Loma Linda University offers a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGACNP track.
The program is offered in a Hyperflex format combining online instruction with scheduled on-campus sessions during each 11-week quarter.
Program Track Overview
The curriculum includes 1,250 total hours (660 clinical hours and 590 DNP project hours) and prepares graduates for state and national AGACNP certification.
BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP-AGACNP program is approximately $119,476 and takes 3 years and 9 months to complete on a full-time basis.
Curriculum
The BSN to DNP-AGACNP track requires 118 quarter units (79 semester units) consisting of core DNP coursework, concentration courses, clinical courses, and DNP project hours.
The program is structured across four components with mandatory on-campus participation for exams and select course meetings.
Core Courses (49 quarter units)
NGRD 650: Advanced Role Development and Collaboration (4u)
Prepares students for advanced practice and doctoral-level roles. Covers core competencies, legal expectations, interprofessional teamwork, and the use of evidence in practice.
NGRD 651: Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice (4u)
Introduces major nursing and related theories that guide practice and research. Emphasizes using theoretical models to shape clinical decisions, programs, and study designs.
NGRD 652: Health-Care Systems Leadership (4u)
Applies leadership and organizational concepts to complex health-care environments. Focuses on developing leadership skills that support safe, high-quality care.
NGRD 653: Health Systems Policy Development and Advocacy (4u)
Explores how political and system-level forces affect population health. Highlights nursing roles in policy development, planning, and advocacy at local, organizational, and governmental levels.
NGRD 654: Social Determinants of Health – Service Learning (4u)
Examines how social, economic, and environmental factors influence health outcomes in diverse and vulnerable groups. Reviews models and strategies that promote equitable, culturally competent care.
NGRD 655: Health Systems Finance (4u)
Covers basic health-care finance, budgeting, and cost analysis for nurse leaders. Teaches students to evaluate financial data and support resource decisions that maintain quality and safety.
NGRD 656: Outcomes Assessment for Strategic Planning (4u)
Focuses on measuring and analyzing patient and system outcomes. Connects outcome data to quality improvement, strategic planning, and effective use of information technology.
NGRD 657: Intermediate Statistics (4u)
Introduces intermediate statistical methods such as ANOVA, regression, and multivariate procedures. Emphasizes interpreting computer output and applying statistics to research and quality projects.
NGRD 658: Nursing Research and Translational Science (4u)
Reviews research methods and translation science concepts for doctoral nursing practice. Highlights how nurse leaders appraise evidence and move research findings into clinical use.
NGRD 659: Professional Writing for Nurse Leaders (4u)
Strengthens scholarly writing skills for reports, projects, and manuscripts. Focuses on clear organization, evidence use, and formats suited to research and practice dissemination.
NGRD 660: Integrative Leadership Case Study (1u–4u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
RELE 564: Ethics and Health Disparities (3u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
RELR 540: Wholeness and Health – Service Learning (3u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
RELT 557: Theology of Human Suffering (3u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
Concentration Courses (15 quarter units)
NGAG 500: Gerontological Health and Wellness (2u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGRD 621: Pharmacology in Advanced Practice I (2u)
Covers principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice. Reviews major drug classes, common therapeutic uses, and key legal and ethical issues in prescribing.
NGAC 502: Acute Care Advanced Pharmacology II (3u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGRD 624: Advanced Health Assessment (4u)
Builds advanced history-taking and physical exam skills across the lifespan. Stresses accurate data collection, clinical reasoning, and culturally sensitive health promotion planning.
NGRD 625: Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (4u)
Explains normal physiology and common disease processes across body systems. Links pathophysiologic changes to clinical signs, symptoms, and management decisions.
Clinical Courses (35 quarter units)
NGAC 540: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Skills Lab – 30 Skills hours (1u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGAC 541: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I – 90 Clinical hours (6u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGAC 542: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II – 90 Clinical hours (6u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGAC 543: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III – 120 Clinical hours (7u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGAC 544: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV – 120 Clinical hours (7u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
NGAC 545: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner V – 210 Clinical hours (8u)
No description was provided in the course list you shared.
