South College offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN-MSN AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP
Both programs are offered online with asynchronous coursework designed to accommodate working nursing professionals, combining online didactic courses with hands-on clinical practice experiences.
The programs prepare graduates to provide advanced nursing care to adults, older adults, and elderly patients with acute, chronic, and critical conditions in various healthcare settings.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-MSN AGACNP | $51,450–$53,695 | 21 months |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP | $34,450–$35,930 | Varies by pace |
BSN-MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the BSN-MSN AGACNP is approximately $51,450-$53,695 (79 credits based on tuition structure, plus nursing fees) and takes 21 months to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN-MSN Curriculum
The BSN-MSN curriculum totals 79 credits including 40 MSN core credits and 39 AGACNP concentration credits.
MSN Core Courses (40 credits)
NSG 5110 Foundational Concepts & Applications (4 credits)
This course introduces core concepts and skills for graduate nursing study. Students examine a professional practice framework and expectations for the master’s-prepared nurse. The course also supports early professional growth and role readiness.
NSG 5120 Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice (4 credits)
This course teaches students to use theory to explain and improve practice or education settings. Students critique major theory parts and compare how theories guide research and evidence-based care. Students also practice applying theory to real organizational problems.
NSG 5140 Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
This course studies disease processes across the lifespan for individuals and populations. Students connect cellular changes to body system findings and clinical presentation. Students also link pathophysiology to treatment priorities in advanced practice.
NSG 5210 Advanced Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice (4 credits)
This course strengthens skills in reading, judging, and using research to guide care. Students analyze research designs and methods to address clinical questions in practice settings. The course also covers ethics in research and strategies for sharing findings to support change.
NSG 5220 Healthcare Informatics (4 credits)
This course introduces informatics concepts used in nursing leadership. Students review digital tools that support decisions in clinical care, administration, research, and education. Students also evaluate informatics applications that improve workflow and outcomes.
NSG 5310 Role Development in Healthcare Policy (4 credits)
This course prepares nurse leaders to influence healthcare policy. Students study policy drivers, including history, ethics, and politics, and review current debates. Students propose practical strategies for policy impact at organizational, local, national, and global levels.
NSG 5320 Role Development in Leadership (4 credits)
This course builds leadership skills that support effective change in healthcare. Students practice ethics-based leadership, negotiation, motivation, and advocacy. The course also emphasizes problem solving, inclusion, and interprofessional teamwork.
NSG 5240 Advanced Pharmacology (4 credits)
This course develops advanced knowledge of drug actions and safe medication use. Students study major drug classes and effects across body systems. Students apply pharmacology to rational treatment choices and patient safety.
NSG 5340 Advanced Health Assessment Didactic (4 credits)
This course teaches structured health history and physical assessment across adolescence to older adulthood. Students learn to organize, interpret, and communicate health data using a whole-person approach. The course includes two parts that focus on history taking and exam skills.
AGACNP Concentration Courses (39 credits)
NSG 5343 Advanced Health Assessment Practicum (4 credits)
This practicum builds hands-on physical exam skills across the lifespan. Students practice complete exams and interpret normal findings with attention to common variants. Students also recognize frequent abnormal patterns and document results clearly.
NSG 5700 Care of the Adult & Geriatric Patient (4 credits)
This course starts the acute care sequence for adults and older adults who are acutely ill or critically ill. Students study acute and chronic problems by body system and include psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs in care planning. The course emphasizes advanced assessment, diagnostics, and evidence-based strategies for common older adult issues.
NSG 5702 Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations I (4 credits)
This course focuses on stabilizing adults with acute illness and worsening chronic disease. Students build plans of care for rapid decline and apply life support concepts and selected invasive procedures to restore stability. Students diagnose and treat high-acuity neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, infectious, and renal or GU conditions.
NSG 5704 Diagnostics & Advanced Procedures in Acute Care (3 credits)
This course develops technical skills used in acute and critical care diagnosis and treatment. Students learn hemodynamic monitoring, fluid therapy, defibrillation, ventilation basics, and interpretation of labs, ECGs, and imaging. Lab practice includes procedures such as suturing, intubation, and line placement.
NSG 5705 Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations II (4 credits)
This course covers diagnosis and treatment of high-acuity conditions across multiple body systems. Students manage complex disorders such as GI, endocrine, hematology and oncology, trauma, and multi-system illness. The course also addresses family response, life support decisions, palliative care, and end-of-life planning.
NSG 5708 AG-ACNP Capstone Project (3 credits)
This capstone course integrates learning across the AG-ACNP curriculum through critical analysis. Students complete a scholarly project that applies advanced skills to a leadership-relevant nursing issue. Students finalize prior work and present results in written and oral formats.
