UMMC ACNP Programs - ACNP Programs

The University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing offers three Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) tracks:

Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP (MSN)
Post-Baccalaureate DNP – Acute Care Adult Gerontology NP (BSN-DNP)
Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP

All tracks are classified as online, making them accessible to working nurses across Mississippi and contiguous states.

Program Tracks Overview

Program	Est. Tuition (Resident)	Est. Duration
MSN AGACNP	~$25,900	~2 years (5 semesters)
BSN-DNP AGACNP	~$41,700	~3 years (8 semesters)
Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP	Individualized	Individualized

UMMC’s position on Mississippi’s only academic health science campus—home to the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and only children’s hospital—provides students with a distinctive clinical learning environment backed by over 200 affiliated hospitals, community health centers, and specialty clinics.

Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP (MSN)

The MSN AGACNP track has an estimated resident tuition of ~$25,900 (45 credits) and can be completed in approximately 2 years on a full-time basis.

MSN Curriculum

The 45-credit curriculum spans five semesters and covers advanced practice competencies in acute and critical care, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health systems leadership.

N 677 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
This course teaches advanced physical assessment across the lifespan. Students build skills in patient interviews, history taking, and focused exams. The course strengthens clinical judgment through hands-on assessment practice.

N 652-1 – Finance and Leadership in Health Care Systems (3 cr.)
This course focuses on leadership and financial management in health care settings. Students apply prior clinical and academic knowledge to real-world systems. The course emphasizes decision-making, resource use, and professional leadership.

N 632 – Discipline of Nursing (2 cr.)
This course explores nursing knowledge, theory, and scientific foundations. Students examine how research, theory, and practice connect. The course develops skills in evaluating evidence and understanding knowledge development in nursing.

N 600 – Application and Interpretation of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnostic Modalities (2 cr.)
This course reviews diagnostic tools used in acute care settings. Students study body systems with focus on structure and function. The course links diagnostic findings to clinical decision-making.

N 666 – Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr.)
This course covers medication management across the lifespan. Students learn drug actions, dosing, and patient-specific considerations. The course prepares students to apply pharmacologic treatment safely in practice.

N 637 – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
This course explains normal and altered body functions across systems. Students study how disease processes affect patient health. The course supports clinical reasoning for assessment and treatment planning.

N 633 – Research Design and Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 cr.)
This course teaches how to evaluate and apply research in practice. Students learn study design, data analysis, and ethical research standards. The course supports development of practice-focused research questions.

ID 630 – Health Care Quality Improvement (3 cr.)
This course focuses on improving patient care and system performance. Students learn teamwork, process improvement, and outcome measurement. The course applies quality strategies in real health care settings.

N 617 – Informatics and Health Care Technology (1 cr.)
This course introduces health care technology and data systems. Students learn how to use electronic records and data tools to improve care. The course supports evidence-based decision-making and care coordination.

N 605-1 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Assessment, Management & Evaluation I (2 cr.)
This course covers assessment and management of common acute conditions. Students focus on diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary disorders. The course builds clinical reasoning for patient care decisions.

N 605-2 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Assessment, Management & Evaluation II (2 cr.)
This course focuses on complex acute and critical conditions. Students manage cases such as heart failure, respiratory failure, and surgical complications. The course strengthens advanced decision-making skills.

N 669 – Role Development and Role Enactment for Advanced Role Practice in Nursing (3 cr.)
This course prepares students for advanced nursing roles. Students develop leadership, responsibility, and professional identity. The course supports transition into advanced clinical practice.

N 607-1 – Health Policy and Population Health (2 cr.)
This course examines health policy and its effect on populations. Students study political, social, and economic factors in health care. The course links policy decisions to patient and community outcomes.

N 601-1 through N 601-4 – Practicum in AGACNP I–IV (clinical)
These clinical courses provide hands-on experience in acute care settings. Students apply knowledge in real patient care environments. The practicum builds skills in assessment, management, and clinical decision-making.

An optional Nursing Education and Instruction (NEI) concentration adds 10 credits covering curriculum development, simulation, and educational technology — ideal for nurses interested in staff development or future faculty roles.

More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.

MSN Clinicals

MSN students complete a minimum of 630 supervised clinical hours distributed across four practicum courses. Faculty develop individualized placement plans based on student goals and geographic location.

N 601-1 – Practicum I: 45 hours
N 601-2 – Practicum II: 135 hours
N 601-3 – Practicum III: 225 hours
N 601-4 – Practicum IV: 225 hours

MSN Admissions & Prerequisites

BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited institution
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate/graduate) or nursing GPA of 3.0
At least 1 year of RN experience prior to beginning coursework; preference for critical care/acute care experience
Current, unrestricted RN license; must obtain Mississippi licensure/privilege
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Application deadline: March 15 for fall admission
Interview may be required
TOEFL required for international applicants (IBT ≥79 / PBT ≥550)
Applicants dismissed from any nursing program must wait one year before applying

Post-Baccalaureate DNP – AGACNP (BSN-DNP)

The BSN-DNP AGACNP track has an estimated resident tuition of ~$41,700 (74 credits) and can be completed in approximately 3 years on a full-time basis.

