“Morningside delivers AGACNP credentials at the MSN level for $675/credit — a faster, more affordable path to acute care certification than programs requiring doctoral-level entry, with a dual AGACNP+FNP track option for nurses who want both.”
Morningside University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (49 credits)
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (35 credits)
Both tracks prepare graduates for national certification through the ANCC or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Dual-track enrollment combining AGACNP with the FNP track is available for students who want expanded practice options.
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | ~$33,075 | 4–6 semesters |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | ~$23,625 | 4 semesters |
The MSN and certificate share the same AGACNP-specific specialty courses; the MSN adds 23 credits of master’s core coursework. A GAP analysis is conducted for each certificate applicant to determine which prerequisite courses, if any, must be completed based on prior graduate education.
MSN AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Morningside University is approximately $33,075 (49 credits × $675/credit). The program takes 4 semesters full-time or up to 6 semesters part-time to complete.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AGACNP totals 49 credit hours:
- 23 credits of master’s core coursework required across all specialty tracks
- 26 credits of AGACNP-specific specialty content
Core courses cover pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, statistics, evidence-based research, health policy, quality and safety, and education in practice.
The AGACNP specialty sequence progresses through role development, health promotion, three sequential acute care didactic courses (Acute Care I, Complex Health, Acute Care II), and three paired clinical practicum courses.
The program ends with a role transition and certification prep course and a 1-day on-campus capstone residency.
AGACNP Specialty Courses (26 credits):
NURS 651 – Advanced Role Development (3 credits)
Explores the roles and responsibilities of advanced practice nurses. Emphasizes leadership, ethics, scope of practice, and professional development.
NURS 680 – Adult Gerontology in Acute Care I (3 credits)
Introduces assessment and management of acute and chronic conditions in adult and older populations. Focuses on clinical reasoning, diagnosis, and evidence-based care across major body systems.
NURS 683 – AGACNP Clinical Practicum I (2 credits)
Provides initial supervised clinical experience in acute care settings. Students apply assessment, diagnostic, and management skills with acutely and critically ill patients.
NURS 682 – Adult Gerontology in Complex Health (3 credits)
Focuses on managing complex, multisystem, and critical conditions. Emphasizes advanced clinical decision-making in emergency, trauma, and critical care environments.
NURS 684 – AGACNP Clinical Practicum II (2 credits)
Builds clinical competency in acute care through continued supervised practice. Students refine diagnostic reasoning and treatment planning skills.
NURS 681 – Adult Gerontology in Acute Care II (3 credits)
Expands management of acute and chronic conditions across additional body systems. Emphasizes holistic, evidence-based care for diverse patient populations.
NURS 685 – AGACNP Clinical Practicum III (2 credits)
Final practicum focused on demonstrating advanced clinical competence. Students manage complex cases with increasing independence in acute care settings.
NURS 672 – Role Transition and Certification Prep (2 credits)
Prepares students for entry into NP practice and certification. Focuses on clinical readiness, professional roles, and quality patient care.
NURS 686 – Evidence-Based Capstone (3 credits)
Integrates program learning through a capstone project. Includes portfolio development and an evidence-based research project for clinical practice improvement.
MSN Core Courses (23 credits):
- NURS 709: Health Care Policy and Advocacy for Individuals and Populations (2 credits)
- NURS 715: Quality, Safety, Informatics within Health Care Systems (3 credits)
- NURS 517: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NURS 518: Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 522: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 524: Advanced Practice Skills — 3-day on-campus residency (1 credit)
- NURS 530: Statistics in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NURS 516: Education in Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 533: Evidence-Based Research (3 credits)
MSN Clinicals
The MSN AGACNP requires 750 total clinical/practicum hours distributed across three sequential practicum courses, each covering 200–250 hours. Students practice in acute inpatient, short-stay, urgent care, emergency, trauma, and critical care settings.
Two on-campus residencies are required:
- a 3-day skills lab during NURS 524
- 1-day capstone residency during NURS 686
Clinical site specifics are not fully detailed on the official program page; students should confirm preceptor and site arrangement responsibilities with the program directly.
