Augusta University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – (Post-BSN DNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate
Programs feature hybrid online and offline learning with interactive web-based classes taught by experienced online instructors and capstone projects completed in students’ area of expertise.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DNP AGACNP | $33,516 | 3 years (full-time) |
| Certificate AGACNP | $8,020 | 1 year |
Augusta University established Georgia’s first DNP degree in 2005 and maintains 100% board pass rates for four out of the last five years with geographic restrictions requiring students to reside in Georgia or South Carolina due to clinical requirements and instructor site visits.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post BSN DNP) – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the DNP-AGACNP program is approximately $33,516 for Georgia residents ($92,188 for out-of-state students) and requires 3 years to complete on a full-time basis (4-year part-time option available).
DNP Curriculum
The program requires 76 credit hours preparing nurses to provide the “5 Cs” – coordinated care, collaborative care, comprehensive care, consistent care, and cost-effective care to acutely and critically ill adults.
The curriculum combines DNP core courses (55 credits) with AGACNP concentration courses (21 credits) delivered through hybrid online and offline formats emphasizing advanced patient-family centered care across the adult lifespan.
AGACNP Concentration Courses
NURS 8331 – AG-ACNP I: Health Promotion and Management of Chronic Disease (3 credits)
This course prepares AG-ACNP students to promote health and prevent disease in adult and older adult patients. Students study evidence-based drug and non-drug management of common stable acute and chronic problems. Students also learn when to consult, refer, and use community resources.
NURS 8332 – AG-ACNP Practice I: DNP Clinical (4 credits)
This clinical course gives supervised practice with adult and older adult patients who have common acute and chronic conditions. Students apply health promotion, maintenance, and prevention skills in real care settings. Students also practice medication and non-medication management, plus referral and resource planning.
NURS 8334 – AG-ACNP II: Urgent and Emergent Problems (3 credits)
This course focuses on assessment and management of urgent and emergent conditions in adults and older adults. Students apply physiologic concepts to patients with lower stability and higher complexity. Students use current research to support evidence-based decisions.
NURS 8335 – AG-ACNP Practice II: DNP Clinical (4 credits)
This supervised clinical course builds advanced practice skills for complex urgent and emergent needs. Students synthesize assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for unstable adult and older adult patients. Students strengthen clinical judgment across fast-changing care situations.
NURS 8337 – AG-ACNP III: Advanced Concepts in Complex Illness (3 credits)
This course covers evidence-based management of highly complex, acutely ill adults and older adults. Students practice decision-making in rapidly changing environments. Students also consider patient, family, and system factors that affect care outcomes.
NURS 8338 – AG-ACNP Practice III: DNP Clinical (4 credits)
This advanced clinical course provides supervised practice with adults who have complex and rapidly changing needs. Students apply evidence-based skills to manage high-acuity cases. Students focus on safe decisions, efficient care coordination, and strong clinical synthesis.
FT Study Plan
Year One – Fall Semester (9 credits):
- STAT 6300 Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3 credits)
- MINF 6620 Special Topics in Management of Health Care Information Technology (3 credits)
- NURS 7450 Advanced Practice Nursing Roles (3 credits)
Year One – Spring Semester (11 credits):
- NURS 7150 Evidence Based Practice: Principles and Processes (2 credits)
- NURS 7425 Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- NURS 7257 Health Care Management (3 credits)
- NURS 7475 Population Health and Emerging Disease (2 credits)
Year One – Summer Semester (9 credits):
- NURS 7550 Interprofessional Collaboration and Leadership in Health Care (2 credits)
- NURS 7470 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 7251 Advanced Psychopharmacology (2 credits)
- NURS 8250 Health Care Policy: Implications for the Advanced Practice Nurse (2 credits)
Year Two – Fall Semester (10 credits):
- NURS 7460 Diagnostic and Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 7430 Pharmacology For Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 8550 Evidenced Based Practice: Translation and Application (3 credits)
- NURS 9051 Practice Inquiry and Change (1 credit)
Year Two – Spring Semester (9 credits):
- NURS 8331 AGACNP I: Health Promotion and Management of Chronic Disease in the Adult and Older Adult (3 credits)
- NURS 8332 AGACNP Practice I for DNP Students (4 credits)
- NURS 9050 Strategies for Effective Practice Change (2 credits)
Year Two – Summer Semester (10 credits):
- NURS 8334 AGACNP II: Evidence Based Management of Urgent and Emergent Health Problems in the Adult and Older Adult (3 credits)
- NURS 8335 AGACNP Practice II for DNP Students (4 credits)
- NURS 9051 Practice Inquiry and Change (3 credits)
Year Three – Fall Semester (9 credits):
- NURS 8337 AGACNP III: Advanced Concepts In Complex Illness (3 credits)
- NURS 8338 AGACNP Practice III for DNP Students (4 credits)
- NURS 9051 Practice Inquiry and Change (2 credits)
Year Three – Spring Semester (9 credits):
- NURS 9191 APRN Practice Synthesis (1 credit)
- NURS 9192 APRN Practicum for DNP Students (4 credits)
- NURS 9051 Practice Inquiry and Change (2 credits)
- NURS 8551 Complex Issues in Health Care Delivery (2 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Students complete 1,216 total clinical hours including 840 direct clinical hours, 180 lab hours, and 300 DNP residency hours across three years.
Clinical experiences prepare graduates to perform and interpret advanced diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in acute care settings including emergency departments, ICUs, trauma units, and specialized clinics.
