Cedar Crest College offers 3 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGACNP (BSN to DNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $23,860 + fees | ~3 years |
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $58,765 + fees | ~6 years (PT) |
| Certificate AGACNP | $11,960 + fees | ~1.5 years |
All tracks are available online with clinical practicums and feature dual accreditation by CCNE and ACEN.
Cedar Crest provides dedicated clinical placement support, built-in board exam preparation, state-of-the-art simulation facilities, and some of the most affordable MSN programs in the Lehigh Valley.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP (BSN to DNP)
The estimated cost for the DNP – AGACNP program is $58,765 plus activity and technology fees and would take 6 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Estimate based on 68 MSN credits × $670/credit = $45,560 plus 22 DNP credits × $795/credit = $17,490, minus 9 credits overlap = adjusted to approximately $50,650.
DNP Curriculum
The program requires completion of MSN core, direct care, and AGACNP specialty courses (35 credits, 756 clinical hours) followed by DNP courses (22 credits, 336 practicum hours).
Graduate Nursing Core and Direct Care Courses: (Same as MSN program)
Cedar Crest College offers online MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s AGACNP options with clinical practicums, clinical placement support, and board exam prep. The MSN includes 35 credits and 756 clinical hours with advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and acute care management courses plus a clinical residency. The BSN-to-DNP adds 22 DNP credits and 336 practicum hours on top of the MSN clinical sequence for a total of 1,092 clinical/practicum hours, with DNP project work built into the plan. The certificate follows the AGACNP specialty sequence (gap analysis may add core courses) and uses the same 756-hour clinical structure as the MSN.
please create unique and concise versions of the courses below: Graduate Nursing Core Courses MSN 510 Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations for Nursing (3 credits) This course explores the epistemology of nursing science, including historical perspectives, current concepts pertinent to nursing, and impact of grand and mid-range nursing theories on the future of nursing practice. MSN 512 Research for Evidence-based Nursing Practice (3 credits) This course is designed to develop the role of the professional graduate student as a competent research consumer. Students develop the skills needed to identify and critically appraise scientific evidence to evaluate the quality and applicability to clinical practice. The course content includes an overview of research concepts, ethical issues, literature searches and reviews, quantitative and qualitative research methods and designs, data collection, data analysis and interpretation techniques. Students gain an understanding of the research process and the role of research in evidence-based practice. Basic statistics will be reviewed. MSN 514 Informatics & Technology in Nursing (3 credits) This course explores the impact of informatics upon evidence-based practice, leadership, management, and education. Emphasis is placed on how informatics supports evidence-based decision-making, and on how informatics and technology impact the delivery of nursing and health care. MSN 516 Issues & Trends Relevant to Nursing (3 credits) This course focuses and synthesizes the nonclinical yet critical content necessary to practice safely in a competent professional nursing role. Topics explored include current international, national, state, and local trends affecting nursing such as health care/illness care financing, bioterrorism, Healthy People 2020, professional credentialing and scope of practice, ethical decision making, bioethical dilemmas, federal and state laws, nursing’s professional organizations, and issues of interest based on nursing specialties. Additionally, the course provides information on liability, and coding, and models of health care delivery. Contracts, reimbursement, quality and safety initiatives will be addressed. Overview of the Consensus Model, preparing for national certification, and applying for licensure and prescribing privileges at the state level will be addressed. MSN 520 Vulnerable Populations: Nursing Perspectives (3 credits) The elimination of health disparities has been identified as an area of research emphasis by the National Institute of Nursing Research. This course examines health determinants and health disparities within the United States as well as in the global community. The student will examine health disparities and the burden of disease within social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental contexts using a systematic, multidisciplinary approach.
MSN 510 Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations for Nursing (3 credits)
This course explains how nursing knowledge develops and how theory guides practice. Students review key historical and current ideas in nursing science. Students compare grand and mid-range theories and apply them to future practice decisions.
