University of Michigan ACNP Programs

University of Michigan-Flint offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • MSN – AGACNP
  • BSN to DNP with MSN – AGACNP
  • Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP

All programs are taught in distance-learning (online) format with campus visits approximately once per semester.

Program Tracks Overview

Program NameEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSN AGACNP$71,2142 years full-time
BSN to DNP with MSN AGACNP$106,0643 years full-time
Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP$27,27412-16 months

Key features include:

  • CCNE-accredited programs with 86-100% first-time certification exam pass rates
  • BSN to DNP with MSN pathway allows students to earn MSN, sit for certification, and practice while completing DNP
  • Post-Master’s Certificate requires first and third clinical practica to be completed in Michigan

Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the MSN AGACNP program is approximately $71,214 for Michigan residents or $85,301 for non-residents , and the program takes 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.

Estimate based on 47 credits at distance learning rate.

MSN Curriculum

The 47-credit curriculum includes core courses and the AGACNP specialty track preparing graduates to coordinate care for acute and chronic illness across the adult lifespan:

Core Courses:

  • HS 700 – Biostatistics for Clinical Practice (3 credits)
  • NURS 500 – Models & Theories (4 credits)
  • NURS 502 – Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology (4 credits)
  • NURS 503 – Advanced Health Assessment (4 credits)
  • PHARMACY 620 – Pharmacotherapeutics I (3 credits)
  • PHARMACY 621 – Pharmacotherapeutics II (3 credits)

AGACNP Specialty Courses:

NUR 8210 – Determinants of Health and Health Disparities (3)
Examines biological, genetic, behavioral, cultural, environmental, economic, and policy factors that shape health outcomes. Focuses on health disparities in urban and vulnerable populations. Prepares students to develop research questions and collaborate across disciplines.

NUR 8615 – Informatics Innovations in Nursing (3)
Explores health informatics concepts relevant to advanced practice. Emphasizes data systems, technology tools, and their role in improving care quality and safety.

NUR 8620 – Foundations of Nursing as a Discipline (3)
Analyzes philosophical, historical, and scientific influences on nursing knowledge. Evaluates theories and models that guide advanced practice and DNP project development.

NUR 8625 – Evidence Based Nursing Practice: Theoretical and Methodological Issues (3)
Builds the scientific foundation for integrating evidence into clinical practice. Examines research methods and strategies that support informed decision-making.

NUR 8650 – Advanced Professional Leadership (3)
Prepares nurses to lead change within complex healthcare systems. Develops leadership skills for effective role transition and organizational improvement.

NUR 8653 – Healthcare Analytic Methods, Data Management, Evaluation, and Outcomes (4)
Teaches data appraisal, collection methods, and outcome evaluation. Focuses on using analytics to improve patient care, population health, and system performance.

NUR 8665 – Health Policy, Economics, Ethics and Evaluation in Advanced Practice Nursing (4)
Examines healthcare policy, finance, and ethics in advanced nursing practice. Prepares students to analyze policy gaps and advocate for vulnerable populations.

NUR 8895 – Population Health for Nursing (3)
Introduces epidemiologic principles for analyzing population health trends. Emphasizes use of data to design programs and lead system-level change.

More curriculum details are available here.

MSN Clinicals

The program requires 504 clinical hours distributed across two clinical practice courses:

  • 224 clinical hours in NURS 577 – AGACNP Clinical Practice I
  • 280 clinical hours in NURS 579 – AGACNP Clinical Practice II
  • Total 504 clinical hours minimum
  • Clinical experiences in acute care settings with critically ill patients
  • Focus on coordination and continuity of care for acute and chronic illness

MSN Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Master of Science in Nursing program admission requirements apply
  • BSN from accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA requirements set by Graduate Programs Office
  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • Application through UM-Flint Graduate Programs (not centralized application)
  • Campus visits required approximately once per semester
  • Program taught in distance-learning (online) format

BSN to DNP with MSN – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP with MSN AGACNP program is approximately $106,064 for Michigan residents or $127,043 for non-residents, and the program takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.

Estimate based on 70 credits at distance learning rate.

BSN to DNP with MSN Curriculum

The 70-73 credit curriculum allows students to earn MSN degree, sit for certification, practice as NP, then complete DNP requirements:

MSN Conferment Curriculum – Core Courses (26 credits):

  • NSC 503 – Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Professionals (3 credits)
  • NSC 504 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Professionals (3 credits)
  • NSC 601 – Biostatistics for Advanced Practice in Health Care (3 credits)
  • NSC 606 – Epidemiology for Advanced Practice in Health Care (2 credits)
  • NUR 607 – Informatics (3 credits)
  • NUR 700 – Healthcare Research I (3 credits)
  • NUR 703 – Healthcare Research and Theoretical Perspectives II (4 credits)
  • NUR 780 – Care of Persons across the Life Span Psychiatric Mental Health Concerns for Advanced Practice Professionals – Theory I (3 credits)
  • NUR 830 – Advanced Practice Role – Theory (2-3 credits)

AGACNP Emphasis Area (29 credits):

  • NUR 524 – Management of Acute/Chronic Problems across the Lifespan – Theory (4 credits)
  • NUR 525 – Management of Acute/Chronic Problems across the Lifespan-Practicum (4 credits)
  • NUR 604 – Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning – Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 860 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I-Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 861 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I-Practicum (3 credits)
  • NUR 862 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II-Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 863 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II-Practicum (3 credits)
  • NUR 864 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III-Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 865 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III-Practicum (3 credits)

DNP Completion Curriculum (18 credits):

  • NUR 810 – Advanced Transcultural Care (3 credits)
  • NUR 820 – Health Policy and Economics (2 credits)
  • NUR 832 – Advanced Practice Quality and Safety (2 credits)
  • NUR 840 – Organizational and Administrative Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 904 – Research and Implementation Science (3 credits)
  • NUR 905 – Advanced Practice Leadership Immersion (2-3 credits)
  • NUR 910 – DNP Scholarly Project (minimum 3 credits)

Alternatively, students can complete the newer curriculum structure with different course numbers as shown in the 3-year plan document.

