University of Maryland ACNP Programs

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist Tracks:

  • Post-BSN DNP: AGACNP/CNS
  • Post-Master’s DNP: AGACNP/CNS
  • Postdoctoral Certificate: AGACNP/CNS

This blended ACNP/CNS program combines online coursework with face-to-face instruction, preparing RNs to provide evidence-based care to acutely and critically ill adults across critical care, trauma, and emergency settings.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
Post-BSN DNP AGACNP/CNS$74,080 (in-state)3–5 years
Post-Master’s DNP AGACNP/CNS$44,448–$74,080 (in-state)Varies by admission review
Postdoctoral Certificate AGACNP/CNS$42,596 (in-state)Varies by admission review

UMSON’s DNP program is ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report (2025), and 2024 AGACNP graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on the ANCC board exam.

Post-BSN DNP: AGACNP/CNS

The estimated cost for the Post-BSN DNP: AGACNP/CNS program is approximately $74,080 in-state or $131,440 out-of-state (80 credits × $926/$1,643 per credit hour) and can be completed in as little as 3 years full-time, with 4- and 5-year plans also available.

DNP Curriculum

Students complete 80 total credits (56 didactic, 24 clinical). Core coursework spans advanced physiology, pharmacology, health assessment, diagnostic reasoning, evidence-based practice, healthcare informatics, health policy, and a capstone DNP Project sequence. The Three-Year Plan of Study includes:

Fall Year 1

  • NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Life Span (3 credits)
  • NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span (4 credits)
  • NRSG 785: Professional Writing (1 credit)

Spring Year 1

  • NRSG 790: Methods for Research and Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NDNP 820: Diagnosis and Management 1: Intro to Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credits)
  • NDNP 821: Diagnosis and Management 1: Clinical (2 credits / 90 hours)

Summer Year 1

  • NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement (3 credits)
  • NDNP 804: Theory for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NPHY 620: Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill (2 credits)

Fall Year 2

  • NDNP 814: Advanced Practice Leadership in Healthcare Systems (3 credits / 45 hours)
  • NDNP 822: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions (4 credits)
  • NDNP 823: Diagnosis and Management 2: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (3 credits / 135 hours)
  • NDNP 809A: DNP Project Readiness (0 credits)

Spring Year 2

  • NDNP 807: Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice (3 credits / 45 hours)
  • NDNP 810: DNP Project Identification (3 credits / 90 hours)
  • NDNP 824: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions (4 credits)
  • NDNP 825: Diagnosis and Management 3: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (3 credits / 135 hours)

Summer Year 2

  • NURS 834: Translating Evidence to Practice (3 credits)
  • NDNP 826: Diagnosis and Management 4: Multiple Health Problems (2 credits)
  • NDNP 827: Diagnosis and Management 4: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (2 credits / 90 hours)
  • NDNP 811: DNP Project Development (1 credit)

Fall Year 3

  • NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health (3 credits)
  • NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation (1 credit / 45 hours)
  • NDNP 828: Diagnosis and Management 5: CNS Roles in Health Care Delivery – Clinical (4 credits / 180 hours)
  • NDNP 891: Advanced Practice/CNS Roles in Health Care Delivery Systems (3 credits)

Spring Year 3

  • NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination (1 credit)
  • NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)
  • NDNP 829: Diagnosis and Management 6: Integration of Practice and Leadership – Clinical (5 credits / 225 hours)

DNP Clinicals

Students complete a minimum of 1,080 clinical hours (1,000-hour DNP minimum) across 24 clinical credits. Clinical sites are assigned by faculty and span critical care, trauma, emergency departments, acute stroke, transplant, and specialty teams. Students are not required to find their own preceptors. Rotations are not typically assigned at the student’s place of employment.

  • 90 clinical hours in Diagnostic Reasoning
  • 135 hours in Common Health Conditions practicum (x2 semesters)
  • 90 hours in Multiple Health Problems practicum
  • 180 hours in CNS Roles in Health Care Delivery practicum
  • 225 hours in Integration of Practice and Leadership practicum

DNP Prerequisites & Admissions

  • BSN from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited institution
  • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
  • At least 2 consecutive years of full-time inpatient acute care nursing experience (adult patients) at time of application
  • ICU/ED experience preferred but not required
  • Active, unrestricted U.S. RN license
  • Online application + $75 non-refundable fee
  • Two professional recommendations
  • Concise essay (max 350 words): “How will earning this degree impact your care of the population you expect to serve after graduation?”
  • Typed résumé or CV
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Maryland residency application required if claiming in-state tuition
  • Selected applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview

Post-Master’s DNP: AGACNP/CNS

The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s DNP: AGACNP/CNS program ranges from approximately $44,448–$74,080 in-state or $78,864–$131,440 out-of-state (48–80 credits), with a timeline determined individually upon admission.