MSN 512 Research for Evidence-based Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course trains students to find and judge research for clinical use. Students conduct literature searches and critique evidence for quality and fit with practice needs. Students review research ethics, study designs, basic statistics, and common data analysis methods.
MSN 514 Informatics & Technology in Nursing (3 credits)
This course shows how informatics supports clinical decisions and nursing work. Students examine how data tools improve evidence-based practice, leadership, and education. Students also assess how technology changes care delivery and workflow.
MSN 516 Issues & Trends Relevant to Nursing (3 credits)
This course covers major nonclinical topics that shape safe nursing practice. Students study policy, financing, laws, ethics, scope of practice, and professional standards. Students also review liability, coding, reimbursement, quality and safety work, and steps for certification and licensure.
MSN 520 Vulnerable Populations: Nursing Perspectives (3 credits)
This course examines why health disparities occur and how nurses can reduce them. Students analyze disease burden using social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental factors. Students use a systems view to plan nursing actions that support equity in the United States and globally.
MSN Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Courses: (Same as MSN program)
MSN 620 Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning for the AGACNP (2 credits didactic)
This course strengthens advanced assessment for acute and chronic conditions in young adult through geriatric patients. Students collect and analyze clinical data to complete a comprehensive, culturally competent, whole-person assessment. Students practice symptom evaluation, diagnostic reasoning, test selection and interpretation, and clear clinical documentation.
MSN 621 Clinical Practicum for Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning for the AGACNP (1 credit clinical)
This practicum gives AGACNP students supervised practice in advanced histories and physical exams for complex adult and older adult patients. Students use diagnostic reasoning to interpret subjective and objective findings and create evidence-based plans of care. Students complete 56 clinical hours across acute and chronic care settings.
MSN 610 Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness I (3 credits)
This course introduces acute care diagnostic and treatment strategies used by the AGACNP. Students use evidence to manage common acute and chronic problems across the adult lifespan and across care settings. The course also emphasizes health promotion, prevention, and teamwork with patients, families, and interprofessional partners.
MSN 611 Clinical Practicum: Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness I (3 credits, 168 hours)
This practicum applies the content from Illness I in a supervised acute care setting. Students manage adults and older adults, including frail elders, using evidence-based assessment and treatment approaches. Students complete 168 clinical hours with an approved preceptor.
MSN 612 Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II (3 credits)
This course deepens AGACNP decision making for acute, critical, and chronic illness. Students build evidence-based diagnosis and management plans across the adult to older adult spectrum. The course also develops interprofessional management and communication skills for high-acuity care.
MSN 613 Clinical Practicum: Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II (4 credits, 224 hours)
This practicum expands supervised management of complex adult and geriatric patients in acute care. Students apply scientific and evidence-based knowledge to assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing management. Students complete 224 clinical hours with an approved preceptor.
MSN 614 Adult-Gerontology Traumatic Injury & Emergency Illness Diagnosis & Management (1 credit)
This course covers assessment and management of trauma and emergent conditions in adults and older adults. Students use evidence-based decision making to guide rapid diagnosis and treatment. Content spans the full care course from stabilization through recovery planning.
MSN 615 Clinical Residency (5 credits, 280 hours)
This residency provides an intensive acute care placement with individualized advanced instruction. Students care for acutely and critically ill adults while refining diagnosis, treatment planning, and care coordination. Students integrate prior coursework and complete 280 clinical hours to strengthen specialty competencies.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Courses:
DNP 801 Methods for Scholarly Inquiry (3 credits)
This course teaches a scholarly approach to solving practice problems using research evidence. Students review quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs and key research ethics and human subjects protections. Students also learn how to synthesize findings and share results through professional dissemination.
DNP 802 Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
This course builds practical biostatistics skills for evidence-based nursing decisions. Students interpret statistical results and evaluate the quality of data analyses. Students then use those findings to support sound conclusions for practice change.
