Pace University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) – AGACNP
The programs are delivered in a hybrid format combining online coursework with on-campus classes, providing flexible programming for working nurses.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $77,665 | ~3 years (part-time) |
| Certificate AGACNP (CAGS) | $44,380–$58,645 | ~1.5–2 years (part-time) |
Pace’s AGACNP programs feature clinical partnerships with over 200 clinicians and health systems, state-of-the-art simulation experiences at the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Simulation, and preparation that meets both ANCC and AACN requirements for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is $77,665 and would take 3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 49-credit curriculum combines nursing common core courses with adult-gerontology acute care specialization training, emphasizing evidence-based, patient-centered practice for managing complex, acute, and chronic illnesses in adult and geriatric populations.
Nursing Common Core
NURS 811 – Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course introduces the nurse practitioner role and core concepts of advanced practice nursing. Students examine theories and models from nursing and related fields to guide evidence-based, equitable, and person-centered care. Emphasis is placed on role development and primary health care foundations.
NURS 812 – Systems-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing (3 credits)
This course prepares students to deliver care within complex health systems and diverse populations. Students analyze system-level factors that influence quality, safety, and outcomes. The course emphasizes evidence-based strategies that support equitable and person-centered primary care.
NURS 813 – Advanced Nursing in Primary Health Care (3 credits)
This course focuses on primary health care and population health principles. Students study epidemiology, policy, advocacy, and health technology as tools for improving outcomes. The course highlights social determinants of health and strategies for managing population needs across care settings.
NURS 814 – Scholarly Inquiry in Evidence-Based Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course develops skills in evidence appraisal and synthesis for advanced nursing practice. Students evaluate research methods and apply evidence-based practice processes to clinical decision making. Emphasis is placed on translating evidence into equitable, person-centered care.
NURS 640 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
This course builds advanced skills in comprehensive health assessment for patients of all ages. Students practice history taking, cultural and risk assessment, health promotion, and documentation. The course supports accurate clinical evaluation within an advanced practice framework.
NURS 681 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course examines normal and abnormal physiologic processes across the lifespan. Students analyze disease mechanisms at cellular, system, and genetic levels to support clinical reasoning. The course provides a foundation for assessment, diagnosis, and management decisions.
NURS 682 – Clinical Pharmacology for Prescribing Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
This course prepares students to select and manage medication therapies across the lifespan. Topics include prescribing principles, drug monitoring, adverse effects, and patient education. The course meets New York State requirements for prescription writing.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialization
NURS 644 – Diagnostic Reasoning for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)
This course develops clinical and diagnostic reasoning skills for adult and older adult patients. Students integrate focused assessment, diagnostic testing, and documentation to form prioritized differential diagnoses. The course emphasizes evidence-based decision making in acute care settings.
NURS 741 – Advanced Theory and Practice I for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (7 credits)
This course introduces advanced management of acute and complex conditions in adult and older adult populations. Students apply assessment, diagnosis, and intervention strategies across acute care settings. Clinical practice supports skill development and professional role formation.
NURS 742 – Advanced Theory and Practice II for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (6 credits)
This course builds on prior acute care knowledge with deeper focus on disease management and clinical judgment. Students refine skills in data interpretation, problem prioritization, and outcome evaluation. Clinical practice strengthens advanced decision-making abilities.
NURS 743 – Advanced Theory and Practice III for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (6 credits)
This course emphasizes development of differential diagnoses and individualized plans of care. Students manage acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions using evidence-based approaches. Clinical experiences support advanced practice readiness.
NURS 744 – Advanced Theory and Practice IV for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (6 credits)
This capstone course integrates knowledge and skills across the acute care continuum. Students demonstrate consistent application of evidence in patient management and education. The course supports transition to independent practice as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 760 precepted direct care clinical hours in acute care settings under the supervision of experienced acute care clinical faculty. Clinical experiences include:
- Individually precepted clinical practicum hours
- Simulated patient experiences in the Center for Excellence in Healthcare Simulation
- Advanced skills labs to enhance critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning
- Evidence-based practice capstone project implementing and evaluating best practices in acute care
Clinical placements occur in emergency departments, medical/surgical units, trauma and intensive care units, inpatient and outpatient specialty care clinics, and long-term care facilities affiliated with prestigious institutions including New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System, and NYU Langone Medical Center.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Licensed as a registered nurse in New York State
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0
- One year of inpatient/acute care nursing experience required
- Successful completion (grade B or higher) of undergraduate statistics course
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
- Personal statement (500-600 words) addressing intended specialty, how nursing experience has prepared applicant for advanced practice role, and future goals as a nurse practitioner
- Resume describing past five years of employment history and significant activities
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Personal interview may be required
- No GRE or Miller Analogy test required
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the CAGS-AGACNP program is $44,380-$58,645 and would take 1.5-2 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 28-37 credits determined by gap analysis, designed for master’s-prepared nurse practitioners with certification in another specialty or master’s-prepared nurses seeking to become adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.
Required Courses:
- NURS 640 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (required for non-NPs)
- NURS 644 – Diagnostic Reasoning for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
- NURS 681 – Pathophysiology For Advanced Practice Nursing (required for non-NPs)
- NURS 682 – Clinical Pharmacology for Prescribing Advanced Practice Nursing (required for non-NPs)
- NURS 741 – Advanced Theory and Practice I for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 742 – Advanced Theory and Practice II for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 743 – Advanced Theory and Practice III for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- NURS 744 – Advanced Theory and Practice IV for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Applicants with pre-licensure master’s degrees may be required to take additional courses from the graduate nursing common core curriculum if equivalent coursework was not completed in their prior master’s program. Credit for NURS 682 and NURS 640 will only be accepted if courses were finished within two years of starting NURS 741.
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 760 total clinical hours in acute care settings. Clinical requirements mirror the MSN track, including:
- Precepted direct care hours under experienced acute care clinical faculty supervision
- Clinical experiences in emergency departments, ICUs, medical/surgical units, and specialty care clinics
- Simulated patient experiences and advanced skills labs
- Evidence-based practice capstone project
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- Master’s degree in nursing or master’s-prepared nurse practitioner with certification in another specialty
- Licensed as a registered nurse in New York State
- Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0
- One year of inpatient/acute care nursing experience required
- Successful completion (grade B or higher) of undergraduate statistics course
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references
- Personal statement (500-600 words) addressing specialty, preparation, and future goals
- Resume describing past five years of employment history
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Personal interview may be required
- Gap analysis determines final credit requirements
- No GRE or Miller Analogy test required
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,585 per credit hour for all MS degree and certificate programs at the College of Health Professions.
See the official tuition page for more details here.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is March 1 for fall semester admission.
Accreditation
The AGACNP program meets the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) requirements for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification.
Pace University’s nursing programs are ranked among the best graduate nursing schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2025) and ranked #4 among best nurse practitioner programs in New York by nursejournal.org.
More New York ACNP Programs
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- NYU College of Nursing - New York
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- Stony Brook School of Nursing - Stony Brook
- University of Rochester - Rochester