Penn State University offers 2 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGACNP (BSN to DNP)
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGACNP
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGACNP | $73,980 + fees | ~3 years |
| Certificate AGACNP | $28,556 + fees | ~2 years |
Both tracks are available in hybrid format (online with in-person components) with clinical practicums. Penn State’s programs are taught by expert faculty from the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing.
The university has 700+ clinical partners globally, enabling students to complete clinicals close to home. Applicants to the AGACNP option must have two years of acute care hospital experience prior to admission.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP (BSN to DNP)
The estimated cost for the DNP – AGACNP program is $73,980 plus student fees and would take 3 years to complete on a part-time basis (8 semesters), with individualized plans available for students with prior graduate degrees.
Estimate based on 57 credits, estimated at $1,298 per credit for graduate nursing programs.
DNP Curriculum
The program requires 57 credits including theoretical foundations, advanced practice courses, and DNP project courses, with 1,238 total practicum hours (750 clinical practicum hours + 488 doctoral project hours).
Year 1 Courses
Theoretical & Scientific Foundations of Advanced Nursing (NURS 510): Students connect nursing theory to nursing science and apply current scientific advances to advanced practice and research.
Colloquium (NURS 590): Students attend seminar-style sessions that feature presentations from faculty, students, and invited speakers.
Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse (NURS 803): Students study advanced physiology and disease processes and link body system changes to specific conditions.
Ethics in Health Research (NURS 587): Students apply ethical standards and research protections while planning and conducting health research.
Healthcare Policy for Nurse and Healthcare Scholars (NURS 588): Students analyze health policy drivers and practice skills for developing, evaluating, and influencing policy across systems and settings.
Pharmacologic Therapy for the Advanced Practice Nurse (NURS 804): Students evaluate medication therapies used in advanced practice and apply pharmacologic principles to treatment decisions.
Advanced Health Assessment of Adult Populations (NURS 802) (37.5 DPH): Students perform advanced adult assessments and use findings to form diagnoses for adults and families.
Evidence-Based Practice II (NURS 831) (75 DPH): Students conduct focused evidence searches, appraise research, and translate findings into practice change with required practicum hours.
Health Assessment of the Adult Gerontology Population in Acute Care (NURS 866) (37.5 DPH): Students assess acutely ill adults and older adults, interpret diagnostic data, and build differential diagnoses in acute care contexts.
Year 2 Courses
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Role (2 courses) (NURS 860 and NURS 861): Students build AGACNP role skills for managing complex adult and older adult conditions, with emphasis on collaborative care and body system-focused management.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Practicum (225 CPH) (NURS 862D): Students complete supervised acute care rotations and strengthen DNP-level clinical decision making and team-based practice.
Pharmacology for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (NURS 865): Students apply acute care prescribing and monitoring principles for critically ill adult and older adult patients.
Evidence-Based Practice III: Project Development (NURS 837) (75 DPH): Students design a DNP project plan, align it with stakeholder needs, and complete steps that support IRB submission with required practicum hours.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Practicum (300 CPH) (NURS 863D): Students continue supervised rotations and refine advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management across medical and surgical settings.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (NURS 835) (75 DPH): Students complete DNP project work that shows clinical scholarship and measurable improvement in care or outcomes.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Integrative Doctoral Practicum (NURS 864D) (225 CPH): Students synthesize AGACNP knowledge in an acute or critical care specialty site and demonstrate DNP-level role integration.
Clinical Practice Synthesis for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NURS 867) (38 DPH): Students demonstrate AGACNP skills through didactic work and simulation, including an on-site intensive.
Year 3 Courses
Population Health Perspectives (NURS 808): Students use population health measures to analyze determinants and disparities and plan evidence-based prevention and health promotion strategies.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (NURS 835) (75 DPH, taken twice): Students continue the DNP capstone sequence and complete project implementation, evaluation, and final deliverables.
Healthcare Informatics (NURS 836): Students use health information systems and data tools to support safer care and better outcomes.
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The program requires 1,238 total practicum hours: 750 clinical practicum hours (CPH) plus 488 doctoral practicum hours (DPH).
