University of South Alabama (USA) offers 5 Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Tracks:
- BSN-to-DNP — Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- BSN-to-DNP — Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC)
- MSN — Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- MSN — Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC)
- MSN — Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP)
All tracks deliver didactic coursework online with required on-campus Clinical Skills Intensives and clinicals arranged in your region with approved preceptors.
Highlights include simulation-based skills training, flexible clinical placement support, and acute-care experience requirements that align with national certification standards.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Estimated Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-to-DNP — AGACNP | $40,986 | ~3.5 years |
| BSN-to-DNP — PNP-AC | $40,986 | ~3.5 years |
| MSN — AGACNP | $26,730 | ~2 years |
| MSN — PNP-AC | $26,730 | ~2 years |
| MSN — Dual Role (Family NP/AGACNP | $33,858 | ~2.5–3 years |
BSN-to-DNP – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP AGACNP program is $40,986 and would take ~3.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN to DNP Curriculum
The 69-credit BSN to DNP Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP program integrates support courses, MSN specialty courses, DNP core courses, and DNP Project Planning & Development and Residency courses. The program does not require thesis or dissertation but requires evidence-based scholarly project.
Support Courses (9 Credits):
- NU 518 Advanced Nursing Assessment (3 credits)
- NU 545 Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing (3 credits)
- NU 578 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP Specialty Courses (24 Credits):
- AHN 568 Introduction to Adult-Geron Acute Care NP (3 credits)
- AHN 571 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Issues for Adult-Geron Acute Care NP (2 credits)
- AHN 572 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP I (3 credits)
- AHN 573 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum I – 180 Clinical Hours (3 credits)
- AHN 574 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP II (3 credits)
- AHN 575 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum II – 180 Clinical Hours (3 credits)
- AHN 576 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum III – 240 Clinical Hours (4 credits)
- AHN 577 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP III (3 credits)
DNP Core Courses (24 Credits):
- NU 607 Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits) – Required for MSN completion
- NU 608 Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare (3 credits) – Required for MSN completion
- NU 610 Healthcare Policy and Finance (3 credits) – Required for MSN completion
- NU 613 Organizational & Systems Leadership (3 credits) – Required for MSN completion
- NU 611 Translating Evidence Into Practice Systems (3 credits)
- NU 612 Clinical Prevention and Population Health (3 credits)
- NU 615 Quality Improvement and Outcomes Assessment (3 credits)
- NU 616 Data Management & Decision Making in Complex Healthcare Systems (3 credits)
Adult-Gerontological Acute Care DNP Project Planning & Development and Residency (12 Credits):
- AHN 604 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP PP&D (3 credits)
- AHN 617 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Residency I – 180 specialty clinical hours (3 credits)
- AHN 618 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Residency II – 180 specialty clinical hours (3 credits)
- AHN 619 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Residency III – 180 specialty clinical hours (3 credits)
Total Program: 69 Credits
BSN to DNP Clinicals
- Minimum 1,000 practice hours across specialty practicums and DNP residencies
- Mandatory Clinical Skills Intensive during the term of AHN 568 and AHN 571
BSN to DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN; at least one year RN for admission and two years acute-care experience before clinicals (with ICU requirement)
- Online format with limited on-campus requirements; project completed in home region with approved mentor
- No thesis; evidence-based quality improvement project required
BSN-to-DNP – Pediatric Acute Care NP (PNP-AC)
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP PNP-AC program is $40,986 and would take ~3.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
PNP-AC Curriculum
Support Courses
- NU 518 – Advanced Nursing Assessment 3 credit hours
- NU 545 – Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing 3 credit hours
- NU 578 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses 3 credit hours
Pediatric Acute Care NP Specialty Courses
- MCN 558 – Introduction to Pediatric Acute Care NP 3 credit hours
