Kentucky offers 9 in-state ACNP program tracks (focused on Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) across 4 universities (see table below).
Costs for these programs vary significantly based on degree level, residency status, and specific track, ranging from approximately $17,000 (for many certificate options) to $80,000+ (for BSN-DNP pathways).
Completion times typically span 1 to 3 years depending on full-time or part-time enrollment and entry point (e.g., 20 months for some certificates to 3 years for BSN-DNP programs).
High Level Program Comparison Table
| School | Available Tracks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine University | MSN: $45K Certificate: $17K | One campus visit and local KY clinicals |
| Northern Kentucky University | MSN: $30K Cert: $22K | Fully online with frequent starts |
| University of Kentucky | BSN-DNP: $78K–80K MSN-DNP: $53K–55K Cert: $17K–26K | BSN to DNP AGACNP path |
| University of Louisville | MSN: $37K BSN-DNP: $57K MSN-DNP: $23K Cert: $22K | ICU-ready MSN/DNP with high hours |
List of Schools that KY Nurses Can Apply To
For the widest range of options, this list includes summaries of programs for both local and national online programs.
Bellarmine University ACNP Programs
Louisville | $820 cpc | MSN
Bellarmine University offers an online MSN-AGACNP and a post-master’s AGACNP certificate, with only one required on-campus visit for the MSN track. The MSN includes 45 credits that cover nursing core courses, a bioethics cognate, and acute care specialty courses with integrated clinical practicum in your local area. The certificate focuses on four AGACNP specialty courses (18 credits) and can expand to 27 credits if you need the three APRN core prerequisites. Both tracks use coordinated preceptor support for local clinical placements and emphasize adult-gerontology acute care skills and clinical decision-making...read more.
Northern Kentucky University ACNP Programs
Highland Heights | $600 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Northern Kentucky University offers two 100% online AGACNP tracks with asynchronous access and accelerated 7-week courses that start multiple times per year. The MSN option costs an estimated $29,177 and takes 24 months, while the post-master’s certificate costs an estimated $21,505 and takes 20 months. Both tracks focus on acute care diagnostics, advanced technology use, and clinical decision-making for adolescent through geriatric patients, with 750 total clinical hours built into supervised residency courses...read more.
Purdue Global ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $420 cpc | Certificate
Kentucky nurses with master's degrees in nursing can advance their careers through Purdue Global's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate, offered entirely online. The 57-credit program costs $23,940 and takes approximately 1.5 years to complete, combining advanced coursework in acute care management with innovative VR-based skills training and supervised clinical experiences. Kentucky applicants must demonstrate one year of acute care RN experience, maintain current ACLS certification, and pass a criminal background check to qualify for admission.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The AGACNP programs at South College offer Kentucky residents a high-quality, CCNE-accredited education focused on role development and healthcare policy. Students engage in technical skill-building for procedures such as suturing and ventilator management, which are essential for critical care roles. Professionals in Kentucky can take advantage of the tiered tuition structure to efficiently manage the costs of their advanced nursing degree.
University of Kentucky ACNP Programs
Lexington | $1,046.50 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / DNP
The University of Kentucky offers three AGACNP pathways that combine online DNP coursework with required on-campus immersions in Lexington. Estimated tuition ranges from about $17,000 for the postgraduate certificate to just over $80,000 for the BSN-DNP track, with program lengths ranging from 2 to 3 years depending on entry point and study plan. All options prepare nurses to manage acutely and critically ill adult and geriatric patients in high-acuity settings while meeting national certification requirements...read more.
University of Louisville ACNP Programs
Louisville | $750 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
University of Louisville offers three AGACNP pathways, including an MSN, two DNP entry points (BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP), and a post-graduate certificate option. All tracks require NursingCAS and expect one year of ICU experience or a plan to complete ICU time before clinical courses begin. The MSN and certificate routes emphasize acute care diagnosis, procedures, and population-specific management, with clinical practicum courses that can be expanded for states that require 750 hours. The BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP options add doctoral-level leadership and a structured DNP project sequence while still supporting AGACNP certification readiness...read more.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Walden University offers three Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks that Kentucky nurses can complete largely online while continuing to work. The DNP, MSN, and post-master’s certificate options blend advanced courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and evidence-based practice with supervised practica supported by field placement services. These AGACNP programs help Kentucky RNs move into high-acuity roles and prepare for national certification in adult-gerontology acute care.
Choosing the Best Kentucky ACNP Program
TLDR: Quick Program Selection Guide
Choose Northern Kentucky University if you want the most affordable option ($29,177 MSN, $21,505 certificate) delivered entirely online in accelerated 7-week terms, with same rates for in-state and out-of-state students.
Choose University of Louisville if you want comprehensive program options (MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, certificate) with Kentucky resident rates starting at $21,750 for certificates and holistic admissions reviewing leadership and community engagement.
Choose Bellarmine University if you want online delivery with only one required on-campus visit, active NP faculty practitioners, and coordinated clinical placements in your local area completing in 2 years part-time.
Choose University of Kentucky if you want DNP-only pathways (BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, certificate) with online courses featuring mandatory on-campus immersions in Lexington (1-6 days per semester for specialty courses).
