The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing offers six Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP:
- Post-BSN to DNP AG-ACNP Track
- Master of Science in Nursing AG-ACNP Track
- MSN AG-ACNP with Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) Track
Pediatric Acute Care NP:
- Post-BSN to DNP Pediatric Acute Care NP Track
- Master of Science in Nursing Pediatric Acute Care NP Track
- MSN Dual Pediatric NP (Primary & Acute Care) Track
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post-BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP | $50,019–$54,633 | ≈3 years, part-time |
| MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP | ≈$32,535 | 2.5 years, part-time |
| MSN AG-ACNP with RNFA | $26,028–$27,474 | ≈2.5 years, part-time |
| Post-BSN to DNP Pediatric Acute Care NP | $50,019–$54,633 | ≈3 years, part-time |
| MSN Pediatric ACNP | ≈$30,366 | 2.5 years, part-time |
All pathways are delivered through a distance-accessible format combining synchronous online classes with on-campus intensives, preparing graduates to diagnose and manage complex health conditions across acute and critical care settings for their respective patient populations.
The DNP program is ranked 10th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and AG-ACNP students may elect to add the RNFA subspecialty for perioperative practice preparation.
Post-BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Track
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN to DNP AG-ACNP program is approximately $50,019-$54,633 for distance-accessible students and would take approximately 3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Estimate based on 69-74 total credits at $723 per credit hour.
DNP Curriculum
The DNP AG-ACNP track requires 69-74 total credits, combining 42-47 credits of common DNP core courses with 27 credits of AG-ACNP specialty coursework. Students also complete NQI 702 for 3 additional credit hours.
Common DNP Core Courses (42-47 credits):
- NUR 737: Interprofessional Leadership Roles & Financial Considerations for Professional Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 745: Foundations of Scholarly Writing (3 credits)
- NUR 735: Population Health in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 731: Philosophical, Theoretical, and Conceptual Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 729: Evidence-Based Practice Design and Translation (3 credits)
- NUR 740: Health Policy and Politics: Implications in Health Care (3 credits)
- NUR 733: Informatics for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 700: Clinical Data Management and Analysis (3 credits)
- NUR 612: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NUR 613: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
- NUR 742: Program Evaluation and Methods (3 credits)
- NUR 614: Advanced Health Assessment and Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
- NUR 743: Evidence-Based Practice Strategies (3 credits)
- NUR 738L: DNP Project Development (2-3 credits)
- NUR 739L: DNP Project Implementation and Evaluation (1-5 credits, minimum 7 hours total)
AG-ACNP Specialty Courses (27 credits):
- NCA 618L: Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization (3 credits)
- NCA 721: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing I – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCA 722: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing II – Acute Care (4 credits)
- NCA 723: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing III – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCA 785L: Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCA 786L: Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCA 792L: Practicum III: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (4 credits)
DNP Clinicals
Clinical practicum experiences are completed under the supervision of acute and critical care advanced practice providers. Students are required to attend an annual on-campus DNP intensive between the first and second year (2-3 days) as well as an on-campus orientation and clinical specialty track intensives.
The DNP Scholarly Project serves as a capstone experience synthesizing scholarship in an advanced practice specialty.
DNP Admission Requirements
- BSN from a regionally accredited institution equivalent to UAB School of Nursing
- Unencumbered/unrestricted RN license in the state where coursework will be completed
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (cumulative or last 60 credit hours)
- GRE or GMAT required if GPA is below 3.2 (combined score of 297 on GRE verbal/quantitative or 480 on GMAT)
- Test scores must be within five years
- Three letters of professional reference
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Proof of completion of descriptive statistics course (equivalent to UAB’s MA-180) before starting program
- Application deadlines: Summer 2026 – October 9, 2025; Fall 2026 – February 13, 2026
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Track
The estimated cost for the MSN AG-ACNP program is approximately $32,535 for distance-accessible students (45 credits at $723 per credit hour) and would take 6-7 semesters to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AG-ACNP track requires 45 total credits, including 18 credits of core/foundation courses and 27 credits of specialty coursework.
