Baylor University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – BSN to DNP (DNP-AGACNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-Master’s (Post-Master’s DNP)
Both programs are delivered online through the Louise Herrington School of Nursing with required on-campus and virtual immersions throughout the program.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $93,750 | 3 years, 4 months |
| Post-Master’s DNP AGACNP | $46,250 | 18–24 months |
Baylor’s DNP program is ranked No. 66 nationally by U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Graduate Schools, features CCNE accreditation, and provides clinical placement support to help students secure preceptors for all clinical rotations.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP
The estimated cost for the DNP-AGACNP BSN to DNP program is approximately $93,750 and would take 3 years and 4 months to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP-AGACNP BSN to DNP Curriculum
The BSN to DNP-AGACNP curriculum requires 75 credit hours total with 1,125 practicum hours delivered through 15-week courses with three terms per year.
DNP Advanced Practice Nursing Core (47 Credits):
- NUR 5201 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (2 credits)
- NUR 5209 – Theoretical Concepts for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (2 credits)
- NUR 5211 – Servant Leadership and Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NUR 5280 – Health Informatics and Innovations in Technology (2 credits)
- NUR 5312 – The Roles and Business of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) (3 credits)
- NUR 5314 – Scientific Inquiry (3 credits)
- NUR 5332 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NUR 5349 – Global Healthcare and Missions (3 credits)
- NUR 5351 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NUR 5354 – Advanced Health Assessment/Promotion/Disease Prevention (3 credits)
- NUR 6110 – Data Management for the Advanced Practice Nurse (1 credit)
- NUR 63C1 – DNP Project I (3 credits)
- NUR 61C2 – DNP Project II (1 credit)
- NUR 62C3 – DNP Project III (2 credits)
- NUR 6272 – Applied Ethics for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NUR 6316 – Transforming Health Care Organizations and Changing Outcomes (3 credits)
- NUR 6373 – Clinical Epidemiology (3 credits)
- NUR 6375 – Translational Science (3 credits)
- NUR 6377 – Policy and Implications for Health (3 credits)
- NUR 6V76 – Advanced Practice Nursing Residency (3-6 credits)
Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Concentration (28 Credits):
NURS 5327 Exploration of Science and Theories for Nursing
This course examines the philosophical and theoretical foundations of nursing science. Students analyze key nursing theories and their role in guiding advanced nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of theory as it applies to research and clinical decision-making.
NURS 5366 Principles of Nursing Research
This course introduces core principles of nursing research. Students integrate theoretical and empirical approaches to generate evidence that supports nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on understanding research design and interpretation of findings.
NURS 5367 Evidence-Based Practice
This course prepares students to lead evidence-based practice initiatives. Students learn to interpret evidence, plan practice changes, evaluate outcomes, and share results. Emphasis is placed on translating research into clinical improvement.
NURS 5315 Advanced Pathophysiology
This course builds advanced knowledge of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes across the lifespan. Students examine disease mechanisms and altered function. Emphasis is placed on linking pathophysiology to clinical presentation.
NURS 5334 Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners
This course focuses on clinical pharmacologic therapeutics for advanced practice. Students study medication actions, therapeutic use, and safety considerations. Emphasis is placed on informed prescribing and medication management.
NURS 5220 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
This course applies theoretical foundations to comprehensive health assessment across the lifespan. Students develop diagnostic reasoning skills to support clinical decisions. Emphasis is placed on accurate assessment and interpretation of findings.
NURS 5120 Adult Gerontology Assessment Lab
This lab course provides hands-on practice in comprehensive assessment of adult and gerontology patients. Students apply assessment techniques in a structured setting. Emphasis is placed on skill development and clinical accuracy.
NURS 5350 Role of the Nurse in Advanced Practice
This course examines the multiple roles of the advanced practice nurse within healthcare systems. Students explore leadership, collaboration, and professional responsibilities. Emphasis is placed on role development in advanced practice.
NURS 5461 Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum of Care
This course focuses on managing acute and chronic conditions in adolescents, adults, and elders. Students examine care delivery across healthcare settings. Emphasis is placed on continuity of care and clinical decision-making.
NURS 5463 Adult Gerontology Acute Care
This course emphasizes interprofessional management of acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions. Students develop skills in evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment across care settings. Emphasis is placed on collaborative acute care practice.
NURS 5354 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practice I
This clinical course provides supervised experience in high-acuity settings. Students manage care for adolescents, adults, and elders with complex needs. Emphasis is placed on applying advanced clinical skills.
NURS 5355 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Practice II
This course continues advanced clinical practice in acute care environments. Students build competence in managing secondary and tertiary care needs. Emphasis is placed on increasing clinical independence.
NURS 5640 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Advanced Practicum
This final practicum provides guided clinical preceptorship in acute care settings. Students integrate knowledge and skills in progressive practice experiences. Emphasis is placed on readiness for independent advanced nursing practice.
Total Program: 75 Credit Hours, 1,125 Practicum Hours
More curriculum details available here.
DNP-AGACNP BSN to DNP Clinicals
BSN to DNP-AGACNP students complete 1,125 practicum hours distributed across multiple clinical courses and residency experiences with clinical placement support provided by Baylor’s dedicated clinical team.
Clinical Requirements:
- Total 1,125 practicum hours required
- Clinical experiences in ICU, ER, trauma units, specialty clinics, surgery, hospital services, and long-term care facilities
- NUR 5213: AGACNP Management I Practicum (2 credits)
- NUR 5214: AGACNP Management II Practicum (2 credits)
- NUR 5336: AGACNP Management III Practicum (3 credits)
- NUR 5215: AGACNP Residency (2 credits)
- NUR 6V76: Advanced Practice Nursing Residency (6 credits)
- Baylor staff collaborates with students to identify and secure sites and preceptors for all rotations
- Required drug screening, background check, and necessary documentation
- Faculty mentorship and guidance throughout clinical experiences
- On-site preceptors provide 1:1 supervision and daily feedback
DNP-AGACNP BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Academic Requirements:
- BSN from regionally accredited school of nursing
- 3.0 cumulative GPA required
- Courses taken pass/fail will not be eligible for admission
- No GRE or MAT required
Clinical Experience:
- Minimum one (1) year of full-time acute care registered nursing experience within the past two (2) years
- Current certification as CCRN or CEN may be considered in lieu of acute care experience
Licensure Requirements:
- Current unencumbered RN license
Application Materials:
- Complete an acceptable written personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation: one from immediate supervisor, one from peer nurse, one from MSN/DNP/PhD-prepared nurse
State Authorization: Students must reside in approved states: Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master’s
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s DNP-AGACNP program is approximately $46,250 and would take 18-24 months to complete on a full-time basis.
Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum
The Post-Master’s DNP track requires 37 credit hours for APRN-certified nurses not seeking a new role, with no APRN role change.
Post-Master’s DNP Advanced Practice Nursing Core (30 Credits): Students complete the advanced practice nursing core courses focusing on doctoral-level competencies:
- NUR 5201 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (2 credits)
- NUR 5209 – Theoretical Concepts for APRN (2 credits)
- NUR 5211 – Servant Leadership and Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NUR 5280 – Health Informatics and Innovations in Technology (2 credits)
- NUR 6110 – Data Management for the Advanced Practice Nurse (1 credit)
- NUR 63C1 – DNP Project I (3 credits)
- NUR 61C2 – DNP Project II (1 credit)
- NUR 62C3 – DNP Project III (2 credits)
- NUR 6272 – Applied Ethics for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NUR 6316 – Transforming Health Care Organizations and Changing Outcomes (3 credits)
- NUR 6373 – Clinical Epidemiology (3 credits)
- NUR 6375 – Translational Science (3 credits)
- NUR 6377 – Policy and Implications for Health (3 credits)
- NUR 6V76 – Advanced Practice Nursing Residency (3 credits initially)
Advanced Practice Nursing Residency:
- NUR 6V76 – Advanced Practice Nursing Residency (7 credits total)
Total Program: 37 Credit Hours
Post-Master’s DNP Clinicals
Post-Master’s DNP students complete 7 credits of Advanced Practice Nursing Residency focused on advanced clinical practice and leadership in acute care settings.
Clinical Components:
- 7 credits of Advanced Practice Nursing Residency
- Clinical experiences build on existing AGACNP certification and practice
- Focus on doctoral-level competencies and leadership
- Practice settings aligned with AGACNP role
- Faculty mentorship throughout residency experiences
Post-Master’s DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Academic Requirements:
- Master’s degree with major in nursing
- Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Successful completion of graduate-level statistics course with grade of B or better (must be completed prior to matriculation)
- Verification of total clinical hours obtained for Master’s degree
Licensure Requirements:
- Verification of unencumbered license to practice as APRN
- Minimum one (1) year full-time acute care practice as AGACNP within the past two (2) years
Application Materials:
- Complete written personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation: one from immediate supervisor, one from peer nurse, one from MSN/DNP/PhD-prepared nurse
Additional Requirements:
- Students must meet admissions requirements specific to this advanced track
- No role change permitted in this track
Tuition
Graduate online DNP tuition is $1,150 per credit hour for Summer 2025 and $1,250 per credit hour for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.
An administration fee of $100 per term is also required. The BSN to DNP-AGACNP program (75 credits) costs approximately $93,750 based on Fall/Spring rates.
The Post-Master’s DNP program (37 credits) costs approximately $46,250 based on Fall/Spring rates. Additional costs include course or lab fees ($50 per term varies by course), drug screening, background check, and clinical site requirements.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program at Baylor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and Baylor is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
The program conforms to educational guidelines from the Texas Board of Nursing, the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2021), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), and National Taskforce on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF, 2022).
Graduates are eligible to sit for national Adult-Gerontology examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
Find More ACNP Programs for Texas Nurses
- Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
- Texas Tech University - Lubbock
- Texas Woman's University - Denton
- 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