Clinical Practicum Hours (750 total):
- Adult Gerontology ACNP Doctoral Practicum: 225 hours
- Adult Gerontology ACNP Doctoral Practicum: 300 hours
- Adult Gerontology ACNP Integrative Doctoral Practicum: 225 hours
Doctoral Practicum Hours (488 total):
- Advanced Health Assessment of Adult Populations: 37.5 hours
- Evidence-Based Practice II: 75 hours
- Health Assessment of Adult Gero Population in Acute Care: 37.5 hours
- Evidence-Based Practice III: Project Development: 75 hours
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Project: 75 hours (taken three times = 225 hours)
- Clinical Practice Synthesis for AGACNP: 38 hours
Clinical Support:
- Clinical placement team supports students in finding practicum sites and preceptors
- Students can complete requirements at place of employment or alternate sites
- Practicum planning begins with program admission
- Site affiliation agreements and preceptor identification required
- Emphasis on advanced assessment, therapeutics, and technological interventions in acute care settings
DNP Admissions Requirements
- Minimum BSN degree from U.S. regionally accredited institution (or equivalent international degree)
- Two years of acute care hospital experience (required for AGACNP option)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) for baccalaureate degree
- Grade of B or better in all science and nursing courses
- Valid Pennsylvania RN license (typically required; students must hold valid RN license in state(s) where clinical hours completed)
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended (with certified translations if not in English)
- Three professional/academic references submitted through online application
- Curriculum vitae listing professional experience and qualifications
- Writing sample (published or unpublished scientific paper, thesis, or scholarly writing)
- Interview via video conferencing or in person
- For international applicants: TOEFL minimum 580 paper-based or 80 iBT with 25 on speaking section, or IELTS minimum composite 7.0
- GRE or GMAT scores not required
- Students with MSN can be admitted but all previous coursework/credits may not transfer
- Priority application deadlines: March 1, June 30, October 1 (rolling basis)
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate – AGACNP program is $28,556 and would take 2 years to complete, with additional coursework potentially required based on transcript evaluation.
Estimate based on22 credits minimum × $1,298 per credit, estimated.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires minimum 22 credits and 600 practicum hours, with individualized plans based on graduate transcript review.
Required Courses:
- Health Assessment of Adult Gerontology Populations in Acute Care
- Advanced Health Assessment of Adult Populations
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Role (2 courses)
- Pharmacology for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum (225 CPH)
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum (150 CPH)
- Clinical Practice Synthesis for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Integrative Practicum (225 CPH)
Potential Additional Courses (based on Gap Analysis):
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
The program requires minimum 600 practicum hours distributed across clinical practicum courses.
- Adult Gerontology ACNP Practicum: 225 hours
- Adult Gerontology ACNP Practicum: 150 hours
- Adult Gerontology ACNP Integrative Practicum: 225 hours
- Clinical experiences focus on assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of critically ill older adults with complex acute and chronic illness
- Penn State’s clinical placement team supports students in securing sites
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree or higher in Nursing
- Seeking additional certification as AGACNP
- Two years of acute care hospital experience
- Valid Pennsylvania RN license (typically required)
- Official transcripts from graduate program
- Individualized plan of study developed based on transcript evaluation
- Priority application deadlines: March 1, June 30, October 1 (rolling basis)
- Three professional/academic references
- Same application requirements as DNP program apply
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is estimated at approximately $1,298 per credit based on 2025-2026 academic year rates ($36,786 annual tuition ÷ approximately 28 credits = ~$1,313 per credit for graduate programs).
Additional costs include $616 annual student fees.
See the official tuition calculator for more details.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate at Penn State are structured around the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials and national Nurse Practitioner competencies.
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing. Graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations as Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP).
More ACNP Programs for Pennsylvania Students
- Cedar Crest College - Allentown
- Drexel University - Philadelphia
- Duquesne University - Pittsburgh
- Moravian University - Bethlehem
- Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
- Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
- University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
- Widener University - Chester