University of New Hampshire offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
- Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with AGACNP specialty
All programs are delivered online with asynchronous coursework designed for working professionals.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $41,820–$74,815 | 2 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $24,600–$42,900 | 1–2 years |
| Post-BSN to DNP AGACNP | $63,960–$114,179 | 3–4 years |
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is approximately $41,820-$74,815 (depending on residency status) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-AGACNP program requires 51 credit hours combining foundational graduate nursing courses with specialized acute care nurse practitioner coursework.
Required Courses (51 credits):
NURS 818 – Foundations of Evidence Based Practice (3)
This course introduces evidence-based practice methods used in advanced nursing. Students learn how to find, appraise, and apply research to clinical decisions.
NURS 816 – Health Promotion Theory and Population Health (3)
This course explains health promotion and population health frameworks with a focus on health equity. Students use data to design and evaluate community-based interventions.
NURS 910 – Genomics & Ethics (3)
This course applies genetics and genomics concepts to patient care decisions. Students examine ethical issues and the impact of genomics on quality and safety.
NURS 820 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3)
This course reviews advanced physiology and disease mechanisms across the lifespan. Students use this knowledge to support assessment and clinical management.
NURS 812 – Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3)
This course covers pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and key drug therapies across the lifespan. Students strengthen safe medication selection and monitoring.
NURS 814 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3)
This course builds skills for comprehensive histories and physical exams across age groups. Students integrate screening, wellness assessment, and evaluation of chief complaints.
NURS 911 – Diagnosis & Management: Diagnostic Reasoning (3)
This course develops clinical reasoning for differential diagnosis and management planning. Students practice data analysis, metacognition, and strategies to reduce diagnostic error.
NURS 850 – Foundations in Acute Care (3)
This course introduces the AGACNP role and core acute care workflows such as documentation and clinical decision-making. Clinical topics include sepsis, shock, and cardiovascular emergencies through case-based online learning.
NURS 851 – Foundations in Acute Care Clinical Practicum (3)
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience tied to the early AGACNP coursework. Students complete at least 150 precepted hours and document cases and hours in a clinical log system.
NURS 852 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3)
This course focuses on adult and older adult cardiovascular and cardiothoracic conditions, diagnostics, and treatment. It also addresses palliative care, end-of-life care, and pronouncement in acute settings.
NURS 853 – AGACNP I Clinical Practicum (3)
This practicum supports AGACNP I content through supervised patient care experience. Students complete at least 150 precepted hours and track documentation and outcomes in the clinical log system.
NURS 854 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II (3)
This course covers pulmonary, immune, and hematologic disorders with emphasis on airway management and respiratory support. Students also complete simulation work tied to ventilator and airway care.
NURS 855 – AGACNP II Clinical Practicum (3)
This practicum reinforces AGACNP II clinical skills through precepted acute care experience. Students complete at least 150 hours and log clinical documentation and hours.
NURS 856 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (3)
This course addresses neurologic and trauma-related care, HEENT problems, behavioral health concerns, and musculoskeletal and skin conditions. It also emphasizes care transitions and discharge planning.
NURS 857 – AGACNP III Clinical Practicum (3)
This practicum provides supervised clinical practice linked to AGACNP III content. Students complete at least 150 precepted hours and record cases and hours in the clinical log system.
NURS 858 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (3)
This course focuses on endocrine, GI, GU, and renal conditions in adult-gerontology acute care. Students also apply quality improvement and evidence-based practice concepts to clinical care.
NURS 859 – AGACNP IV Clinical Practicum (3)
This final practicum supports advanced role performance through supervised clinical immersion. Students complete at least 150 precepted hours and document clinical work in the electronic logging system.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN-AGACNP program requires 750 clinical hours completed across five clinical practicum courses.
Clinical Requirements:
- Total clinical hours: 750
- NURS 851 – Foundations in Acute Care Clinical Practicum
- NURS 853 – AGACNP I Clinical Practicum
- NURS 855 – AGACNP II Clinical Practicum
- NURS 857 – AGACNP III Clinical Practicum
- NURS 859 – AGACNP IV Clinical Practicum
- Clinical experiences in acute care settings including hospitals and ambulatory care centers
- Students learn to stabilize acute and critically ill patients, formulate diagnoses, prescribe therapeutics, assess outcomes, prevent readmission, and create safe discharge plans
MSN Admissions Requirements
Applicants must be registered nurses with a BSN or baccalaureate degree in another field.
