The University of Tulsa offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN-DNP AGACNP (in-person, Tulsa campus)
- Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP (online, post-MSN or DNP specialty)
The DNP is a rigorous, full-time program built around human patient simulation, an extensive skills laboratory, and faculty-arranged clinical placements in Tulsa-area acute and critical care settings.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $1,266/cr (total credits not clearly stated) | 3 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP (Online) | $11,052 total | ~3 semesters (~1 year) |
The online certificate is designed for working APRNs nationwide who want to expand their scope of practice without relocating — completing the program almost entirely online with one brief skills assessment visit required on campus.
BSN-DNP AGACNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP AGACNP at the University of Tulsa is $1,266 per credit hour; total program cost is not clearly stated because total credit hours are not published on the program page. The program takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
The DNP curriculum spans 8 semesters across 3 years, with a course load of 8–11 credits per semester.
Fall Year 1
The first year covers DNP foundations: pathophysiology, pharmacology, advanced assessment (including a lab), biostatistics, health policy, informatics, leadership, and quality improvement.
DNP 8004 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
Explores human anatomy and physiology with a focus on how the body responds to disease and injury. Learning is supported through case studies, models, imaging, lectures, and self-testing.
DNP 8023 Advanced Pharmacology
Builds knowledge of growth, development, genomics, and ethnic variation as they relate to advanced nursing practice. It also covers pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics across the lifespan.
DNP 9003 Foundations for Practice
Examines major nursing theories and their relationship to research and practice. Students analyze, compare, and apply theories for use in nursing education or clinical practice.
Spring Year 1
DNP 8031 Advanced Assessment Lab
Develops advanced health assessment skills across the lifespan through guided lab learning. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, and communication using case-based activities.
DNP 8032 Advanced Assessment
Develops advanced health assessment skills across the lifespan through guided learning and clinical application. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, and communication using case-based activities.
DNP 8053 Biostatistics
Introduces statistical methods used to support evidence-based clinical decision-making. Students learn to interpret data, analyze research findings, and evaluate practice interventions.
DNP 9013 Health Care Policy
Examines how health policy is shaped at multiple levels and how DNP-prepared nurses influence change. The course emphasizes access, equity, quality, cost, and the impact of ethics, law, and globalization.
Summer Year 1
Beginning in Summer of Year 1, AGACNP specialty content opens with an advanced skills lab and diagnostic reasoning.
DNP 9023 Healthcare Informatics
Focuses on the role of data and information systems in clinical decision-making and quality improvement. Students explore computerized systems, decision support tools, and data-driven outcomes.
DNP 9043 Organizational Leadership and Quality Improvement
Examines leadership, systems, and change within healthcare organizations. Students study resource management, stakeholder collaboration, and strategies for improving access, quality, and efficiency.
DNPC 9222 AG-ACNP Advanced Skills Lab
Introduces advanced procedures and skills used in adult acute and critical care practice. Students demonstrate safe, beginning-level competence in a simulation setting.
DNPC 9303 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nursing Practice Diagnostic Reasoning
Builds diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills for adult-gerontology acute care practice. Students refine history-taking, assessment, differential diagnosis, documentation, and diagnostic testing.
Fall Year 2
Years 2 and 3 integrate four sequential clinical practicum courses alongside four Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology courses, a DNP scholarly project sequence, epidemiology, and specialty clinical rotations.
DNP 8043 Translational Research
Focuses on applying research methods to improve patient outcomes and practice. Students develop skills in evidence appraisal, data analysis, synthesis, ethics, and scholarly communication.
DNPC 9302 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I
Provides supervised clinical experience applying pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and management skills in acute and critical care. Students complete clinical conferences and at least 200 hours of practice.
DNPC 9304 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I
Explores the assessment, diagnosis, and management of critically ill adults and older adults. Students strengthen collaborative practice skills through case studies, simulation, and exams.
Spring Year 2
DNP 9073 D.N.P. Project Proposal
Guides students in developing a scholarly DNP project based on a healthcare problem. The course focuses on synthesis of program competencies and project planning for completion over multiple semesters.
DNPC 9312 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II
Continues supervised clinical practice in acute and critical care settings. Students complete additional patient management experiences and at least 200 clinical hours.
DNPC 9314 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II
Continues the study of advanced care for critically ill adults and older adults. Students apply case-based learning, simulation, and exams to strengthen collaborative management skills.
Summer Year 2
DNP 9173 D.N.P. Project Design
Continues the work begun in the project proposal course. Students refine and advance the final scholarly project in preparation for presentation.
DNPC 9322 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III
Provides continued supervised clinical experience in acute and critical care. Students complete additional conferences and at least 200 more hours of direct practice.
DNPC 9324 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III
Further develops advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management skills for critically ill adults. The course emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration through simulation, case studies, and exams.
Fall Year 3
DNP 9083 Project Completion
Serves as the final semester for completing the DNP project. Students finalize and present their work for graduation and dissemination.
DNPC 9342 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum IV
Provides the final supervised clinical experience in acute and critical care. Students continue applying advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management skills for at least 200 hours.
DNPC 9334 Advanced Practice in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care IV
Culminates advanced study of critically ill adult and older adult patients. Students demonstrate integrated clinical judgment and collaborative management through simulation, case studies, and exams.
Spring Year 3
A Practice Summation course closes the program in Spring of Year 3.
