Rivier University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
Both programs are delivered online in a low-residency format with minimal on-campus requirements.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $35,856–$41,964 | 3.5–5 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $14,193–$17,346 | ~5 semesters |
Rivier is ranked as the #1 nursing school in New Hampshire and a top 50 private nursing school nationally by Nursing Schools Almanac.
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is $35,856-$41,964 and would take 3.5-5 years to complete depending on entry path.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-AGACNP program requires 46-54 credits (48 credits for BSN-prepared RNs) depending on entry path. Multiple entry options are available: MSN for BSN-prepared RNs, MSN Bridge Option for non-nursing baccalaureate-prepared RNs, and RN-to-MS Option for experienced associate degree RNs.
Core Requirements (46 Credits):
NURS 507 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
This course explains how disease processes disrupt normal body function across the lifespan. Students connect signs, symptoms, and lab findings to underlying physiologic mechanisms to support clinical decisions.
NURS 516 – Advanced Health Assessment (3)
This course builds advanced history-taking and physical exam skills with focused use of diagnostic tests. Students synthesize biologic and social science data to form a complete patient assessment before practicum.
NURS 517 – Advanced Role of the Nurse (1)
This course defines the nurse practitioner role, core competencies, and scope of advanced practice. Students examine current issues and role development in modern healthcare settings.
NURS 518 – Advanced Pharmacology (3)
This course strengthens prescribing judgment through applied pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students link drug therapy to disease processes and patient factors across the lifespan.
NURS 601 – Quality Healthcare Improvement (3)
This course teaches quality and safety methods used to improve care outcomes. Students apply the PDCA cycle, review policy drivers, and assess teamwork, accountability, access, and cost.
NURS 602 – Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (3)
This course trains students to evaluate and synthesize nursing research reports. The focus is on judging evidence quality and applying findings to practice, not on running original studies.
NURS 606 – Research Capstone Advisement (2)
This course guides students through a faculty-mentored scholarly project as an alternative to a thesis. Project options include an evidence review, program proposal, pilot study plan, or similar applied scholarship.
NURS 620 – Biostatistics for the Health Sciences (3)
This course introduces key biostatistics concepts for reading and critiquing health research. Students interpret common methods such as hypothesis testing, regression, t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square using examples from biomedical literature.
NURS 630 – Acute Care Theory I (2)
This first AGACNP theory course develops diagnostic and management foundations for acute, critical, and complex chronic conditions in adults and older adults. Students use clinical reasoning and evidence to guide care across acute care systems.
NURS 631 – Acute Care Theory II (2)
This second AGACNP theory course advances management of complex adult-gerontology acute care problems. Students refine diagnostic reasoning and evidence-based decision-making for higher-acuity cases.
NURS 635 – Acute Care Skills Lab I (1)
This first skills lab builds hands-on competence in acute care assessment and procedures for adults and older adults. Training aligns with current AGACNP standards and competencies.
NURS 636 – Acute Care Skills Lab II (1)
This second skills lab expands procedural and assessment competence for managing higher-complexity acute and critical presentations. Students continue skills practice tied to AGACNP expectations.
NURS 638P – Acute Care Practicum I (4)
This first practicum provides 250 supervised clinical hours in acute care. Students develop patient management skills while faculty monitor logs, progress, and preceptor feedback.
NURS 638S – Acute Care Seminar I (1)
This on-campus seminar uses standardized patient simulations to apply prior course learning to structured cases. Students must pass a competency exam before starting Practicum I hours.
NURS 639P – Acute Care Practicum II (4)
This second practicum adds another 250 supervised acute care clinical hours. Students deepen assessment and management skills with ongoing faculty oversight and preceptor evaluation.
NURS 639S – Acute Care Seminar II (1)
This second seminar uses more complex simulations with standardized patients and high-fidelity mannequins. Students must pass a competency exam to continue program progression.
NURS 640P – Acute Care Practicum III (4)
This final practicum provides 250 additional supervised acute care clinical hours. Students integrate advanced management skills across acute and chronic presentations with faculty monitoring.
NURS 640S – Acute Care Seminar III (1)
This final seminar focuses on mastery through high-complexity simulation cases and debriefing. Students complete a competency exam and an exit exam to support AGACNP certification prep.
BUSS 559 – Healthcare Finance (3)
This course covers core financial tools used in healthcare organizations. Students work with budgeting, reimbursement, capital decisions, and financial data used for planning and sustainability.
BUSS 632 – Healthcare Information Systems (3)
This course explains how healthcare organizations manage data and technology. Students study EMRs, HIPAA, coding, informatics standards, and practical use of IT in care delivery.
Prerequisites:
- Undergraduate statistics (or evidence of completion)
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN-AGACNP program includes 12 clinical practicum credits across three practicum courses totaling 480 clinical hours. Students train with state-of-the-art equipment in Rivier’s Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center.
Clinical Requirements:
- Total clinical hours: 480 (across three practicum courses)
- Acute Care Practicum I: 4 credits/160 hours
- Acute Care Practicum II: 4 credits/160 hours
- Acute Care Practicum III: 4 credits/160 hours
- Clinical practicums may be completed in student’s geographic location
- Students must complete clinical/practicum requirements four months prior to practicum courses
- Hands-on training with mechanical ventilators, high-fidelity patient simulators, cardiac pacing and defibrillation systems, invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring, and pulmonary artery catheters
- Procedural task trainers including lumbar puncture, chest tube insertion, tracheostomy, airway management, rapid sequence intubation, video laryngoscopy, and point-of-care ultrasound
MSN Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements vary based on entry path. General requirements follow guidelines in the catalog’s Admission Process section.