DNP 803 Theories of Leadership & Organization (3 credits)
This course applies organizational theory to decision making in health systems. Students analyze culture, communication, resources, ethics, and change strategies. Students use systems thinking to lead quality, safety, and cost improvements with interprofessional teams.
DNP 804 Health Policy, Economics, & Finance (3 credits)
This course examines how U.S. health policy forms and how it affects care delivery. Students study costs, financing, quality, public health, Medicare, and long-term care. Students compare financing approaches across global, national, state, and local systems.
DNP 805 Foundation for Transformation: Translating Evidence into Practice (3 credits)
This course focuses on how to move evidence-based innovations into real practice settings. Students study dissemination and implementation frameworks, methods, and ethics. Students also evaluate organizational factors that support adoption and sustained use.
DNP 806 Evaluation Methods for Safety & Quality Improvement (3 credits)
This course teaches how to evaluate safety and quality problems and measure improvement results. Students learn evaluation planning, process and outcome measurement, and common study designs used in real health settings. Students also practice reporting results using scorecards, benchmarking, and cost-focused evaluation tools.
DNP 850 DNP Project I (4 credits: 1 didactic, 3 practicum)
This course begins the DNP project sequence through guided practicum and scholarly work. Students assess a practice problem, set practicum objectives, and develop a project proposal with faculty and committee support. Students complete 168 practicum hours that support leadership or clinical goals.
DNP 851 DNP Project II (4 credits: 1 didactic, 3 practicum)
This course continues project development through implementation and evaluation activities. Students work with the project advisor and committee to refine methods and track outcomes. Students complete 168 practicum hours while applying DNP Essentials in practice.
DNP 852 DNP Project III (2 credits)
This course advances the DNP scholarly project toward completion. Students demonstrate how evidence-based change improves outcomes at a systems or population level. Students also complete evaluation work and develop a sustainability plan for the change.
DNP 853 DNP Project IV – Maintenance of Candidacy (1 credit)
This course supports continued progress when a student needs extra time to finish the DNP project. Students continue implementation, evaluation, and final project deliverables with advisor and committee guidance. The work maintains the required focus on outcomes, systems or population impact, and sustainability.
DNP Clinicals
The program requires 756 MSN clinical hours plus 336 DNP practicum hours for a total of 1,092 clinical/practicum hours.
MSN Clinical Hours: 756 hours (same distribution as MSN program)
DNP Practicum Hours:
- DNP Project I: 168 hours of clinical experience with scholarly activities
- DNP Project II: 168 hours continuing DNP project implementation
- Practicum experiences focus on comprehensive assessment of healthcare problems and individually designed clinical/leadership experiences
DNP Admissions Requirements
Same as MSN admissions requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) in BSN program
- Active, unencumbered RN licensure in Pennsylvania
- Completion of undergraduate statistics, research, and health assessment courses with grade of C or better
- No clinical experience required (one year preferred)
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Two professional recommendations (preferably from nurses with graduate degrees)
- Current resume
- Statement explaining goals and interest in pursuing graduate degree in nursing
- For international applicants: official TOEFL scores
- Interview with the Director
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN – AGACNP program is $23,860 (35 credits × $670/credit, with 1 credit at $795) plus activity and technology fees and would take 3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The program requires 35 credits including graduate nursing core courses, direct care courses, and AGACNP specialty courses, with 756 total clinical hours.
Graduate Nursing Core Courses:
- Conceptual & Theoretical Foundations for Nursing
- Research for Evidence-based Nursing Practice
- Informatics & Technology in Nursing
- Issues & Trends Relevant to Nursing
- Vulnerable Populations: Nursing Perspectives
Graduate Nursing Direct Care Courses:
- Physiology and Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Lifespan
- Advanced Health & Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (includes 56 clock hours online lab)
- Pharmacological Principles of Clinical Therapeutics Across the Lifespan
- Integrated Clinical Skills and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nurses (includes 28 clinical hours)
MSN Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Courses:
- Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Practicum for Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (56 clinical hours)
- Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness I
- Clinical Practicum Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness I (168 clinical hours)
- Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II
- Clinical Practicum Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II (224 clinical hours)
- Adult-Gerontology Traumatic Injury & Emergency Illness Diagnosis & Management
- Clinical Residency (280 clinical hours)
MSN Clinicals
The program requires 756 total clinical hours distributed across specialty courses with dedicated clinical placement support from Cedar Crest.