DNP 9063 Epidemiology
Examines disease patterns, prevention, and population health methods across settings and populations. Students study morbidity and mortality data, research methods, data interpretation, and emerging health threats.
DNPC 9313 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Summation
Synthesizes advanced pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and critically ill adults. Students also review employment, credentialing, billing, and onboarding in acute care settings.
DNPC 9332 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Clinical Rotations
Provides specialty clinical experience to integrate advanced adult-gerontology acute care concepts. Students complete at least 200 hours of direct patient management and apply their DNP project in practice.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Students must complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours for graduation. Clinical sites and preceptors are selected by program directors and faculty — students are expected to focus on learning rather than sourcing placements themselves.
- Minimum 1,000 clinical hours required for graduation
- Four sequential clinical practicum courses (Practicum I–IV) across Years 2 and 3
- Specialty clinical rotations in Spring of Year 3
- Settings include critical care, hospital acute care, and specialty clinics
- Extensive human patient simulation lab and skills laboratory integrated throughout
- All classes and labs held at TU’s Oxley Health Sciences facility in downtown Tulsa
- Faculty arrange all clinical placements
DNP Admissions
The program is full-time and in-person only; part-time and online/distance options are not available for the DNP track. Detailed admissions criteria are published in the TU Graduate School Bulletin rather than on the main program page.
- BSN from an accredited nursing program required
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required to progress; students must maintain a B or better in all courses
- Bedside acute and critical care RN experience is described as crucial to success in the program
- GRE not required
- $60 graduate school application fee
- Applications reviewed throughout spring and summer on a rolling basis until spaces are filled
- Candidates scheduled for interview as applications are reviewed
- Additional admissions criteria available through the TU Graduate School Bulletin
Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP (Online)
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP at the University of Tulsa is $11,052 total ($614 per credit × 18 credits), and the program takes approximately 3 semesters (two 16-week semesters and one 12-week semester, roughly 1 year) to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The 18-credit online certificate is structured as three paired courses: each semester combines a 4-credit content course (Transition to AG-ACNP I, II, III) with a 2-credit practicum course (200 clinical hours each).
The curriculum is available in both post-MSN and DNP specialty tracks. Completion requires a two-day on-campus skills assessment including a simulation-based OSCE — the only required campus visit.
- DNPC 9514 / PMCA 9514 – Transition to AG-ACNP I (4 cr)
- DNPC 9512 / PMCA 9512 – Transition to AG-ACNP Practicum I (2 cr — 200 clinical hours)
- DNPC 9524 / PMCA 9524 – Transition to AG-ACNP II (4 cr)
- DNPC 9522 / PMCA 9522 – Transition to AG-ACNP Practicum II (2 cr — 200 clinical hours)
- DNPC 9534 / PMCA 9534 – Transition to AG-ACNP III (4 cr)
- DNPC 9532 / PMCA 9532 – Transition to AG-ACNP Practicum III (2 cr — 200 clinical hours)
Certificate Clinicals
The certificate requires 600 total clinical hours, split evenly across three practicum courses at 200 hours each. Clinical placements can be completed locally or in the student’s home region.
- 600 total clinical hours required (200 per practicum course)
- 500 hours required to sit for the ANCC AGACNP-BC exam
- TU assists with facility agreement contracts for clinical rotations
- Students in the Tulsa or Oklahoma City area can access TU’s preceptor network
- Out-of-state students may complete clinicals locally with TU approval, or travel to Tulsa/OKC
- Out-of-state students must submit a nursing license transfer request through the Oklahoma Board of Nursing if completing clinicals in Oklahoma
- All preceptors outside Tulsa/OKC must be approved before the first term begins
- One two-day on-campus skills assessment with simulation-based OSCE required for degree completion
Certificate Admissions
Applicants must be currently licensed APRNs with national certification and a completed graduate nursing degree. Both post-MSN and DNP-prepared nurses are eligible.
- Active, unencumbered APRN license from all states in which licensure is held
- MSN or DNP from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program; doctoral or PhD degrees also accepted
- Must practice as an NP, CRNA, CNS, or Midwife (master’s in education alone does not qualify)
- National certification through ANCC or AACN required
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- At least two years of professional nursing experience
- Graduate coursework in Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology required
- Current BLS and ACLS certification
- Professional resume or CV
- Two-page personal statement explaining how the AGACNP certificate supports career goals
- Background check, drug screen, and immunization records required for clinical placement
- Typhon subscription ($100) required for documentation
- $25/semester professional liability insurance course fee; personal health insurance required
- $60 application fee
- Fall 2026 cohort currently accepting applications
Tuition
TU uses separate per-credit rates for the DNP and the online certificate. There is no resident vs. non-resident distinction for either program.
| Program | Rate | Published Total |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP (in-person) | $1,266/cr | Not published |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP (online) | $614/cr | $11,052 (18 credits) |
The $11,052 certificate total is one of the lowest published figures for an AGACNP certificate program in Oklahoma. DNP students also pay a university fee of $633 per semester (full-time) or $108 per semester (part-time), a one-time $108 student services fee at first enrollment, and a $60 non-refundable graduate school application fee.
See the official tuition page for more details: University of Tulsa Graduate Cost of Attendance.
Accreditation
The DNP program and post-master’s AGACNP certificate at the University of Tulsa are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The programs have also been approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit for the AGACNP certification exam through ANCC and AACN.
Complete Your Research:
- Oklahoma City University - Oklahoma City