Ohio State University offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN – AGACNP
- BSN-DNP AGACNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP
All programs are offered online with hybrid delivery methods, featuring both synchronous and asynchronous coursework along with brief on-campus intensives that focus on skills, advanced practice, and procedures.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $26,924 | 1.5 years |
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $36,572–$46,736 | 3 years FT / 4 years PT |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP | $10,160–$10,540 | 1 year |
The programs prepare graduates to provide direct patient care in acute and complex care settings, with clinical practicum experiences occurring in acute-care settings under supervision of acute-care physicians and advanced practice providers.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN – AGACNP is approximately $26,924 (53 credits at $508 per credit for Ohio residents online) and takes 5 semesters (approximately 1.5 years) to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
NRSE 6843 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (6 credits | 250 hours)
This practicum introduces the AGACNP role in acute care for adults and older adults from diverse backgrounds. Students practice advanced assessment, differential diagnosis, and management of complex acute and emergent conditions. The course also covers risk assessment, prevention, common procedures, and ethical and legal responsibilities.
NRSE 6844 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (6 credits | 250 hours)
This practicum expands AGACNP practice as part of an interdisciplinary acute care team. Students strengthen advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and management planning for complex acute and emergent problems. The course emphasizes safe, cost-aware interventions, team collaboration, and ethical and legal standards.
NRSE 6845 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (6 credits | 250 hours)
This practicum focuses on advanced AGACNP competencies and clinical judgment in acute care settings. Students integrate evidence-based care, systems thinking, and teamwork to manage complex adult and older adult cases. The course also emphasizes safe care systems, cost-effective decisions, health IT use, and legal and ethical practice.
NRSE 7001 Professional Presence and Writing for the Advanced Nurse (1 credit)
This course builds professional identity and presence for advanced nursing roles. Students practice advanced communication skills and inclusive language across different formats. Students also produce scholarly writing and develop work for professional dissemination.
NRSE 7210 Advanced Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course links advanced physiology to disease mechanisms and clinical outcomes across the lifespan. Students analyze how genetics, environment, stress, and health disparities affect disease risk and outcomes. The course emphasizes system-level disease processes and clinical implications for assessment and care.
NRSE 7220 Advanced Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course prepares APRNs to make safe prescribing decisions across the lifespan. Students study drug classes, therapeutic choices, contraindications, and expected outcomes with attention to cost and quality. The course also covers prescribing law, ethics, polypharmacy risk, and correct prescription writing using health IT.
NRSE 7230 Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing (4 credits)
This course teaches advanced health assessment using a body-systems approach and evidence-based methods. Students perform comprehensive and focused assessments, identify risk factors, and develop differential diagnoses. The course also emphasizes culturally competent education, prevention planning, and clear documentation using clinical technology.
NRSE 7810 Foundations of Leadership and Organizations in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course examines how social, political, and historical forces shape healthcare systems and advanced practice roles. Students strengthen leadership, ethics, communication, and interprofessional collaboration skills. The course also supports role transition, accountability, and professional identity development.
NRSE 7811 Foundations of Evidence-based Practice for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course teaches students to evaluate research, guidelines, and practice evidence for clinical decision making. Students compare research, EBP, and quality improvement methods and learn to synthesize findings into practice. The course also addresses ethics and patient safety in evidence use.
NRSE 7812 Foundations of Quality and Safety in Population Health for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course covers population health frameworks and quality improvement methods that support safer care. Students examine equity-focused policy and apply risk reduction strategies across the care continuum. The course also addresses cost-aware care, disaster readiness, and evaluation methods for population health outcomes.
NRSE 7818 Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
This course builds diagnostic reasoning through symptom analysis and advanced assessment findings. Students choose appropriate tests and screenings and use results to refine differential diagnoses for common conditions. The course also introduces ICD-10 and DSM-5-TR classification and applies clinical guidelines to create an initial plan of care.
The MSN curriculum totals 53 credits including core nursing courses and three clinical practicum experiences.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 600 total precepted clinical hours across three clinical practicum courses.
