Duquesne University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN – AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP.
The programs are fully online with three mandatory on-campus residency visits for hands-on skills training and clinical labs.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $77,922 | 3 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $62,832 | 2.5 years |
Both tracks are developed in accordance with National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) competencies and prepare graduates to deliver advanced nursing care to patients with complex acute, critical, and chronic health conditions across the adult lifespan.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN – AGACNP is $77,922 and takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based 42 credits at $1,840 per credit plus fees.
MSN Curriculum
The curriculum totals 42 credits divided between 24 core MSN credits and 18 specialty AGACNP credits.
GPNG 523 Historical and Contemporary Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course explains how nursing history shapes advanced practice roles today. Students study how innovation starts, spreads, and changes care in nursing and healthcare. Students use case studies to examine role issues, entrepreneurship, and practice change. Students also build basic skills in statistics, professional writing, and online learning.
GPNG 524 Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Policy Development (3 credits)
This course teaches how nurses use research to improve care and shape policy. Students apply a structured EBP process, including the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model, to solve clinical problems. Students work with interprofessional teams and address ethics in EBP work. Students plan EBP projects and write policy recommendations.
GPNG 526 Healthcare Ethics in Practice and Policy (3 credits)
This course examines how nursing programs design, organize, and evaluate curriculum. Students review curriculum models and link them to equity, ethics, social trends, and school mission. Students explore policy, accreditation, and program evaluation methods. Students also study assessment methods such as test design and analysis.
GPNG 527 Clinical Prevention and Population-Based Health Promotion (3 credits)
This course focuses on health promotion and prevention for populations such as families, groups, and communities. Students study national health goals, health indicators, and drivers of health at personal and social levels. Students apply health behavior theory, epidemiology, and risk screening to find high-risk groups. Students also address health disparities, genetics, environmental health, chronic disease control, and culturally responsive prevention.
GPNG 528 Physical Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course teaches advanced physical assessment across the lifespan. Students use theory to build a complete patient database for primary care settings. Students practice communication and care planning using Family Theory and the Synergy Model. The course includes 25 on-campus lab hours and 50 precepted hours.
GPNG 529 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course explains disease causes, disease development, and clinical signs across the lifespan. Students use the Synergy Model to connect patient vulnerability and resilience to physiologic change. Students analyze how complexity and predictability affect outcomes. Students strengthen clinical reasoning for complications, response to treatment, and ongoing learning.
GPNG 530 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course builds prescribing knowledge for advanced nursing practice. Students study how to select medications for different diseases and patient groups. Students weigh risks and benefits of drug therapy. Students review adverse effects, monitoring needs, and drug-drug interactions across major drug classes.
GNFN 546 Transitioning to the Role of Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course prepares students to move into advanced practice provider roles. Students study role theory, collaborative practice, business basics, and changing care delivery models. Students review the Consensus Model, certification planning, and state licensure and prescribing steps. The course also applies the Synergy Model to patient resilience, vulnerability, and stability.
GNAG 550 Foundations of Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice (3 credits)
This course begins the AG-ACNP clinical sequence. Students learn acute and complex chronic care for young adults, adults, and older adults who face frailty and high risk. Students build on advanced assessment skills and study inpatient care, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Clinical work focuses on assessing acute and critical needs using the Synergy Model.
GNAG 551 Adult Gerontology Acute Care I (5 credits)
This course develops skills in assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic problems that need close monitoring. Students learn prevention and complication control in inpatient and technology-heavy settings. Students apply evidence-based care and ethical decision making in plans of care across systems. The course requires 25 on-campus lab hours and 200 precepted hours.
GNAG 552 Adult Gerontology Acute Care II (5 credits)
This course focuses on complex and fast-changing acute care situations in hospitalized adults and older adults. Students strengthen diagnostic reasoning and management for critical and unstable conditions. Students use evidence and ethics to solve clinical dilemmas and evaluate care systems. The course requires 25 on-campus lab hours and 200 precepted hours.
