South Dakota State University offers a Postgraduate Certificate in AGACNP track.
The program is delivered entirely online with field-based practicums.
Students must hold current FNP certification to apply, and the program builds upon existing family nurse practitioner education to prepare graduates for acute care settings.
Program Track Overview
Postgraduate Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Postgraduate Certificate in AGACNP ranges from $9,600 to $14,430 and takes approximately 1 year to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The program requires 15 total credits with individualized study plans developed with the APRN Program Director.
NURS 738 – AGACNP Integration I (3 Credits)
This course introduces the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner role with a focus on acute care practice. Students build core skills in ethical decision-making, patient safety, teamwork, and evidence-based care for adult and older adult populations. Emphasis remains on professional responsibilities within acute and complex care settings.
NURS 739 – AGACNP Integration II (3 Credits)
This course deepens understanding of the AGACNP role through advanced clinical and professional concepts. Students strengthen competencies in safe, ethical, and collaborative care delivery for acutely ill adults and older adults. Content supports role readiness and continuity of advanced practice preparation.
NURS 741 – AGACNP Practicum (1–9 Credits)
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience with approved AGACNP preceptors in acute care environments. Students apply advanced assessment, diagnostic, and management skills in real-world settings. Clinical hours support progression toward advanced practice competence and certification readiness.
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
The program includes 500 clinical hours completed through NURS 741, which offers flexible scheduling options. Students determine their completion timeline by splitting practicum credits between fall, spring, or summer terms. Students travel to the Sioux Falls campus once during practicums for hands-on procedures and simulation practice.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Current RN and FNP licensure in the United States or its territories
- Master’s degree in nursing from ACEN or CCNE-accredited program
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- 1,500 hours of documented nursing practice experience
- Completed graduate-level courses: Advanced Physical Assessment (Lifespan), Advanced Pathophysiology (Lifespan), Advanced Pharmacology/Pharmacotherapeutics (Lifespan) with 3.0 course grade
- Gap analysis review of previous graduate courses required
- Completed application via NursingCAS website and SDSU Graduate School
- Online written and verbal assessment through Kira Talent
- Clear background check, FBI fingerprint, and drug screen
- BLS for Healthcare Providers and ACLS certification
- Professional liability insurance ($1M per incident/$3M aggregate)
- Current immunizations: TB test, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tdap, Influenza, COVID-19 (optional)
- GRE not required
- International students: TOEFL 81 (internet-based), IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 110
Tuition & Fees
Graduate tuition costs $640 per credit for South Dakota residents and South Dakota Advantage students, or $962 per credit for non-residents. Estimated costs include general activity fee, university support fee, nursing delivery fee, and program delivery fee.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Application Deadlines
- Application Opens: August
- Priority Deadline: December 1
- Second Deadline: March 1
- Final Deadline: April 15
- Program Start: August
Accreditation & Certification
The postgraduate APRN certificate program at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are prepared to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) certification exam, with a 100% APRN pass rate in 2024.