Wayne State University ACNP Programs (Acute Care) Online

Wayne State University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

BSN to DNP – (AGNP-AC)
Graduate Certificate – (AGNP-AC)

Programs are delivered on campus or synchronously through the Flexible Learning Program, allowing students to choose either in-person or synchronous online learning formats.

Program Tracks Overview

Program Name	Est. Tuition	Est. Duration
BSN to DNP AGNP-AC	$82,930 (in-state)	3 years (full-time) 4 years (part-time)
Graduate Certificate AGNP-AC	$20,448+ (in-state)	Up to 3 years

Wayne State arranges and coordinates all clinical placements, matching sites and preceptors to students’ career goals and approved practice settings. The university is ranked among the best nursing schools in Michigan and the nation, with graduates prepared to sit for national board certification through ANCC or AACN.

BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGNP-AC)

The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP AGNP-AC program is approximately $82,930 for Michigan residents or $153,909 for non-residents, and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis or 4 years part-time.

Estimate based on 73 credits × $1,136.03 (in-state) or $2,106.97 (out-of-state) per credit hour.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

The 73-credit curriculum includes DNP core courses, supportive courses, clinical course sequence, and DNP project practicum courses preparing graduates to function as highly developed clinicians and leaders.

DNP Core Courses (26 credits):

NUR 8210 – Determinants of Health and Health Disparities (3)
Examines biological, genetic, behavioral, cultural, environmental, economic, and policy factors that shape health outcomes. Focuses on health disparities in urban and vulnerable populations. Prepares students to develop research questions and collaborate across disciplines.

NUR 8615 – Informatics Innovations in Nursing (3)
Explores health informatics concepts relevant to advanced practice. Emphasizes data systems, technology tools, and their role in improving care quality and safety.

NUR 8620 – Foundations of Nursing as a Discipline (3)
Analyzes philosophical, historical, and scientific influences on nursing knowledge. Evaluates theories and models that guide advanced practice and DNP project development.

NUR 8625 – Evidence Based Nursing Practice: Theoretical and Methodological Issues (3)
Builds the scientific foundation for integrating evidence into clinical practice. Examines research methods and strategies that support informed decision-making.

NUR 8650 – Advanced Professional Leadership (3)
Prepares nurses to lead change within complex healthcare systems. Develops leadership skills for effective role transition and organizational improvement.

NUR 8653 – Healthcare Analytic Methods, Data Management, Evaluation, and Outcomes (4)
Teaches data appraisal, collection methods, and outcome evaluation. Focuses on using analytics to improve patient care, population health, and system performance.

NUR 8665 – Health Policy, Economics, Ethics and Evaluation in Advanced Practice Nursing (4)
Examines healthcare policy, finance, and ethics in advanced nursing practice. Prepares students to analyze policy gaps and advocate for vulnerable populations.

NUR 8895 – Population Health for Nursing (3)
Introduces epidemiologic principles for analyzing population health trends. Emphasizes use of data to design programs and lead system-level change.

Supportive Courses (7 credits):

NUR 7444 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan for APRNs (4 credits)
NUR 7555 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice (3 credits)

Clinical Course Sequence (28 credits):

NUR 7030 – Advanced Nursing Assessment (4 credits)
Specialty Didactic and Clinical I (8 credits)
Specialty Didactic and Clinical II (8 credits)
Specialty Didactic and Clinical III (8 credits)

DNP Project Practicum Courses (12 credits):

NUR 9508 – DNP Project Proposal Development Practicum I (4 credits)
NUR 9510 – DNP Project Practicum III (4 credits)
NUR 9520 – DNP Project (4 credits)

DNP Prerequisite Course (taken first semester):

NUR 7000 – Statistics in Nursing (3 credits)

More curriculum details are available here.

BSN to DNP Clinicals

Students must complete the equivalent of one year of direct patient care nursing experience in an acute care setting (preferably in-hospital or long-term healthcare facility) prior to starting the clinical sequence. Wayne State arranges and coordinates all clinical placements.

