The University of North Dakota (UND) offers an AGACNP Post-Graduate Certificate.
Program Highlights:
- 100% online, asynchronous delivery — all students pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency
- Required on-campus intensive experiences twice per semester
- Ranked #1 Best Online College in North Dakota by Forbes
Program Track Overview
The program is designed for practicing APRNs — specifically certified FNPs, Adult NPs, AGPCNPs, and AGCNSs — who hold a master’s or doctoral degree and want to transition into acute care settings. Completion prepares graduates to sit for acute care certification, aligning formal training, certification, and practice population under the APRN Consensus Model.
Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the UND AGACNP Post-Graduate Certificate is approximately $18,973 in tuition (22 credits × $862.39/credit) and would take approximately 3 semesters (1 year) to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 22-credit curriculum is built around two acute care didactic courses, a therapeutics/diagnostics course, and two high-credit clinical practicum courses. Coursework is delivered fully online and asynchronously, though students must attend on-campus intensive sessions twice per semester.
NURS 618 – Diagnostics and Therapeutics for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (3 cr.)
Introduces core diagnostic tests and therapeutic interventions used to stabilize and manage acutely ill adult-gerontology patients in critical and acute care settings.
NURS 619 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I (3 cr.)
Launches the didactic acute care sequence, building foundational assessment and management skills for hospitalized adult-gerontology patients.
NURS 620 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (5 cr.)
Provides the first immersive clinical experience applying acute care concepts to real-world management of high-acuity adult-gerontology patients.
NURS 621 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (3 cr.)
Advances acute care didactic learning with more complex pathophysiology, decision-making, and care planning for critically ill adults and older adults.
NURS 623 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (8 cr.)
Serves as the capstone practicum, combining advanced seminar content with 300 hours of clinical practice to consolidate independent acute care NP skills.
More curriculum details available on the course catalog page.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical practicums account for 13 of the program’s 22 credits (59%), distributed across two courses. Up to 100 clinical hours may be waived based on prior graduate clinical coursework or relevant work experience.
- NURS 620 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum I (5 cr.)
- NURS 623 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum III (8 cr.)
- Up to 100 clinical hours may be waived (case-by-case)
- UND cannot guarantee clinical placement in all states — verify with your state board of nursing prior to applying
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree with a nursing major or DNP from a nationally accredited program
- Current NP certification from a U.S. national certifying board (FNP, A/GNP, AGPCNP) or Adult-Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) certification
- Current, unencumbered RN and APRN licensure (Nursys verification report required)
- Minimum of 1 year of advanced practice nursing experience as an NP, CNS, or fellowship
- Must reside in a state where UND is approved to deliver the program at time of admission and throughout enrollment
- Statement of goals — 2-page summary of professional goals and how the program supports them
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current professional resume or CV
- $35 non-refundable application fee
- Interview may be required (web, phone, or in person)
- Criminal background check and drug screen required upon offer of admission
- Current health and immunization requirements must be met upon offer of admission
- Gap analysis conducted after admission to assess prior graduate-level APRN core coursework:
- Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (lifespan) – 3 cr. (must be separate course)
- Advanced Physical Assessment – 3 cr.
- Advanced Pharmacology – 3 cr. (must be separate course)
- Health Promotion and/or Maintenance – 3 cr.
- Role of the NP course (added to program of study if not completed previously)
- English Language Proficiency requirements apply (see UND graduate catalog)
⚠️ State Restrictions: UND may not be able to accommodate clinical placements in all states due to specific state regulations. Prospective students should contact their state board of nursing before applying.
Tuition
| Rate Type | Per Credit (Tuition) | Per Credit (Fees) | Per Credit (Total) | Est. Total (22 Credits) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Students (Online — Flat Rate) | $862.39 | $77.27 | $939.66 | ~$20,471* |
*All online students pay the same rate regardless of residency. Student fees are capped at 12 credits per semester; actual fee total will be less than 22 × $77.27 for students enrolled across multiple semesters. Tuition-only estimate (22 × $862.39): ~$18,973. Rates shown are 2025–26.
More tuition details are available here.
Application Deadlines
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | July 1 |
| Spring | November 1 |
| Summer | April 1 |
All required materials must be received by the deadline. Applications completed after the program deadline may not be reviewed. Log in to your UND admissions account to verify all materials have been received.
Accreditation
All UND online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The AGACNP Certificate curriculum meets the requirements of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), preparing graduates to sit for acute care NP certification.