The University of Memphis offers 2 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing – MSN AG-ACNP
- Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Both tracks deliver coursework in an online format with required on-campus intensives for advanced skills and simulation training. Students attend up to three short campus sessions during the program, each lasting one to three days.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN ACNP | ~$25,652 | 2–2.5 Years |
| Certificate AGACNP | ~$12,826 | 1–1.5 Years |
The programs prepare nurses to diagnose and manage acute, critical, and complex conditions in adult and older adult populations. Graduates meet eligibility requirements to sit for national certification exams and pursue advanced practice roles in hospitals, ICUs, and emergency departments.
The Loewenberg College of Nursing designs each pathway to support working nurses while maintaining strong clinical standards.
Master of Science in Nursing – ACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AG-ACNP program is approximately $25,652 (44 credits × $583 per credit for Tennessee residents, excluding fees) and would take about 2 to 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 44-credit program includes core, advanced practice, and specialty ACNP courses.
Core MSN Courses (12 credits):
- NURS 7021 – Scholarly Nursing I
- NURS 7022 – Scholarly Nursing II
- NURS 7023 – Population Health in Our Global Society
- NURS 7024 – Nursing Leadership & Technologies
Advanced Practice Core (10 credits):
- NURS 7101 – Advanced Health Assessment
- NURS 7102 – Advanced Health Assessment Lab
- NURS 7103 – Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 7104 – Advanced Pharmacology
AG-ACNP Specialty Courses (22 credits):
NURS 7621 – AG-ACNP I (3 credits)
This course covers acute and critical care management for adults and older adults with episodic and chronic conditions. Topics include pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuro/neurosurgical problems, plus MODS, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Students build diagnostic reasoning skills, practice differential diagnosis, and use current evidence to guide treatment.
NURS 7622 – AG-ACNP I Practicum (3 credits)
This practicum places students in supervised clinical practice with an inpatient-focused preceptor. Experiences may occur in clinics, hospitals, or critical care units. Students apply the AG-ACNP role in real patient care and must earn a B or higher to progress.
NURS 7623 – AG-ACNP II (3 credits)
This course focuses on acute and critical care management for adults and older adults with conditions affecting the GU and GI systems and other urgent presentations. Content includes women’s health emergencies, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and care considerations for minority populations. Students strengthen differential diagnosis skills and apply research findings to clinical care, health promotion, and maintenance.
NURS 7624 – AG-ACNP II Practicum (3 credits)
This practicum provides supervised clinical practice in settings with acute and critical medical, surgical, traumatic, and urgent presentations. Students work with a preceptor to develop AG-ACNP assessment and management skills in high-acuity care. A B or higher is required to continue in the sequence.
NURS 7625 – AG-ACNP III (3 credits)
This course covers advanced acute and critical care management for adults and older adults across additional body systems and emergency needs. Topics include psychiatric emergencies, trauma, and hematologic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, and skin disorders, with added focus on wound healing and surgical wound care. Students refine differential diagnosis skills and use current research to guide safe treatment decisions.
NURS 7626 – AG-ACNP III Practicum (3 credits)
This practicum places students in supervised clinical practice in high-acuity settings such as hospitalist, intensivist, or trauma-focused roles. Students manage acute and critical presentations under preceptor guidance and must earn a B or higher to progress.
NURS 7629 – AG-ACNP Roles & Transition to Practice Residency (4 credits)
This residency supports the transition from student to practicing AG-ACNP through advanced role development and acute care management training. Students apply clinical leadership, decision-making, and patient management skills across varied practice settings. A B or higher is required for progression.
See the official tuition page for more details.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 750 clinical clock hours to meet certification standards.
- Three practicum courses (180 hours each)
- Final residency course (240 hours)
- Structured on-campus intensives (1–3 days each, up to three visits)
- Adult critical care or emergency-focused placements
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Active RN license in Tennessee or approved state
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (2.75–2.99 conditional pathway available)
- Two years of recent adult critical care or emergency RN experience
- Completion of undergraduate statistics
- Personal statement and resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Successful NCLEX-RN completion
- Required immunizations, BLS certification, and malpractice coverage
AGACNP Practitioner Graduate Certificate
The estimated cost for the AG-ACNP Graduate Certificate is approximately $12,826 (22 credits × $583 per credit for Tennessee residents, excluding fees) and would take about 1 to 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 22-credit certificate focuses on specialty ACNP coursework for graduate-prepared nurses.
- NURS 7621 – AG-ACNP I
- NURS 7622 – AG-ACNP I Practicum
- NURS 7623 – AG-ACNP II
- NURS 7624 – AG-ACNP II Practicum
- NURS 7625 – AG-ACNP III
- NURS 7626 – AG-ACNP III Practicum
- NURS 7629 – AG-ACNP Roles & Transition to Practice Residency
See the official tuition page for more details.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete at least 750 total clinical hours if not previously earned.
- Three 180-hour practicums
- One 240-hour residency
- Up to three required on-campus intensives
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Graduate degree in nursing from accredited program
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Completion of advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Two years recent adult critical care or emergency RN experience
- Active RN license
- Personal statement, resume, and three recommendations
Tuition
Graduate resident tuition is $583 per credit hour plus a $95 per credit university service fee. Rates may vary for non-residents and online sections.
More curriculum details are available here.
Application Deadlines
- Fall: September 15 – July 1
- Spring: May 1 – December 1
- Rolling admissions review
Accreditation
The BSN and MSN programs at the University of Memphis are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
More Tennessee ACNP Programs
- East Tennessee State University - Johnson City
- Tennessee Tech University - Cookeville
- College of Nursing - Memphis
- Vanderbilt University - Nashville