Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 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 entirely online with occasional travel to the Lubbock campus for on-campus skills labs and intensive sessions.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $28,272 | 2–3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $21,204 | 1.5–2 years (full-time) |
The AGACNP track prepares graduates to provide comprehensive care for adults who are chronically, acutely, or critically ill, with graduates eligible to sit for certification exams through ANCC or AACN.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AGACNP program is approximately $28,272 for Texas residents and would take 2-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on $589 per credit hour x 48 credits.
MSN Curriculum
The 48-credit program includes three main course categories:
Required Core Nursing Courses (12 credits)
NURS 5324 – Population Health: Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course introduces population health and environmental health concepts for advanced nursing practice. Students study epidemiology basics and major population health frameworks. The course connects these ideas to health systems and health management.
NURS 5351 – Scientific Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
This course builds skill in research review and evidence-based decision making. Students critique qualitative and quantitative studies tied to practice problems. The course also covers tools such as measurement and instrument evaluation.
NURS 5352 – Leadership for Healthcare
This course reviews leadership theory and leadership skills for healthcare change. Students study policy, advocacy, and how systems affect outcomes. The course emphasizes communication, collaboration, ethical decisions, and change leadership.
NURS 5353 – Informatics, Quality and Safety
This course teaches core informatics and quality improvement methods. Students use care technology to support safer and better care. The course introduces QI tools such as root cause analysis and workflow redesign.
Prerequisite Nursing Courses (17 credits)
NURS 5220 – Critical Care Pharmacology
This course focuses on medication selection for acute and critical conditions. Students apply pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to prescribing decisions. The course uses evidence to support safe practice across acute care settings.
NURS 5312 – Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
This course explains the APRN role and how it has evolved. Students examine key issues that shape advanced practice and clinical work. The course supports role clarity and professional expectations.
NURS 5320 – Diagnostic Methods for the Advanced Practice Nursing Role (on-campus skills lab required)
This course builds diagnostic reasoning and procedural skills for APRN practice. Students learn to collect, sort, and act on clinical data across the lifespan. The course includes an on-campus skills lab.
NURS 5342 – Advanced Health Assessment (on-campus OSCE required)
This course strengthens advanced assessment and history skills for APRN practice. Students apply evidence-based health promotion and clinical reasoning during assessment. The course includes an on-campus OSCE.
NURS 5343 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
This course applies drug principles to medication plans across the lifespan. Students use assessment findings and guidelines to make safe prescribing choices. The course supports prescriptive decision making in advanced practice roles.
NURS 5345 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
This course links disease processes to clinical signs and patient management. Students apply pathophysiology to identify and address health problems. The course covers conditions across the lifespan.
Population Focus Courses (19 credits)
NURS 5410 – Essentials of Acute Care
This course introduces AGACNP care for acutely and chronically ill adults and older adults. Students learn assessment, diagnosis, and treatment basics for acute care practice. The course also addresses scope of practice, procedures, health promotion, and prevention.
NURS 5460 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I
This course develops early AGACNP skills in managing adult and older adult acute and chronic conditions. Students practice differential diagnosis and initial treatment planning. The course also supports AGACNP role development through clinical learning.
NURS 5561 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II
This course builds advanced management skills for adult and geriatric acute care problems. Students gain experience across prevention, acute care, and critical care settings. The course emphasizes evidence-based decisions with preceptor guidance.
NURS 6652 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum
This practicum provides focused clinical immersion in the AGACNP role. Students apply advanced practice skills and strengthen role competency in acute care settings. The course also reviews key responsibilities tied to full-scope AGACNP practice.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete progressive clinical experiences totaling approximately 1,225 hours across three population focus courses. Clinical requirements include:
- ACLS certification required prior to first population focus clinical course
- On-campus skills labs and OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) required for multiple courses
- Clinical hours measured on a 1:3.5 basis (240 clinical hours = approximately 69 credit hours)
- Preceptor-guided experiences in acute care settings
MSN Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Valid unencumbered RN license
- BSN from CCNE or ACEN-accredited program
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- Undergraduate research and statistics courses with grade of C or better
- BLS certification from AHA or American Red Cross
Track-Specific Requirements:
- Minimum 1 year RN experience in ICU, emergency department, or flight nursing within past 5 years
- Three professional letters of reference
- Personal statement (maximum 500 words)
- Response to track-specific essay questions
- Computer literacy test completion
- Current CV/resume
Non-Academic Considerations:
- Evidence of leadership in nursing
- Professional organization membership
- Diversity of work/life experience
- Texas residency or TTUHSC service area preference
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP program is approximately $21,204 for Texas residents and would take 1.5-2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on $589 per credit hour x 36 credits.
Certificate Curriculum
The 36-credit certificate program includes the same prerequisite and population focus courses as the MSN track:
Required Nursing Courses (36 credits):
- NURS 5410 – Essentials of Acute Care
- NURS 5220 – Critical Care Pharmacology
- NURS 5312 – Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing Role
- NURS 5320 – Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (on-campus intensive required)
- NURS 5342 – Advanced Health Assessment (on-campus intensive required)
- NURS 5343 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Nurses in Advanced Practice
- NURS 5345 – Advanced Practice Nursing: Application of Pathophysiology
- NURS 5460 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I (on-campus OSCE required)
- NURS 5561 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (OSCE required)
- NURS 6652 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practicum (on-campus OSCE required)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the MSN program with progressive experiences across population focus courses. Clinical components include:
- ACLS certification required prior to first clinical course
- On-campus OSCE assessments for clinical competency
- Approximately 1,225 total clinical hours
- Preceptor arrangements in acute care settings near student’s home community
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Valid unencumbered RN license
- MSN degree from CCNE or ACEN-accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate coursework (case-by-case consideration for GPA < 3.0)
- ACLS certification
- BLS certification from AHA or American Red Cross
Track-Specific Requirements:
- Minimum 1 year RN experience in critical care (ICU, ER, or flight nursing) within past 5 years
- Three professional letters of reference
- Personal statement (minimum 500 words)
- Response to track-specific essay questions
- Computer literacy test completion
- Participation in personal interview with faculty upon invitation
Tuition
Texas residents pay $589 per credit hour for distance learning programs.
Out-of-state students also pay a flat rate of $589 per credit hour.
Additional fees include a record processing fee of $15, learning resource fee of $18.56 per credit hour, information technology fee of $24.02 per credit hour, malpractice insurance fee of $17 annually, and student services fee up to $132 per term. A $175 non-refundable placement/orientation fee is required upon acceptance.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The AGACNP program meets the educational standards set by the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF), and graduates are eligible to sit for certification exams through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
Find More ACNP Programs for Texas Nurses
- Baylor University - Waco
- Texas Christian University - Fort Worth
- Texas Woman's University - Denton
- University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington
- UT Health San Antonio - San Antonio
- University of Texas at Tyler - Tyler
- University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso
- University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston