Case Western Reserve University ACNP Programs

Case Western Reserve University a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP track:

Program features include:

  • 700 clinical hours required
  • Recent year of adult ICU nursing experience required
  • Full-time completion in 18-30 months (four semesters including summer)
  • Part-time study option available
  • Unique Flight Nursing Specialty available (additional 6-12 credits)
  • Aeromedical helicopter and ambulance simulators for critical care transport training
  • Prepares graduates for diverse settings: community hospitals, academic hospitals, ICUs, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices

Program Track Overview

Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program varies based on Case Western Reserve University’s graduate tuition rates and would take approximately 18-30 months to complete on a full-time basis.

The program requires 39 credit hours total.

MSN Curriculum

The 39-credit MSN curriculum includes professional development core courses, scientific inquiry core courses, nursing practice core courses, and AGACNP specialty courses.

First Year: Foundation & Assessment

NUNP 438: Foundations for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nursing (4 Credits)
Introduces advanced diagnostic reasoning and person-centered care for adults with complex acute conditions. Students explore healthcare inequities while applying clinical skills to high-acuity settings.

NURS 453: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 Credits)
An in-depth study of biologic alterations caused by disease and injury across the lifespan. Focuses on the physiological mechanisms that determine health capacity and illness susceptibility.

NURS 459: Advanced Physical Assessment (3 Credits)
Develops expert-level assessment skills, prioritizing precise data interpretation and communication. Students master the diagnostic reasoning necessary for advanced clinical practice.

NURS 444B: Health Care Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice (1 Credit)
Examines the business side of healthcare, including coding, billing, and reimbursement. Teaches APRNs how financial factors influence patient outcomes and practice management.

First Year: Clinical Application & Research

NURS 430: Advanced Pharmacology (3 Credits)
Focuses on pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics to support safe, ethical prescribing. Students learn to integrate social determinants of health and cost-benefit analysis into drug therapy.

NUNP 443: Acute Health Problems of Adults and Older Adults (6 Credits)
A clinical-heavy course centering on physiologically unstable patients. Emphasizes advanced diagnostic approaches and collaborative care within intensive and acute care environments.

NURS 405: Inquiry I – Theoretical Foundations (2 Credits)
Explores the principles of scientific investigation and scholarly inquiry. Students begin studying the research process, focusing on integrity and foundational design.

Summer: Leadership & Methodology

NURS 425: Inquiry II – Research Process (3 Credits)
A technical dive into research methodology, including sampling, data collection, and analysis. Students learn to interpret and report findings to advance nursing science.

NURS 451: Leadership for Quality Healthcare (3 Credits)

Prepares students to drive organizational change and improve care outcomes. Topics include information technology, diversity, and leadership strategies within complex health systems.

Second Year: Advanced Management & Ethics

NURS 502: Inquiry III – Evidence-Based Practice (2 Credits)
Bridges the gap between research and the bedside. Students learn to critically appraise scientific evidence and implement it into active clinical practice.

NUNP 444: Advanced Management of Acutely Ill Adults (4 Credits)
Focuses on the management of life-threatening conditions and multi-dimensional health crises. This final clinical phase also emphasizes lifelong professional development.

NURS 444A: Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice (1 Credit)
Addresses ethical decision-making and dilemma resolution. Students learn to navigate the intersection of family needs, interdisciplinary teams, and the healthcare system.

NURS 444C: Health Policy Legislation and Legal Issues (1 Credit)
Analyzes the legal landscape of advanced practice nursing. Provides strategies for analyzing health policy and advocating for legislative change.

NURS 431: Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions (2 Credits)
Develops specialized skills in counseling, coaching, and spiritual assessment. Focuses on identifying depression, substance use, and psychological distress in acute care.

More curriculum details are available here.

MSN Clinicals

Students complete 700 clinical hours distributed across three clinical specialty courses. Clinical courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed in the program plan. Advanced Practice Core courses (NURS 430, 453, 459) are co-requisites or prerequisites for clinical nursing courses.

MSN Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or equivalent degree from accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended universities
  • Current RN license
  • Recent year of adult intensive care (ICU) nursing experience required prior to beginning program
  • Essay (two paragraphs, approximately 250 words each): (1) career progress/goals and reason for applying, (2) personal information not apparent from application
  • Resume or CV including employment history, military service, academic/professional fellowships, memberships, and publications
  • Three letters of recommendation (preference for RNs in supervisory positions, professional colleagues with advanced nursing degrees, and nursing instructors who know clinical work)
  • $75 application fee
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 required for progression
  • APRN GPA of 2.5 or higher required in all APRN core courses and clinical courses
  • Full-time enrollment: 9+ credit hours per semester; part-time: less than 9 credit hours per semester

Flight Nursing Specialty Option

Case Western Reserve offers a unique Flight Nursing Specialty that can be added to the AG-ACNP program. This subspecialty requires an additional 6-12 credits and prepares Advanced Practice Nurses to utilize ground and aeromedical transport services for critical care transport. Students use aeromedical helicopter and ambulance simulators in classroom and scenario-based labs and complete clinical practicums with aeromedical transport teams. The Flight Specialty can also be pursued as part of the DNP program with AG-ACNP certification.

Application Deadlines

Applications for all MSN majors should be submitted by March 15 for fall enrollment.

Tuition & Fees

Graduate tuition rates vary; contact Case Western Reserve University’s Office of Admissions for current tuition information. A $75 application fee is required with submission.

Accreditation

Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing MSN programs prepare graduates for advanced practice nursing roles and national certification as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners.

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