Rush University offers 4 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN to DNP – AGACNP
- MSN to DNP – AGACNP (for APRNs)
- MSN to DNP – AGACNP (for non-APRNs)
- Postdoctoral Certificate – AGACNP
All programs are delivered in hybrid format combining online and on-campus coursework with clinical sites located in the Chicago area.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
| BSN to DNP AGACNP | ~$101,956 | 3-4 years (full-time) |
| MSN to DNP AGACNP (APRNs) | ~$54,568 | 2-3 years (part-time) |
| MSN to DNP AGACNP (non-APRNs) | ~$84,724 | 2-3 years |
| Postdoctoral Certificate AGACNP | ~$30,156 | 1-1.5 years |
The program has been ranked among the best DNP Gerontology Acute Care Programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and in the top five for the last several years. Students learn from faculty who are active practitioners at Rush University Medical Center, a top-tier academic medical center.
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP AGACNP program is approximately $101,956 and would take 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 71 credits × $1,436 per credit hour plus clinical administrative fees.
BSN to DNP Curriculum
The 71-credit curriculum includes graduate nursing core, advanced practice nursing core, DNP core, population/role cognates, and DNP practica and project components.
Graduate Nursing Core (12 credits):
- NSG 521 – Antiracism in Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
- NSG 522 – Applied Epidemiology Biostats Nursing (3 credits)
- NSG 523 – Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
- NSG 524 – Health Promotion in Individuals and Clinical Populations (3 credits)
Advanced Practice Nursing Core (18 credits):
NSG 531 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
This course explains pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that guide safe medication use. Students build the knowledge needed for later pharmacotherapeutics coursework.
NSG 532 – Advanced Physiology (3 credits)
This course covers advanced cell biology and body system physiology across the lifespan. Students study mechanisms that support cellular stability and normal function.
NSG 533 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
This course examines disease mechanisms across the lifespan, including risk factors, etiology, and clinical manifestations. Students apply concepts to clinical scenarios to strengthen critical thinking and exam readiness.
NSG 535 – Diagnostics for the APRN (3 credits)
This course trains students to order, apply, and interpret lab and diagnostic tests across the lifespan. Students use clinical reasoning to connect results to decisions in patient care.
NSG 537 – Transition to the APRN Role (3 credits)
This course prepares students for entry into APRN practice. Topics include practice models, ethics, regulation, reimbursement, and quality outcomes.
NSG 625 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (2 credits)
This course strengthens history-taking, physical exam, and clinical problem solving across body systems. Students use systematic data collection to build differential diagnoses.
NSG 625L – Advanced Health Assessment Lab (1 credit)
This lab builds hands-on skills for comprehensive exams and documentation across the lifespan. Students practice structured assessment and apply critical thinking to findings.
DNP Core (14 credits):
NSG 600 – Leadership in Evolving Health Care Environments (3 credits)
This course develops leadership skills for changing health systems. Students assess their leadership style and build an e-portfolio with goals and action steps.
NSG 602 – Health Care Economics, Policy and Finance (3 credits)
This course reviews policy and economic forces that shape U.S. health care financing and delivery. Students use informatics to analyze costs at the organizational level.
NSG 610 – DNP Project Planning and Implementation (3 credits)
This course teaches implementation science methods used to improve quality and safety. Students critique research and design plans for sustainable change in complex settings.
NSG 608 – Program Evaluation (3 credits)
This course teaches tools to evaluate outcomes of practice change and improvement efforts. Students learn how to measure impact and assess results over time.
NSG 615 – DNP Project Proposal Seminar (2 credits)
This seminar guides students in writing and finalizing a DNP project proposal. Students complete approvals, prepare the presentation, and address IRB requirements.
Population/Role Cognates (15 credits):
NSG 570A – Pharmacotherapeutics Acute Care (3 credits)
This course applies pharmacology to acute and chronic conditions within the student’s specialty area. Students select, monitor, and adjust medications for physical and psychiatric disorders.
NSG 571A – Management: Adult/Gerontology I (3 credits)
This course focuses on diagnosis and management of common adult and older adult problems. Students build evidence-based plans that include prevention, screening, counseling, safety, and cost awareness.
NSG 571C – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness I (4 credits)
This course expands management skills to acute, chronic, and critical illness in adults and older adults. Students strengthen advanced decision-making for higher-acuity care.
NSG 571D – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness II (2 credits)
This course deepens advanced management of critical illness in adults. Students synthesize prior content to guide complex, high-risk care decisions.
NSG 572 – Quality and Safety for the Aging Adult (3 credits)
This course prepares nurse leaders to improve safety and quality for older adults. Students evaluate quality models and use interprofessional teamwork to drive improvement.
DNP Practica and Project (12 credits):
NSG 606 – DNP Specialty Practicum (variable credits; example 4 credits/336 hours)
This practicum provides supervised specialty practice hours planned with faculty. Students build advanced clinical competence and may complete clinical conference activities as required.
NSG 607 – DNP Immersion Residency (variable credits; example 5 credits/420 hours)
This residency provides focused DNP-level specialty practice under an approved preceptor. Students use extended immersion hours to reach advanced competency goals.
