Ohio University offers two Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)
- Post-Graduate Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Both tracks are delivered primarily online with brief on-campus intensives and virtual interactions that support diagnostic skills and advanced procedures.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AG-ACNP | $27,120 (tuition only) | 2 years |
| Certificate AGACNP | $15,700 (tuition only) | 1 year |
The programs are structured so working RNs can gain acute and critical care expertise while maintaining their current roles.
Master of Science in Nursing – AG-ACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is about $27,120 in resident tuition and would take about two years (six semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AG-ACNP track includes 40 credits that blend advanced clinical content with leadership and quality-focused coursework for acute and critical care practice.
Students complete core advanced practice courses alongside AG-ACNP practicum experiences.
Required courses include:
NRSE 6843 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
Introduces direct acute care management of adult and older adult patients under supervision. Students begin applying assessment, diagnostic, and intervention skills in high-acuity settings while building confidence in the AG-ACNP role.
NRSE 6844 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
Builds on Practicum I with more complex patient care and higher responsibility in acute and critical care environments. Emphasizes clinical decision making, prioritization, and collaboration with the interprofessional team.
NRSE 6845 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
Refines advanced practice skills in managing unstable and critically ill adults and older adults. Focuses on independent clinical judgment, care coordination, and transition into practice as an acute care nurse practitioner.
NRSE 7001 – Professional Presence and Writing for the Advanced Nurse
Strengthens professional communication, scholarly writing, and presentation skills. Students learn to produce clear, organized graduate-level work that supports advanced nursing roles and leadership.
NRSE 7210 – Advanced Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing
Examines complex alterations in human physiology across body systems and the lifespan. Links disease mechanisms to clinical signs, symptoms, and advanced practice decision making.
NRSE 7220 – Advanced Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
Covers pharmacologic principles, major drug classes, and prescribing considerations for advanced practice nurses. Stresses safe medication management, monitoring, and patient education in acute and chronic conditions.
NRSE 7230 – Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing
Develops comprehensive assessment skills, including advanced history taking and physical examination. Emphasizes diagnostic reasoning and recognition of subtle and high-risk findings in adult and older adult patients.
NRSE 7810 – Foundations of Leadership and Organizations in Advanced Nursing Practice
Explores leadership theories, organizational behavior, and change processes in healthcare settings. Prepares students to lead teams, influence systems, and support quality patient care.
NRSE 7811 – Foundations of Evidence-based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice
Focuses on finding, appraising, and applying research to clinical practice. Students learn to translate evidence into practical interventions and improvement projects.
NRSE 7812 – Foundations of Quality and Safety in Population Health for Advanced Nursing Practice
Examines quality improvement methods, patient safety principles, and population health strategies. Highlights measurement, outcomes, and system-level approaches that protect patients and communities.
NRSE 7818 – Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing
Strengthens diagnostic reasoning through the use of labs, imaging, and other tests. Students learn to select appropriate studies, interpret findings, and integrate results into acute care management plans.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
MSN AG-ACNP students complete 750 supervised practicum hours distributed across three practicum courses.
Clinicals are usually arranged in acute and complex care environments such as medical–surgical and cardiovascular ICUs, emergency departments, trauma services, and specialized intervention units.
On-campus intensives paired with online coursework support skills such as rapid assessment, invasive procedures, and interprofessional communication that are essential for AG-ACNP roles.
MSN Admissions
Admission to the MSN AG-ACNP track requires a BSN and recent RN experience.
Key requirements include:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Valid, unrestricted RN license in an approved state
- At least two years of full-time RN experience within the last five years
- Professional goals statement
- Current resume or CV
- Three recommendation letters
- At least two from master’s-prepared (or higher) nurses
- At least one from an APRN or RN
- Web-based interview with faculty
- Pre-clinical clearances: health requirements, federal and state background checks, BLS certification, and proof of malpractice insurance
Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate is about in resident tuition and would take about one year (three semesters) to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 20-credit post-graduate AG-ACNP certificate is designed for MSN-prepared nurses who want to move into the AG-ACNP role without repeating core graduate courses.
The plan of study builds on prior work in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health appraisal to deepen acute care decision-making and diagnostic skills. Required AG-ACNP certificate courses include:
- NRSE 6843 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (250 hours)
- NRSE 7818 – Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing
- NRSE 6844 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (250 hours)
- NRSE 6845 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (250 hours)
More curriculum details are available here
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 750 direct-care clinical hours across three practicum courses that mirror the MSN track’s acute care depth.
Clinical experiences also mirror the MSN track (see above).
Certificate Admissions
Admission to the post-graduate AG-ACNP certificate requires an accredited MSN and a minimum graduate GPA (typically around 3.0–3.2) for unconditional admission.
Applicants must show prior completion or planned completion of graduate-level advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health appraisal with a grade of B or better, or take them through Ohio University if missing.
The application also includes:
- a professional goals statement
- current CV or resume
- three graduate-level letters of recommendation
- proof of unrestricted RN licensure in an approved state
- evidence of two years of full-time RN experience in the past five years
- completion of health, background check, BLS, and malpractice requirements
- faculty interview
Tuition
For the online MSN AG-ACNP track, tuition is $678 per credit for Ohio residents and $700 per credit for non-residents, with the 40-credit plan of study producing an estimated resident tuition total of about $27,120 before university fees.
For the post-graduate AG-ACNP certificate, tuition is $785 per credit for residents and $807 per credit for non-residents, for a 20-credit estimated resident total of about $15,700 before additional costs such as textbooks, supplies, and technology fees.
See the official tuition page for more details: https://www.ohio.edu/admissions/tuition
Accreditation
Ohio University’s baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs in nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
This accreditation supports graduate eligibility for national AG-ACNP certification and enhances employer confidence in the preparation of Ohio University’s advanced practice nursing graduates.