DNP Project (19 quarter units)
NGRD 667: Introduction to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Inquiry Proposal Project – 30 Practice hours (3u)
Guides students through selecting an evidence-based practice question and planning a DNP project. Uses a structured EBP model to frame the literature search, project design, and translation plan.
NGRD 669A–F: DNP Practice Inquiry Project – 590 Practice hours (16u)
NGRD 669F – DNP Practice Inquiry Project VI
Completes analysis and prepares the project for dissemination. Students finalize the DNP project paper and presentation for defense and potential publication.
NGRD 669A – DNP Practice Inquiry Project I
Launches the DNP project by defining the practice problem, forming the project team, and outlining the project plan. Students begin drafting the written project and presentation materials.
NGRD 669B – DNP Practice Inquiry Project II
Deepens the project through a detailed literature review and completion of IRB steps as needed. Students refine the project design and continue writing the project paper and slides.
NGRD 669C – DNP Practice Inquiry Project III
Implements a pilot of the project in the practice setting. Students collect early data and further develop the written and presentation components.
NGRD 669D – DNP Practice Inquiry Project IV
Moves into full project implementation, using effective communication with stakeholders. Students adapt strategies as needed while expanding the project paper and presentation.
NGRD 669E – DNP Practice Inquiry Project V
Monitors and evaluates the change project, including key outcomes and process measures. Students interpret results and identify next steps while refining final project documents.
More curriculum details are available here.
Clinicals
The AGACNP track requires 660 direct clinical hours distributed across five clinical courses and a skills lab.
Students complete rotations within Southern California (within a 90-mile radius of Loma Linda) in various acute care settings including ICUs, step-down units, emergency departments, and sub-specialty clinics.
Clinical courses meet at least four times per quarter face-to-face on campus with all exams administered on-campus.
The DNP project contributes an additional 590 practice hours for a total of 1,250 hours, meeting the minimum 1,000-hour requirement for DNP programs.
Prerequisites & Admissions
- Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, both cumulative and in nursing coursework
- Current unencumbered United States RN license at application; California RN license required before classes begin
- Minimum one year full-time RN experience in acute care setting within past 3 years (U.S. hospital adult critical care area)
- Critical care experience must include: critical decision-making and psychomotor skills, patient assessment competency, proficiency in monitoring critical care medications, mechanical ventilation management, and invasive hemodynamic monitoring
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification required before matriculation and maintained until completion
- Two electronic recommendations: required from recent nurse manager/director, plus one from nursing peer or spiritual advisor
- Completion of Emotional Intelligence Interview Process (in-person or via Zoom) if granted by Admissions Committee
- Application fee: $70 NursingCAS application plus $50 secondary application fee
- Science GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs) are NOT considered critical care units for admission
Tuition
The estimated total program cost is $119,476 over four years based on published cost of attendance.
Year 1 tuition and fees total $23,092.
Year 2 totals $26,104, and Years 3 and 4 each total $35,140.
Additional costs include books, materials, supplies, and equipment ranging from $550-$2,945 per year. Living expenses, transportation, and personal expenses vary based on housing arrangements selected.
More tuition details available here.
Accreditation
The BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at Loma Linda University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through 2027.
Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Graduates are prepared for certification by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to apply for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Other Nursing Programs
Loma Linda University School of Nursing offers additional graduate programs:
BSN to DNP Programs:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: Adult-Gerontology
- Clinical Nurse Specialist: Pediatrics
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Nurse Leadership
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN):
- Nurse Practitioner: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Specialty Role: Nursing Informatics
- Nurse Specialty Role: School Nursing
MS to DNP Programs:
- Available in multiple specialties
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing:
- BSN to PhD option
- MSN to PhD option
Additional ACNP Programs for California Students
- Cal State LA - Los Angeles
- California Baptist University - Riverside
- CSU Long Beach - Long Beach
- University of California San Francisco - San Francisco