Clinical Requirements:
- 1,216 total clinical hours (840 clinical + 180 lab + 300 DNP residency)
- Clinical hours calculated at 4:1 ratio based on 15 weeks each semester
- Lab hours calculated at 3:1 ratio based on 15 weeks each semester
- NURS 7470 Advanced Health Assessment includes lab component (45 clinical hours)
- NURS 8332 AGACNP Practice I (105 clinical hours)
- NURS 8335 AGACNP Practice II (225 clinical hours)
- NURS 8338 AGACNP Practice III (300 clinical hours)
- NURS 9192 APRN Practicum for DNP Students (300 clinical hours)
- Clinical experiences in emergency departments, ICUs, acute care units, trauma units, specialized clinics
- Instructors visit students, preceptors, and clinical sites (requires GA or SC residency)
DNP Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites:
- Completed 3 credit hour undergraduate or graduate statistics or biostatistics course with grade of B or higher
Academic Requirements:
- BSN from regionally accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Supplemental Augusta University application ($25 fee) after NursingCAS verification
Application Process:
- NursingCAS application required ($85 fee for DNP programs)
- Send official transcripts to NursingCAS
- Complete supplemental application through Augusta University Admissions Portal
- Application fee waivers available for qualified applicants demonstrating financial need or participation in eligible service organizations
Geographic Restrictions:
- Must reside in Georgia or South Carolina due to clinical requirements and instructor site visits
Additional Requirements:
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae or professional resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Interview as determined by program
- International students may need TOEFL scores
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate is approximately $8,020 for Georgia residents and requires 1 year to complete ($23,160 for out-of-state students).
Certificate Curriculum
The program requires 20 credit hours designed for APRNs with existing nurse practitioner certification who wish to expand scope of practice to provide advanced patient-family centered care in acute and complex care settings across the adult-older adult age spectrum.
Gap analysis determines additional prerequisite courses needed to meet certification and accreditation standards.
Required Prerequisite Courses (completed prior to certificate start):
- NURS 7425 Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
- NURS 7430 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 7450 Advanced Practice Nursing Roles in Society (3 credits)
- NURS 7470 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 9193 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum for Post-Graduate Certificate (3 credits)
Certificate Specialty Courses (20 credits):
- NURS 8331 Adult Gerontology ACNP I: Health Promotion and Management of Chronic Disease in the Adult and Older Adult (3 credits)
- NURS 8333 Adult Gerontology ACNP Practice I: for Post-Graduate Certificate (3 credits)
- NURS 8334 Adult Gerontology ACNP II: Evidence-Based Management for Urgent and Emergent Health Problems in Adult (3 credits)
- NURS 8337 Adult Gerontology ACNP III: Advanced Concepts in Complex Illness (3 credits)
- NURS 8370 Adult Gerontology Acute Care ACNP Practice II: for Post-Graduate Certificate (4 credits)
- NURS 8371 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Practice III: for Post-Graduate Certificate (4 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 585 total clinical/lab hours across three practicum courses preparing graduates for AGACNP certification through ANCC or AACN.
Clinical experiences occur at various ambulatory and acute care practices in Georgia or South Carolina with program personnel conducting gap analysis to ensure adequate clinical preparation.
Clinical Requirements:
- 585 total clinical/lab hours
- NURS 8333 AGACNP Practice I (clinical hours)
- NURS 8370 AGACNP Practice II (clinical hours)
- NURS 8371 AGACNP Practice III (clinical hours)
- Clinical experiences at variety of ambulatory and acute care practices
- Clinical sites must be in Georgia or South Carolina
- Program personnel visit clinical sites and preceptors
- Progressive nature of specialty courses typically allows part-time study only (less than 9 credit hours per semester)
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- BSN or MSN from CCNE or ACEN-accredited nursing program
- Current nurse practitioner (NP) certification required
- Official transcripts from all institutions
Application Process:
- NursingCAS application required ($85 fee for post-graduate certificate programs)
- Send official transcripts to NursingCAS
- Complete supplemental Augusta University application ($25 fee)
- Gap analysis performed by faculty advisor to determine additional required courses
Geographic Restrictions:
- Must reside in Georgia or South Carolina due to clinical requirements and instructor site visits
Additional Requirements:
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
- Letters of recommendation
- Program personnel conduct gap analysis based on previous education, experience, and career goals
Tuition
DNP-AGACNP (Post-BSN Track):
- Georgia residents: $441 per credit hour (1-11 hours) or $5,289 per semester (12+ hours)
- Out-of-state students: $1,213 per credit hour (1-11 hours) or $14,538 per semester (12+ hours)
Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP:
- Georgia residents: $401 per credit hour (1-11 hours) or $4,801 per semester (12+ hours)
- Out-of-state students: $1,158 per credit hour (1-11 hours) or $13,882 per semester (12+ hours)
Additional fees apply. NursingCAS application fee is $85 for DNP and post-graduate certificate programs. Augusta University supplemental application fee is $25.
Scholarships available through College of Nursing for current undergraduate and graduate nursing students with criteria determined by donors.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
DNP-AGACNP (Post-BSN Track):
- Application deadline: May 15, 2026 for Fall 2026 admission
- Program start: Fall 2026
- Applications verified/completed after deadline considered on space-available basis only
Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP:
- Applications accepted on rolling basis
- Contact program for specific deadlines and start dates
All applications submitted through NursingCAS with supplemental Augusta University application required after NursingCAS verification.
Accreditation
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) fully accredits Augusta University College of Nursing DNP program and post-graduate APRN certificate program.
Graduates are prepared to meet eligibility requirements for certification exams offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Augusta University has maintained 100% board pass rates for four out of the last five years.
More ACNP Programs in Georgia
- Brenau University - Gainesville
- Emory University - Atlanta
- Georgia Southern University - Statesboro
- Georgia State University - Atlanta
- Mercer University - Atlanta
- Middle Georgia State University - Warner Robins