Application Requirements:
- Unencumbered, active RN license in the United States
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing or another field
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Minimum one year nursing experience preferred
- Successful completion of undergraduate statistics course and undergraduate research course
- Three letters of recommendation (one academic if available, and two current nursing professionals with graduate education background)
- Personal statement addressing interest in AGACNP Program/role and immediate/long-range goals as AGACNP
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- $65 application fee
Non-BSN Admission: RNs whose baccalaureate degree is in a discipline other than nursing may apply and will be considered for the track commensurate with their clinical experience based on faculty discretion.
Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP program is approximately $24,600-$42,900 (depending on residency status) and would take 1-2 years to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate program requires 30 credit hours focused on acute care nurse practitioner specialty coursework. A customized plan of study is created for admitted students based on prior coursework, with additional foundational coursework potentially required to meet AACN or ANCC certification requirements.
Required Courses (30 credits):
- NURS 850 – Foundations in Acute Care (3 credits)
- NURS 851 – Foundations in Acute Care Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 852 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits)
- NURS 853 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 854 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II (3 credits)
- NURS 855 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 856 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (3 credits)
- NURS 857 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 858 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (3 credits)
- NURS 859 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
The certificate program requires 750 clinical hours completed across five clinical practicum courses.
Clinical Requirements:
- Total clinical hours: 750
- NURS 851, NURS 853, NURS 855, NURS 857, NURS 859 (clinical practicum courses)
- Focus on adult-gerontological population with emphasis on integration of pathophysiology and physical assessment
- Students build skills in diagnostic reasoning and management of acutely ill patients using evidence-based practice
- Clinical experiences in hospitals, sub-acute settings, and ambulatory care centers
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must be advanced practice nurses with master’s degrees in nursing.
Application Requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing (including nurse practitioners of other specialties OR master’s-prepared nurses with significant acute or critical care clinical experience)
- Transcript evidence for advanced pathophysiology throughout the lifespan, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment required for ANCC certification testing
- Candidates without three separate courses in these areas reviewed case-by-case and may be required to complete missing coursework before ANCC certification endorsement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume (limited to one page)
- Personal statement regarding reasons for graduate work and specific research/professional interests
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- $25 application fee
- $200 enrollment deposit upon admission
Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN to DNP AGACNP program is approximately $63,960-$114,179 (depending on residency status) and would take 3-4 years to complete.
DNP Curriculum
The Post-BSN to DNP program requires 78 credit hours combining MSN-level AGACNP coursework with doctoral-level courses in leadership, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement.
Required Courses (78 credits):
Graduate Core & Advanced Practice:
- NURS 812 – Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
- NURS 814 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NURS 816 – Health Promotion Theory and Population Health (3 credits)
- NURS 818 – Foundations of Evidence Based Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 820 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NURS 910 – Genomics & Ethics (3 credits)
- NURS 911 – Diagnosis & Management – Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
- NURS 915 – Leadership, Role & Collaboration (3 credits)
- NURS 917 – Biostats and Epidemiology (3 credits)
AGACNP Specialty:
- NURS 850 – Foundations in Acute Care (3 credits)
- NURS 851 – Foundations in Acute Care Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 852 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits)
- NURS 853 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 854 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II (3 credits)
- NURS 855 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 856 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (3 credits)
- NURS 857 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
- NURS 858 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (3 credits)
- NURS 859 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV Clinical Practicum (3 credits)
DNP Core:
- NURS 964 – Information Systems and Technology Improvement (3 credits)
- NURS 967 – Evidence Based Practice Methods (3 credits)
- NURS 969 – Health Systems Policy, Economics & Financial Planning (3 credits)
- NURS 973 – Quality & Safety (3 credits)
- NURS 980 – Doctoral Scholarly Project I (3 credits)
- NURS 981 – Doctoral Scholarly Project II (3 credits)
- NURS 982 – Doctoral Scholarly Project III (3 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The DNP program requires 1,250 total clinical and practicum hours including 750 clinical hours for AGACNP component and 500 hours of DNP practicum work.