Core and Foundation Courses (18 credits):
- NUR 737: Interprofessional Leadership Roles & Financial Considerations for Professional Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 612: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NUR 735: Population Health in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 729: Evidence-Based Practice Design and Translation (3 credits)
- NUR 613: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
- NUR 614: Advanced Health Assessment and Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
AG-ACNP Specialty Courses (27 credits):
- NCA 618L: Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization (3 credits)
- NCA 621: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing I – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCA 685L: Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCA 622: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nursing Practice II (4 credits)
- NCA 686L: Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCA 623: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing III – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCA 692L: Practicum III: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (4 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 10 credit hours of clinical practica under the supervision of acute and critical care advanced practice providers. Clinical experiences are coordinated with faculty, and students contract to work with certified nurse practitioners, registered nurses, or physicians as preceptors.
Students must maintain a current RN license in the state where clinical practice occurs. On-campus intensives are required to promote mastery of essential skill sets.
MSN Admission Requirements
- BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or CNEA)
- Unencumbered and unrestricted nursing license in the state of clinical practicum
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or on last 60 semester hours
- GRE or GMAT required if GPA is below 3.2 (combined score of 297 on GRE or 480 on GMAT)
- Test scores must be within five years
- GRE waiver available for applicants with completed graduate degree (3.0+ GPA)
- Three letters of professional reference
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Proof of completion of descriptive statistics course before starting program
- Application deadlines: Summer 2026 – October 9, 2025; Fall 2026 – February 13, 2026
MSN AG-ACNP with RNFA Track
The estimated cost for the MSN AG-ACNP with RNFA program is approximately $26,028-$27,474 for distance-accessible students and would take approximately 2.5 years to complete on a part-time basis with summer admission only.
Estimate based on 36-38 credits at $723 per credit hour.
MSN RNFA Curriculum
The RNFA subspecialty adds 9 credits to the AG-ACNP curriculum, totaling 36-38 credits for the combined program.
AG-ACNP Core Courses (27 credits):
- NCA 618L: Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization (3 credits)
- NCA 621: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing I – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCA 685L: Practicum I: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCA 622: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nursing Practice II (4 credits)
- NCA 686L: Practicum II: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCA 692L: Practicum III: Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (4 credits)
- NCA 623: Advanced Adult/Gerontology Nursing III – Acute Care (5 credits)
RNFA Subspecialty Courses (9 credits):
- NFA 620: Surgical Techniques (3 credits)
- NFA 621: Advanced Perioperative Nursing I (5 credits)
- NFA 622: Advanced Perioperative Nursing I Practicum (1-3 credits)
MSN RNFA Clinicals
RNFA graduates provide continuous and comprehensive patient care throughout the perioperative period in collaboration with surgeons. Clinical experiences include direct patient care management, pre/post-operative assessments, and assisting with surgical procedures. The RNFA practicum provides hands-on experience in perioperative settings.
MSN RNFA Admission Requirements
- All standard MSN AG-ACNP admission requirements apply
- At least two of three required reference letters must attest to applicant’s RN experience and knowledge, judgment, and skills specific to perioperative patient care
- Summer admission only (curriculum currently under revision due to credentialing updates)
- Must be admitted to AG-ACNP track first to register for RNFA courses
Post-BSN to DNP – Pediatric Acute Care NP Track
The estimated cost for the Post-BSN to DNP Pediatric Acute Care NP program is approximately $50,019-$54,633 for distance-accessible students (69-74 total credits at $723 per credit hour) and would take approximately 3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
DNP Pediatric Curriculum
The DNP Pediatric Acute Care NP track requires 69-74 total credits, combining 42-47 credits of common DNP core courses with 27 credits of pediatric acute care specialty coursework.
Common DNP Core Courses (42-47 credits):
- NUR 737: Interprofessional Leadership Roles & Financial Considerations for Professional Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 745: Foundations of Scholarly Writing (3 credits)
- NUR 735: Population Health in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 731: Philosophical, Theoretical, and Conceptual Foundations for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 729: Evidence-Based Practice Design and Translation (3 credits)
- NUR 740: Health Policy and Politics: Implications in Health Care (3 credits)
- NUR 733: Informatics for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 700: Clinical Data Management and Analysis (3 credits)
- NUR 612: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NUR 613: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
- NUR 742: Program Evaluation and Methods (3 credits)
- NUR 614: Advanced Health Assessment and Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
- NUR 743: Evidence-Based Practice Strategies (3 credits)
- NUR 738L: DNP Project Development (2-3 credits)
- NUR 739L: DNP Project Implementation and Evaluation (1-5 credits, minimum 7 hours total)
Pediatric Acute Care NP Specialty Courses (27 credits):
- NCC 618L: Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization (3 credits)
- NCC 721: Advanced Pediatric Nursing I – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCC 722: Advanced Pediatric Nursing II – Acute Care (4 credits)
- NCC 723: Advanced Pediatric Nursing III – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCC 785L: Practicum I: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCC 786L: Practicum II: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCC 792L: Practicum III: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (4 credits)
DNP Pediatric Clinicals
Clinical practicum experiences focus on acutely and critically ill pediatric patients under the supervision of pediatric acute care advanced practice providers. Students attend annual on-campus DNP intensives and clinical specialty track intensives to develop essential procedural and assessment skills. The DNP Scholarly Project provides a capstone experience in pediatric acute care practice improvement.