NSG 609A – DNP Project Practicum A (1 credit; 84 hours)
This course starts the DNP project practicum sequence. Students assess the organization, population, and problem to define a clear project focus.
NSG 609B – DNP Project Practicum B (1 credit; 84 hours)
This course focuses on project implementation. Students apply evidence, leadership, and informatics to carry out a feasible plan with stakeholder support.
NSG 609C – DNP Project Practicum C (1 credit; 84 hours)
This final practicum focuses on evaluation and dissemination. Students analyze outcomes and share results with professional and organizational audiences.
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN to DNP Clinicals
Students complete 756 total clinical hours distributed across specialty practicum, immersion residency, and DNP project practicum courses. Clinical experiences occur across diverse settings to prepare graduates for acute care practice.
- 336 clock hours in DNP Specialty Practicum
- 420 clock hours in DNP Immersion Residency
- 252 clock hours across DNP Project Practica (84 hours each for A, B, and C)
- Clinical sites include acute inpatient units, ICUs, emergency departments, subacute institutions, and specialty practices
- Faculty collaborate with students to arrange clinical placements aligned with professional goals
BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in nursing from regionally accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (both cumulative and prelicensure nursing GPA)
- Current RN licensure in the United States
- Minimum 6 months recent adult critical care or adult acute care nursing experience by application deadline
- Three professional letters of recommendation from individuals in leadership positions
- Letter from current manager strongly preferred
- Resume/CV including community service, leadership activities, scholarly work, and professional experience
- Substantive personal essay responses
- Personal interviews with faculty required
- TOEFL scores if applicable
- GRE scores not required
MSN to DNP – AGACNP (for APRNs)
The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP AGACNP program for APRNs is approximately $54,568 and would take 2-3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Estimate based on 38 credits × $1,436 per credit hour plus clinical administrative fees.
MSN to DNP (APRNs) Curriculum
The 38-credit curriculum for current APRNs includes DNP core courses, population/role cognates, and DNP practica and capstone components.
DNP Core (14 credits):
- NSG 600 – Leadership in Evolving Health Care Environments (3 credits)
- NSG 602 – Health Care Economics, Policy and Finance (3 credits)
- NSG 608 – Program Evaluation (3 credits)
- NSG 610 – DNP Project Planning and Implementation (3 credits)
- NSG 615 – DNP Project Proposal Seminar (2 credits)
Population/Role Cognates (15 credits):
- NSG 570A – Pharmacotherapeutics Acute Care (3 credits)
- NSG 571A – Management: Adult/Gerontology I (3 credits)
- NSG 571C – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness I (4 credits)
- NSG 571D – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness II (2 credits)
- NSG 572 – Quality and Safety for the Aging Adult (3 credits)
DNP Practica and Capstone (9 credits):
- NSG 606 – DNP Specialty Practicum (1 credit hour, 84 clock hours)
- NSG 607 – DNP Immersion Residency (5 credit hours, 420 clock hours)
- NSG 609A – DNP Project Practicum A (1 credit, 84 clock hours)
- NSG 609B – DNP Project Practicum B (1 credit, 84 clock hours)
- NSG 609C – DNP Project Practicum C (1 credit, 84 clock hours)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN to DNP (APRNs) Clinicals
Current APRNs complete 756 total clinical hours with reduced specialty practicum requirements compared to non-APRN students.
- 84 clock hours in DNP Specialty Practicum
- 420 clock hours in DNP Immersion Residency
- 252 clock hours across DNP Project Practica
- Clinical experiences tailored to individual professional goals
- Additional hours may be required based on individual academic portfolio review
MSN to DNP (APRNs) Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing with current APRN certification
- Gap analysis performed to determine prior coursework equivalency
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Current RN licensure in the United States
- Minimum 6 months recent adult critical care or adult acute care nursing experience
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV and personal essay
- Personal interviews with faculty
- Prior completion preferred: Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Transition to APRN Role, Research, Biostatistics/Epidemiology
MSN to DNP – AGACNP (for non-APRNs)
The estimated cost for the MSN to DNP AGACNP program for non-APRNs is approximately $84,724 and would take 2-3 years to complete.
Estimate based on 59 credits × $1,436 per credit hour plus clinical administrative fees.
MSN to DNP (non-APRNs) Curriculum
The 59-credit curriculum includes advanced practice nursing core, DNP core, population/role cognates, and DNP practica and project for students with master’s degrees who are not currently APRNs.
