East Carolina University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN to DNP – AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
Both programs are offered in hybrid format with the majority of coursework delivered online, requiring minimal campus visits.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $51,000–$87,000 | 3–4 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $5,496–$19,302 | ~1.5 years (part-time) |
The programs prepare graduates to work in emergency departments, ICUs, hospitalist services, and inpatient consultation services with adolescent through advanced elderly patient populations.
Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate is approximately $5,496-$19,302 annually (base graduate tuition plus $150 per credit hour nursing program fee), and the 20-credit program takes approximately 1.5 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum
The 20 semester-hour curriculum prepares certified nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists to transition into acute care practice:
NURS 6893 – Diagnostic Reasoning in the Acutely Ill Patient (2)
This course strengthens acute care assessment skills for adults and older adults. Students practice history-taking, physical exams, diagnostics, and differential diagnosis to guide evidence-based treatment plans.
NURS 6894 – Nurse Practitioner Roles in Acute Healthcare Settings (2)
This course explains the NP role in acute care through ethics, law, policy, and advocacy. Students apply evidence-based practice principles to real clinical and professional decisions.
NURS 6895 – Acute Care Management I (3)
This course covers assessment and management of common acute conditions in adult and geriatric patients. Students build culturally responsive, evidence-based diagnostic reasoning for acute care plans.
NURS 6896 – Acute Care Management II (3)
This course expands acute care decision-making for complex adult and geriatric disorders. Students refine diagnostics and management using evidence-based and culturally responsive approaches.
NURS 6897 – Introduction to Acute Care Practicum I (3)
This first practicum places students with a clinical preceptor in acute care settings. Students manage common adult and geriatric problems while practicing shared decision-making and evidence-based care.
NURS 6898 – Advanced Care of Acutely Ill Adults Practicum II (3)
This second practicum increases patient complexity across acute care sites under preceptor supervision. Students apply advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based management with shared decision-making.
NURS 6899 – Acute Care NP Clinical Competency Practicum III (3)
This final practicum focuses on critical and complex adult and geriatric conditions in acute and long-term acute care. Students demonstrate clinical competency using evidence-based, culturally responsive care and shared decision-making.
NURS 6993 – Advanced Nursing Synthesis (1)
This seminar helps students integrate graduate nursing concepts across the concentration. Students use guided discussion and reflection to connect coursework to advanced practice outcomes.
Post-Master’s Certificate Clinicals
Clinical practice experiences total 10 credits distributed across three practicum courses:
- Practicum I: Introduction to acute care settings (3 credits)
- Practicum II: Advanced care of acutely ill adults (3 credits)
- Practicum III: Clinical competency validation (4 credits)
- Clinical experiences arranged in students’ geographic areas
Post-Master’s Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Earned MSN, DNP, or PhD degree
- Current certification as an advanced practice registered nurse (Family NP, Adult NP, Adult-Gerontology NP, or CNS)
- Unencumbered RN license from North Carolina or compact state
- GPA of 3.2 or greater on 4.0 scale
- Completion of the “3Ps” in previous degree program: Health Assessment for APRN, Clinical Pharmacology for APRN, Human Physiology and Pathophysiology for APRN
- Basic computer competency with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, patient information systems, and statistical software
- Completed and approved application to ECU Graduate School
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP AGACNP program is approximately $51,000–$87,000, and the 60-credit program takes 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on $16,973-$21,779 annually (base graduate tuition plus $150 per credit hour nursing program fee).
BSN to DNP Curriculum
The 60 semester-hour curriculum includes core advanced practice courses, specialty acute care content, and a three-semester DNP project:
Year 1:
- Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- Population Health in Advanced Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
- Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- Health Care Finance in Advanced Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
- Design and Statistical Methods in Advanced Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
- Human Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
Year 2:
- Interprofessional Leadership and Role Development (3 credits)
- Advanced Practice Nursing: Care of the Older Adults (3 credits)
- Communication and Technology in Advanced Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
- Translating Evidence into Advanced Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
- Diagnostic Reasoning in the Acutely Ill Patient (2 credits)
- Common Acute Care Management (3 credits)
Year 3:
- Complex Acute Care Management (3 credits)
- Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum I (3 credits)
- Nurse Practitioner Roles in Healthcare Setting (3 credits)
- Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum II (3 credits)
- Advanced Practice Nursing: Practicum III (4 credits)
- DNP Project I (3 credits)
Year 4:
- DNP Project II (3 credits)
- DNP Project III (3 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN to DNP Clinicals
The program requires 540 clinical practice hours completed across three practicum courses and the DNP project implementation:
- Practicum experiences arranged in students’ geographic areas
- Clinical hours distributed across emergency departments, ICUs, hospitalist services, and inpatient consultation services
- Faculty provide assistance with clinical site placements
- Priority given to students with at least 2 years of experience in emergency departments or intensive care units
BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Baccalaureate (or higher) degree in nursing
- Active registered nurse licensure in North Carolina or compact state
- At least 2 years of experience in emergency department or ICU (priority)
- Critical thinking skills and effective verbal/written communication abilities
- Basic computer competency with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and internet search proficiency
Tuition
Graduate nursing students pay base graduate tuition plus an additional $150 per credit hour nursing program fee.
Resident on-campus students pay $7,973 annually in base tuition and fees, while non-resident on-campus students pay $21,779 annually. Distance education students pay $5,496 (resident) or $19,302 (non-resident) annually.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
Post-Master’s Certificate admissions occur in Spring of each academic year. BSN to DNP program admission timelines should be confirmed directly with the College of Nursing.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at East Carolina University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates are eligible to sit for certification examinations through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Other North Carolina ACNP Programs
- Duke University - Durham
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Charlotte