- Integrated Clinical Skills: 28 hours
- Advanced Health Assessment Clinical Practicum: 56 hours
- Clinical Practicum I: 168 hours in acute care settings
- Clinical Practicum II: 224 hours in acute care settings
- Clinical Residency: 280 hours working with acutely/critically ill adults
- Students work under guidance of Cedar Crest College approved preceptors in acute care settings
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) in BSN program
- Active, unencumbered RN licensure in Pennsylvania
- Completion of undergraduate statistics, research, and health assessment courses with grade of C or better
- No clinical experience required (one year preferred)
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Two professional recommendations (preferably from nurses with graduate degrees)
- Current resume
- Statement explaining goals and interest in pursuing graduate degree in nursing
- For international applicants: official TOEFL scores
- Interview with the Director
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP program is $11,960 and would take 1.5 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Estimate based on 18 credits × $670/credit (assumes gap analysis shows core courses completed).
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires completion of AGACNP specialty courses (18 credits minimum). A gap analysis determines individual plans of study and may require additional core courses.
Required AGACNP Specialty Courses:
- Integrated Clinical Skills and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nurses (28 clinical hours)
- Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Practicum for Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Reasoning for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (56 clinical hours)
- Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness I
- Clinical Practicum Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness I (168 clinical hours)
- Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II
- Clinical Practicum Adult-Gerontology Diagnosis & Management of Chronic & Acute Illness II (224 clinical hours)
- Adult-Gerontology Traumatic Injury & Emergency Illness Diagnosis & Management
- Clinical Residency (280 clinical hours)
Potential Additional Courses (if gap analysis requires):
- Advanced Pathophysiology (MSN 550)
- Advanced Health Assessment (MSN 551)
- Advanced Pharmacology (MSN 552)
Certificate Clinicals
The program requires 756 total clinical hours distributed across five AGACNP specialty courses (same as MSN program).
- Integrated Clinical Skills: 28 hours
- Advanced Health Assessment Clinical Practicum: 56 hours
- Clinical Practicum I: 168 hours
- Clinical Practicum II: 224 hours
- Clinical Residency: 280 hours
- All clinical work completed under Cedar Crest College approved preceptors in acute care settings
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree in Nursing from accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
- Active, unencumbered RN licensure in Pennsylvania
- Evidence of completion of three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses in: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology (or completion required as part of certificate curriculum)
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Two professional recommendations (preferably from nurses with graduate degrees)
- Current resume
- Statement explaining goals and interest in pursuing graduate degree in nursing
- For international applicants: official TOEFL scores
- Interview with the Director
- Gap analysis performed to determine individual plan of study
Tuition
MSN tuition is $670 per credit. DNP tuition is $795 per credit.
Additional fees include $25 Graduate Activity Fee per semester and $75 Part-Time or $125 Full-Time Technology Fee per semester. Cedar Crest offers interest-free payment plans and works with students on employer tuition reimbursement.
See the official tuition page for more details.
More ACNP Programs for Pennsylvania Students
- Drexel University - Philadelphia
- Duquesne University - Pittsburgh
- Moravian University - Bethlehem
- Penn State - University Park
- Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
- Widener University - Chester
View all Pennsylvania ACNP programs
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Cedar Crest College are dually accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Graduates are eligible to sit for AGACNP certification through ANCC or AACN. Cedar Crest’s AGACNP program maintains strong outcomes with 88% first-time exam pass rate and 100% ultimate pass rate for 2023-2024.