Advanced Practice Nursing Core (18 credits):
- NSG 531 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NSG 532 – Advanced Physiology (3 credits)
- NSG 533 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NSG 535 – Diagnostics for the APRN (3 credits)
- NSG 537 – Transition to the APRN Role (3 credits)
- NSG 625 – Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Life Span (2 credits)
- NSG 625L – Advanced Health Assessment Lab (1 credit)
DNP Core (14 credits):
- NSG 600 – Leadership in Evolving Health Care Environments (3 credits)
- NSG 602 – Health Care Economics, Policy and Finance (3 credits)
- NSG 608 – Program Evaluation (3 credits)
- NSG 610 – DNP Project Planning and Implementation (3 credits)
- NSG 615 – DNP Project Proposal Seminar (2 credits)
Population/Role Cognates (15 credits):
- NSG 570A – Pharmacotherapeutics Acute Care (3 credits)
- NSG 571A – Management: Adult/Gerontology I (3 credits)
- NSG 571C – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness I (4 credits)
- NSG 571D – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness II (2 credits)
- NSG 572 – Quality and Safety for the Aging Adult (3 credits)
DNP Practica and Project (12 credits):
- NSG 606 – DNP Specialty Practicum (4 credit hours, 336 clock hours)
- NSG 607 – DNP Immersion Residency (5 credit hours, 420 clock hours)
- NSG 609A – DNP Project Practicum A (1 credit, 84 clock hours)
- NSG 609B – DNP Project Practicum B (1 credit, 84 clock hours)
- NSG 609C – DNP Project Practicum C (1 credit, 84 clock hours)
The equivalent of Research and Biostatistics/Epidemiology must be completed prior to admission or added to the plan of study.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN to DNP (non-APRNs) Clinicals
Non-APRN students complete 1,008 total clinical hours, the highest requirement among all tracks to ensure competency development.
- 336 clock hours in DNP Specialty Practicum
- 420 clock hours in DNP Immersion Residency
- 252 clock hours across DNP Project Practica
- Clinical placements in acute inpatient units, ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty practices
- Faculty support for arranging clinical experiences matched to professional goals
MSN to DNP (non-APRNs) Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing from regionally accredited institution
- Not currently certified as an APRN
- Gap analysis performed to determine individualized coursework requirements
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Current RN licensure in the United States
- Minimum 6 months recent adult critical care or adult acute care nursing experience
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV and substantive personal essay
- Personal interviews with faculty required
- Research and Biostatistics/Epidemiology equivalent required prior to admission or added to plan of study
Postdoctoral Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the Postdoctoral AGACNP Certificate is approximately $30,156 and would take 1-1.5 years to complete.
Estimate based on 21 credits (typical based on gap analysis) × $1,436 per credit hour; actual credits range 12-28 depending on prior coursework.
Postdoctoral Certificate Curriculum
All plans of study are individualized based on gap analysis of prior doctoral APRN coursework. The certificate requires completion of 12-28 credits depending on previous graduate education.
Prerequisite Graduate Coursework (completed prior to or as part of program):
- Advanced pathophysiology
- Advanced pharmacology/applied pharmacology
- Advanced health assessment across the life span
- Diagnostics for the APRN
- Transition to the APRN role
- Health promotion
Specialty Curriculum Content (15 credits):
- NSG 570A – Pharmacotherapeutics Acute Care (3 credits)
- NSG 571A – Management: Adult/Gerontology I (3 credits)
- NSG 571C – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness I (4 credits)
- NSG 571D – Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute and Critical Illness II (2 credits)
- NSG 572 – Quality and Safety for the Aging Adult (3 credits)
Specialty Practica (6 credits):
- NSG 606 – DNP Specialty Practicum (1 credit hour, 84 clock hours)
- NSG 607 – DNP Immersion Residency (5 credit hours, 420 clock hours)
Gap analysis completed upon admission determines individualized coursework requirements.
More curriculum details are available here.
Postdoctoral Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 504 total direct care clinical hours across specialty practicum and immersion residency experiences. Clinical placements emphasize managing acutely or critically ill patient caseloads.
- 84 clock hours in DNP Specialty Practicum
- 420 clock hours in DNP Immersion Residency
- Additional practicum hours may be required based on individual needs
- Clinical sites include acute inpatient units, ICUs, emergency departments, specialty practices, and subacute institutions
- Clinical sites located in Chicago area
- Students work collaboratively with faculty to arrange clinical experiences
Postdoctoral Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Doctoral degree (DNP) in nursing as an advanced practice nurse
- Gap analysis determines required coursework based on previous graduate education
- Minimum 6 months recent adult critical care or adult acute care nursing experience
- Current RN licensure in the United States
- Three professional letters of recommendation from leadership positions
- Resume/CV with professional experience, scholarly activities, and community service
- Personal essay and interviews with faculty
- Program delivered part-time with full-time commitment required during final clinical term
- 2-3 days per week commitment when starting clinical practicum
Tuition
Graduate nursing students in post-licensure MSN, DNP, and PhD programs pay $1,436 per credit hour. All DNP students are charged a clinical administrative fee of $644 per semester (Fall and Spring). Students should expect annual increases in tuition rates.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
Applications for Fall 2026 admission are due March 2, 2026. The Fall 2026 term starts September 8, 2026.
Applications are submitted through NursingCAS, the centralized application service for nursing, along with a brief Rush supplemental application ($40 fee).
Accreditation
Rush University’s AGACNP DNP program has been ranked among the best DNP Gerontology Acute Care Programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and in the top five for the last several years.
Graduates are eligible for certification as an Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) of the American Nurses Association and state licensure where available.
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