit-hour curriculum integrates advanced health assessment, clinical decision making and diagnosis, advanced pharmacology, and management of acutely ill adults with specialty seminars taught by expert clinicians.
The program emphasizes both physiological and psychosocial impact of acute and chronic illness on patients and families.
Semester 1 (Fall) — 12.5 credits
NRSG 544D – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
This course builds advanced assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Students practice focused and comprehensive histories and physical exams. Students interpret findings to support differential diagnosis and next-step testing.
NRSG 528D – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
This course explains how normal body systems change with disease across the lifespan. Students link symptoms to organ system changes at the cellular and system levels. Students apply this knowledge to clinical cases to support care decisions.
NRSG 522D – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
This course covers medication therapy across the lifespan. Students study drug actions, dosing, side effects, and interactions. Students use evidence to choose and monitor safe treatment plans.
NRSG 596D – Diagnostics and Clinical Reasoning: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP (3.5 credits)
This course develops clinical reasoning for adult and older adult acute care. Students synthesize assessment data and test results to form differential diagnoses. Students select diagnostic and treatment steps for high-acuity settings.
Semester 2 (Spring) — 12.5 credits, 240 clinical hours
NRSG 524D – Becoming an APRN (2 credits)
This course prepares students for the APRN role. Students review scope of practice, ethics, and professional standards. Students plan for safe transition into advanced practice.
NRSG 505D – Research & Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
This course teaches evidence-based practice skills for clinical improvement. Students evaluate research quality and translate findings into practice changes. Students use evidence to support outcomes and quality goals.
NRSG 597D – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP I (3.5 credits)
This course introduces diagnosis and management for common adult and older adult acute care problems. Students build plans for acute episodes and complex chronic disease. Students strengthen decision-making for rising patient complexity.
NRSG 598D – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP Clinical Practicum I (4 credits, 240 clinical hours)
This practicum places students in acute care settings with supervised direct patient care. Students manage serious acute illness and worsening chronic conditions. Students practice the NP role on an interprofessional team.Semester 3 (Summer) — 11.5 credits, 240 clinical hours
Semester 3 (Summer) — 11.5 credits, 240 clinical hours
NRSG 634D – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP II (4.5 credits)
This course expands management of complex and high-risk adult and older adult conditions. Students address advanced diagnostic and treatment problems in acute care. Students refine care plans that match patient goals and clinical risk.
NRSG 604D – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP Clinical Practicum II (4 credits, 240 clinical hours)
This practicum builds skill in assessment, diagnosis, and care planning under preceptor guidance. Students practice differential diagnosis and diagnostic reasoning. Students apply evidence to plans for acute and chronic conditions.
NRSG 591D – Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety (3 credits)
This course covers quality and safety methods used in health systems. Students use models and tools to improve care processes and patient outcomes. Students apply informatics and team practice to support safer care.
Semester 4 (Fall) — 12.5 credits, 360 clinical hours
NRSG 684D – Innovative Leadership & Policy in Advanced Nursing Practice Role (3 credits)
This course develops leadership and policy skills for advanced practice nursing. Students study laws, regulation, and policy forces that shape care delivery. Students practice collaboration and advocacy to support system change.
NRSG 635D – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP III (3.5 credits)
This course focuses on advanced management of complex adult and older adult acute care problems. Students handle higher-acuity disease processes and layered comorbidities. Students strengthen decision-making for unstable and complex patients.
NRSG 605D – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care NP Clinical Practicum III (6 credits, 360 clinical hours)
This practicum advances direct-care competence in complex acute care. Students manage multiple patients using a systems approach and team leadership. Students integrate evidence, communication, and clinical judgment across complex cases.
Program Total: 49 credits, 840 clinical hours
MSN Clinicals
Students complete more than 700 hours of directly supervised clinical practice with physician and acute care nurse practitioner preceptors. Clinical sites include hospitals and specialty practices throughout the metropolitan-Atlanta area, with students also training at numerous clinical sites across the U.S.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree from CCNE or NLNAC accredited nursing program
- Unencumbered RN license in Georgia or multistate RN license
- Minimum one year of RN experience in hospital acute/critical care setting
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification
- 2-3 professional references (at least one from nursing supervisor preferred)
- Professional résumé
- Personal statement
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- $50 application fee
- International students: CGFNS evaluation for nursing degrees, WES evaluation for non-nursing degrees, TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores if English is second language
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP (Post-BSN)
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN DNP-AGACNP program is approximately $139,373 and would take 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
The Post-BSN DNP program prepares nurses for transformational clinical leadership to impact patient outcomes and improve healthcare delivery systems. Students engage in dynamic clinical rotations with 1:1 faculty mentorship focused on advancing clinical skills and leadership development. The program includes a DNP project focusing on practice, process, or systems-based health and healthcare improvement.
Curriculum tracks available:
- Full-time Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Part-time Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
DNP Clinicals
The DNP program includes extensive clinical learning in top healthcare systems in Atlanta and across the U.S., with students engaging in advanced practice rotations under expert preceptor supervision.
DNP Admissions Requirements
- BSN from accredited college or university
- Unencumbered RN license in state(s) where clinical training/project will occur
- 1-2 years of documented clinical experience in acute/critical care for AGACNP specialty
- Curricula vitae or résumé
- Personal statement (500 words) describing DNP program interest and brief project interests statement
- 2-3 professional references (at least one from nursing supervisor preferred)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- $50 application fee
- International students: CGFNS evaluation for nursing degrees, WES evaluation for non-nursing degrees, TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo scores if English is second language
Tuition
MSN tuition is $2,230 per credit hour for students taking 1-11 credit hours, or $26,765 per semester for students enrolled in 12+ credit hours. DNP tuition is $1,936 per credit hour for 1-11 credit hours, or $23,229 per semester for 12+ credit hours.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Financial Aid
More than 92% of students at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing receive financial assistance. The School of Nursing awarded $7.1 million in financial aid and scholarships last year, with 751 scholarships awarded to students across programs.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program and semester. MSN and DNP application deadlines can be found on the School of Nursing’s admissions website. Admission decisions are competitive and based on space availability, with potential waitlist placement for qualified applicants.
Accreditation
The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing maintains accreditation through multiple organizations ensuring educational programs meet the highest standards. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or AACN Certification Corporation.
More ACNP Programs in Georgia
- Augusta University - Augusta
- Brenau University - Gainesville
- Georgia Southern University - Statesboro
- Georgia State University - Atlanta
- Mercer University - Atlanta
- Middle Georgia State University - Warner Robins