GNAG 553 Adult Gerontology Acute Care III (5 credits)
This course completes the AG-ACNP clinical sequence and supports transition into team-based acute care practice. Students integrate assessment, diagnosis, and full-scope management for vulnerable adult and older adult patients. Students revisit leadership, policy, and quality improvement as indirect parts of the role. The course emphasizes transitional care across settings and requires 225 precepted hours.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 775 total clinical hours across diverse acute care settings.
Clinical experiences include:
- 75 hours in GPNG 535 (50 precepted, 25 residency)
- 75 hours in GNAG 501
- 200 hours in GNAG 502
- 200 hours in GNAG 503
- 225 hours in GNAG 504
Clinical rotations focus on complex monitoring, high-intensity nursing interventions, and continuous nursing vigilance within high-acuity care environments serving adult and geriatric populations.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from accredited institution with 3.0 GPA or higher
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum one year full-time RN work experience prior to clinical course registration
- Minimum one year acute care experience, preferably in ICU setting
- Undergraduate statistics course completed with grade of “C” or higher
- Resume or curriculum vitae required
- Professional goal statement required
- Official transcripts required
- Two electronic references (one academic, one professional supervisory)
- Interview may be required
- Maximum 9 graduate credits (within past 5 years, grade “B” or higher) may transfer
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP is $62,832 and takes 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 34 credits at $1,840 per credit plus fees.
Certificate Curriculum
The curriculum totals 34 credits (Fall 2025 coursework).
Post-Master’s Certificate Courses:
- GPNG 533: Advanced Pathophysiology Applications (3 credits)
- GPNG 534: Advanced Pharmacology Applications (3 credits)
- GPNG 535: Advanced Physical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Applications (3 credits with 75 total clinical hours including 50 precepted and 25 residency hours)
- GPNG 546: Transitioning to Role of Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- GPNG 550: Clinical Prevention and Population Health Promotion for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- GNAG 501: Adult Gerontology Acute Care I (3 credits with 75 clinical hours)
- GNAG 502: Adult Gerontology Acute Care II (5 credits with 200 clinical hours and 25 residency hours)
- GNAG 503: Adult Gerontology Acute Care III (5 credits with 200 clinical hours and 25 residency hours)
- GNAG 504: Adult Gerontology Acute Care IV (6 credits with 225 clinical hours)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 775 total clinical hours and 75 lab hours across acute care settings.
Clinical hours are distributed as 75 hours in GPNG 535, 75 hours in GNAG 501, 200 hours in GNAG 502, 200 hours in GNAG 503, and 225 hours in GNAG 504.
Students gain experience with complex acute, critical, and chronic conditions requiring high-intensity interventions and continuous monitoring.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from accredited institutions
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- 3-credit undergraduate statistics course with grade “C” or higher OR 3-credit graduate statistics course with grade “B” or higher
- 1-2 years acute care experience, preferably in ICU setting
- Resume or curriculum vitae required
- Professional goal statement required
- Official transcripts required
- Two electronic references (one academic, one professional supervisory)
- Maximum 9 graduate credits (within past 5 years, grade “B” or higher) may transfer
Tuition
The AGACNP programs cost $1,840 per credit hour.
The MSN – AGACNP has a program fee of $242 per semester, while the Post-Master’s Certificate has a program fee of $272 per semester. Duquesne offers 30% and 55% tuition discounts for eligible students in specified graduate nursing programs.
See the official tuition page for more details.
More ACNP Programs for Pennsylvania Students
- Cedar Crest College - Allentown
- Drexel University - Philadelphia
- Moravian University - Bethlehem
- Penn State - University Park
- Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
- Widener University - Chester
View all Pennsylvania ACNP programs
Accreditation
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are eligible to sit for the ACNPC-AG (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification – Adult Gerontology) national board certification examination through AACN or ANCC.