Loyola University ACNP Programs

Loyola University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • BSN to DNP – AGACNP
  • Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP

The programs are delivered in hybrid format combining online educational activities, classroom learning, simulated experiences, and clinical practicum experiences.

Program Tracks Overview

Program NameEst. TuitionEst. Duration
BSN to DNP AGACNP~$88,0403-4 years (part-time or full-time options)
Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP~$18,600-$43,4001-2 years (individualized)

Loyola partners with sought-after healthcare institutions throughout the Chicago area for clinical placements and preceptor assignments customized to each student.

The program is grounded in Jesuit values and prepares graduates to work in intensive care, trauma, neurology, pulmonary, cardiovascular, transplant, hospitalist, and surgical units.

BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP AGACNP program is approximately $88,040 and would take 3-4 years to complete with both part-time and full-time options available.

Estimate based on 71 credit hours × $1,240 per credit hour.

BSN to DNP Curriculum

The 71-credit curriculum includes core courses, role (NP) courses, population (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care) courses, standardized patient/skills lab experiences, and practicum components.

Core Courses

GNUR 404 – Theories & Concepts for Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
Explores nursing knowledge development and its application to advanced practice. Emphasizes links among theory, research, and clinical decision-making.

GNUR 405 – Introductory Statistics for Healthcare Professionals (3)
Introduces basic statistical methods used in healthcare research and quality improvement. Prepares students to interpret findings and analyze simple datasets.

GNUR 407 – Social Justice and Ethics in Health Care (3)
Examines ethical frameworks, advocacy, and equity issues in healthcare systems. Students evaluate social justice concerns and propose informed solutions.

GNUR 408 – Research for Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
Develops skills in evidence appraisal and scholarly inquiry. Focuses on translating research into practice guidelines and improved outcomes.

GNUR 420 – Leadership and Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
Applies leadership theories to healthcare transformation. Supports professional growth and preparation for advanced practice roles.

GNUR 521 – Population-Focused Health (3)
Uses epidemiology and health data to assess population needs. Emphasizes evidence-based strategies that address health disparities.

GNUR 523 – Health Care Policy and Economics (3)
Analyzes healthcare policy, finance, and economic forces. Explores how these factors influence care delivery and population outcomes.

GNUR 545 – Evidence Translation for Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
Focuses on applying research findings to complex practice problems. Develops skills in protocol development, teamwork, and outcome evaluation.

Role (APRN) Courses

GNUR 413 – Advanced Pharmacology (3)
Prepares APRNs to manage drug therapy using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles. Addresses safety, prescribing standards, and error prevention.

GNUR 425 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the LifeSpan (4)
Builds advanced history-taking and physical examination skills across all ages. Includes laboratory practice to strengthen diagnostic reasoning.

GNUR 442 – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (3)
Explains physiologic processes and their relation to disease states. Applies system-based concepts to clinical scenarios.

GNUR 476 – Basic Diagnostics for Advanced Practice (2)
Teaches selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests. Students apply evidence to guide clinical decision-making.

Population (Adult-Gerontology) Courses

GNUR 471 – Palliative Care (2)
Introduces hospice and palliative care principles. Emphasizes symptom management and interdisciplinary care for serious illness.

GNUR 526 – Management of Common Adult Health Problems (4)
Prepares students to assess and manage common adult and older adult conditions in primary care. Integrates health promotion and referral strategies.

GNUR 528 – Management of Complex Adult Health Problems (4)
Focuses on evaluation and treatment of complex and multi-system conditions. Emphasizes coordinated, evidence-based management plans.

GNUR 529 – Family-Focused Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3)
Applies family-centered prevention strategies across the lifespan. Addresses cultural factors and social determinants of health.

GNUR 534 – Advanced Practice Nursing Care of Older Adults (2)
Examines geriatric care principles and management of older adults with complex needs. Covers functional assessment and geriatric syndromes.

Project Courses

GNUR 570 – DNP Scholarly Project: Planning (1)
Guides identification of a clinical problem and development of a project plan. Emphasizes organizational assessment and leadership skills.

