North Dakota State University offers an AGACNP Graduate Certificate :
Program Highlights:
- Available fully online with flexible distance learning formats
- Designed exclusively for graduates of accredited Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) programs
- Prepares students for ANCC Acute Care NP or AACN certification exams
The program combines advanced coursework with clinical training to equip FNP-trained practitioners with acute care skills for aging populations. Flexible online delivery allows students to advance their credentials while maintaining current clinical practice.
Program Track Overview
Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the NDSU AGACNP Certificate program is $13,304 – $19,957 (25 credits × $532.17–$798.28/credit depending on residency) and would take approximately 1 year to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 25-credit curriculum spans acute care management, geriatric diagnostics, clinical procedures, and advanced therapeutics — structured in a progressive sequence across three management and three clinical tiers.
- Introduction to Acute Care Practice, Advanced Therapeutics & Diagnostics (2 cr.)
This clinical and laboratory course introduces students to the use of diagnostic and treatment modalities utilized in acute and critical care settings. The content includes principles such as fluid replacement, hemodynamic monitoring, and other interventions like mechanical ventilation. Students will learn to analyze laboratory data and interpret radiographs and ECGs. This course combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students to handle real-life scenarios in acute care environments. - Adult-Gerontology Management I (2 cr.)
This course focuses on the diagnosis and management of acutely ill adults across the lifespan experiencing cardiopulmonary chronic disorders in the acute care setting. Course will include theory, assessment, pharmacology and advanced therapeutics in high acuity patient settings through all phases of hospitalization and illness. Prereq or Coreq: Completion of MS or DNP FNP Program. - Adult-Gerontology Management II (3 cr.)
- Adult-Gerontology Management III (2 cr.)
- Procedures for AGACNPs (3 cr.)
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical I (4 cr.)
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical II (4 cr.)
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical III (5 cr.)
More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical training accounts for 13 of the program’s 25 credits, distributed across three progressive clinical courses. Students gain hands-on experience managing acute and complex conditions in older adult populations across fast-paced clinical settings.
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical I – 4 credits
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical II – 4 credits
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical III – 5 credits
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Graduate of an accredited Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program (required for admission)
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the baccalaureate level (or most recent graduate degree)
- Online application for graduate admission
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume or CV
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- $35 non-refundable application fee
- English proficiency scores if applicable (TOEFL 71 iBT / IELTS 6.0 / Duolingo 105)
- Additional materials may be required by the nursing program
Tuition
| Residency Status | Per-Credit Rate (Nursing) | Est. Total (25 Credits) |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Resident / WRGP / Online | $532.17 | $13,304 |
| Minnesota Resident | $675.83 | $16,896 |
| Other U.S. States | $798.28 | $19,957 |
| International | $931.28 | $23,282 |
Mandatory student fees are not included in the above figures. WRGP states include AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, and CNMI. Online students in most NDSU programs pay in-state rates regardless of residency.
More tuition details are available here.
Accreditation
NDSU’s graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the AGACNP Certificate program are eligible to sit for either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Acute Care NP exam or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) certification exam.