- MCN 571 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Neonatal/Pediatric Acute NP 2 credit hours
- MCN 562 – Pediatric Acute Care NP I 3 credit hours
- MCN 563 – Pediatric Acute Care NP Practicum I – 180 Clinical Hours 3 credit hours
- MCN 564 –Pediatric Acute Care NP II 3 credit hours
- MCN 565 – Pediatric Acute Care NP Practicum II – 180 Clinical Hours 3 credit hours
- MCN 566 – Pediatric Acute Care NP Practicum III – 240 Clinical Hours 4 credit hours
- MCN 567 – Pediatric Acute Care NP III 3 credit hours
DNP Core Courses
- NU 607 – Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice 3 credit hours
- NU 608 – Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare 3 credit hours
- NU 610 – Healthcare Policy and Finance 3 credit hours
- NU 613 – Organizational & Systems Leadership 3 credit hours
- NU 611 – Translating Evidence Into Practice Systems 3 credit hours
- NU 612 – Clinical Prevention and Population Health 3 credit hours
- NU 615 – Quality Improvement and Outcomes Assessment 3 credit hours
- NU 616 – Data Management & Decision Making in Complex Healthcare Systems 3 credit hours
Pediatric Acute Care NP DNP Project Planning & Development and Residency
- MCN 604 – Pediatric Acute Care NP PP&D (3 credit hours)
- MCN 617 – Pediatric Acute Care NP Residency I – 180 specialty clinical hours 3 credit hours
- MCN 618 – Pediatric Acute Care NP Residency II – 180 specialty clinical hours 3 credit hours
- MCN 619 – Pediatric Acute Care NP Residency III – 180 specialty clinical hours 3 credit hours
PNP-AC Clinicals
- 1,000+ total practice hours including pediatric acute-care residencies
- Mandatory Clinical Skills Intensive during the term of MCN 558 and MCN 571
PNP-AC Prerequisites & Admissions
- BSN; two years pediatric acute-care experience before clinicals
- Online delivery; regional preceptors; evidence-based DNP project with approved mentor
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is $26,730 and would take ~2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 45-credit MSN Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP curriculum integrates support courses, MSN core courses, and specialty courses preparing graduates to synthesize advanced knowledge, theories, and research for specialized nursing practice and leadership.
Support Courses (9 Credits):
- NU 518 Advanced Nursing Assessment (3 credits)
- NU 545 Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing (3 credits)
- NU 578 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
MSN Core Courses (12 Credits):
- NU 607 Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NU 608 Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare (3 credits)
- NU 610 Healthcare Policy and Finance (3 credits)
- NU 613 Organizational & Systems Leadership (3 credits)
Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP Specialty Courses (24 Credits):
- AHN 568 Introduction to Adult-Geron Acute Care NP (3 credits)
- AHN 571 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Issues for Adult-Geron Acute Care NP (2 credits)
- AHN 572 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP I (3 credits)
- AHN 573 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum I – 180 Clinical Hours (3 credits)
- AHN 574 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP II (3 credits)
- AHN 575 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum II – 180 Clinical Hours (3 credits)
- AHN 576 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum III – 240 Clinical Hours (4 credits)
- AHN 577 Adult-Geron Acute Care NP III (3 credits)
RN to MSN Additional Courses: For registered nurses with bachelor’s degree from accredited institution in non-nursing discipline, also complete:
- NU 506 Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for Professional Nurses (4 credits)
- NU 507 Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nurses (4 credits)
- NU 508 Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Professional Nurses (4 credits)
Total Program: 45 Credits (BSN to MSN) or 57 Credits (RN to MSN)
MSN Clinicals
- 600+ supervised acute-care hours across three practicums (180 + 180 + 240)
- Mandatory Clinical Skills Intensive during the term of AHN 568 and AHN 571
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Two years recent acute-care RN experience (one year ICU within last five years)
- Online application; on-campus orientation in the fall specialty start; possible later on-campus sessions
- No GRE/MAT; background check, drug screen, immunizations; ability to secure clinical site
Master of Science in Nursing – Pediatric Acute Care NP (PNP-AC)
The estimated cost for the MSN-PNP-AC program is $26,730 and would take ~2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
PNP AC Curriculum
The 45-credit MSN Pediatric Acute Care NP curriculum integrates support courses, MSN core courses, and specialty courses preparing graduates for advanced nursing practice with pediatric populations experiencing acute, critical illness or injuries.
