Texas Woman’s University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
Both programs are delivered online with remote learning and clinical experiences conducted in Texas.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $25,920 | 2–3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $15,552 | 1.5–2 years (full-time) |
The AGACNP track prepares nurses to provide comprehensive care for acutely, critically, and chronically ill adult and gerontology patients in high-acuity settings.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AGACNP program is approximately $25,920 for Texas residents ($576 per credit hour x 45 credits) and would take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 45-credit program includes core graduate nursing courses and AGACNP specialty courses:
Required Core Courses (18 credits):
BIOL 5333 Advanced Pathophysiology
This course examines advanced pathophysiologic principles underlying disease processes. Students study normal physiology, functional abnormalities, and physiologic measurement methods. Emphasis is placed on linking altered function to clinical presentation.
NURS 5663 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course provides advanced pharmacologic foundations for nursing practice. Students study pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism, and dose–response relationships. Emphasis is placed on safe, effective medication use in advanced clinical roles.
NURS 5643 Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course develops advanced assessment skills for individuals across the lifespan. Students integrate physical, psychosocial, and cultural data to support diagnostic reasoning. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive assessment to guide clinical decision-making.
NURS 5073 Evidence-Based Practice for the Promotion of Quality Outcomes
This course focuses on applying best available evidence to clinical questions. Students learn strategies to translate and implement evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes. Emphasis is placed on quality improvement and healthcare transformation.
NURS 5093 Theoretical Foundations and the Advanced Nursing Role
This course examines theoretical frameworks that support advanced nursing practice. Students explore role development, leadership, and moral agency. Emphasis is placed on theory-driven expansion of advanced practice roles.
NURS 5133 Health Policy and Health Care Delivery for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare system and policy development. Students analyze social, economic, political, and ethical influences on healthcare delivery. Emphasis is placed on policy impact on advanced nursing practice.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Courses
NURS 5012 Foundational Concepts for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
This course introduces foundational concepts for safe and effective acute care practice. Students examine core principles guiding AGACNP clinical roles. Emphasis is placed on professional preparation for acute care settings.
NURS 5193 Principles of Management, Diagnostics, and Procedural Interventions for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
This course prepares students to diagnose and manage acutely ill adult and gerontology patients. Students develop procedural and clinical management skills. Emphasis is placed on readiness for acute care practice.
NURS 5103 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Evaluation and Management of the Acutely Ill I
This course focuses on systematic management of acutely ill patients ages 13 and older. Students develop safe, competent advanced practice skills. Emphasis is placed on role implementation in acute care.
NURS 5173 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I
This practicum applies foundational knowledge in clinical settings. Students manage care for acutely ill adult and gerontology patients. Emphasis is placed on high-quality, patient-centered care.
NURS 5153 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Evaluation and Management of the Acutely Ill II
This course builds on prior acute care management knowledge. Students focus on patients with higher acuity and complex needs. Emphasis is placed on advanced clinical reasoning and management.
NURS 5055 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II
This practicum emphasizes evidence-based and cost-effective care delivery. Students refine clinical skills in acute care environments. Emphasis is placed on safe, effective patient management.
NURS 5163 Synthesis and Transition to Professional Practice for the AGACNP
This course integrates prior learning to support transition to independent practice. Students strengthen critical thinking, management, and clinical competence. Emphasis is placed on readiness for professional AGACNP practice.