DNP Pediatric Admission Requirements
- BSN from a regionally accredited institution equivalent to UAB School of Nursing
- Unencumbered/unrestricted RN license in the state where coursework will be completed
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (cumulative or last 60 credit hours)
- GRE or GMAT required if GPA is below 3.2 (combined score of 297 on GRE verbal/quantitative or 480 on GMAT)
- Test scores must be within five years
- Three letters of professional reference
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Proof of completion of descriptive statistics course before starting program
- Application deadlines: Summer 2026 – October 9, 2025; Fall 2026 – February 13, 2026
Master of Science in Nursing – Pediatric Acute Care NP Track
The estimated cost for the MSN Pediatric Acute Care NP program is approximately $30,366 for distance-accessible students (42 credits at $723 per credit hour) and would take 6-7 semesters to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Pediatric Curriculum
The MSN Pediatric Acute Care NP track requires 42 total credits, including 18 credits of core/foundation courses and 24 credits of specialty coursework.
Core and Foundation Courses (18 credits):
- NUR 737: Interprofessional Leadership Roles & Financial Considerations for Professional Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 612: Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NUR 735: Population Health in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 729: Evidence-Based Practice Design and Translation (3 credits)
- NUR 613: Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
- NUR 614: Advanced Health Assessment and Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (3 credits)
Pediatric Acute Care NP Specialty Courses (24 credits):
- NCC 618L: Focus on Advanced Nursing Practice Specialization (3 credits)
- NCC 621: Advanced Pediatric Nursing I – Acute Care (5 credits)
- NCC 622: Advanced Pediatric Nursing II – Acute Care (4 credits)
- NDP 625: Advanced Dual Option Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (2 credits)
- NCC 685L: Clinical Practicum I: Advanced Pediatric Nursing – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCC 686L: Clinical Practicum II: Advanced Pediatric Nursing – Acute Care (3 credits)
- NCC 692L: Clinical Practicum III: Advanced Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (4 credits)
MSN Pediatric Clinicals
Students complete 10 credit hours of clinical practica focused on acutely and critically ill pediatric patients. Clinical experiences are coordinated with faculty, and students work with pediatric acute care nurse practitioners or physicians as preceptors. On-campus intensives provide hands-on skill development for pediatric procedural competencies.
MSN Pediatric Admission Requirements
- BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE or CNEA)
- Unencumbered and unrestricted nursing license in the state of clinical practicum
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or on last 60 semester hours
- GRE or GMAT required if GPA is below 3.2 (combined score of 297 on GRE or 480 on GMAT)
- Test scores must be within five years
- GRE waiver available for applicants with completed graduate degree (3.0+ GPA)
- Three letters of professional reference
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Proof of completion of descriptive statistics course before starting program
Tuition
Graduate tuition for distance-accessible coursework is $723 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students.
In-classroom courses are $628 per credit hour for Alabama residents and $1,550 per credit hour for non-residents.
Additional fees include an Educational Support and Technology Fee of $235 per course, estimated travel/lodging for annual on-campus DNP intensive of $800, books and supplies of $600 per term, student hospitalization insurance of approximately $270 per month (may be waived with proof of equal coverage), and annual background check of $92.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The UAB School of Nursing DNP program is ranked 10th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. UAB is Alabama’s only Academic Health Science Center, and all programs require completion with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and grades of B or better in all required nursing courses.
Additional ACNP Programs for Alabama Residents
- Jacksonville State University - Jacksonville
- University of Alabama in Huntsville - Huntsville
- University of South Alabama - Mobile