University of Delaware offers 3 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing – MSN AGACNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice – DNP AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – Certificate AGACNP
All tracks are delivered in a primarily online format with structured clinical placement support and a 100% board pass rate reported across programs.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN ACNP | $37,212 | 2–3 Years (PT) |
| Certificate AGACNP | $15,948–$35,440 | 2–3 Years (PT) |
| DNP ACNP | ~$75,888 | 3 Years FT / 5 Years PT |
Students benefit from dedicated preceptor placement assistance and scholarship-supported tuition rates.
Master of Science in Nursing – ACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is $37,212 (42 credits × $886 per credit) and would take 2–3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AGACNP curriculum blends advanced practice core courses with acute care specialty preparation. Students complete 42 total credits.
Core and specialty courses include:
NURS 618 – The Role of the Nurse Practitioner
Explores NP roles amid current healthcare issues like social determinants, finances, ethics, law, and LACE model (licensure, accreditation, certification, education). Analyzes clinical practice impacts; 2 credits, Winter, prereq NP program matriculation.
NURS 620 – Advanced Health Assessment
Builds comprehensive history-taking and physical exam skills for culturally sensitive, patient-centered care across the lifespan. Integrates advanced assessment techniques; 3 credits, Spring, dept permission required.
NURS 621 – Advanced Pathophysiology
Uses body systems approach to study pathophysiologic processes in common disorders across the lifespan. Examines disease basis via evidence-based practice and population health; emphasizes health outcome impacts; 3 credits, dept permission required.
NURS 622 – Advanced Pharmacology
Prepares NP prescribers for safe therapeutics across the lifespan, covering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, interactions, and considerations (genetic, cultural, legal, ethical, economic). Focuses on drug categories by population; 3 credits, Summer, dept permission required.
NURS 630 – Advanced Diagnostic Reasoning
Develops NP diagnostic skills through case studies on acute/chronic illnesses across the lifespan. Formulates differential diagnoses from symptoms/exams and identifies advanced procedures; 2 credits, Summer, prereqs NURS 620, 621, 622.
NURS 628 – Evidence-Based Practice Research and Theory
Examines nursing science via theory/research foundations for evidence-based practice. Covers qualitative/quantitative methods, ethics, critical appraisal, synthesis; emphasizes outcome improvements; 3 credits, Spring/Summer, MSN students only.
NURS 641 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I
First of three online didactic courses for adult gerontology ACNP students. Focuses on identifying and managing selected medical conditions across the adult lifespan in hospitalist and subspecialty settings. Integrates clinical assessments, differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, diagnostics, pharmacology, and patient care; 3 credits, Fall, co-req NURS 644.
NURS 642 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II
Second online didactic course in ACNP series for adult gerontology students. Covers identification and management of surgical and trauma conditions across the adult lifespan through case discussions. Applies assessments, diagnoses, pathophysiology, diagnostics, pharmacology, and management; 3 credits, Spring, prereq NURS 641, co-req NURS 645.
NURS 643 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III
Third online didactic course for ACNP students emphasizing critical care conditions across the adult lifespan. Builds skills in assessments, differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, diagnostics, pharmacology, and management via case discussions; 3 credits, Summer, prereqs NURS 641 & 642, co-req NURS 646.
NURS 644 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I
Initial clinical practicum for ACNP students in medical/hospitalist and subspecialty settings. Develops advanced interviewing, assessment, pathophysiology application, diagnostics, management, pharmacology, and education in mentored interdisciplinary care; 3 credits, Fall, co-req NURS 641.
NURS 645 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II
Second practicum focusing on surgical subspecialties and trauma populations across the adult lifespan. Enhances advanced interviewing and assessment skills in mentored clinical experiences; 3 credits, Spring, prereq NURS 644, co-req NURS 642.
NURS 646 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III
Final practicum in critical care settings for ACNP students across the adult lifespan. Applies pathophysiology, assessments, diagnostics, management, pharmacology, and education in mentored interdisciplinary frameworks; 3 credits, Summer, prereqs NURS 644 & 645, co-req NURS 643.
NURS 921 – Clinical Role Immersion
Final clinical course transitioning NP students to independent practice in primary/mental health settings. Applies informatics, policy, integrated care, leadership for full-spectrum services; 1-3 credits, Spring, matriculated grad students only.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 816 practicum hours embedded within specialty courses.
Clinical experience includes:
- Three supervised practicum rotations (204 hours each)
- Clinical role immersion (204 hours)
- Faculty-approved placements arranged in collaboration with the university
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- BSN from an accredited institution
- Active U.S. RN license
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Official transcripts
- TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable)
- Application through NursingCAS
Application Deadlines:
- July 1 (Fall)
- November 15 (Winter)
- December 10 (Spring)
- April 1 (Summer)
Post-Master’s Certificate – ACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate program is $15,948–$35,440 (18–40 credits × $886 per credit) and would take 2–3 years to complete part-time.
Certificate Curriculum
The curriculum is individualized following a gap analysis. The AGACNP specialty requires at least 18 credits:
- NURS 641 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I
- NURS 642 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II
- NURS 643 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III
- NURS 644 – Practicum I
- NURS 645 – Practicum II
- NURS 646 – Practicum III
Credit requirements depend on prior coursework.
More curriculum details available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 750 clinical hours, based on prior graduate clinical work.
Clinical features include:
- Faculty-supported preceptor placement
- Direct acute care experience for adults age 18 through end of life
- Certification exam preparation for ANCC
Admissions Requirements
- MSN from CCNE or ACEN-accredited school
- Minimum 3.5 graduate GPA
- Active multi-state RN license
- Current NP or CNS certification
- Enrollment availability
Application Deadlines:
- December 10 (Spring start for MSN with NP)
- April 1 (Summer start)
- July 1 (Fall start)
Doctor of Nursing Practice – ACNP
The estimated cost for the Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGACNP program is approximately $75,888 (68 credits × $1,116 per credit) and would take 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time to complete.
DNP Curriculum
The DNP curriculum integrates advanced clinical practice, leadership, and population health.
Core DNP courses include:
- EPID 603 – Biostatistics for Health Sciences
- NURS 813 – Leadership and Innovation in Population Health
- NURS 843 – Policy & Finance
- NURS 844 – Population Health Informatics
- NURS 883 – Evidence-Based Practice I
- NURS 886 – Evidence-Based Practice II
- NURS 873–910 – DNP Project Series
AGACNP concentration courses:
- NURS 641–646 – Acute Care NP I–III with Practicum
DNP Clinicals
Students complete 1,016 total clinical hours:
- 816 direct care hours
- 200 indirect care hours
- Intensive DNP project immersion
- Clinical placements approved in any state
Admissions Requirements
Post-Baccalaureate Applicants:
- BSN from accredited program
- 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Active RN license
- One year of RN experience
Post-Master’s Applicants:
- MSN with national certification
- 3.5 graduate GPA
- Documented advanced clinical hours
All applicants must submit:
- Personal statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Interview (DNP)
Application Deadline: July 1
Tuition
- MSN & Certificate: $886 per credit (Dean’s Scholarship rate)
- DNP: $1,116 per credit
- Online students do not pay campus-based mandatory fees
- Graduate catalog outlines additional cost details
More tuition details are available here.
Accreditation
The MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at the University of Delaware are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The School of Nursing is also recognized as a National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence member.