GNUR 571 – DNP Scholarly Project: Proposal and Pre-Implementation (2)
Focuses on writing and refining the project proposal. Includes practicum hours to prepare for implementation.

GNUR 572 – DNP Scholarly Project: Project Implementation (2)
Supports active implementation of the scholarly project. Students apply leadership and project management strategies.

GNUR 573 – DNP Scholarly Project: Analysis and Dissemination (1)
Centers on evaluation of project outcomes and dissemination of findings. Students prepare reports and scholarly materials.

Practicum (12 Credits)

GNUR 543 – Adult Primary Care NP Practicum (12)
Provides supervised clinical experience in adult primary care. Students deliver prevention, assessment, and management for acute, chronic, and complex conditions.

Total Hours: 69

BSN to DNP Clinicals

Students must complete 2,000 hours of recent clinical practice experience before entering the first APRN clinical rotation. Clinical placements are located in the Chicago area with faculty-selected sites.

  • Minimum 2,000 hours recent clinical practice experience required before first APRN rotation
  • Illinois RN license required before clinical experience begins
  • CCRN certification required before clinical rotations
  • Clinical placements customized to individual students
  • Partnership with top healthcare institutions in Chicago area
  • Clinical sites include intensive care, trauma, neurology, pulmonary, cardiovascular, transplant, hospitalist, and surgical units

BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Registered nurse with baccalaureate degree in nursing from accredited program
  • Not already certified as an NP or CNS
  • Competitive admission based on strength of application materials and interview
  • Students work with program director to create course schedule prior to starting
  • Part-time and full-time options available to accommodate working professionals
  • Application deadlines: Fall (July 1), Spring (December 1)

Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate AGACNP Certificate ranges from approximately $18,600 to $43,400 depending on individualized plan of study (estimated 15-35 credits at $1,240 per credit hour), with completion time varying from 1-2 years based on gap analysis.

Duration and required credits are individualized based on previous graduate nursing education.

Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum

The post-graduate APRN certificate program is designed for DNP-prepared nurses who need additional content and clinical expertise to prepare for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. Students work with the program director to develop an individual plan of study based on gap analysis of prior graduate coursework.

Potential coursework may include:

  • Advanced practice nursing role and population-specific courses not previously completed
  • Specialty acute care content courses
  • Clinical practicum experiences aligned with AGACNP competencies
  • Evidence-based practice and translational science courses as needed

Post-Graduate Certificate Clinicals

Clinical requirements are determined through individualized gap analysis to ensure graduates meet national certification eligibility requirements. Clinical placements follow the same high standards as the DNP program.

  • Clinical hours determined by individual plan of study
  • Faculty-selected clinical placements in Chicago area healthcare institutions
  • Clinical sites customized to student needs and career goals
  • Same quality partnerships with sought-after healthcare facilities as DNP program

Post-Graduate Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions

  • DNP degree in nursing required
  • Previous graduate-level nursing education reviewed through gap analysis
  • Not currently certified as an AGACNP
  • Individual plan of study developed with program director upon admission
  • Application deadlines: Fall (July 1), Spring (December 1)

Tuition

Graduate nursing students pay $1,240 per credit hour.

Additional fees include Student Development Fee ($48-$194 per semester depending on credit hours), Technology Fee ($31-$130 per semester depending on credit hours), and Fitness Center Fee ($188 per semester for students registered for 8+ hours in non-online/hybrid programs). Student Health Insurance Premium is $3,684 annually unless waived.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted for Fall admission (deadline July 1) and Spring admission (deadline December 1). Students can schedule appointments with admissions to learn more about the program.

Accreditation

Loyola’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program prepares graduates to lead at the highest levels of nursing through rigorous curriculum grounded in Jesuit values emphasizing commitment to excellence, service promoting justice, values-based leadership, global awareness, ethical judgment, and eliminating health disparities. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner national certification examination.

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