North Dakota nurses have two in-state AGACNP certificate programs — at NDSU and the UND)— but no in-state MSN or DNP options. Nurses pursuing a full degree must turn to national online programs such as Walden University. Program costs range from approximately $13,304 to $65,350, and completion timelines run from 1 year to 3 years depending on track and entry degree.
All programs listed here meet North Dakota’s ACNP licensure requirements: CCNE or ACEN accreditation, a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours, and the three APRN core courses — advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology.
North Dakota AGACNP Program Summaries
NDSU ACNP Programs
Fargo | $532.17 cpc | Certificate
North Dakota State University’s online AGACNP Graduate Certificate is a 25-credit, 1-year program designed specifically for FNP-prepared nurses who want to add acute care expertise for adult–gerontology populations. The CCNE-accredited program costs approximately $13,304–$19,957 depending on residency, blends advanced didactic and 13 credits of clinical training, and prepares graduates for ANCC or AACN acute care NP certification exams...read more.
UND ACNP Programs
Grand Forks | $862.39 cpc | Certificate
The University of North Dakota’s 22-credit AGACNP Post-Graduate Certificate is a 3-semester, 100% online asynchronous program for experienced, certified APRNs (FNPs, AGNPs, AGPCNPs, AGCNSs) who want to transition into acute care practice. Priced at about $18,973 in tuition, it combines acute care didactic coursework, two high-credit clinical practicums, and twice-per-semester on-campus intensives to prepare graduates for national acute care NP certification under the APRN Consensus Model...read more.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
In North Dakota, Walden University's AGACNP DNP, MSN, and certificate pathways provide rigorous online study combined with practicum experiences in pre-approved acute care sites within the state. The Office of Field Experience works with North Dakota nurses and local healthcare organizations to finalize affiliation agreements for practicum placements. Graduates gain the clinical skills and academic credentials required for AGACNP board certification and advanced nursing positions in North Dakota’s hospitals and care units.
Choosing the Best ACNP Program for You in North Dakota
TLDR: Which Program Is Right for You?
Choose NDSU if you are a certified FNP looking for the lowest-cost certificate pathway. At $13,304 for North Dakota residents (and the same rate for most online students), it is the most affordable AGACNP credential in this group.
Choose UND if you hold an FNP, AGPCNP, Adult NP, or AGCNS certification and want a structured, campus-intensive certificate experience from a Forbes-ranked institution. UND also allows up to 100 clinical hours to be waived based on prior experience.
Choose Walden University if you need an MSN, DNP, or a post-master’s certificate, or if you are entering from an ADN or RN-level background. Walden is the only program in this group offering degree-granting AGACNP tracks, with entry points from RN through MSN.
North Dakota ACNP MSN Programs
No in-state MSN-AGACNP programs exist in North Dakota.
Walden University is the only option in this comparison offering MSN-level training, with two entry pathways: BSN-to-MSN (~$44,950, 2 years) and RN-to-MSN (~$65,100, 2.5–3 years) for ADN-prepared nurses.
| Program | Entry Requirement | Est. Cost | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden BSN-to-MSN | BSN | ~$44,950 | 2 years | 640 |
| Walden RN-to-MSN | ADN or diploma in nursing | ~$65,100 | 2.5–3 years | 640 |
Both MSN tracks include all three APRN core courses — Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning — along with four progressive acute care practicum courses totaling 640 supervised hours. The RN-to-MSN track first completes 26 credits of BSN-level foundational coursework before entering the graduate sequence.
North Dakota ACNP DNP Programs
No in-state DNP-AGACNP programs exist in North Dakota.
Walden University offers two DNP pathways. The MSN-to-DNP (~$58,000, 2.5 years) is the faster and lower-cost route for already MSN-prepared nurses. The BSN-to-DNP (~$65,350, 3 years) is the more comprehensive option and includes two on-campus clinical intensives for hands-on training.
| Program | Entry Requirement | Est. Cost | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden MSN-to-DNP | MSN | ~$58,000 | 2.5 years | 1,000+ minimum |
| Walden BSN-to-DNP | BSN | ~$65,350 | 3 years | 1,000+ minimum |
Both DNP tracks require a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practicum hours. Students entering the BSN-to-DNP with fewer than 600 documented practicum hours complete additional DNP Field Experience credits at 80 hours per credit.
Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
This is where North Dakota’s in-state programs shine. Both NDSU and UND offer competitive, CCNE-accredited certificates designed specifically for FNP-trained nurses transitioning into acute care — and both are priced well below national online alternatives.
NDSU is the lowest-cost option at $13,304 for ND residents.
UND is a strong alternative at ~$18,973 and offers the added benefit of up to 100 waived clinical hours for experienced APRNs.
Walden’s Fast-Track Certificate is also worth considering for certified FNPs or AGPCNPs who want a structured national program with dedicated placement support — and at the same ~$31,170 price point as the standard track, it finishes in 1 year vs. 1.5 years.
| Program | Entry Requirement | Est. Cost | Duration | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDSU Graduate Certificate | Accredited FNP program graduate; BSN; 3.0 GPA | $13,304–$19,957 (resident to out-of-state) | ~1 year | FNP-only entry; online students pay in-state rate |
| UND Post-Graduate Certificate | MSN or DNP; current NP or AGCNS certification (FNP, A/GNP, AGPCNP); 1 yr APRN experience | ~$18,973 tuition (flat rate, all students) | ~1 year (3 semesters) | On-campus intensives required twice per semester; broader APRN entry than NDSU |
| Walden Post-Master’s Certificate (Standard) | MSN | ~$31,170 | 1.5 years | Practicum Pledge® placement support |
| Walden Post-Master’s Certificate (Fast Track) | MSN + active FNP or AGPCNP certification | ~$31,170 | 1 year | Up to 20 transfer credits from prior FNP/AGPCNP coursework |
Important for NDSU applicants: The program is open only to graduates of accredited FNP programs — the most restrictive entry requirement in this group. Nurses holding other NP certifications should consider UND or Walden instead.
Important for UND applicants: UND cannot guarantee clinical placements in all states. Verify program delivery availability in your state with the UND admissions office before applying. On-campus intensive sessions are required twice per semester — remote-only completion is not an option.
Clinical Placement and Preceptor Support
NDSU — No formal placement guarantee is described in program materials. Students should confirm preceptor support resources directly with the School of Nursing before enrolling.
UND — Clinical placements are arranged in consultation with the program, but UND cannot guarantee placement in all states. Up to 100 clinical hours may be waived based on prior graduate-level APRN coursework or relevant work experience — a meaningful advantage for experienced practitioners.
Walden University — Offers the Practicum Pledge®, providing dedicated field placement coordinators who partner with students to identify suitable preceptors and sites. A zero-credit Field Experience Preparation course guides students through the process before clinicals begin. The BSN-to-DNP track also includes two on-campus clinical intensives for hands-on skills training.
Admissions Snapshot
| Program | Track(s) | Min. GPA | RN / APRN Experience Required | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDSU | Graduate Certificate (FNP graduates only) | 3.0 (baccalaureate or most recent graduate degree) | Must be a graduate of an accredited FNP program | Contact program (not stated) |
| UND | Post-Graduate Certificate | Not stated (MSN/DNP required) | 1 yr APRN experience as NP, CNS, or fellowship; current NP or AGCNS certification required | Fall: July 1 / Spring: Nov 1 / Summer: Apr 1 |
| Walden University | BSN-MSN, RN-MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate (Standard & Fast Track) | Not published; no GRE required | Active RN license required; no minimum hours stated | Rolling / multiple start dates |
North Dakota licensure note: Nurses completing programs at out-of-state or online institutions must obtain North Dakota APRN licensure upon graduation. Confirm that your chosen program is approved to deliver clinical education in North Dakota — particularly for UND, which states it cannot accommodate placements in all states.