Clinical experiences are conducted near each student’s home under experienced preceptors to develop skills necessary for diagnosing, managing, and evaluating both acute and chronic conditions, as well as promoting wellness and disease prevention.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from ACEN/CCNE/CNEA-accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale in last degree earned
- Active RN license
- Valid, unencumbered RN licensure in approved state
- Evidence of equivalent of two years full-time relevant experience working as RN within past five years
- Statement of professional goals
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation (minimum 2 from individuals at master’s level or above, one from APRN or RN)
- Web-based admission interview with faculty
- Holistic application review considering academic preparedness, professional background, and unique strengths
- Recorded online video interview through HireVue portal required
- $60 non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Specified health status/clinical requirements per Graduate Handbook
- Federal and state background checks free from disqualifying offenses
- Evidence of malpractice insurance
BSN-DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP AGACNP is approximately $36,572-$46,736 (72-92 credits at $508 per credit for Ohio residents online) and takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis or 4 years part-time.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP curriculum totals 79-92 credits depending on specialty requirements, combining DNP core courses with AGACNP specialty coursework.
Year 1 Core Courses:
- Pathophysiology (5 credits)
- Evidence Based Practice (2 credits)
- Quality Improvement (2 credits)
- Methods and Measurements (2 credits)
- Professional Seminar (1 credit)
- Health Promotion, Theory and Population Health (2 credits)
- MINDSTRONG (1 credit)
- Health Assessment (4 credits)
- Pharmacology (4 credits)
- Implementation of Evidence Based Practice (2 credits)
- Health Informatics (2 credits)
- Leadership (3 credits)
- Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Methods (2 credits)
- Policy (2 credits)
AGACNP Specialty Courses:
- NURSING 7208.01: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
- NURSING 7208.02: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
- NURSING 7208.03: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN-DNP Clinicals
Students complete 1,000 total practice hours post-baccalaureate, including minimum 750 direct-care hours with their population and minimum 250 hours completing a scholarly project.
Clinical practicum experiences occur in acute-care settings under supervision of acute-care physicians and advanced practice providers, with clinicals completed in student’s area except for some specialties.
BSN-DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Completed US-equivalent Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Minimum GPA of 3.20 for unconditional admission
- Statement of professional goals
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation (minimum 2 from individuals at master’s level or above, one from APRN or RN)
- Resident of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in approved state
- Evidence of equivalent of two years full-time experience working as RN within past five years
- Web-based admission interview with faculty
- Specified health status requirements upon admission
- State and Federal background checks free from disqualifying offenses
- Documentation of clearances required by affiliation contracts
- Drug screen
- Payment of $1,000 non-refundable matriculation fee
- Signing of Disclosure and Consent Forms
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP is approximately $10,160-$10,540 (20 credits at $508-$527 per credit for online students) and takes 3 semesters (approximately 1 year) to complete.
Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate curriculum totals 20 credits of track-specific content designed to meet core competencies and clinical hour requirements for AGACNP certification.
Required Courses:
- NRSE 6843: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (250 practicum hours)
- NRSE 6844: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (250 practicum hours)
- NRSE 6845: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (250 practicum hours)
- NRSE 7818: Advanced Diagnostics for Clinical Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing
More curriculum details are available here.
Post-Graduate Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 750 total practicum hours distributed across three practicum courses (250 hours each).
Clinical experiences occur in acute-care settings such as emergency departments, ICUs, cardiovascular ICUs, specialized intervention units, and trauma care environments under supervision of qualified preceptors.
Post-Graduate Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from regionally accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.20 for unconditional admission
- Students must have completed Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Appraisal for Nurse Practitioners, and Advanced Pharmacology with minimum grade of B
- Statement of professional goals
- Resume or CV
- Three letters of recommendation (minimum 2 from individuals at master’s level or above, one from APRN or RN)
- Residents of and evidence of valid, unencumbered RN licensure in approved state
- Web-based admission interview with faculty
- Evidence of equivalent of two years full-time relevant experience working as RN within past five years
- Specified health status/clinical requirements per Graduate Handbook
- Federal and state background checks free from disqualifying offenses
- Evidence of malpractice insurance
- Culminating experience includes comprehensive program exam
Tuition
Ohio University online graduate nursing programs cost $508 per credit hour for Ohio residents and $527 per credit hour for out-of-state residents.
Additional fees include a Student Info System & Network Fee of $4 per credit hour (1-8 credits) or $33 comprehensive fee (9-18 hours).
The MSN AGACNP program has a program fee of $156 per credit hour, while the Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP has a program fee of $257 per credit hour and a technology fee of $6 per credit hour.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs at Ohio University prepare graduates for national certification. Graduates are eligible for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP).
Other ACNP Programs for Ohio Nurses
- Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland
- Cedarville University - Cedarville
- Kent State University - Kent
- Mount Carmel College - Columbus
- Ohio University - Athens
- University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati
- Ursuline College - Cleveland
- Wright State University - Dayton
- Youngstown State University - Youngstown