Post-Master’s DNP Curriculum

Total credits range from 48 to 80, depending on prior graduate coursework. All core requirements must be completed at UMSON or through approved transfer/waiver. Core requirements (38 credits) include:

  • NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
  • NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span (4 credits)
  • NRSG 790: Methods for Research and Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NDNP 804: Theory for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NRSG 785: Professional Writing (1 credit)
  • NDNP 807: Healthcare Informatics for Advanced Practice (3 credits / 45 hours)
  • NURS 834: Translating Evidence to Practice (3 credits)
  • NDNP 809A: DNP Project Readiness (0 credits)
  • NDNP 810: DNP Project Identification (3 credits / 90 hours)
  • NDNP 811: DNP Project Development (1 credit)
  • NDNP 812: DNP Project Implementation (1 credit / 45 hours)
  • NDNP 814: Advanced Practice Leadership in Healthcare Systems (3 credits / 45 hours)
  • NDNP 813: DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination (1 credit)
  • NDNP 710: Evidence-Informed Health Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)

APRN specialty courses add a minimum of 20 additional credits (up to 42 credits as needed to meet certification and 1,000-hour requirements).

Post-Master’s DNP Clinicals

Students must meet a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours for the DNP degree and certification eligibility. Clinical hour requirements are fulfilled through specialty-specific practicum courses. Prior clinical hours from the master’s program may be counted toward the total depending on admission review.

Post-Master’s DNP Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Master’s degree in nursing or a related field
  • Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
  • At least 2 consecutive years of full-time inpatient acute care nursing experience (adult patients)
  • Active, unrestricted U.S. RN license
  • Online application + $75 non-refundable fee
  • Two professional recommendations
  • Concise essay (max 350 words)
  • Typed résumé or CV
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Maryland residency application if claiming in-state tuition
  • Selected applicants invited for on-campus interview

Postdoctoral Certificate: AGACNP/CNS

The estimated cost for the Postdoctoral Certificate: AGACNP/CNS program is approximately $42,596 in-state or $75,578 out-of-state (46 credits × $926/$1,643 per credit hour), with timeline varying by individual plan of study determined at admission.

Note: credits may be reduced if prior equivalent coursework is approved by the program director.

Certificate Curriculum

Designed for doctorally prepared nurses adding or changing specialty, this 46-credit program includes:

  • NPHY 612: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 credits)
  • NURS 723: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (3 credits)
  • NDNP 819: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span (4 credits)
  • NDNP 820: Diagnosis and Management 1: Intro to Diagnostic Reasoning (2 credits)
  • NDNP 821: Diagnosis and Management 1: Clinical (2 credits / 90 hours)
  • NPHY 620: Pathological Alterations in the Critically Ill (2 credits)
  • NDNP 822: Diagnosis and Management 2: Common Health Conditions (4 credits)
  • NDNP 823: Diagnosis and Management 2: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (3 credits / 135 hours)
  • NDNP 824: Diagnosis and Management 3: Acute and Chronic Complex Conditions (4 credits)
  • NDNP 825: Diagnosis and Management 3: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (3 credits / 135 hours)
  • NDNP 826: Diagnosis and Management 4: Multiple Complex Clinical Syndromes (2 credits)
  • NDNP 827: Diagnosis and Management 4: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (2 credits / 90 hours)
  • NDNP 828: Diagnosis and Management 5: CNS Clinical Practicum/Seminar (4 credits / 180 hours)
  • NDNP 891: Clinical Nurse Specialist Role in Trauma/Critical Care/ED (3 credits)
  • NDNP 829: Diagnosis and Management 6: Clinical Practicum/Seminar (5 credits / 225 hours)

Certificate Clinicals

Students complete 990 total clinical hours across practicum courses spanning diagnostic reasoning, common and complex conditions, CNS roles, and leadership integration. Faculty assign clinical placements; students are not required to source their own sites.

Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Graduate degree in nursing (including DNP) and a doctoral degree (DNP, PhD, EdD, etc.)
  • Active registered nursing license
  • Must complete a Pre-Application Assessment form before applying; faculty conduct a gap analysis and build an individualized program plan
  • Primary focus on the “3 P’s”: Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Pathophysiology — transcripts and syllabi required as proof of prior completion
  • Online application + $75 non-refundable fee
  • Two professional recommendations
  • Concise essay (max 350 words)
  • Typed résumé or CV
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Active Maryland or compact state RN license
  • Maryland residency application if claiming in-state tuition
  • Selected applicants invited for interview

Tuition

UMSON charges $926 per credit hour (in-state) and $1,643 per credit hour (out-of-state) for all DNP tracks. Additional mandatory university fees ($6,862/year), program fees ($1,108+/year), and variable clinical/simulation lab fees apply on top of tuition.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Application Deadlines

DNP Post-BSN (Fall Admission):

  • Priority Deadline (scholarship consideration): November 3, 2025
  • Final Deadline: July 1, 2026

Postdoctoral Certificate – Fall Admission:

  • Priority Deadline: November 1
  • Final Deadline: July 31

Postdoctoral Certificate – Spring Admission:

  • Priority Deadline: October 1
  • Final Deadline: November 15

Accreditation

The UMSON DNP: AGACNP/CNS program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program has met the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification eligibility educational requirements, and graduates are eligible to sit for both the AGACNP and AG-CNS certification exams offered by the ANCC and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).