General Application Requirements:
- Active RN license
- Evidence of undergraduate statistics course
- BLS and ACLS certification required for AGACNP track
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Nursing experience required
- Quality application materials
- No application fee
Additional Program Requirements:
- Students may take four courses (12 credits) from specified list prior to matriculating
- Students must follow Program of Studies when registering
- Written request to Graduate Nursing Education Program Director required for any program changes
Progression Requirements:
- No grade less than B in any individual course
- Maintain no less than B (3.0) GPA throughout program
- One grade lower than B results in academic probation for following semester
- Second course grade lower than B results in dismissal regardless of GPA
- Single grade of F results in dismissal regardless of GPA
Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP program is minimum $14,193-$17,346 (varies based on gap analysis) and takes an average of 5 semesters to complete.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate program requires a minimum of 19 credits. A gap analysis is completed using each applicant’s previous MSN transcript and current AG-ACNP curriculum. Courses not yet completed become the program of study.
Required Courses (Minimum):
- NURS 630 – Acute Care Theory I (2 credits)
- NURS 631 – Acute Care Theory II (2 credits)
- NURS 635 – Acute Care Skills Lab I (1 credit)
- NURS 636 – NSG Acute Care Skills Lab II (1 credit)
- NURS 638P – Acute Care Practicum I (4 credits)
- NURS 638S – Acute Care Seminar I (1 credit)
- NURS 639P – Acute Care Practicum II (4 credits)
- NURS 639S – NSG Acute Care Seminar II (1 credit)
- NURS 640P – Acute Care Practicum III (4 credits)
- NURS 640S – Acute Care Seminar III (1 credit)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements vary based on gap analysis. Students complete hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment mirroring contemporary acute care environments.
Clinical Requirements:
- Clinical practicum hours across three practicum courses
- Training with mechanical ventilators, high-fidelity patient simulators, cardiac pacing and defibrillation systems
- Invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring experience
- Pulmonary artery catheter training
- Procedural task trainers: lumbar puncture, chest tube insertion, tracheostomy, airway management, rapid sequence intubation, video laryngoscopy, point-of-care ultrasound
- Students must complete clinical/practicum requirements four months prior to practicum courses
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must hold an MSN degree and meet specific requirements for post-master’s certificates.
Application Requirements:
- Master’s degree in nursing from accredited institution
- Complete “course of study choice” form
- Sign clinical practicum form
- Copy of RN license for state where practicum will be completed (NH license also required)
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- “Statement of Purpose” outlining goals
- One letter of recommendation
- Evidence of undergraduate statistics course
- BLS and ACLS certification required for AG-ACNP track
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Nursing experience required
- Quality application materials reviewed for eligibility
Advanced Coursework Requirements:
- Graduate-level Advanced Pharmacology (3-credit equivalent) completed less than 5 years prior to application (waiver considered for experienced practicing nurse practitioners)
- Graduate-level Advanced Pathophysiology (3-credit equivalent) completed less than 10 years prior to application
- Graduate-level Advanced Health Assessment course completed
Progression Requirements:
- No grade less than B in any individual course
- Maintain no less than B (3.0) GPA throughout program
- One grade lower than B results in academic probation
- Second course grade lower than B results in dismissal
- Single grade of F results in dismissal
Tuition
MSN-AGACNP Program (2025-26 Academic Year):
- Nursing courses: $747 per credit hour
- Clinical courses: $1,166 per credit hour
- Total estimated cost for 48-credit program: $35,856-$41,964 (depending on mix of nursing and clinical courses)
Post-Master’s Certificate (2025-26 Academic Year):
- Nursing courses: $747 per credit hour
- Clinical courses: $1,166 per credit hour
- Minimum 19 credits: $14,193-$17,346 (varies based on gap analysis results)
No application fee for either program.
Application Deadlines
Both Programs:
- Three term starts per year: September, January, and May
- Applications reviewed as received throughout the year on rolling basis
- Next start date: May 11, 2026
Program Format
Low-Residency Online Format:
- MSN: Online coursework with 10 days on campus during program
- Post-Master’s Certificate: Online coursework with 8 days on campus during program
- Course lengths: 7 and 14 weeks (some courses are 7 weeks: NSG404, NSG409, NSG517)
- Part-time study options available for both degree and certificate programs
State Restrictions
Rivier University is unable to accept students from some states due to post-secondary higher education and professional licensure requirements. Visit Rivier’s Licensing information page for details on state-specific restrictions.
Accreditation
Rivier University’s ASN, BSN, MSN, Post-Master’s Certificates, and DNP programs located in Nashua, NH are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the master’s nursing program and post-master’s certificate nursing programs is Continuing Accreditation.
Rivier University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Certification Eligibility
Graduates are qualified to sit for national certification exams to become certified as Adult Gerontology–Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) through:
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Other New Hampshire ACNP Programs
- University of New Hampshire - Durham