NURS 5065 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III
This final practicum focuses on comprehensive assessment and care management in acute care settings. Students advance independence and clinical competence. Emphasis is placed on delivering evidence-based acute care services.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Clinical experiences progress across three practicum courses with increasing clinical hours. Clinical requirements include:
- Clinical Practicum I: 3 credit hours (approximately 135 clinical hours)
- Clinical Practicum II: 5 credit hours (approximately 225 clinical hours)
- Clinical Practicum III: 5 credit hours (approximately 225 clinical hours)
- Total clinical hours: approximately 585 hours across three practicums
- All clinical experiences must be completed in Texas
- Students arrange clinical placements with faculty guidance
- Clinical sites focus on high-acuity settings including ICUs, trauma units, and acute care facilities
MSN Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Current unencumbered US RN license uploaded into application
- BSN degree from nationally-accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours of undergraduate nursing coursework
- Basic statistics course (undergraduate level)
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Two academic or professional references
AGACNP Track-Specific Requirements:
- One year experience in acute care environment (Critical Care or ICU) required
- Completion of TWU Graduate Application via online portal
- $50 application fee ($75 for international applicants)
- Submission of Nursing MSN Supplemental Application Form
Provisional Admission:
- Applicants with minimum 2.5 GPA in last 60 hours may be considered provisionally
- Factors considered include prior graduate GPA, scholarly activities, professional leadership, work history
- Provisionally admitted students must complete first 12 credit hours with B or better (9+ hours in nursing)
Transfer Credit:
- 9 semester hours may be transferred for programs requiring 39-44 credits
- 12 semester hours may be transferred for programs requiring 45+ credits
- Grade of B or higher required for transfer consideration
- Must provide evidence of eligibility to continue in previous program
Application Deadlines:
- Fall: February 15
- Spring: September 15
- Summer: Open (accepting Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 applications)
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP program is approximately $15,552 for Texas residents ($576 per credit hour x 27 credits) and would take 1.5-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 27-credit certificate program focuses exclusively on AGACNP specialty courses:
Prerequisites (9 credits – if not previously completed or current):
- BIOL 5333 – Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 5663 – Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice (must be current within 6 years)
- NURS 5643 – Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice
Required AGACNP Courses (27 credits):
- NURS 5012 – Foundational Concepts for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 5193 – Principles of Management, Diagnostics, and Procedural Interventions for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
- NURS 5103 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Evaluation and Management of the Acutely Ill: I
- NURS 5173 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I
- NURS 5153 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Evaluation and Management of the Acutely Ill: II
- NURS 5055 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II
- NURS 5163 – Synthesis and Transition to Professional Practice for the Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 5065 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN program with three progressive practicum courses. Clinical components include:
- Clinical Practicum I: 3 credit hours
- Clinical Practicum II: 5 credit hours
- Clinical Practicum III: 5 credit hours
- Total of 13 clinical credit hours across three practicums
- All clinical experiences must occur in Texas
- Focus on acute care, critical care, and high-acuity patient populations
- Clinical placements in ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty acute care units
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Current unencumbered US RN license uploaded into application
- MSN degree from nationally-accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in master’s nursing degree
- Basic statistics course
- Must be licensed APRN to apply for post-master’s certificate program
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
Prerequisite Courses:
- Graduate Physical Assessment with grade of B or better
- Pharmacology with grade of B or better (must be completed within 6 years of certificate completion)
- Pathophysiology with grade of B or better
- Prerequisite courses not required if part of previous MSN degree
Transfer Credit:
- 9 semester hours may be transferred for programs requiring 39-44 credits
- 12 semester hours may be transferred for programs requiring 45+ credits
- Grade of B or higher required for transfer
- Must provide evidence of eligibility from previous program
Application Requirements:
- Completion of TWU Graduate Application via online portal
- $50 application fee ($75 for international applicants)
- Two references (names, email addresses, phone numbers)
Application Deadlines:
- Fall: February 15
- Spring: September 15
- Summer: Available
Tuition
Texas residents pay approximately $576 per credit hour in tuition ($5,184 for 9 credits per semester).
Graduate nursing students also pay $2,700 in fees per semester.
Additional costs include books and supplies ($1,203 annually), housing and food (varies by living situation), personal expenses, and transportation.
Total estimated cost for graduate students taking 9 hours per semester is $25,111 annually for on-campus students, $26,745 for off-campus students, or $15,081 for students living at home.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Program Requirements
Academic Standards:
- Minimum grade of B required in all required courses
- Minimum 3.0 GPA must be maintained throughout program
- Students receiving less than B in two required courses will be removed from program
- Students receiving less than B twice in same course will be removed from program
- Six-year time limit to complete MSN or post-master’s certificate
- Credit hours older than six years cannot apply toward degree completion
Program Restrictions:
- Currently limited to Texas residents only
- Online learning is remote but clinical experiences must occur in Texas
- Program approved for distance education delivery
- Oral examination of completed professional/clinical project required (subject to change)
Accreditation
Texas Woman’s University School of Nursing programs are accredited by a nationally-recognized nursing accreditation body.
The AGACNP program prepares graduates to sit for national certification exams as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, qualifying them to practice as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in acute care settings.
Find More ACNP Programs for Texas Nurses
- Baylor University - Waco
- Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
- Texas Tech University - Lubbock
- University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington
- UT Health San Antonio - San Antonio
- University of Texas at Tyler - Tyler
- University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso
- University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston