University of Texas at El Paso offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN-AGACNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP Certificate)
Both programs are delivered 100% online with flexibility for working professionals through seven-week didactic course formats.
Students may be required to come to campus a maximum of three times per semester during specialty courses for innovative simulation lab experiences and formative evaluations.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $27,048 | 2.5–3 years |
| AGACNP Certificate | $16,008–$22,080 | 18–24 months |
The programs emphasize curriculum alignment with national standards including AACN Essentials (2021), APRN Consensus Model (2008), and NONPF (2022).
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is approximately $27,048 (49 credits for Texas residents at $552/credit) and would take approximately 2.5-3 years to complete over 7 semesters on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-AGACNP curriculum requires 49 semester credit hours with 720 total clinical clock hours delivered over 7 semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer) in seven-week term formats.
Year 1
Semester 1 (6 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5310 – Nursing Theory
This course provides an introduction to scientific explanation and inquiry in nursing. Nursing theory serves as a foundation for nursing practice and nursing research.
Term B: NURS 5319 – Advanced Pathophysiology
This course examines altered physiologic function across the lifespan. Content builds on basic physiology and pathophysiology and supports advanced practice nursing roles.
Semester 2 (6 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5362 – Pharmacotherapeutics
This course covers advanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles used in therapeutic management of common health problems. Emphasis is on safe and effective medication decision-making in advanced practice.
Term B: NURS 5370 – Research Appraisal & Application
This course builds skills in evaluating evidence from nursing and related fields. Students critique and synthesize research findings to answer nursing practice questions and support evidence-based practice.
Semester 3 (6 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5338 – Health Policy and Advocacy
This course analyzes healthcare policy foundations and healthcare system structure. Students examine how social determinants of health and socio-political systems influence population health and nursing practice.
Term B: NURS 5220 – Advanced Health Assessment
Term B: NURS 5121 – Advanced Health Assessment Practicum
Year 2
Semester 4 (6 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5209 – Advanced Acute Care Diagnostics
Term A: NURS 5254 – Advanced Practice Nursing Role
Term B: NURS 5228 – Advanced Acute Care Skills
Semester 5 (8 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5324 – Acute Care Adult/Geri Health
This 7-week course uses acute and chronic illness management models to optimize adult and geriatric health. Topics include health promotion, disease prevention, patient-focused care, and end-of-life care, with emphasis on common adult and geriatric conditions.
Term A: NURS 5101 – Adult/Geri Health Clinical Practice I
Term B: NURS 5223 – Acute Care Adult/Geri Health II
Term B: NURS 5224 – Adult/Geri Health Clinical Practice II
Semester 6 (9 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5329 – Acute & Critical Illness I
This 7-week course focuses on stabilizing adults with acute or traumatic conditions and exacerbations of complex chronic illness. Students study assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and critical states, plus patient and family responses to life-support strategies.
Term A: NURS 5225 – Acute & Critical Illness Practice I
Term B: NURS 5226 – Acute & Critical Illness II
Term B: NURS 5227 – Acute & Critical Illness Practice II
Year 3
Semester 7 (8 Credits)
Term A: NURS 5401 – AG Advanced Clinical Practicum I
This advanced practicum applies synthesis of learning in diverse clinical settings. Students complete clinical work needed to meet AGACNP competencies, with 180 clinical hours or more as needed to demonstrate competency.
Term B: NURS 5402 – AG Advanced Clinical Practicum II
This advanced practicum continues competency-based clinical practice across settings with diverse populations. Students complete 180 clinical hours or more as needed to demonstrate competency for the AGACNP role.
Total Program: 49 Semester Credit Hours, 720 Clinical Clock Hours
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
MSN-AGACNP students complete 720 clinical clock hours distributed across seven clinical courses beginning in semester 3 and continuing through the final semester, with clinical experiences across the continuum of acute care services.
Clinical Requirements:
- Total 720 clinical clock hours required
- NURS 5121: Advanced Health Assessment Practicum (45 hours, semester 3)
- NURS 5101: Adult/Geri Health Clinical Practice I (45 hours, semester 5)
- NURS 5224: Adult/Geri Health Clinical Practice II (90 hours, semester 5)
- NURS 5225: Acute & Critical Illness Practice I (90 hours, semester 6)
- NURS 5227: Acute & Critical Illness Practice II (90 hours, semester 6)
- NURS 5401: AG Advanced Clinical Practicum I (180 hours, semester 7)
- NURS 5402: AG Advanced Clinical Practicum II (180 hours, semester 7)
- Clinical settings include care for adults with episodic and chronic health problems across acute care continuum
- Students may be required to travel 200 miles or more to fulfill appropriate clinical requirements due to limited clinical sites
- On-campus visits: Maximum of three times per semester during specialty courses (last three semesters)
- Innovative simulation lab experiences incorporated throughout program
- Formative evaluations using simulation labs on campus
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
Academic Requirements:
- BSN degree from accredited college or university in United States or equivalent foreign education
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completed online application through UTEP Graduate School
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended submitted directly to Graduate School
Clinical Experience:
- Current direct patient care experience required
- Relevant clinical experience: Two to three years of critical care (ICU/CCU) required
- Note: ED, Endoscopy, PACU, OR, and Cath Lab do not count as critical care experience
Licensure Requirements:
- Hold valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license from state of current practice
- Compliance must remain current throughout enrollment semester
Application Materials:
- Letter of Intent (LOI) including Statement of Nursing Professional Purpose: 500 words or less, Word document, 1-inch margins, 1.5 or double-spaced, 11-point Arial font, addressing past professional RN experiences/abilities aligned with future Advanced Practice Nursing goals and selected NP concentration
- Current resume with appropriate objective related to graduate education
- Proper sentence structure, syntax, punctuation, strong flow and organization required
International Applicants:
- Satisfactory TOEFL score as defined by Graduate School for applicants whose first language is not English or who have not completed US university degree
Additional Requirements:
- Two-day on-campus New Student Orientation mandatory for all NP students
- Online learning requirements: Must have computer with reliable internet access, current Microsoft Office and software for online learning
- Compliance documentation required (see compliance website)
- Student employment is personal decision but must arrange work to support required education commitments
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2026: Application deadline July 10, 2026
- Spring 2026: Application deadline November 14, 2025
- Two admission cycles per year (Fall and Spring)
Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the AGACNP Certificate program is approximately $16,008-$22,080 (29-40 credits for Texas residents at $552/credit, depending on APRN status) and would take 18-24 months to complete over 4-7 semesters.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate curriculum varies from 29 to 40 credits depending on whether applicant holds Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) recognition, with 675-775 clinical clock hours.
Post-Graduate Certificate with APRN Recognition (29 Credits, 675 Clinical Hours):
Year 1:
Semester 1 (4 Credits):
- Term A: NURS 5209 – Advanced Acute Care Diagnostics (2 credits, lab & lecture)
- Term B: NURS 5228 – Advanced Acute Care Skills (2 credits, lab & lecture)
Semester 2 (8 Credits):
- Term A: NURS 5324 – AGACNP Adult & Geriatric Health I (3 credits)
- Term A: NURS 5101 – AGACNP Adult/Geri Health Clinical Practicum I (1 credit, 45 hours)
- Term B: NURS 5223 – AGACNP Acute Care Adult/Geri Health II (2 credits)
- Term B: NURS 5224 – AGACNP Acute Care Practicum II (2 credits, 90 hours)
Semester 3 (9 Credits):
- Term A: NURS 5329 – AGACNP Acute & Critical Illness I (3 credits)
- Term A: NURS 5225 – AGACNP Acute & Critical Illness Practice I (2 credits, 90 hours)
- Term B: NURS 5226 – AGACNP Acute & Critical Illness II (2 credits)
- Term B: NURS 5227 – AGACNP Acute & Critical Illness Practice II (2 credits, 90 hours)
Year 2:
Semester 4 (8 Credits):
- Term A: NURS 5401 – AGACNP Advanced Clinical Practicum I (4 credits, 180 hours)
- Term B: NURS 5402 – AGACNP Advanced Clinical Practicum II (4 credits, 180 hours)
Total with APRN Recognition: 29 Credits, 675 Clinical Hours
Post-Graduate Certificate without APRN Recognition (40 Credits, 775 Clinical Hours): Students without APRN recognition must complete additional foundational courses before specialty courses, increasing total to approximately 40 credits with 775 clinical hours. An individualized degree plan developed after transcript review to identify deficiencies.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 675-775 clinical clock hours (depending on APRN status) distributed across clinical practicum courses, with experiences in acute care settings providing care for adults with episodic and chronic health problems.
Clinical Components:
- With APRN: 675 clinical hours total
- Without APRN: 775 clinical hours total
- Clinical experiences across continuum of acute care services
- AGACNP role as principal provider of care for adults with episodic and chronic health problems
- Promoting, maintaining, and restoring health to acutely and critically ill adults
- Students may be required to travel 200 miles or more to fulfill appropriate clinical requirements
- Maximum three on-campus visits per semester during specialty courses
- Innovative simulation lab experiences incorporated
- Formative evaluations using simulation labs
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
For Applicants with APRN Recognition:
- MSN degree from accredited college or university in United States or equivalent foreign education
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in MSN program
- Current unencumbered license to practice as Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Specialist, and/or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Evidence of earned Master’s degree in Nursing
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Statement of Nursing Professional Purpose (500 words or less, specific format requirements)
- Submit online application to Graduate School
For Applicants without APRN Recognition:
- MSN degree from accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in MSN program
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Current direct patient care experience required
- Relevant clinical experience: Two to three years of critical care (ICU/CCU)
- Note: ED, Endoscopy, PACU, OR, and Cath Lab do not count as critical care experience
- Evidence of earned Master’s degree in Nursing
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Statement of Nursing Professional Purpose (500 words or less, specific format requirements)
- Submit online application to Graduate School
International Applicants:
- Satisfactory TOEFL score as defined by Graduate School
Additional Requirements:
- Program/Concentration Director reviews previous academic preparation and/or competency to award transfer credit
- Individualized degree plan developed after official transcript review
- No degree awarded; certificate noted on official UTEP transcripts
- Two-day on-campus New Student Orientation mandatory
- Compliance documentation required throughout program
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2026: Application deadline July 10, 2026
- Spring 2026: Application deadline November 14, 2025
- Two admission cycles per year
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition for Texas residents is $552 per semester credit hour for 2025-2026. Non-resident tuition is $782 per semester credit hour. Additional mandatory fees apply per credit hour based on total enrolled hours.
Estimated Program Costs (Texas Residents):
- MSN-AGACNP (49 credits): $27,048 (tuition only at $552/credit)
- Certificate with APRN (29 credits): $16,008 (tuition only at $552/credit)
- Certificate without APRN (40 credits): $22,080 (tuition only at $552/credit)
Estimated Program Costs (Non-Residents):
- MSN-AGACNP (49 credits): $38,318 (tuition only at $782/credit)
- Certificate with APRN (29 credits): $22,678 (tuition only at $782/credit)
- Certificate without APRN (40 credits): $31,280 (tuition only at $782/credit)
Additional Fees: Total tuition and mandatory fees per credit hour vary based on enrollment. For example:
- 1 credit hour (Nursing): $525.19 (resident)
- 6 credit hours (Nursing): $2,511.94 (resident)
- 12 credit hours (Nursing): $4,896.04 (resident)
Additional costs include new student fees, Nurse Practitioner major fee, incidental fees, course-related fees, graduation fee, and lab fees that vary by course.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing program at UTEP College of Nursing is accredited by appropriate nursing accreditation bodies. The curriculum is aligned with The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021), Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (2008), and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF, 2022).
Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
Academic Standards
GPA Requirements:
- Graduate students must maintain GPA of 3.0 (“B average”) to remain in good academic standing
- Any graduate nursing student achieving grade lower than B in Graduate Core or Advanced Practice Core courses must repeat course and earn grade of B or better
- Students earning two grades of C in any graduate nursing course will be dismissed from Graduate Nursing Program
- Students earning grade of D or F in any graduate nursing course will be dismissed from Graduate Nursing Program
- All degree requirements must be completed within six years
- Certificate students must earn B or better in each required course
Program Progression:
- Due to competitiveness and limited clinical slots, students who deviate from established degree plan for any reason will be dropped from specific NP concentration cohort and must reapply
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