Saint Joseph’s College ACNP Programs

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC) offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) tracks:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — AGACNP Track
  • Post-Graduate APRN Certificate (CAGS) — AGACNP

Both programs are delivered 100% online with one required on-campus immersive skills day for NP track students — no residency required beyond that single session.

Both programs require completion of a mandatory on-campus skills session and a minimum of 600 supervised clinical hours, and both qualify graduates to sit for the ANCC and AACN AGACNP certification exams.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSN — AGACNP$28,686–$33,792 2 yrs 3 mo (full-time) / 3.5–4 yrs (part-time)
Post-Graduate Certificate (CAGS)~$14,340 base + ~$2,319 clinical feesVaries; 5-year max to complete

SJC has been recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the best online nursing master’s programs nationally (2023) and by NP Schools as one of the most affordable online NP programs for 2023–24, with employer partnership tuition rates and reimbursement programs available to further reduce costs.

SJC’s 100% pass rate on national certification exams for its Acute Care NP program is a notable differentiator.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — AGACNP Track

The estimated cost for the MSN AGACNP program is $28,686–$33,792 per SJC’s published range, and would take approximately 2 years and 3 months to complete on a full-time basis.

Estimate based on $725/credit × 48 credits the base tuition is approximately $34,800 before adding NP clinical course fees of $773 per applicable clinical course (excludes textbooks, online fees, and NP clinical fees).

📌 On-Campus Requirement: NP track students are required to attend one mandatory on-campus immersive skills day, which counts for 24 hours of clinical time. All other coursework is fully online.

MSN Curriculum

The 48-credit program consists of 24 credits of nursing core courses shared across all MSN tracks, plus 21 credits of AGACNP-specific coursework. All graduate nursing courses require a minimum passing grade of 83 (B). Students must complete the program within 5 years.

Nursing Core Courses (24 credits):

  • NU 501 — Nursing Informatics (3)
  • NU 503 — Nursing Research Methods: Utilization for EBP (3)
  • NU 508 — Policy, Quality & Safety (3)
  • NU 513 — Organizational and Systems Leadership (3)
  • NU 514 — Population Health & Interprofessional Collaboration (3)
  • NU 607 — Advanced Pharmacology (3)
  • NU 608 — Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
  • NU 601 — Advanced Health Assessment (3)

AGACNP Track Courses (21 credits):

NP 600 – The Advanced Practice Nurse as Provider (3 cr.)
This course prepares students for the nurse practitioner role in patient care. Students examine licensure, scope of practice, prescribing authority, and healthcare regulations. Emphasis is on ethical practice, communication, and safe medication management.

NP 660 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice I (3 cr.)
This course introduces advanced care of unstable adult and geriatric patients with complex conditions. Students study disease processes, diagnosis, and treatment across major body systems. The focus is on evidence-based care and clinical decision-making.

NP 661 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (3 cr.)
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience with acutely ill adult and older patients. Students apply assessment, diagnosis, and care planning skills in real settings. Emphasis is on building diagnostic reasoning and safe practice.

NP 662 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice II (3 cr.)
This course expands knowledge of acute and chronic condition management in complex patients. Students focus on advanced treatment strategies across multiple systems, including critical care topics. The course strengthens clinical reasoning and evidence-based care.

NP 663 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum II (3 cr.)
This practicum advances clinical skills in managing complex and high-acuity patients. Students refine assessment, diagnosis, and care planning in interdisciplinary settings. A required on-campus skills session supports hands-on training.

NP 664 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice III (3 cr.)
This course builds advanced knowledge for managing multi-system and high-risk conditions. Students integrate diagnosis, treatment, and care planning across complex cases. The focus is on comprehensive, evidence-based management.

NP 665 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (3 cr.)
This final practicum prepares students for independent advanced practice. Students manage complex patient care using advanced clinical judgment and technology. Emphasis is on readiness for real-world acute care practice.

More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.

MSN Clinicals

The MSN AGACNP track requires a minimum of 600 supervised clinical hours completed in the student’s geographical location across three practicum courses, plus one mandatory on-campus skills session (24 clinical hours). Clinical settings include inpatient/hospital units, clinics, and emergency departments.

  • NP 661 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (3 credits)
  • NP 663 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum II (3 credits)
  • NP 665 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (3 credits)
  • Mandatory on-campus skills day required (24 hrs clinical credit) — one visit only
  • NP clinical course fee: $773 per applicable course (in addition to per-credit tuition)
  • Clinical rotations approved in 38+ states — see state authorization list for eligibility

MSN Admissions

No GRE required. Applicants with license sanctions must have been restriction-free for at least 2 years prior to applying. Statistics prerequisite may be completed conditionally after admission.

  • BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited institution
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
  • 1 year of experience working as an RN
  • Active, unrestricted, unencumbered RN license in the U.S.
  • Undergraduate statistics course with grade of B or better (conditional acceptance possible if not yet completed)
  • Official transcripts from all institutions
  • Current resume or CV
  • Career statement (NP applicants: describe NP role and professional development goals)
  • 3 references — one each from a peer, a supervisor, and prior faculty
  • TOEFL if applicable

Post-Graduate APRN Certificate (CAGS) — AGACNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate program is approximately $16,659 and program duration varies by schedule, with a 5-year maximum to complete.

Estimate based on  $14,340 in base tuition (30 credits × $478/credit) plus approximately $2,319 in NP clinical course fees (3 courses × $773), for a total of roughly $16,659 

📌 On-Campus Requirement: Students must complete a mandatory on-campus skills session in either NP 663 or NP 665, accounting for 24 hours of clinical time.

Certificate Curriculum

The 30-credit CAGS program includes only NP-specific courses — no broader MSN core courses are required. All coursework is delivered online. A minimum passing grade of 83 (B) is required for all graduate nursing courses.

  • NU 601 — Advanced Health Assessment (3)
  • NU 607 — Advanced Pharmacology (3)
  • NU 608 — Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
  • NP 600 — The Advanced Practice Nurse as Provider (3)
  • NP 660 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice I (3)
  • NP 661 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (3)
  • NP 662 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice II (3)
  • NP 663 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum II (3) *on-campus skills session required in NP 663 or NP 665
  • NP 664 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Theories for Advanced Practice III (3)
  • NP 665 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (3) *on-campus skills session required in NP 663 or NP 665

More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.

Certificate Clinicals

Certificate students complete a minimum of 600 supervised clinical hours in their geographical location across three practicum courses, with one mandatory on-campus skills day (24 clinical hours) completed during either NP 663 or NP 665.

  • NP 661 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (3 credits)
  • NP 663 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum II (3 credits)
  • NP 665 — Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (3 credits)
  • Minimum 600 supervised clinical hours total
  • One mandatory on-campus skills session (24 hrs) in NP 663 or NP 665
  • NP clinical course fee: $773 per applicable course
  • Clinical rotations approved in 38+ states — AGACNP track included in Utah approval

Certificate Admissions

The CAGS program has a competitive admissions process with a higher GPA requirement than the MSN. Admissions review includes verification of whether any additional MSN-level courses are needed; if gaps are identified, students will be notified but are not required to complete missing courses before beginning the certificate.

  • BSN and MSN from an accredited institution (both required)
  • Cumulative MSN GPA of 3.5 (higher than MSN admission requirement of 3.0)
  • Active, unrestricted, unencumbered RN license in the U.S.
  • If licensed as an NP in another specialty, that NP license must also be unrestricted and unencumbered
  • If nationally certified as an NP, certification must be current and unencumbered
  • Official transcripts from all institutions
  • Current resume or CV
  • Career statement
  • 3 references — one each from a peer, a supervisor, and prior faculty
  • TOEFL if applicable
  • Applicants with license sanctions must have been restriction-free for 2 years prior to applying

Tuition

MSN — AGACNP Track:

  • Graduate Nursing tuition: $725 per credit hour
  • NP Clinical Fee: $773 per applicable clinical course
  • Online Fee: $62/semester (0–5 credits) or $124/semester (6+ credits)
  • SJC-published total program cost range: $28,686–$33,792 (excludes textbooks, online fee, and NP clinical fees)

Post-Graduate Certificate (CAGS) — AGACNP:

  • Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) tuition: $478 per credit hour
  • NP Clinical Fee: $773 per applicable clinical course
  • Online Fee: $62/semester (0–5 credits) or $124/semester (6+ credits)

Military, alumni, and employer partnership rates may be available — contact admissions at 800-752-4723 or onlineadmissions@sjcme.edu for current eligibility details.

More tuition details are available here.

Application Deadlines

SJC offers rolling admissions with courses available in Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Courses run in a combination of 8-week and 16-week formats. No specific published application deadlines were noted — contact SJC Online Admissions for current cohort openings:

Accreditation

The MSN program and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of both the MSN AGACNP track and the CAGS AGACNP certificate are eligible to sit for the ANCC and/or AACN national board certification exams. SJC reports a 100% national certification exam pass rate for its Acute Care NP program graduates.

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