Colorado State University Pueblo offers 4 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – ACNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – ACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – ACNP
- MSN/DNP – ACNP/FNP Dual Concentration
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – ACNP | $17,315 – $19,485 | 3 years |
| DNP – ACNP | $27,405 | 4 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – ACNP | $7,920 – $8,580 | 1.5-2 years |
| MSN – ACNP/FNP Dual | $24,420 – $26,400 | 3 years |
| DNP – ACNP/FNP Dual | $34,320 | 4 years |
The programs prepare students for evidence-based care in chronic, acute, and emergent settings with eligibility for AGACNP certification. The RN to BSN program is available fully online through CSU Pueblo Online.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – ACNP
The estimated cost for the DNP-ACNP program is approximately $27,405 and takes 4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
DNP Curriculum
The 83-credit terminal degree emphasizes scholarly inquiry, leadership, and DNP project completion with concurrent MS degree awarded.
Year 1 – Fall
- NSG 504 – NSG Writing & Presentation Skills
Builds graduate-level writing and presentation skills for scholarly and professional work. Students practice clear, organized communication for papers and presentations. - NSG 505 – Biostatistics & Research
Introduces key statistical methods used in nursing and healthcare research. Students learn to interpret results, spot evidence gaps, and judge study quality. - NSG 507 – Advanced Practice Roles
Explores core responsibilities, expectations, and scope of advanced practice nursing. Students clarify how the APRN role fits within modern care teams. - NSG 508 – Advanced Practice Theory
Reviews major nursing theories that guide advanced practice, education, research, and administration. Students connect these frameworks to real clinical and leadership decisions.
Year 1 – Spring
- NSG 562 – Advanced Assessment
Refines head-to-toe and focused assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Emphasis is on accurate findings and clinical reasoning for advanced practice. - NSG 562L – Advanced Assessment Lab
Provides hands-on practice performing advanced assessments in simulated settings. Students demonstrate safe, systematic techniques and clear documentation. - NSG 748 – Healthcare: Ethics, Law & Policy
Examines ethical dilemmas, legal issues, and policy forces in healthcare delivery. Students learn to analyze cases and advocate for safe, ethical practice. - NSG 712 – Research & Evidence Based Practice
Strengthens the ability to find, appraise, and apply best evidence in the APRN role. Students link research, quality improvement, and outcome-focused practice.
Year 1 – Summer
- NSG 551 – Health Promotion
Covers strategies to promote health and prevent disease in diverse populations. Students design evidence-based, patient-centered interventions for advanced practice settings. - NSG 571 – Healthcare Informatics
Introduces health informatics concepts, systems, and ethical use of data. Focus is on using technology to support quality, safety, and efficient care. - NSG 714 – Epidemiology
Applies epidemiologic concepts to patterns of illness, injury, and risk behaviors. Students learn to use population data to guide nursing interventions and improve outcomes.
Year 2 – Fall
- NSG 552 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Explores complex alterations in human physiology across the lifespan. Students connect underlying mechanisms to clinical signs, diagnostics, and treatment planning. - NSG 561 – Advanced Pharmacology
Reviews major drug classes, mechanisms, and safe prescribing across age groups. Emphasis is on evidence-based medication decisions in advanced practice. - NSG 716 – Health Care Business & Finance
Introduces financial concepts, budgeting, and strategic planning for APRNs. Students learn how money, reimbursement, and business decisions shape practice.
Year 2 – Spring
- NSG 610 – Diagnostic Reasoning
Focuses on structured clinical thinking from symptom to diagnosis. Students practice building differential diagnoses and choosing appropriate tests and plans. - NSG 613L – Acute Care Skills Lab I
Provides simulated practice with core acute care procedures for AGACNP and FNP students. Emphasis is on safe technique, preparation, and teamwork. - NSG 718 – Organizational & Systems Leadership
Examines how leaders influence communication, culture, and outcomes in complex systems. Students apply leadership skills to improve productivity and care quality.
Year 2 – Summer
- NSG 614L – Acute Care Skills Lab II
Builds on Lab I with more advanced and complex acute care procedures. Students demonstrate increasing independence and safe performance in simulation. - NSG 641 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care I
Introduces AGACNP management of adults and older adults with chronic health needs. Focus is on stabilization, optimization, and ongoing patient-centered care. - NSG 801 – Doctor of Nursing Practice Seminar
Guides students in shaping a clear framework and topic focus for their DNP inquiry project. Emphasis is on aligning practice problems with evidence and DNP essentials.