NSG 5711 Acute Care of Adult & Geriatric Patient I Practicum (5 credits)
This practicum builds advanced practice skills under an approved preceptor. Students perform histories, assessments, diagnoses, and management for adult-geriatric acute and chronic problems. Students also strengthen teamwork skills and use community resources to support care.
NSG 5712 Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations II Practicum (5 credits)
This practicum expands management of complex patients in urgent and emergent situations. Students focus on stabilization goals and adjust care plans using diagnostic reasoning as conditions change. Students also practice collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and resource coordination.
NSG 5713 Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations II Practicum (5 credits)
This practicum refines history taking and physical assessment while expanding differential diagnosis skills. Students develop stronger treatment plans for complex adult-geriatric cases under supervision. The practicum also reinforces teamwork and care coordination across services.
NSG 5714 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Residency Practicum (6 credits)
This residency practicum integrates advanced practice skills in a supervised clinical setting. Students manage acute and chronic problems with increasing independence and accountability. Students also improve collaboration, consultation, and resource use to support safe patient outcomes.
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN-MSN Clinicals
Students complete supervised clinical practicum experiences at approved healthcare settings within the United States.
Clinical hours are distributed across:
- NSG 5343 (Advanced Health Assessment Practicum)
- NSG 5711 (5 credits)
- NSG 5712 (5 credits)
- NSG 5713 (5 credits)
- NSG 5714 (6 credits)
Students work with South College to identify potential preceptors and sites, with the college supporting the practicum/preceptor placement process and ensuring affiliation agreements are in place.
BSN-MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Completed South College application for admission
- Completed admission application to Master of Science in Nursing program
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
- $50 application fee
- Current unencumbered Registered Nurse license verified by Nursys or state licensure verification system
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from accredited institution with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- 800 hours practice as registered nurse required prior to first practicum course (all hours must be completed in acute care setting: ICU, step-down units, trauma units, or ER)
- Two-page typed personal statement of professional goals and objectives
- Identification of potential clinical sites and preceptors for NP practicum requirements
- Students must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in program
- Minimum grade of 80% required in all nursing courses
- Conditional admission may be reviewed by Admissions, Progression, and Retention Committee on case-by-case basis
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP is approximately $34,450-$35,930 and varies in duration based on individual completion pace.
Estimate based on 53 credits based on tuition structure, plus nursing fees.
Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate curriculum totals 53 credits including advanced practice core courses and AGACNP specialty courses with clinical practicums.
Certificate Courses (53 credits):
- NSG 5140: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- NSG 5240: Advanced Pharmacology (4 credits)
- NSG 5340: Advanced Health Assessment Didactic (4 credits)
- NSG 5343: Advanced Health Assessment Practicum (4 credits)
- NSG 5700: Care of the Adult & Geriatric Patient (4 credits)
- NSG 5702: Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations I (4 credits)
- NSG 5704: Diagnostics & Advanced Procedures in Acute Care (3 credits)
- NSG 5705: Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations II (4 credits)
- NSG 5709: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Capstone Review (1 credit)
- NSG 5711: Acute Care of Adult & Geriatric Patient I Practicum (5 credits)
- NSG 5712: Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations II Practicum (5 credits)
- NSG 5713: Acute Care of Adult-Geriatric Populations II Practicum (5 credits)
- NSG 5714: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Residency Practicum (6 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Post-Graduate Certificate Clinicals
Students complete supervised clinical practicum experiences in approved healthcare settings.
Clinical hours are integrated throughout NSG 5343, NSG 5711, NSG 5712, NSG 5713, and NSG 5714, totaling significant hands-on experience in acute care environments.
Students practice providing adult-gerontology acute care in various settings including intensive care units, emergency departments, and specialty care units.
Post-Graduate Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing degree or higher from accredited institution
- Completed South College application for admission
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
- $50 application fee
- Current unencumbered Registered Nurse license
- Identification of potential clinical sites and preceptors for practicum requirements
- Students must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in program
- Minimum grade of 80% required in all nursing courses
- Maximum of 3 graduate level courses accepted for transfer credit
- Conditional admission may be reviewed by Admissions, Progression, and Retention Committee on case-by-case basis
- Students who present transcripts indicating failure from two nursing programs will not be considered for admission
Tuition
MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate programs use a tiered tuition structure based on credit load per quarter.
The estimated per-credit cost ranges from approximately $615-$657 based on the quarterly rate of $5,775 for 8-20 credit hours (which averages to approximately $288-$722 per credit depending on enrollment).
Additional fees include a nursing fee of $245 per quarter and a technology/services fee of $695 per quarter for all students.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate programs at South College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Other Nursing Programs
- Doctor of Nursing Practice with Concentration in Nurse Anesthesia
- MSN with Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN with Concentration in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- MSN with Concentration in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN with Concentration in Nurse Executive
- MSN with Concentration in Nursing Informatics
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate – Nurse Executive
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-Master’s)