- 750 total clinical/practicum hours across 3 courses (200–250 hours each)
- NURS 683: AGACNP Clinical Practicum I — 200–250 hours
- NURS 684: AGACNP Clinical Practicum II — 200–250 hours
- NURS 685: AGACNP Clinical Practicum III — 200–250 hours
- 3-day on-campus skills residency (NURS 524)
- 1-day on-campus capstone residency (NURS 686)
- Settings: acute inpatient, urgent care, emergency, trauma, and critical care
MSN Admissions
Admission requires a BSN and 3.0 GPA; no GRE is required. An Iowa or compact-state RN license is required, or non-compact applicants must contact the Dean for state approval.
- BSN with a major in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree in another field plus an ADN, from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (conditional acceptance may be granted for GPA below 3.0; student must maintain 3.0 after 10 graduate credit hours)
- Valid RN license in Iowa or a compact-state jurisdiction; non-compact applicants must obtain Dean of Nursing approval
- Completed Morningside University Graduate Nursing application
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions where degrees were awarded
- Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation
- Professional goal essay (500 words or less) describing area of interest, career goals, and how professional history prepares the applicant for graduate study
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Background check required (Iowa Board of Nursing requirement)
- Must reside in an NC-SARA member state
Morningside nursing alumni in good academic standing may apply via Direct Admission (application fee waived; simplified documentation required) within three years of completing a prior degree or certificate.
Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Morningside University is approximately $23,625 (35 credits × $675/credit).
The program takes 4 semesters to complete. A GAP analysis is conducted after admission to individualize the course of study based on prior education and certification.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate totals 35 credit hours and covers the AGACNP-specific specialty sequence plus the APRN triad (pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment) and supporting courses.
The GAP analysis may reduce the required credits if prior graduate coursework covers equivalent content.
The curriculum includes three acute care didactic courses, three paired clinical practicum courses, role development, role transition, and both on-campus residencies.
- NURS 517: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NURS 518: Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 522: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 524: Advanced Practice Skills — 3-day on-campus residency (1 credit)
- NURS 651: Advanced Role Development (3 credits)
- NURS 653: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2 credits)
- NURS 680: Adult Gerontology in Acute Care I (3 credits)
- NURS 681: Adult Gerontology in Acute Care II (3 credits)
- NURS 682: Adult Gerontology in Complex Health (3 credits)
- NURS 683: AGACNP Clinical Practicum I — 200–250 hours (2 credits)
- NURS 684: AGACNP Clinical Practicum II — 200–250 hours (2 credits)
- NURS 685: AGACNP Clinical Practicum III — 200–250 hours (2 credits)
- NURS 672: Role Transition and Certification Prep (2 credits)
- NURS 686: Evidence-Based Capstone — 1-day on-campus residency (3 credits)
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements are identical to the MSN track: 750 hours across three practicum courses plus two on-campus residencies. The GAP analysis may adjust clinical hour requirements based on the applicant’s prior APRN clinical experience and certification.
- 750 total clinical/practicum hours across 3 courses (200–250 hours each)
- 3-day on-campus skills residency (NURS 524)
- 1-day on-campus capstone residency (NURS 686)
- GAP analysis may modify clinical requirements based on prior APRN experience
- Settings: acute inpatient, urgent care, emergency, trauma, and critical care
Certificate Admissions
The certificate requires an MSN and Iowa or compact-state RN licensure; same GAP analysis and background check process applies.
- Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Valid RN license in Iowa or a compact-state jurisdiction; non-compact applicants must contact the Dean of Nursing for approval
- Completed Morningside University Graduate Nursing application
- Official transcripts from all institutions where degrees were awarded
- Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation
- Professional goal essay (500 words or less)
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Background check required
- GAP analysis conducted after admission to determine individualized course of study
- Must reside in an NC-SARA member state
Tuition
Morningside charges $675 per credit hour for all MSN nursing courses, including both the MSN AGACNP and the post-master’s certificate. This rate does not vary by residency status.
Additional fees include a $225 per-term graduate nursing technology fee (fall and spring), a $175 class fee for NURS 524, annual HIPAA and OSHA training fees ($20 each), a $45 background check fee, $35 for immunization tracking services, and a $150 graduation fee.
Textbooks and technology learning resources average approximately $600–$800 per semester and are not included in tuition. Students enrolled in at least 5 credit hours per term may be eligible for federal unsubsidized loans and Graduate/Professional PLUS loans.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Compare to Other Iowa ACNP Programs
- Allen College - Waterloo
- The University of Iowa - Iowa City