Year 3 – Fall
- NSG 642 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care II
Addresses care of adults and older adults with decompensating chronic conditions. Students plan interventions for worsening status and higher acuity situations. - NSG 642L – AGACNP Practicum II
Provides supervised clinical experience caring for acutely ill adult and geriatric patients. Students apply AGACNP skills in real settings and refine their role. - NSG 802 – DNP Project Practicum I
Focuses on developing and defending a DNP project proposal. Students finalize the project plan and begin aligning resources and clinical hours.
Year 3 – Spring
- NSG 643 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care III
Emphasizes long-term management of chronic conditions to prevent urgent events. Students design plans that support stability, adherence, and early intervention. - NSG 643L – AGACNP Practicum III
Expands practicum experience in managing adult and geriatric patients with complex chronic needs. Students deepen their use of patient-centered, evidence-based care. - NSG 803 – DNP Project Practicum II
Supports early implementation of the DNP project during clinical immersion. Students lead change efforts and begin gathering project data in their practice site.
Year 3 – Summer
- NSG 644 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care IV
Focuses on urgent and emergent issues in adults and older adults with chronic disease. Students plan rapid response strategies and short-term stabilization. - NSG 644L – AGACNP Practicum IV
Provides higher-level practicum experience with urgent and emergent cases. Students analyze their decisions and refine advanced acute care management. - NSG 804 – DNP Project Practicum III
Centers on analyzing project data and preparing for the final defense. Students refine conclusions and continue clinical immersion related to their project.
Year 4 – Fall
- NSG 645 – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care V
Covers high-intensity, emergent care for adults and geriatric patients. Students integrate prior content to manage complex, rapidly changing situations. - NSG 645L – AGACNP Practicum V
Serves as a synthesis practicum for the AGACNP role. Students manage advanced caseloads and demonstrate readiness for independent acute care practice. - NSG 805 – DNP Project Practicum IV
Focuses on final defense and dissemination of the DNP project. Students present findings to stakeholders and complete required DNP clinical hours.
Year 4 – Spring
- NSG 806L – Final DNP Practicum AGACNP
Provides a final, concentrated practicum in adult-gerontology acute care. Students fully integrate DNP essentials while functioning at the APRN level. - Optional – NSG 810L – DNP Project Practicum
Offers additional time to finalize, present, and share results from the DNP project. Students strengthen their change-leadership role in a multidisciplinary setting.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
Total practicum requirements include 780 AGACNP hours, 540 DNP project hours, and 120 lab hours for 1,320 total clinical hours. DNP project practicum spans four semesters with final comprehensive practicum in Year 4 spring.
DNP Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from accredited university with 3.0+ GPA
- Active, unrestricted Colorado or Compact State RN license by end of first semester
- Prerequisites (C or better): statistics, microbiology, chemistry
- Complete nursing program application
- Oral comprehensive exam and DNP project completion required for graduation
- Graduate cumulative 3.0+ GPA maintained throughout
More curriculum details are available here.
Master of Science in Nursing – ACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-ACNP program is approximately $17,315-$19,485 and takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 53-59 credit program integrates advanced nursing practice theory with clinical expertise across three academic years.
Year 1 Courses:
- NSG 504: Writing & Presentation Skills (1 cr)
- NSG 506: Roles and Issues (2 cr)
- NSG 508: Advanced Practice Theory (3 cr)
- NSG 552: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr)
- NSG 561: Advanced Pharmacology (3 cr)
- NSG 512: Research & Evidence Based Practice (3 cr)
- NSG 562: Advanced Assessment (2 cr)
- NSG 562L: Advanced Assessment Lab (1 cr)
- NSG 610: Diagnostic Reasoning (2 cr)
- NSG 613L: Acute Care Skills Lab I (2 cr)
- NSG 551: Health Promotion (2 cr)
- NSG 571: Healthcare Informatics (2 cr)
- NSG 614L: Acute Care Skills Lab II (1 cr)
- NSG 641: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care I (3 cr)
Year 2 Courses:
- NSG 642: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care II (2 cr)
- NSG 642L: AGACNP Practicum II (4 cr)
- NSG 548: Healthcare: Ethics, Law & Policy (3 cr)
- NSG 643: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care III (2 cr)
- NSG 643L: AGACNP Practicum III (2 cr)
- NSG 646L: AGACNP Practicum MS (1-3 cr)
- NSG 644: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care IV (2 cr)
- NSG 644L: AGACNP Practicum IV (2 cr)
Year 3 Courses:
- NSG 645: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care V (1 cr)
- NSG 645L: AGACNP Practicum V (2 cr)
- NSG 646L: AGACNP Practicum MS (1-3 cr)
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 780 practicum hours (for Fall 2024+ admits) across multiple clinical rotations, plus 120 lab hours.
