Louisiana has 3 in-state AGACNP programs spanning MSN, BSN-DNP, and Post-Master’s DNP pathways. Tuition ranges from approximately $14,345 (NSU MSN) to $65,722 (LSUHSC BSN-DNP, resident rate), with program completion ranging from 1 year (certificate programs) to 3 years for the full BSN-to-DNP at LSUHSC.
On this page we compare each program and provide links to detailed school summaries.
Quick Summary Table
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola University New Orleans | BSN-DNP: $42K Certificate: $16K | – Flexible hybrid or fully online format – Local clinical practicums – BSN-DNP includes at least 1,290 supervised clinical hrs – Year-round admission for fall, spring, and summer starts |
| LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans | BSN-DNP: $66K Post-Master’s DNP: $34K+ | – Campus-based blended format in New Orleans – BSN-DNP is a structured 3-year full-time pathway – Post-master’s DNP offers full-time or part-time study – BSN-DNP includes 1,080 total supervised practicum hours |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | MSN: $14K Certificate: $6K–$9K | – Flexible MSN and post-master’s AGACNP options for working nurses – Full-time or part-time study available, with fall-only cohort starts – Current NP clinical hours are completed in Louisiana – May require on-campus or off-campus labs and simulation activities |
Lousiana ANCP Program Summaries
Chamberlain University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $760 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Chamberlain University offers Louisiana RNs flexible online AGACNP education through an MSN program completable in 3 years or a post-master's certificate in under 2 years. Students gain expertise in acute and critical care management through coursework covering advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and 700 hours of clinical practice. Louisiana nurses benefit from Chamberlain's Practicum Commitment® and faculty who bring real-world acute care experience to every course.
Loyola University ACNP Programs
New Orleans | $885 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / DNP
Loyola University New Orleans offers two flexible AGACNP pathways — a 48-credit hybrid BSN-DNP and an 18-credit fully online Post-Graduate Certificate — both designed to prepare graduates for AGACNP national certification. The BSN-DNP includes a DNP scholarly project sequence and 1,290+ supervised clinical hours, while the Certificate provides a streamlined option for master's-prepared nurses adding an acute care credential. Practicums for both programs are completed locally with qualified preceptors, minimizing relocation or travel burdens. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Fall, Spring, and Summer starts...read more.
LSU Health Sciences Center ACNP Programs
New Orleans | $973 cpc | BSN to DNP / DNP
LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans offers two AGACNP tracks — a BSN-to-DNP pathway (86 credits, 3 years full-time) and a Post-Master's DNP option for credentialed APRNs adding a new role — both focused on high-acuity, physiologically unstable adult and older adult patients across specialty clinics and critical care settings. The BSN-DNP includes 1,080 supervised practicum hours and culminates in a DNP scholarly project, while the PM-DNP individualized clinical hours based on prior master's-level experience with a minimum of 180 hours required. Graduates of both tracks qualify to sit for either the ANCC AGACNP certification exam or the AACN ACNPC-AG exam...read more.
Maryville University ACNP Programs
St Louis | $863 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Louisiana nurses can prepare for advanced roles in acute and critical care through Maryville University’s 100% online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP programs, including MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks. With no campus visits, no GRE or GMAT, and local clinical placements, Louisiana RNs can continue working while they study. CCNE-accredited coursework emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, and high-acuity adult-gerontology care to meet Louisiana’s demand for skilled AGACNPs.
Northwestern State University ACNP Programs
Natchitoches | $718 cpc | Certificate / MSN
NSU's AGACNP programs prepare advanced practice nurses to deliver expert care to adult and older adult patients across acute and critical care settings through two flexible pathways — an MSN and a Post-Master's Certificate. The MSN requires a minimum of 40–45 credits and includes core nursing science, NP role coursework, and concentration-specific clinical sequences, while the PMC offers a streamlined option for master's-prepared nurses adding the AGACNP credential. Both programs use a cohort model with Fall semester starts and are built for working nurses seeking affordable, nationally recognized advanced practice education. NSU is consistently recognized as Louisiana's largest producer of nurse practitioners and holds a top national ranking for its MSN program. ..read more.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Nurse leaders in Louisiana can enhance their clinical expertise through South College’s asynchronous AGACNP BSN-MSN or Post-Graduate Certificate. These programs are specifically tailored for those working in ER or ICU environments, requiring substantial prior experience in acute care. Louisiana graduates emerge with the skills needed to manage multi-system illnesses and lead interprofessional teams in urgent healthcare scenarios.