One year RN experience in acute care setting required before clinical sequence
Clinical placements matched to career goals and approved practice settings
Clinical sites include hospitals, critical care units, and specialized practices
Specialty coordinators and graduate clinical placement coordinators ensure high-quality placements
Clinical coordination burden removed from students
Clinical hours embedded throughout specialty didactic and clinical courses

BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions

Bachelor of Science in Nursing from ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Current Michigan RN licensure (or obtain within 2 semesters for current BSN students and out-of-state applicants)
BSN must be completed by June of the year starting fall semester DNP courses
Resume or CV including education, work experience, publications, certifications, licenses, and professional affiliations
Statement of Purpose (approximately 2 pages outlining career goals)
Two letters of recommendation (at least one from doctorally prepared individual preferred)
Personal interview required for all qualified applicants
Statistics course must be completed in first semester
Must successfully complete NUR 8620 Foundations of Nursing as a Discipline in first semester to progress
Seven-year time limit to complete all degree requirements

Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (AGNP-AC)

The estimated cost for the Graduate Certificate AGNP-AC is approximately $20,448 for Michigan residents or $37,925 for non-residents based on the minimum 18 credits required, and must be completed within 3 years.

Estimate based on 18 credits × $1,136.03 (in-state) or $2,106.97 (out-of-state) per credit hour. Additional credits may be required based on gap analysis.

Graduate Certificate Curriculum

The 18-credit minimum curriculum allows certified APRNs who graduated with a clinical MSN or DNP to acquire nationally-specified adult-gerontology acute care content and clinical skills. All plans of study are individualized based on gap analysis.

Required Courses (18 credits minimum):

NUR 7427 – Adult-Gerontology ACNP: Management of Neurological, Endocrine & Musculoskeletal Problems – Didactic (2 credits)
NUR 7428 – Adult-Gerontology ACNP: Management of Neurological, Endocrine & Musculoskeletal Problems – Clinical (4 credits)
NUR 7437 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP: Management of Cardiopulmonary and Renal Problems – Didactic (2 credits)
NUR 7438 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP: Management of Cardiopulmonary and Renal Problems – Clinical (4 credits)
NUR 7447 – AG-ACNP: Management of Patients with Oncology, Hematology, Mental Health & Life Changes – Didactic (2 credits)
NUR 7448 – AG-ACNP: Management of Patients with Oncology, Hematology, Mental Health & Life Changes – Clinical (4 credits)

Additional courses may be required based on gap analysis:

NUR 7444 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology across the Lifespan (or equivalent)
NUR 7555 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Health Professions (or equivalent)
NUR 7030 – Advanced Nursing Assessment (or equivalent)
NUR 6510 – Health Economics, Policy and Professional Issues for APNs
One-credit procedural directed study may be required

More curriculum details are available here.

Graduate Certificate Clinicals

Students must complete a minimum of 500 hours of acute care clinical hours to meet specialty competencies and requirements for the AGNP-AC national certification exam.

Minimum 500 hours of adults and older adult acute care clinical experience required
Clinical hours integrated across three clinical practicum courses (4 credits each)
Clinical placements focus on acute care settings
Courses integrate advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and acute clinical care management
Students acquire skills to assume acute care roles in various settings

Graduate Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions

Graduate degree (MSN or DNP) in clinical nursing from nationally accredited institution
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Current Michigan RN licensure
Current specialty certification by nationally recognized body (applicant must upload certificate)
Personal goal statement
Two professional letters of recommendation
Resume
Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions
Gap analysis determines additional coursework requirements
Certificate must be earned within three years
No transfer credit accepted
Minimum 3.0 honor point average must be maintained
If currently enrolled in DNP program, certificate not awarded until DNP is posted on transcript

Tuition

Graduate nursing students pay $1,136.03 per credit hour for Michigan residents or $2,106.97 per credit hour for non-residents. Additional fees include Registration Fee ($387.41 per semester) and Student Service Fee ($66.95 per credit hour).

See the official tuition page for more details.

Application Deadlines

Applications for fall enrollment must be received by August 1. Applications are submitted through NursingCAS with no separate Wayne State application required. Wayne State offers free application waivers for graduate programs (contact gradnursing@wayne.edu for unique coupon code).

Qualified applicants are invited to a 30-minute Zoom interview, with the full review process completed within two weeks.

Accreditation

Wayne State University is accredited by the CCNE.