Kent State University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – ACNP Concentration
- Post-Master’s Certificate – ACNP
The programs are delivered primarily online with some campus requirements, typically one day per week during practicum sequences starting in the second year.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN ACNP | $18,909 | 3 years part-time |
| Certificate ACNP | $18,378 | 2–3 years |
Kent State provides faculty mentorship from nationally certified APRNs with decades of experience, flexible full-time and part-time plans, and fall or spring start dates.
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN-ACNP program is $18,909 (31 credits at $612.62/credit) for Ohio residents and would take 3 years to complete on a part-time basis, though students have up to 6 years.
MSN Curriculum
The 31-credit curriculum integrates advanced assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and specialized acute care competencies across four progressive practicum courses.
NURS 60015 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 Credit Hours)
This course trains students to complete comprehensive health histories and physical and mental status exams across the lifespan. Students use clinical reasoning to identify findings and start a plan of care in varied settings.
NURS 60045 – Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 Credit Hours)
This course explains advanced human physiology and how disease processes disrupt normal function. Students connect pathologic changes to clinical patterns across the lifespan.
NURS 60126 – Family and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Role and Procedures (2 Credit Hours)
This course introduces the nurse practitioner role, scope, and professional responsibilities. Students practice basic procedures and learn to interpret common diagnostics to support sound clinical judgment.
NURS 60129 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 Credit Hours)
This course introduces acute care management for adult and older adult patients with acute illness and chronic disease flare-ups. Students review common problems, communication skills, and evidence use to guide decisions.
NURS 60230 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (4 Credit Hours)
This course focuses on care of critically ill adult and older adult patients with complex acute and chronic conditions. Students apply evidence-based interventions and clear communication to build clinical judgment in high-acuity care.
NURS 60330 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (2 Credit Hours)
This course covers specialty acute care needs for adult and older adult patients with complex illness. Students assess specialty problems and use evidence to refine clinical decision-making.
NURS 60441 – Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 Credit Hours)
This course builds safe prescribing skills for advanced practice across diverse populations. Students study pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, major drug classes, legal duties, and patient safety risks.
NURS 60506 – Clinical Diagnostics for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 Credit Hours)
This course teaches students how to choose, use, and interpret lab and diagnostic tests for acute and chronic care decisions. Students practice diagnostic stewardship and integrate results with patient data to guide care.
NURS 61092 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I Practicum (2 Credit Hours)
This practicum applies concepts from ACNP I in supervised clinical settings. Students complete 150 hours and follow clinical compliance requirements.
NURS 61392 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II Practicum (2 Credit Hours)
This practicum strengthens clinical skills from prior nurse practitioner coursework through supervised practice. Students complete 150 clinical hours while applying didactic content to patient care.
NURS 62392 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III Practicum (2 Credit Hours)
This practicum applies ACNP III concepts in a supervised clinical environment. Students complete 150 hours and focus on translating high-acuity content into practice.
NURS 63392 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV Practicum (2 Credit Hours)
This practicum applies ACNP IV concepts in supervised clinical rotations. Students complete 150 hours and build skill in specialty-focused acute care decision-making.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 8 credits of practicum across four progressive clinical courses, gaining experience in moderate to high-acuity settings with complex monitoring and invasive interventions.
Campus attendance is typically required one day per week during the practicum sequence beginning in the second year.
Students submit preceptor information for faculty approval before clinical placements begin.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Active, unrestricted RN license in the state where practicum hours will be completed
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from CCNE or ACEN-accredited program
- Minimum undergraduate GPA requirements (specific GPA not listed but competitive)
- Goal statement describing reasons for pursuing specialty and professional goals (no longer required starting spring 2026)
- Admission essay responding to three questions about nursing profession contributions, professional development readiness, and experience with vulnerable populations (2 pages, 500 words, required starting spring 2026)
- Three professional letters of reference from healthcare professionals or APRNs
- Curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all previous institutions
- International students: proof of English proficiency (minimum 79 TOEFL iBT, 6.5 IELTS, 58 PTE, or 110 DET)
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s ACNP Certificate is $18,378 (30 credits at $612.62/credit) for Ohio residents and would take 2-3 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Certificate Curriculum
The 30-credit certificate includes the same core ACNP courses as the MSN track, with potential course waivers for previously completed advanced assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology courses (B or better within 5 years).
- NURS 60015 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits) – may be waived
- NURS 60045 Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 credits) – may be waived
- NURS 60129 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits)
- NURS 60130 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II (1 credit)
- NURS 60230 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (4 credits)
- NURS 60330 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (2 credits)
- NURS 60441 Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 credits) – may be waived
- NURS 60506 Clinical Diagnostics for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 61092 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I Practicum (2 credits)
- NURS 61392 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II Practicum (2 credits)
- NURS 62392 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III Practicum (2 credits)
- NURS 63392 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV Practicum (2 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN track with 8 total practicum credits across four courses in acute care settings.
Campus attendance is required approximately one day per week during practicum sequences.
Students must identify and gain faculty approval for preceptors before beginning clinical rotations.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree or DNP in nursing from accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA
- Active, unrestricted RN license in practicum state
- Official transcripts of all previous graduate coursework
- For non-practicing APRNs: advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment courses must be completed within 5 years
- Curriculum vitae
- Goal statement describing reasons for certificate and professional goals (no longer required starting spring 2026)
- Admission essay responding to three questions about nursing contributions, professional readiness, and vulnerable population experience (2 pages, 500 words, required starting spring 2026)
- Syllabi of all courses considered for transfer in gap analysis
- Three professional reference letters from healthcare professionals or APRNs
- International students: proof of English proficiency (minimum 79 TOEFL iBT, 6.5 IELTS, 58 PTE, or 110 DET)
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $612.62 per credit hour for Ohio residents and $1,140.11 per credit hour for non-Ohio residents based on 11-18 credit hours per academic year.
Program and special course fees may apply beyond standard tuition.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Kent State’s MSN, DNP, and Post-Graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Kent State is also a three-time designated Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (2013-2017, 2017-2022, 2022-2026) in the “Advancing the Science of Nursing Education” category. Graduates meet educational eligibility requirements to take either the ANCC or AACN examinations for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certification, with 2021 MSN graduates achieving a 96.3% average pass rate on board certification examinations.
Other ACNP Programs in Ohio
- Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland
- Cedarville University - Cedarville
- Mount Carmel College - Columbus
- Ohio State University - Columbus
- Ohio University - Athens
- University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati
- Ursuline College - Cleveland
- Wright State University - Dayton
- Youngstown State University - Youngstown