“Iowa arranges every AG-ACNP clinical placement for students — removing the preceptor search entirely — while delivering a top-10 nationally ranked program with a reported 100% job placement rate and a flat-rate post-graduate certificate that costs the same regardless of state residency.”
The University of Iowa offers 4 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN-DNP AG-ACNP (3-year and 4-year plans of study)
- MSN-DNP AG-ACNP (for MSN-prepared nurses adding AGACNP specialty)
- Post-APRN-to-DNP AG-ACNP (for certified AG-ACNPs seeking the terminal degree)
- Post-Graduate Certificate AG-ACNP (1 year, for primary care APRNs adding acute care)
The program is ranked #8 nationally for AG-ACNP Doctor of Nursing Practice by U.S. News & World Report (2026) and reports 100% certification exam pass rates and 100% job placement.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AG-ACNP | $89,566 (res) / $164,332 (non-res) | 3–4 years |
| MSN-DNP AG-ACNP | $54,065 (res) / $92,009 (non-res) | Not clearly stated |
| Post-APRN-DNP AG-ACNP | $35,898 (res) / $54,870 (non-res) | ~2 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AG-ACNP | $14,007 (all students) | 1 year |
The BSN-DNP track accepts up to 12 BSN-prepared students per year and requires 2 years of qualifying inpatient RN experience before applying.
Most coursework is hybrid — primarily asynchronous online with on-site classes scheduled once per week during clinical semesters.
A dual certification option is available for students wishing to earn concurrent credentials in a second NP population.
DNP AG-ACNP
BSN-DNP Track (3-Year Plan): The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of Iowa is $89,566 for Iowa residents and $164,332 for non-residents (2024–25 rates).
The program takes 3 years to complete on the standard full-time plan of study.
BSN-DNP Track (4-Year Plan): The 4-year plan covers the same 75 credit hours and 1,090 practice experience hours as the 3-year plan, but redistributes the load for students who want a lighter per-semester commitment or who are admitted with less qualifying experience. Tuition totals are the same.
MSN-DNP Track: The estimated cost for the MSN-to-DNP AG-ACNP pathway at the University of Iowa is $54,065 for Iowa residents and $92,009 for non-residents (2024–25 rates). Estimated duration is not clearly stated on the official program page.
Post-APRN-to-DNP Track: The estimated cost for the Post-APRN-to-DNP AG-ACNP pathway at the University of Iowa is $35,898 for Iowa residents and $54,870 for non-residents (2024–25 rates).
The program takes approximately 2 years to complete based on the published plan of study (29 credit hours, 370 practice experience hours).
DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP totals 75 semester hours organized across three years.
The first two years are predominantly online and cover DNP-level foundations: leadership and management, epidemiology, health policy, genetics/genomics, population health, quality and safety, pathophysiology, health promotion and assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, social determinants of health, clinical data management, and health systems finance.
The third year shifts to on-site hybrid delivery — on-campus once per week — and integrates the AG-ACNP-specific didactic and clinical sequence.
A DNP scholarly project runs throughout the program across four project courses. Two interprofessional team-based healthcare courses (0 credit hours, ~8 hours/semester commitment each) are required without tuition or registration.
BSN-DNP Year 1–2 Core Courses (55 semester hours):
- Leadership and Management Essentials (3 S.H.)
- Applied Epidemiology (3 S.H.)
- Advanced Practice Role I: Introduction with IPE (3 S.H.)
- Advanced Physiology Online (3 S.H.)
- Evaluating Evidence for Practice (3 S.H.)
- Clinical Data Management and Evaluation (3 S.H.)
- Health Systems, Finance, and Economics (3 S.H.)
- Health Policy, Law, and Advocacy (3 S.H.)
- Genetics/Genomics for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 S.H.)
- Population Health for Advanced Practice (3 S.H.)
- Quality and Safety (3 S.H.)
- Pathophysiology for Advanced Clinical Practice (4 S.H.)
- Health Promotion and Assessment for Advanced Clinical Practice (4 S.H.)
- Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Clinical Practice (3 S.H.)
- Social Determinants of Health and Health Systems Inequities (3 S.H.)
- Graduate Pharmacology Specialty (3 S.H.)
- DNP Project I–IV (cumulative 5 S.H., 370 practice experience hours)
BSN-DNP Year 3 AG-ACNP Specialty Courses and Clinicals (20 semester hours):
- Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutic Procedures for Acute Care (1 S.H.)
- Acute Care: Adult Gerontology I (3 S.H.)
- Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum I (4 S.H., 270 hours)
- Acute Care: Adult Gerontology II (3 S.H.)
- Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum II (4 S.H., 270 hours)
- Advanced Practice Role II: Integration (3 S.H.)
- Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum III (3 S.H., 180 hours)
The Post-APRN-to-DNP track (for already-certified AG-ACNPs) totals 29 semester hours and focuses on DNP project development and evidence-based practice content without repeating specialty clinical coursework.
This plan includes Advanced Practice Role I and II, Evaluating Evidence, Clinical Data Management, Quality and Safety, Health Policy, Applied Epidemiology, an elective, and DNP Projects I–IV (370 practice experience hours total).
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The BSN-DNP AG-ACNP requires 1,090 total practice experience hours: 720 preceptor-supervised clinical hours across three sequential practicum courses plus 370 hours embedded in the four DNP project courses.
All clinical placements are arranged by the College of Nursing — students are not responsible for identifying sites or preceptors. Clinicals must currently be completed within Iowa.