More curriculum details are available here.

BSN to DNP with MSN Clinicals

Clinical hours are integrated throughout the program with specific requirements for MSN conferment and DNP completion:

MSN Conferment Clinical Hours:

  • Clinical hours integrated throughout AGACNP emphasis area courses
  • Practicum experiences in acute care settings
  • Total clinical hours for AGACNP specialty meet certification requirements

DNP Completion Clinical Hours:

  • 224 residency hours in NURS 950 – DNP Residency
  • 224 residency hours in NURS 960 – Capstone Research & Seminar I
  • 224 residency hours in NURS 965 – Capstone Research & Seminar II
  • 672 total DNP residency hours
  • Combined MSN and DNP clinical/residency hours exceed 1,000 hours

BSN to DNP with MSN Prerequisites & Admissions

For BSN-prepared students:

  • BSN from accredited institution
  • Application through UM-Flint Graduate Programs
  • Campus visits approximately once per semester
  • Distance-learning (online) format
  • All requirements must be completed within 7 years

For RN students without BSN (11-20 prerequisite credits required):

  • ENG 112 – Critical Writing and Reading (3 credits) – required only if no bachelor’s degree
  • NSC 180 – Legal and Moral Decisions in Health Care (3 credits)
  • NUR 300 – Theoretical Concepts for Professional Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 307 – Integrated Case Studies in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 316 – Research in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 413 – Theory and Application of Population Health Nursing for RNs (2 credits)
  • NUR 414 – Synthesis of Population Health Nursing for RNs (3 credits)
  • All undergraduate prerequisites must be completed within 2 years of admission at UM-Flint

Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate is approximately $27,274 for Michigan residents or $32,668 for non-residents, and the program takes 12-16 months (3-4 semesters) to complete.

Estimate based on 18 credits at distance learning rate.

Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum

The 18-22 credit certificate prepares licensed nurse practitioners to expand into acute care specialty with gap analysis determining individualized requirements:

Certificate Requirements (18-22 credits):

  • NUR 524 – Management of Acute/Chronic Problems across the Lifespan – Theory (4 credits) – may be waived if equivalent coursework completed within 5 years
  • NUR 860 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I-Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 861 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I-Practicum (3 credits)
  • NUR 862 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II-Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 863 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II-Practicum (3 credits)
  • NUR 864 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III-Theory (3 credits)
  • NUR 865 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III-Practicum (3 credits)

Important Notes:

  • NUR 861 (first clinical practicum) must be completed in Michigan – no exceptions
  • NUR 865 (third clinical practicum) must be completed in Michigan – no exceptions
  • NUR 863 (second clinical practicum) may be completed in state of residency if state and facility allow
  • Transfer of credit not permitted for certificate program
  • Coursework more than 3 years old must be reviewed for content alignment

More curriculum details are available here.

Post-Master’s Certificate Clinicals

The program requires at least 540 clinical hours for adult patients distributed across three clinical practicum courses:

  • Clinical hours in NUR 861 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care I-Practicum (must be in Michigan)
  • Clinical hours in NUR 863 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II-Practicum (may be in state of residency)
  • Clinical hours in NUR 865 – Special Topics in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care III-Practicum (must be in Michigan)
  • Minimum 540 total clinical hours required
  • All students required to come to campus three times during program for clinical intensives (NUR 861, 863, 865)
  • Clinical experiences in acute care settings across adult lifespan

Post-Master’s Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions

  • Master of Science in Nursing from regionally accredited institution with overall GPA of 3.2 on 4.0 scale
  • Current unencumbered license as nurse practitioner (in specialty other than AGACNP)
  • Current unencumbered RN license in United States
  • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Provider certification
  • One year full-time experience as RN in acute care setting (preferred ICU, ED, progressive care unit, or other specialty with independent acute-care experience)
  • Michigan Nursing License required for non-Michigan residents
  • Gap analysis of prior graduate coursework completed prior to admission
  • Syllabi required for prior advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment courses
  • Three letters of recommendation from faculty, supervisor, or APRN/PA/MD/DO
  • Professional goal statement (1-2 pages, APA format) describing career objectives and clinical interests
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Copy of current Nursing License
  • $55 application fee (waived for webinar attendees)
  • $100 enrollment deposit required upon admission (non-refundable, credited to first semester tuition)
  • Phone/in-person interview may be required
  • Minimum 9 credits must be completed at UM-Flint
  • Application deadline: December 1 for Summer admission

Tuition

Graduate nursing students pay distance learning tuition rates: $1,516 per credit hour for Michigan residents or $1,815 per credit hour for non-residents for 1 credit.

Rates increase incrementally up to $15,152 (Michigan resident) or $18,149 (non-resident) for 9+ credits per semester.

Additional mandatory fees total $241.19 per term and include registration fee, student government fee, legal services, and recreation fees. International students in F/J visa status pay additional $500 per full term. Lab fees are associated with certain nursing courses.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by program. Post-Master’s Certificate admits for Summer semester with December 1 deadline. Other programs should check with Graduate Programs Office for current deadlines. Students must attend required Zoom Orientation after admission.

Accreditation

The University of Michigan-Flint’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program and Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Graduates are qualified to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification examination. The program maintains an 86-100% first-time test pass rate on certification exams.

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