West Coast University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $700 cpc | Certificate / MSN
For Registered Nurses in Louisiana looking to advance their career while maintaining employment, WCU offers Working Professional tracks in the MSN and RN to MSN AGACNP programs. These 50-credit (MSN) or 155-credit (RN to MSN) options maintain the rigorous acute care curriculum but are designed with slower pacing to allow students to typically attempt only one course per 8-week term. This extended timeline, which can take up to 3.7 years for the RN to MSN option, helps working nurses balance their education, clinical obligations, and professional life.
Choosing the an ACNP Program in Louisiana
Below we highlight and compare the main features of each school to help you find the best fit.
TL;DR — Quick Picks
Choose Northwestern State University if you want the lowest-cost in-state option and an MSN pathway.
Choose Loyola University if you want a fully online BSN-DNP with flexible start dates and local clinical placements.
Choose LSU Health Sciences Center if you want the most rigorous campus-based DNP program with the highest clinical hours (1,080) and a Post-Master’s DNP option for already-credentialed APRNs.
Louisiana ACNP DNP Programs
Two schools — Loyola and LSUHSC — offer DNP-level AGACNP pathways, and they represent very different approaches.
Loyola’s BSN-DNP is the most affordable DNP at ~$42,480 and is delivered primarily online with local clinical placements.
LSUHSC’s BSN-DNP is the most clinically intensive, with 1,080 supervised hours across a structured 9-semester, campus-based program — but at nearly $65,722 for residents, it carries the highest price tag in Louisiana. LSUHSC also uniquely offers a Post-Master’s DNP pathway for APRNs who already hold an MSN and want to add the AGACNP credential at the doctoral level.
| School | Program | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Duration | Format | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola | BSN-DNP | ~$42,480 | 2–2.5 yrs (FT) | Hybrid / Online | 1,290 min. |
| LSUHSC | BSN-DNP | ~$65,722 | 3 yrs / 9 semesters (FT only) | Campus-Based Blended | 1,080 min. |
| LSUHSC | Post-Master’s DNP | ~$34,055+ | 4 semesters (FT) / 7 semesters (PT) | Campus-Based Blended | 1,000 post-BSN min. |
Standout notes:
- Loyola BSN-DNP — Core coursework is fully online and asynchronous; AGACNP specialization begins in semester 3; DNP scholarly project included (540 project hours); rolling Fall/Spring/Summer admissions; requires CCRN certification at admission — a higher bar than other programs.
- LSUHSC BSN-DNP — Largest program in this group at 86 credits; classes meet Monday–Saturday minimum 6 times per semester; clinical rotations may occur evenings, weekends, and nights; only Summer entry (deadline: January 31); most structured and intensive program in Louisiana.
- LSUHSC Post-Master’s DNP — The only PM-DNP option in Louisiana for credentialed APRNs adding the AGACNP role; credit hours vary by prior graduate coursework and 3 P’s verification; 8-year maximum completion window; part-time available.
Louisiana ACNP MSN Programs
Northwestern State University is the only in-state MSN option for AGACNP — and it’s by far the most affordable program in Louisiana at approximately $14,345.
NSU holds a strong institutional reputation as the #1 NP program in Louisiana (per RegisteredNursing.org) and the state’s largest producer of registered nurses and nurse practitioners. The key limitation: clinical hours are currently completed exclusively in Louisiana, and the program admits one cohort per year (Fall only).
| School | Credits | Est. Tuition | Duration | Format | Admissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSU | 40–45 | ~$14,345 (resident) | 2–2.5 yrs (FT) | Blended; clinicals in Louisiana only | Fall only; one cohort/year |
Standout notes:
- NSU — Ranked #1 NP program in Louisiana; flat-rate semester tuition model keeps costs predictable; GPA as low as 2.5 accepted (or 2.75 in last 60 hours); GRE accepted as alternative if GPA threshold not met — the most flexible academic entry standard in the state.
- Nurses outside Louisiana should note that clinical hours are currently restricted to in-state placements — not ideal for out-of-state applicants.
Louisiana ACNP Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
All three schools offer a post-master’s AGACNP certificate pathway. NSU is the clear cost leader starting at ~$5,738, while Loyola’s certificate is the most flexible at 100% online with rolling admissions and an individual gap analysis to customize the plan of study. LSUHSC does not offer a standalone post-master’s certificate — its PM-DNP is the closest equivalent and confers a doctoral credential rather than a certificate.