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Northern Kentucky University offers the most affordable MSN at $29,177, while both NKU and University of Louisville complete in 2 years full-time.
| School | Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NKU | $30K | 2 years FT | 750 | Entirely online, 7-week terms |
| UofL | $37K | 2 years FT | 672 patient care + 84 professional role | Via NursingCAS |
| Bellarmine | $45K | 2 years PT | Embedded in specialty courses | Online, 1 on-campus visit |
Key Distinctions:
NKU charges same affordable rate ($600/credit) for both in-state and out-of-state students
NKU uses accelerated 7-week course format with multiple annual start dates (Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1, Summer 2)
NKU requires 1,000 RN clinical hours verification and 1 year critical care experience
UofL requires one year ICU experience (or commitment to complete before clinical courses begin)
UofL utilizes holistic admissions review considering leadership and community engagement
Bellarmine features only one required on-campus visit during entire program
Bellarmine employs active nurse practitioner faculty working in the community
All programs require prerequisites in statistics with minimum grade requirements
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
DNP programs prepare doctoral-level practitioners for advanced clinical roles. University of Louisville offers the most affordable BSN-DNP at $57,000 for Kentucky residents, while University of Kentucky provides DNP-only pathways with mandatory on-campus immersions.
| School | Program Type | Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UofL (MSN-DNP) | MSN-DNP | $23K | 2 years PT | 330 project/professional (1,000 total post-bacc) |
| UK (MSN-DNP) | MSN-DNP | $54K | 2 years FT 3 years PT | 1,020 total (780 direct care + project) |
| UofL (BSN-DNP) | BSN-DNP | $57K | 3 years FT | 1,000 total (756 clinical + 330 project) |
| UK (BSN-DNP) | BSN-DNP | $78-$81K | 3 years FT | 1,020 total |
Standout Features:
UofL offers most affordable MSN-DNP option for Kentucky residents at $22,500
UofL BSN-DNP requires minimum 1,000 clinical, professional, and project hours over last two years
UofL students who don’t complete DNP project within coursework must enroll in DOC 600 completion course
UK features online DNP courses with mandatory on-campus immersions (1-6 days/semester for specialty, 1 hour/semester for core)
UK performs GAP analysis upon admission to determine required courses based on prior MSN coursework
UK charges $1,046.50/credit for online students (both resident and non-resident)
UofL applications submitted through NursingCAS plus Graduate School application
Both programs require completion of DNP scholarly projects
Advanced Certificate Programs
University of Kentucky offers the lowest-cost certificate at approximately $17,080–$25,620 based on GAP analysis, while NKU provides structured completion in 20 months.
| School | Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine | $17K | ~1 year | 17 credits clinical | Prerequisites if needed |
| UK | $18–$26K | Varies | Varies by GAP analysis | Online health professional rate |
| NKU | $22K | 20 months FT | 750 | Entirely online, 7-week terms |
| UofL | $22K | 18-24 months | 504 (APRNs) or 756 total | Via NursingCAS |
Important Considerations:
Bellarmine requires Advanced Physical Assessment (NURS 611), Pathophysiologic Concepts (NURS 629), or Pharmacotherapeutics (NURS 650) if not completed, bringing total to 27 credits
Bellarmine students not eligible for federal financial aid
UK GAP analysis determines which courses transfer and which must be completed
UK charges $854.50/credit for online health professional students
UK offers hybrid immersion format requiring on-campus attendance up to 6 days per semester
NKU performs course equivalency review for previously completed courses
NKU charges reduced rate of $592/credit (same for in-state and out-of-state)
UofL APRNs seeking second specialty complete minimum 504 population-specific hours; others complete 672 patient care + 84 professional role hours
UofL uses holistic review considering professional goals, academic capabilities, work experience, leadership
All programs require MSN from accredited institution and individualized gap analysis
Admissions Requirements
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadline | ICU/Critical Care Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellarmine | 3.0 GPA | Not specified | Not specified |
| NKU | 3.0 | Rolling basis | 1 year critical care (verification form required) |
| UK | 3.0 | Jan 15 (Fall enrollment) | Not specified |
| UofL | 3.0 | Not specified | 1 year ICU (or commitment to complete before clinicals) |
Additional Admission Notes:
UofL: Course-by-course evaluation through WES or ECE; English proficiency required
Prerequisites: Statistics required at all programs (Bellarmine: not specified; NKU: undergraduate C or better; UK: EPE 557 or comparable; UofL: not specified)
RN License: Current unencumbered license required at all programs
Bellarmine: Kentucky and/or compact state
NKU: Current unencumbered
UK: Required in state where clinicals take place
UofL: Kentucky or compact state required prior to clinicals
RN Experience:
NKU: 1,000 clinical hours verification required
UK: Not specified for BSN-DNP; national certification required for MSN-DNP
UofL: 1 year ICU or commitment to complete
Letters of Recommendation: Bellarmine (2), NKU (none specified), UK (3), UofL (2)
Application Fees: NKU ($40, waived for alumni/military), UK (standard), UofL ($40 supplemental + NursingCAS)
Background Checks: Required at all programs (Bellarmine: vaccination requirements; NKU: PreCheck StudentCheck; UK: required; UofL: Castlebranch, must be approved prior to enrollment)
Application Systems:
Bellarmine: Standard university application
NKU: Online application with rolling review
UK: Opens September 15, closes January 15
UofL: NursingCAS plus Graduate Admissions Application
Special Requirements:
Bellarmine: Grades B- or higher in core courses (NURS 611, 629, 650, 665, 669, 670)
NKU: Criminal background check (state and federal)
UK: Goal statement, scholarly writing sample, interview, competitive basis
UofL: Holistic review process, responses to NursingCAS questions
International Students:
NKU: Exceptions considered for non-US institutions
UK: TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers