The College of St. Scholastica offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) tracks:
- BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGACNP Concentration
- Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate
Both tracks are delivered in a hybrid format — online asynchronous coursework with limited on-campus lab and simulation days (1–3 days per semester).
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $75,036 | 4 years (full-time) |
| Certificate AGACNP | $40,404 | 12–18 months |
The BSN-DNP is designed for working BSN-prepared nurses seeking a terminal practice degree; the Post-Graduate Certificate is built for already-licensed APRNs adding a second specialty. Clinical rotations are arranged near the student’s home location whenever possible.
BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGACNP Concentration
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP AGACNP program is $75,036 (78 credits × $962) and takes approximately 4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
The curriculum combines 31 credits of DNP core coursework with 47 credits of AGACNP-specific clinical concentration courses. Core courses are completed in the first two years; concentration coursework runs years three and four.
DNP Core Courses (31 credits)
- HIF 6010 – Foundations of Health Informatics (3 cr.)
- NSG 8110 – Introduction to the DNP (3 cr.)
- NSG 8201 – Clinical Project I (3 cr.)
- NSG 8206 – Clinical Project II (3 cr.)
- NSG 8207 – Clinical Project III (3 cr.)
- NSG 8213 – Evidence-Based Practice & Health Outcomes (3 cr.)
- NSG 8323 – Quality Improvement (3 cr.)
- NSG 8620 – Health Policy, Ethics & Law (3 cr.)
- NSG 8660 – Leadership in Health Care: Organizational Innovations (3 cr.)
- NSG 8673 – Epidemiology and Population Health (3 cr.)
- NSG 8674 – Biostatistics for the DNP (1 cr.)
AGACNP Concentration Courses (47 credits)
NSG 8120 – Introduction to Clinical Practice (2 credits)
This course builds core skills for advanced clinical practice. Students develop communication, clinical judgment, and decision-making abilities. The course prepares students for safe and effective patient care.
NSG 8152 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Practice I (2 credits)
This course introduces advanced physiology and common disease processes. Students learn how conditions affect body systems across the lifespan. The course links disease mechanisms to diagnosis and treatment.
NSG 8154 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Practice II (2 credits)
This course expands on complex disease processes and system interactions. Students strengthen clinical reasoning for diagnosis and care planning. The course connects pathophysiology to treatment and evaluation.
NSG 8217 – Lifespan Health Assessment I (2 credits)
This course teaches foundational assessment skills across the lifespan. Students learn data collection, communication, and physical exam techniques. The course supports accurate patient evaluation.
NSG 8219 – Lifespan Health Assessment II (2 credits)
This course advances assessment skills for diverse patient populations. Students refine exam techniques and clinical communication. The course builds confidence in comprehensive patient assessment.
NSG 8661 – Health Care Management I: Adult (3 credits)
This course focuses on managing acute and chronic conditions in adults. Students learn prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. The course integrates pathophysiology and psychosocial factors in care planning.
NSG 8663 – Advanced Practicum I (4 credits)
This practicum develops clinical skills in managing common health conditions. Students gain hands-on experience with patients across the lifespan. The course includes 240 supervised clinical hours.
NSG 8668 – Interdisciplinary Seminar (2 credits)
This course focuses on teamwork and collaboration in health care. Students work with other professionals to improve patient outcomes. The course also supports professional identity development.
NSG 8670 – Advanced Pharmacology I (2 credits)
This course covers medication management for common conditions. Students study pharmacology using a body systems approach. The course includes drug selection, monitoring, and patient education.
NSG 8672 – Advanced Pharmacology II (2 credits)
This course builds on advanced pharmacology concepts. Students apply medication management to more complex conditions. The course strengthens decision-making in drug therapy.
NSG 8706 – Introduction to Acute Care Practice, Therapeutics and Diagnostics (2 credits)
This course introduces the AGACNP role in acute care settings. Students learn diagnostic and treatment principles. The course prepares students for complex care environments.
NSG 8710 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Management I (2 credits)
This course focuses on managing acute and chronic conditions in adults. Students apply assessment, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. The course emphasizes critical thinking and care coordination.
NSG 8712 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Management II (3 credits)
This course addresses care of unstable and high-risk patients. Students manage complex and critical conditions. The course includes teamwork and simulated procedures.
