The University of Minnesota School of Nursing offersa Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:
Key highlights include:
- Hybrid format: primarily asynchronous online with synchronous Zoom sessions every other Tuesday evening
- Only one required on-campus visit — a three-day hands-on skills intensive during the summer semester
- Clinical hours (240–600) are individualized via gap analysis of each student’s prior academic and clinical experience
Program Track Overview
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the UMN Post-Graduate Certificate in AGACNP varies based on individual credit requirements (13–16 credits); UMN has not published a per-credit graduate nursing rate in the materials provided — prospective students should contact the School of Nursing directly for current tuition figures.
The program is completed over one year across three consecutive semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring).
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 13–16 graduate credits. Credit requirements are adjusted individually based on a gap analysis of each student’s prior APRN coursework and work experience. Students who have not completed the APRN core prerequisites prior to admission must do so to meet program requirements; the specialty coordinator evaluates prior coursework for equivalency.
All courses require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to receive the certificate.
APRN Core Courses (0–13 credits — waivable based on gap analysis)
NURS 5200 – Advanced Holistic Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 Cr.)
This course develops advanced health assessment skills for advanced practice nurses across the lifespan. Students learn to perform comprehensive physical and holistic evaluations of patients. The course trains students to distinguish normal findings, normal variations, and abnormal conditions. Students also use evidence-based data to guide complete and accurate health assessments.
NURS 5222 – Advanced Human Physiology (2 Cr.)
This course examines the cellular and system-level processes that maintain health and homeostasis. Students study how physiological systems such as cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, immune, and musculoskeletal systems function. The course explains neural and hormonal regulation of body systems across the lifespan. Students apply physiological concepts to recognize changes that signal disease and build clinical reasoning skills.
NURS 5226 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology (2 Cr.)
This course explores the mechanisms of disease across body systems and across the lifespan. Students review scientific principles that explain how normal physiological processes become altered in disease states. The course links pathophysiology to clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decisions. Case studies help students analyze both common and uncommon disorders using current research and clinical evidence.
NURS 5228 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 Cr.)
This course introduces core pharmacology principles used in advanced nursing practice. Students study major medication classes, related physiology, and drug action in the body. Topics include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic use of common medications. The course prepares students to understand how medications influence disease management and patient outcomes.
NURS 5229 – Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3–4 Cr.)
This course focuses on the clinical use of medications in patient care. Students learn prescribing principles, drug therapy selection, and safe prescription writing for advanced practice nurses. The course reviews pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and treatment guidelines for major medication classes. Students apply pharmacotherapy principles to manage health conditions across different age groups.
Required AGACNP Specialty Courses (13–16 credits)
NURS 5007 – Pharmacology for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (2 Cr.)
This course teaches the pharmacology used in acute care for adults and older adults. Students study pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safe prescribing practices for common medication groups. Topics include drug selection, dosing adjustments, adverse effects, drug interactions, and therapy monitoring. The course also reviews legal and ethical responsibilities related to prescribing medications in acute care settings.
NURS 7412 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Interventions and Procedures Practicum (1–2 Cr.)
This practicum introduces students to advanced procedures used in adult acute care practice. Students observe and practice common interventions that support patient stabilization and treatment. The course emphasizes development of patient-centered care plans that guide safe clinical decisions. Students apply procedural knowledge to improve outcomes for adults receiving acute care.
NURS 7415 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 Cr.)
This course is the first of two courses that focus on diagnostic evaluation and treatment of adults and older adults with acute or chronic illness. Students learn to apply nursing theory, clinical research, and evidence-based guidelines to patient care decisions. The course emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for common acute care conditions. Students practice selecting safe and effective interventions for adult and geriatric patients.
NURS 7416 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum I (2–3 Cr.)
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience in acute care settings. Students apply the AGACNP role through patient assessment, diagnostic testing, and treatment planning. The course emphasizes care for adults with acute conditions that do not require intensive or critical care support. Students also practice patient education, follow-up care, and evaluation of treatment outcomes.
NURS 7425 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II (3 Cr.)
This course expands diagnostic and treatment skills for complex and high-acuity conditions. Students learn to manage adults and older adults who require intensive or critical care interventions. The course integrates clinical evidence, nursing theory, and interprofessional collaboration to guide treatment decisions. Topics include ethical practice, health policy, patient safety, and quality improvement in acute and critical care environments.
NURS 7426 – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (2–3 Cr.)
This practicum focuses on advanced clinical practice in high-acuity and critical care environments. Students care for adults with complex or life-threatening conditions in intensive or emergency settings. The course emphasizes advanced diagnostics, therapeutic decision making, and care coordination. Students refine their skills in patient management, education, and evaluation of clinical outcomes in critical care practice.
See the course catalog page for more details.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical hours range from 240 to 600 depending on each student’s gap analysis results, with clinical experiences coordinated by the UMN School of Nursing through partnerships with acute care hospitals across the Twin Cities. The one required on-campus component is a three-day hands-on skills intensive during the summer semester. Clinical settings reflect the real-world AGACNP scope and may include:
- Acute care hospitals and hospital-based specialty clinics
- Cardiovascular and critical care units
- Hospitalist and general medicine services
- Settings where invasive procedures are performed (arterial lines, central venous catheters, intubation, chest tube insertion/removal, lumbar puncture, paracentesis, thoracentesis)
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in a clinical nursing specialty area from an accredited nursing program — or — MSN in a clinical nursing specialty with concurrent enrollment in the UMN Post-Masters DNP track
- Entry-level nursing degree (BSN, BAN, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, or entry-level Master of Nursing)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the most recently obtained degree
- Valid, unencumbered U.S. nursing license
- Valid Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license in the United States
- U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or holders of a visa permitting academic enrollment (program does not qualify for F-1 student visa due to hybrid delivery)
- Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency per UMN Graduate School requirements
- Applications submitted through NursingCAS (centralized nursing application service)
- Prospective applicants should contact the specialty area coordinator before applying — enrollment is limited
- Application review begins December 2; rolling consideration until capacity is reached
Tuition
The University of Minnesota did not publish a per-credit graduate nursing tuition rate in the materials available at the time of writing.
The tuition page provided reflects undergraduate cost-of-attendance estimates only.
Prospective students should contact the School of Nursing directly for current graduate tuition rates: GopherNursing@umn.edu or 612-625-7980.
More tuition details are available here.
Accreditation
The University of Minnesota’s Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program, including the AGACNP certificate, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates who complete required coursework and practice hours meet the eligibility criteria to sit for the AGACNP national certification examination offered through either the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
More ACNP Programs in Minnesota
- College of St. Scholastica - Duluth
- Winona State University - Winona