Clinical experiences progress through five AGACNP practicum courses totaling 13 credits, with variable credit NSG 646L completed over final three semesters.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from accredited university with 3.0+ GPA
- Active, unrestricted Colorado or Compact State RN license
- Prerequisites (C or better): statistics, microbiology, chemistry
- One year full-time or two years part-time RN clinical experience required
- Complete nursing program application
- All courses must pass with B or better
More curriculum details are available here.
Post-Master’s Certificate – ACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s ACNP Certificate is approximately $7,920-$8,580 and takes 1.5-2 years to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The 24-26 credit certificate builds on existing graduate nursing education with individualized gap analysis evaluation.
Required Courses:
- NSG 613L: Acute Care Skills Lab I (2 cr)
- NSG 614L: Acute Care Skills Lab II (1 cr)
- NSG 641: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care I (3 cr)
- NSG 642: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care II (2 cr)
- NSG 642L: AGACNP Practicum II (4 cr)
- NSG 643: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care III (2 cr)
- NSG 643L: AGACNP Practicum III (2 cr)
- NSG 644: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care IV (2 cr)
- NSG 644L: AGACNP Practicum IV (2 cr)
- NSG 645: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care V (1 cr)
- NSG 645L: AGACNP Practicum V (2 cr)
- NSG 646L: AGACNP Practicum MS (1-3 cr)
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 585-780 clinical practicum hours depending on admission date, meeting Colorado State Board of Nursing mandates for Advanced Nursing Practice.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree in Nursing from accredited university with 3.0+ GPA
- Active, unrestricted Colorado or Compact State RN license
- Prerequisites (C or better): statistics, microbiology, chemistry
- Minimum 16 postgraduate credit hours at CSU Pueblo required
- 2,000 hours (1 year full-time) RN experience preferred
- Complete nursing program application with three letters of recommendation
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN/DNP – ACNP/FNP Dual Concentration
The estimated cost for the dual MSN-ACNP/FNP program is approximately $24,420-$26,400 and takes 3 years to complete, while the DNP-ACNP/FNP program costs approximately $34,320 and takes 4 years.
Curriculum – MSN Track
The 74-80 credit MSN dual concentration prepares graduates for both acute care and primary care practice across the lifespan.
Year 1 Courses:
- NSG 504: Writing & Presentation Skills (1 cr)
- NSG 506: Roles and Issues (2 cr)
- NSG 508: Advanced Practice Theory (3 cr)
- NSG 552: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr)
- NSG 561: Advanced Pharmacology (3 cr)
- NSG 512: Research & Evidence Based Practice (3 cr)
- NSG 562: Advanced Assessment (2 cr)
- NSG 562L: Advanced Assessment Lab (1 cr)
- NSG 610: Diagnostic Reasoning (2 cr)
- NSG 613L: Acute Care Skills Lab I (2 cr)
- NSG 551: Health Promotion (2 cr)
- NSG 571: Healthcare Informatics (2 cr)
- NSG 614L: Acute Care Skills Lab II (1 cr)
- NSG 641: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care I (3 cr)
- NSG 661: Family I (2 cr)
Years 2-3: Sequential ACNP and FNP practicum courses with concurrent didactic coursework.
Curriculum – DNP Track
The 104-credit DNP dual concentration includes all MSN coursework plus DNP-level leadership, research, and project courses spanning four years with concurrent MS degree.
Clinicals
MSN students complete 780 AGACNP hours, 780 FNP hours, and 120 lab hours totaling 1,680 clinical hours. DNP students complete identical AGACNP/FNP hours plus 540 DNP project hours for 2,100 total hours.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from accredited university with 3.0+ GPA
- Active, unrestricted Colorado or Compact State RN license
- Prerequisites (C or better): statistics, microbiology, chemistry
- Complete nursing program application
- Eligible for both AGACNP and FNP certification examinations upon graduation
- DNP track requires oral comprehensive exam and DNP project completion
Tuition
Graduate tuition at CSU Pueblo costs $330 per credit hour for Colorado residents and Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) students.
Total graduate cost of attendance is $32,236 annually (off-campus) or $27,126 (on-campus), including tuition, fees, housing, books, and other expenses.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Colorado State University Pueblo’s School of Nursing programs are accredited by regional accreditation agencies, meeting standards for graduate nursing education and Advanced Nursing Practice as mandated by the Colorado State Board of Nursing.
Other Nursing Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- RN to BSN (fully online)
- 3+2 Program: Nurse Educator Concentration (Joint BS/MS)
- MSN: Nurse Educator Concentration
- MSN: Nurse Manager & Leader Concentration
- MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- DNP: Population Health Concentration
- DNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Nurse Educator
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: Nurse Educator
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
More ACNP Programs for Colorado Residents
- University of Colorado Anschutz - Anschutz