Students should expect to travel up to 100 miles for preceptors; if the local area has limited specialty providers, longer travel may be required.
Clinical courses run across fall, spring, and summer of Year 3 at 10–20 hours per week depending on the rotation.
- Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum I: 270 hours (Fall III)
- Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum II: 270 hours (Spring III)
- Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum III: 180 hours (Summer III)
- DNP Project I–IV: 370 hours of practice experience embedded across semesters
- 1,090 total practice experience hours — BSN-DNP track
- 370 total practice experience hours — Post-APRN-to-DNP track (project hours only)
- University arranges all clinical placements; students do not find their own sites
- Clinicals must be completed in Iowa; travel up to 100 miles expected
- On-campus class attendance required once per week during clinical year
- Population focus: physiologically unstable, technologically dependent adults and older adults in inpatient acute, critical, and complex chronic care settings
DNP Admissions
Admission is fall only with a priority deadline of January 10 and final deadline of February 1. No GRE required. The AG-ACNP track has a specific 2-year inpatient experience requirement that excludes ED, PACU, OR, cath lab, endoscopy, and interventional radiology.
BSN-DNP Requirements:
- BSN from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (3.5 for dual certification applicants)
- Active, unencumbered RN license
- 2 years of full-time qualifying inpatient RN experience with adults and older adults (surgical/medical unit, telemetry, progressive care, stepdown, intermediate care, or ICU/critical care); critical care is preferred
- Statement of purpose
- Supplemental information form
- Professional resume
- Copy of RN license
- Contact information for three recommenders (University of Iowa recommendation forms required)
- Statement of disclosure
- Unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
- Preference given on 3-year plan to applicants with more nursing experience; 4-year plan is open to all regardless of experience level
Post-APRN-to-DNP Additional Requirements:
- MSN in a recognized APRN specialty
- Copy of APRN certification card
Applicants are notified of admission decisions by mid-March.
Post-Graduate Certificate AG-ACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at the University of Iowa is $14,007 for all students regardless of Iowa residency status.
The program takes approximately 1 year to complete. Federal financial aid is not available for this certificate as it is not a degree-granting program.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate totals 21 semester hours and is specifically designed for primary care APRNs who are already certified and want to add acute care credentials and expand their scope of practice.
A gap analysis is conducted after admission to determine whether additional didactic or clinical content is needed beyond the standard 21-credit plan.
The curriculum begins with specialty pharmacology in the summer, then moves into two AG-ACNP didactic courses alongside three sequential clinical practicums over the following fall, spring, and summer terms.
- NURS 5035: Graduate Pharmacology Specialty (3 S.H.) — Summer
- NURS 5038: Advanced Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures for Acute Care (1 S.H.) — Fall
- NURS 6410: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I (3 S.H.) — Fall
- NURS 6701: Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum I — 270 hours (4 S.H.) — Fall
- NURS 6411: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (3 S.H.) — Spring
- NURS 6702: Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum II — 270 hours (4 S.H.) — Spring
- NURS 6703: Advanced Practice Clinical Practicum III — 180 hours (3 S.H.) — Summer
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
The certificate requires 720 preceptor-supervised clinical hours distributed across three practicum courses. As with the DNP tracks, the College of Nursing arranges clinical placements; students are not responsible for finding their own sites.
Clinicals must be completed in Iowa.
The gap analysis completed after admission may modify the clinical requirements based on prior APRN experience.
- 720 total clinical hours across 3 practicum courses (270 + 270 + 180 hours)
- Focus population: acutely, critically, and chronically ill adults and older adults
- Inpatient settings: ICU, stepdown, telemetry, and complex chronic care
- University arranges all placements; no independent site search required
- Clinicals must be completed in Iowa
- Gap analysis after admission may adjust clinical hour requirements
Certificate Admissions
The certificate is designed for currently certified APRNs seeking a second specialty in acute care. Minimum GPA is 2.5 — lower than the 3.0 threshold for the DNP tracks.
- MSN or DNP degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Current APRN certification (copy of certification card required)
- Current RN license (copy required)
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Goal statement
- Statement of disclosure
- Unofficial transcripts (official required upon admission)
- Professional resume
- Three professional recommendations (University of Iowa forms required, submitted electronically)
- Graduate non-degree application through the University of Iowa Graduate College
Application deadline: February 1 (applications after the deadline considered as space allows).
Tuition
Tuition for the University of Iowa AG-ACNP DNP programs is calculated per semester hour and varies significantly by residency status.
At 9 or more credit hours per semester, Iowa residents pay $10,714 in tuition plus a $290 technology fee per semester; non-residents pay $20,756.50 in tuition plus the same technology fee.
The published 2024–25 total program costs reflect these rates applied across each track’s full credit load:
- $89,566 (resident) or $164,332 (non-resident) for the BSN-DNP
- $54,065 (resident) or $92,009 (non-resident) for the MSN-DNP
- $35,898 (resident) or $54,870 (non-resident) for the Post-APRN-to-DNP
The post-graduate certificate is an exception — it is priced at a flat $14,007 for all students regardless of residency. Federal financial aid is not available for the certificate.
Out-of-state students who establish Iowa residency for non-student reasons may qualify for resident tuition; the Registrar’s Office handles residency determinations.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Iowa College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
The AG-ACNP DNP program is ranked #8 nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2026). The program reports 100% certification exam pass rates and 100% job placement for graduates.
More Iowa ACNP Programs
- Allen College - Waterloo
- Morningside University - Sioux City