NSG 8714 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Management III (3 credits)
This course focuses on high-acuity and critical care management. Students develop advanced treatment plans for complex patients. The course includes diagnostic and procedural skills.
NSG 8715 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Practicum I (4 credits)
This practicum builds clinical skills in acute care settings. Students manage patients with complex conditions. The course supports development of the nurse practitioner role.
NSG 8717 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Practicum II (5 credits)
This practicum advances clinical expertise in critical care. Students treat unstable and high-risk patients. The course strengthens clinical judgment and patient management.
NSG 8719 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Practicum III (5 credits)
This practicum focuses on high-acuity patient care. Students manage complex and technology-dependent cases. The course includes advanced procedures and collaborative care planning.
More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.
DNP Clinicals
The BSN-DNP AGACNP requires 1,020 supervised clinical hours plus 500 DNP project hours. Clinical rotations are precepted by nurse practitioners, acute care, or specialty physicians and are arranged near the student’s home community. On-campus skills lab and simulation days are limited to 1–3 days per semester.
- 1,020 direct patient care clinical hours
- 500 DNP scholarly project hours
- Settings include hospital medicine, ICU, emergency, and specialty care
- Preceptors: NPs, acute care physicians, or specialty physicians
- On-campus simulation: 1–3 days per semester
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN, BAN, or equivalent) from an accredited program — conferred prior to program start
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Current, unencumbered RN licensure in the state where clinicals will occur
- Preferred: minimum 1 year of acute-care nursing experience
- Application submitted through NursingCAS (one track only per application)
- Official transcripts, résumé, and graduate assistantship application (optional) required
Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate program is $40,404 (42 credits × $962) and takes approximately 12–18 months to complete across 3 semesters.
ⓘ Credit hours may vary. A gap analysis is completed for all enrolling students to determine whether additional coursework or clinical hours are required based on prior APRN education.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate curriculum mirrors the AGACNP concentration coursework from the BSN-DNP program, delivered online with on-campus simulation days.
- NSG 8152 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Practice I (2 cr.)
- NSG 8154 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Practice II (2 cr.)
- NSG 8217 – Lifespan Health Assessment I (2 cr.)
- NSG 8219 – Lifespan Health Assessment II (2 cr.)
- NSG 8661 – Health Care Management I: Adult (3 cr.)
- NSG 8663 – Advanced Practicum I (4 cr.)
- NSG 8670 – Advanced Pharmacology I (2 cr.)
- NSG 8672 – Advanced Pharmacology II (2 cr.)
- NSG 8705 – Introduction to Acute Care Practice, Therapeutics & Diagnostics (1 cr.)
- NSG 8710 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Management I (2 cr.)
- NSG 8712 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Management II (3 cr.)
- NSG 8714 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Management III (3 cr.)
- NSG 8715 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Practicum I (4 cr.)
- NSG 8717 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Practicum II (5 cr.)
- NSG 8719 – Acute Care Adult Gerontology Practicum III (5 cr.)
More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.
Certificate Clinicals
The Post-Graduate Certificate requires 840–900 supervised clinical hours completed over 3 semesters. Clinical placements are coordinated near the student’s home area with APRN or physician preceptors.
- 840 clinical hours per catalog (up to 900 per program page)
- Completed over 3 consecutive semesters
- Precepted by NPs, acute care, or specialty physicians
- On-campus simulation: 1–3 days per semester per practicum course
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Must hold at least one active APRN certification (NP, CRNA, CNS, or CNM)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Gap analysis completed at enrollment to determine final credit load
- Application via NursingCAS; select one track and one campus only
- Official transcripts and résumé required
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $962 per credit hour for the 2025–26 academic year.
Additional fees and course material costs may apply. Tuition rates are subject to change. Graduate assistantship opportunities are available (Duluth, St. Cloud, and Twin Cities), offering competitive compensation and optional tuition reduction.
Application Deadlines
Applications open in mid-August via NursingCAS for the May cohort.
- Priority Deadline: December 1
- Final Deadline: March 15
Accreditation
The College of St. Scholastica is recognized among the top nursing schools in the Plains region and top private nursing schools nationally, according to Nursing Schools Almanac. The BSN-DNP curriculum is guided by The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021).
More ACNP Programs in Minnesota
- University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
- Winona State University - Winona