📌 LSUHSC Note: LSUHSC does not offer a traditional post-master’s certificate. Its Post-Master’s DNP (PM-DNP) pathway adds the AGACNP credential at the doctoral level — a meaningful distinction for nurses who want a credential upgrade, not just a specialty addition.
| School | Credential | Credits | Est. Tuition | Format | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSU | Post-Master’s Certificate | Individualized | ~$5,738–$8,607 | Blended; clinicals in Louisiana only | Not published |
| Loyola | Post-Graduate Certificate | 18 (min. 9 at Loyola) | ~$15,930 | 100% Online; local clinical preceptors | 500 min. |
| LSUHSC | Post-Master’s DNP | 35+ credits | ~$34,055+ | Campus-Based Blended | 1,000 post-BSN min. |
Standout notes:
- NSU — Course requirements determined through individual advising; Fall-only cohort model; clinicals in Louisiana only; most affordable certificate option in the state.
- Loyola — Individual gap analysis tailors the program to each student’s prior MSN; minimum 9 credits must be completed at Loyola regardless of transfer; bi-monthly interview schedule for applicants; requires both RN and APRN license (if applicable) in the state where practicums occur.
- LSUHSC PM-DNP — For APRNs seeking a doctoral credential alongside their new AGACNP specialty; credit hours and cost scale based on prior graduate coursework and 3 P’s completion; 8-year maximum completion window.
Clinical Placements & Preceptor Support
None of the three Louisiana programs publish a formal preceptor placement guarantee. Loyola is the most geographically flexible, allowing students to complete all clinical hours locally with approved preceptors in their own practice area.
NSU and LSUHSC require Louisiana-based clinical placements, which limits out-of-state applicants significantly.
| School | Program | Clinical Hours | Placement Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LSUHSC | BSN-DNP | 1,080 min. | Community specialty clinics and acute/critical care hospitals in Louisiana; may include evenings, weekends, and nights; supervised by approved preceptors under faculty oversight |
| Loyola | BSN-DNP | 1,290 min. | All hours completed locally with qualified preceptors in student’s geographic area; most geographically flexible option in Louisiana |
| Loyola | Certificate | 500 min. | All hours completed locally with qualified preceptors in student’s practice area |
| NSU | MSN & Certificate | Not published | All clinical hours are in-person and currently completed in Louisiana only; on-campus or off-campus lab/simulation attendance may also be required |
| LSUHSC | PM-DNP | 1,000 post-BSN min. | Individualized practicum plan developed with faculty advisor; minimum 180 hours required at LSUHSC; community specialty clinics and acute/critical care hospitals |
Admissions at a Glance
| School | Program | Min. GPA | RN Experience | Special Requirements | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSU | MSN | 2.5 overall or 2.75 (last 60 hrs) | Professional nursing experience required (unspecified) | Louisiana RN or compact license; GRE accepted if GPA not met | Priority: Mar 31 / Final: Jun 1 — Fall only |
| NSU | PMC | Not published | Active APRN credentials required | Louisiana RN or compact license; MSN from accredited program | Priority: Mar 31 / Final: Jun 1 — Fall only |
| Loyola | BSN-DNP | 3.0 | 1 year full-time critical care RN | CCRN certification required; BLS + ACLS; background check/drug screen; interview (selected applicants) | Rolling — Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Loyola | Certificate | 3.0 | 1 year full-time nursing experience | BSN + MSN required; RN + APRN license (if applicable); bi-monthly interviews; background check/drug screen | Rolling — Fall, Spring, Summer |
| LSUHSC | BSN-DNP | 3.0 | 1 year acute care RN within past 5 years | BLS + ACLS; 3 letters of reference (including peer, NP, and supervisor); interview required; background check/drug screen; $100 application fee | January 31 — Summer entry only |
| LSUHSC | PM-DNP | 3.0 | 1 year acute care RN within past 5 years | Current APRN board certification; 3 P’s verification; 3 letters of reference; interview required; background check/drug screen | January 31 — Summer entry only |
Notable admissions differences:
- Loyola’s BSN-DNP is the only program requiring CCRN certification at the time of application — this sets a higher clinical bar than any other Louisiana program and effectively filters for ICU/critical care RNs.
- NSU has the most flexible GPA requirement (2.5) and accepts GRE scores as an alternative — the most accessible entry point in the state for nurses with lower undergraduate GPAs.
- LSUHSC is the only program with a single, hard annual deadline (January 31 for Summer entry) — missing it means waiting a full year; plan accordingly.
- All three programs require a Louisiana RN license or a compact license covering Louisiana for clinical placement eligibility.