Support Courses (9 Credits):
- NU 518 Advanced Nursing Assessment (3 credits)
- NU 545 Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing (3 credits)
- NU 578 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
MSN Core Courses (12 Credits):
- NU 607 Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NU 608 Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare (3 credits)
- NU 610 Healthcare Policy and Finance (3 credits)
- NU 613 Organizational & Systems Leadership (3 credits)
Pediatric Acute Care NP Specialty Courses (24 Credits):
- MCN 558 Introduction to Pediatric Acute Care NP (3 credits)
- MCN 571 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Neonatal/Pediatric Acute NP (2 credits)
- MCN 562 Pediatric Acute Care NP I (3 credits)
- MCN 563 Pediatric Acute Care NP Practicum I – 180 Clinical Hours (3 credits)
- MCN 564 Pediatric Acute Care NP II (3 credits)
- MCN 565 Pediatric Acute Care NP Practicum II – 180 Clinical Hours (3 credits)
- MCN 566 Pediatric Acute Care NP Practicum III – 240 Clinical Hours (4 credits)
- MCN 567 Pediatric Acute Care NP III (3 credits)
RN to MSN Additional Courses: For registered nurses with bachelor’s degree from accredited institution in non-nursing discipline, also complete:
- NU 506 Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for Professional Nurses (4 credits)
- NU 507 Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nurses (4 credits)
- NU 508 Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Professional Nurses (4 credits)
Total Program: 45 Credits (BSN to MSN) or 57 Credits (RN to MSN)
PNP-AC Clinicals
- 600+ hours in pediatric ER, PICU, and inpatient pediatric floors
- Mandatory Clinical Skills Intensive during the term of MCN 558 and MCN 571
PNP-AC Prerequisites & Admissions
- Two years pediatric acute-care RN experience before clinicals (one year may be completed while in core/support)
- Online coursework; orientation and any listed on-campus sessions required
- Compliance: license, background check, drug screen, immunizations
Master of Science in Nursing – Dual Role (FNP/AGACNP)
The estimated cost for the MSN Dual Role program is $33,858 and would take ~2.5–3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
FNP/AGACNP Curriculum
Support Courses
- NU 518 – Advanced Nursing Assessment 3 credit hours
- NU 545 – Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing 3 credit hours
- NU 578 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses 3 credit hours
MSN Core Courses
- NU 607 – Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice 3 credit hours
- NU 608 – Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare 3 credit hours
- NU 610 – Healthcare Policy and Finance 3 credit hours
- NU 613 – Organizational & Systems Leadership 3 credit hours
Dual Role (Family NP/Adult-Geron Acute Care NP) Specialty Courses
- AHN 538 – Health Promotion/Disease Prevention & Issues for Dual Role 2 credit hours
- AHN 548 – Family Primary Care NP I 4 credit hours
- AHN 549 – Family Primary Care NP Practicum I – 240 Clinical Hours 4 credit hours
- AHN 550 – Family Primary Care NP II 4 credit hours
- AHN 551 – Family Primary Care NP Practicum II- 300 Clinical Hours 5 credit hours
- AHN 552 – Adult-Geron Acute Care NP I 4 credit hours
- AHN 553 – Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum I – 240 Clinical Hours 4 credit hours
- AHN 554 – Adult-Geron Acute Care NP II 4 credit hours
- AHN 555 – Adult-Geron Acute Care NP Practicum II – 300 Clinical Hours 5 credit hours
RN to MSN students who are registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a non-nursing discipline must also complete the following courses.
RN-MSN Courses
- NU 506 – Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for Professional Nurses 4 credit hours
- NU 507 – Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nurses 4 credit hours
- NU 508 – Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Professional Nurses 4 credit hours
FNP/AGACNP Clinicals
- ~1,080 clinical hours spanning primary and acute care across both sequences
- Two Clinical Skills Intensives (one before each phase) with simulation workshops
FNP/AGACNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- One year recent ED or ICU experience within last five years
- Online didactic with on-campus orientation; co-requisite clinicals arranged locally
- Standard compliance and site-placement requirements
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition: $594 per credit hour for online graduate nursing courses (same rate for all students).
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Graduates meet the educational eligibility for national certification (for example, AACN for AGACNP; pediatric acute-care certification for PNP-AC). Programs are delivered online with simulation intensives and clinical placement subject to state authorization; graduate nursing programs are not approved in NY or SD.
Other Nursing Programs
- MSN with multiple NP specialties and Post-Graduate Certificates
- DNP with several specialty tracks and project-based residencies
- RN-to-MSN pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s degree holders
Additional ACNP Programs for Alabama Residents
- Jacksonville State University - Jacksonville
- University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham
- University of Alabama in Huntsville - Huntsville