Clinical Requirements:
- 750 clinical hours for direct patient care (AGACNP component)
- 500 practicum hours in DNP project courses (NURS 980, NURS 981, NURS 982)
- Total: 1,250 hours minimum
- Students assess clinical practice sites for quality improvement opportunities
- Design, implement, and evaluate customized quality improvement project
- Students fast-track through master’s level courses, take AGACNP certification exam, then graduate with terminal DNP degree
- On-campus visits for clinical practicum, doctoral symposium, and graduation
DNP Admissions Requirements
Applicants must be registered nurses with BSN degrees.
Application Requirements:
- Unencumbered RN license in the United States
- BSN degree from accredited institution
- Three letters of reference addressing academic ability, professional competency, and personal character
- Updated resume detailing education, work experience, and professional achievements
- Professional statement addressing:
- Professional goals as AGACNP (healthcare quality improvement OR policy/health issue focus)
- Interest in AGACNP Program and role
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- $65 application fee
- $200 enrollment deposit upon admission
- Applicants may be contacted for interview following initial application review
Tuition
UNH AGACNP tuition ranges from $820-$1,430 per credit depending on residency status (with New England Regional rate at $930/credit).
MSN-AGACNP (51 credits):
- NH Resident: $820/credit = $41,820 total
- Out-of-State: $1,430/credit = $72,930 total
- New England Regional: $930/credit = $47,430 total
Post-Master’s Certificate (30 credits):
- NH Resident: $820/credit = $24,600 total
- Out-of-State: $1,430/credit = $42,900 total
- New England Regional: $930/credit = $27,900 total
Post-BSN to DNP (78 credits):
- NH Resident: $820/credit = $63,960 total
- Out-of-State: $1,430/credit = $111,540 total
- New England Regional: $930/credit = $72,540 total
Additional Costs:
- Full-time students (9-16 credits): $1,249/semester in mandatory fees plus technology fee
- Part-time students (5-8 credits): $624.50/semester in mandatory fees plus technology fee
- Part-time students (1-4 credits): $29.25/semester technology fee
- $20 registration fee for students taking fewer than 9 credits
Continuing education rates and specific program fees may apply.
See the official tuition page for more details at the UNH Business Services website.
Application Deadlines
All Programs:
- Fall admission: May 1
- Spring: Does not admit
- Summer: Does not admit
Exception – Post-BSN to DNP:
- Spring admission: May 1
- Fall: Does not admit
- Summer: Does not admit
Applications must be completed by deadlines to be reviewed for admission.
Geographic Restrictions
CRITICAL: UNH nursing licensure programs accept only students seeking licensure in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont.
Students must plan to obtain licensure in one of these four states. The university recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure the program meets specific state/territory requirements.
Program Format
Online Asynchronous Delivery:
- All programs delivered primarily online with asynchronous coursework
- Small class sizes provide personalized attention
- Flexibility for working professionals to complete coursework on own schedule
- Dedicated UNH faculty advisor helps balance workload and manage academic schedule
- Faculty coordinate with student success coach team for support from application through graduation
On-Campus Requirements:
- MSN/Certificate: No specific on-campus requirements mentioned
- DNP: Several on-campus visit opportunities including clinical practicum, doctoral symposium, and graduation
- DNP students participate in online synchronous orientation
Accreditation
The University of New Hampshire’s Nursing Department is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates of all three programs are prepared to sit for national certification as Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioners with:
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) – ACNPC-AG certification
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – AGACNP certification
Special Features
No Prior Work Experience Required for MSN: UNH’s MSN-AGACNP program does not require prior nursing work experience (though one year preferred), allowing recent BSN graduates to pursue advanced practice certification.
Faculty Support:
- Productive faculty with extensive clinical experience
- State-of-the-art facilities
- One-on-one access to faculty mentors and advisors
- Student success coach team coordination
DNP Project Focus: Students assess clinical practice sites, identify quality improvement opportunities, and design customized projects tailored to professional aspirations with faculty and content expert consultation.
Other New Hampshire ACNP Programs
- Rivier University - Nashua