DNP Curriculum

N 632 – Discipline of Nursing (2 cr.)
DNP 720 – Biostatistics I (3 cr.)
N 677 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
ID 718 – Health Policy and the Health Care System (3 cr.)
N 637 – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
N 666 – Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr.)
N 633 – Research Design and Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 cr.)
DNP 700 – Clinical Applied Epidemiology (3 cr.)
ID 730 – Health Care Quality Improvement (3 cr., 75 clinical hrs.)
DNP 703 – Population Health (3 cr.)
DNP 706 – Evaluation Approaches, Models, and Methods (3 cr.)
DNP 701 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
DNP 740 – Project Management (3 cr., 75 clinical hrs.)
N 600 – Application and Interpretation of Acute Care Diagnostic Modalities (2 cr.)
DNP 707 – Health Care Finance (3 cr.)
DNP 702-1 – Transforming Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr., 75 clinical hrs.)
N 605-1 – Adult-Geri Acute Care Assessment, Management and Evaluation I (2 cr.)
N 605-2 – Adult-Geri Acute Care Assessment, Management and Evaluation II (2 cr.)
DNP 712 – Scholarly Project (5 cr., 375 clinical hrs. distributed)
DNP 717 – Health Informatics for the Advanced Level Nurse (2 cr.)
DNP 769 – Role Development and Role Enactment for Advanced Role Practice in Nursing (1 cr.)
DNP 704 – Leadership in Health Systems (3 cr.)
N 601-1 through N 601-4 – Practicum in AGACNP I–IV (clinical)

The optional NEI concentration (10 additional credits) is also available for DNP students targeting faculty or staff development roles.

The 74-credit plan of study spans eight semesters and integrates doctoral-level science, health systems leadership, and scholarly practice. All courses build toward the DNP’s culminating Rapid Evidence Synthesis and Evidence Implementation Project. More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.

DNP Clinicals

BSN-DNP students complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours throughout the program. Hours are embedded across practicum courses, project management, and the Scholarly Project sequence.

ID 730 / DNP 740 / DNP 702-1 – Quality, Project & Practice courses: 75 clinical hrs. each (225 total)
N 601-1 – Practicum I: 45 hours
N 601-2 – Practicum II: 135 hours
N 601-3 – Practicum III: 225 hours
N 601-4 – Practicum IV: 225 hours
DNP 712 – Scholarly Project: 375 hours distributed across three semesters
Total clinical hours: 1,230

DNP Admissions & Prerequisites

BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited institution
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
Current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S.; Mississippi licensure/privilege required before program start
1 year of clinical experience in critical care or the ED (AGACNP track requirement)
At least one undergraduate or graduate research course and one statistics course
Informal personal statement
Three letters of reference (academic and/or professional)
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Application deadline: March 15 for fall admission (fall entry only)
Interview may be required
TOEFL required for international applicants (IBT ≥79 / PBT ≥550)
All DNP degree requirements must be completed within 150% of the student’s Plan of Study

Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP

The Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate is designed for MSN-prepared nurses seeking specialty preparation in a new advanced practice area. Tuition and duration are individualized based on prior graduate coursework; students complete only the specialty and support courses not previously covered.

Certificate Curriculum

Plans of study are developed by an academic advisor upon enrollment. No fixed credit total applies — students who already hold NP certification in another specialty typically follow a shorter plan.

More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.

Certificate Clinicals

Certificate students complete between 500 and 630 supervised clinical hours. Students with ER/ICU nurse practitioner experience may qualify for the lower end of the clinical hour range.

Minimum clinical hours: 500 (experienced NPs in ER/ICU)
Maximum clinical hours: 630 (standard requirement)
Placements are arranged in consultation with the program director

Certificate Admissions & Prerequisites

MSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited institution (must include clinical practice courses)
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
1 year of RN experience in critical care or ED
Current, unrestricted RN license; Mississippi licensure/privilege required
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Application deadline: March 15 for fall admission
Interview may be required
All certificate requirements must be completed within a six-year time span
TOEFL required for international applicants (IBT ≥79 / PBT ≥550)

Application Deadlines

All AGACNP tracks (MSN, BSN-DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate) share the same application deadline:

March 15 — deadline for fall semester admission
BSN-DNP admits fall only; MSN and certificate timelines follow the same deadline
All application documents and fees must be received by the Office of Enrollment Management by March 15

Tuition

Graduate resident tuition is $579 per credit hour, capped at 9 credit hours per semester (max $5,209.50/semester). Non-resident students pay an additional surcharge, though the surcharge may be waived for residents of states contiguous to Mississippi.

Skills Supply Fee: $250 — charged once, first semester (MSN and Certificate)
JBI Training Fee: $850 — charged once, first semester (BSN-DNP students)
Distance Learning Fee: $150 per semester (in lieu of non-resident fee for distance learners)
Estimated MSN resident total: ~$25,900
Estimated BSN-DNP resident total: ~$41,700
Post-Graduate Certificate: Variable — based on individualized plan of study

More tuition details are available here.

Accreditation

The UMMC School of Nursing’s graduate programs are designed in compliance with CCNE and ACEN accreditation standards, and the BSN-DNP is based on the AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Graduates of all AGACNP tracks meet eligibility requirements for national certification through professional organizations and for advanced practice certification by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.