University of South Florida ACNP Programs

University of South Florida offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – BSN to DNP AGACNP
  • Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate – AGACNP

All programs deliver comprehensive preparation for managing physiologically unstable, technologically dependent, and highly vulnerable patients across acute care settings.

Program Tracks Overview

Program NameEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSN – AGACNP~$24,591~2–2.5 years (full-time)
DNP – BSN to DNP~$33,220~3–4 years (full-time)
Certificate – AGACNP~$10,354~1.5–2 years (part-time)

The university achieved notable recognition by awarding over 380 foundation scholarships totaling $730,000 in private funding during 2024-2025. Programs admit students exclusively for fall semester entry, with priority given to February 15th applicants.

Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP program is approximately $24,591 for Florida residents ($57,243 for non-residents) and requires 2-2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.

MSN Curriculum

The program requires 57 credit hours delivered through a lock-step progression model. Students complete core requirements, foundational courses, and concentration-specific clinical sequences.

Core Requirements (12 credit hours):
  • NGR 6002C Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (4 credits)
  • NGR 6172 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing (4 credits)
  • NGR 6152 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (4 credits)
Foundational Courses (20 credits):
  • NGR 6703 Advanced Nursing Role and Leadership (2 credits)
  • NGR 6803 Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • NGR 6638 Health Promotion Across Diverse Populations (3 credits)
  • NGR 7772 Health Systems, Economics, and Finance (3 credits)
  • NGR 6875 Digital Health and Informatics to Transform Healthcare (3 credits)
  • NGR 6733 Organizational and Systems Leadership and Quality Improvement for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
  • NGR 6064C Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures (3 credits)
AGACNP Concentration Courses (21 credit hours):

NGR 6210 – Clinical Management of the Acutely Ill Adult (4 credits)
This course prepares students to manage episodic and chronic acute conditions in adult and older adult patients. Emphasis is placed on stabilization, prevention of complications, and restoration of optimal health across care settings.

NGR 6210L – Clinical Management of the Acutely Ill Adult Clinical (3 credits, 180 hours)
This clinical course provides supervised practice in the assessment and management of acutely ill adults and older adults. Students apply diagnostic reasoning and treatment strategies to support patient stabilization and recovery.

NGR 6232 – Clinical Management of Acute and Critically Ill Adults and Older Adults (4 credits)
This course focuses on advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and critical conditions in adults and older adults. Care strategies address patients with and without underlying chronic disease.

NGR 6232L – Clinical Management of Acute and Critically Ill Adults and Older Adults Clinical (3 credits, 180 hours)
This clinical experience strengthens advanced practice skills in caring for critically ill adults and older adults. Students manage complex conditions using evidence-based interventions in high-acuity settings.

NGR 6211 – Acute Care of Adults and Older Adults: Special Topics (4 credits)
This course emphasizes clinical reasoning and collaboration in the care of adults and older adults with complex, acute, and critical illnesses. Students develop advanced decision-making skills for specialty acute care scenarios.

NGR 6211L – Acute Care of Adults and Older Adults: Special Topics Clinical (3 credits, 180 hours)
This clinical practicum provides hands-on experience managing complex and critical conditions in adult and older adult populations. Focus is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced clinical judgment in acute care settings.

More curriculum details are available here.

MSN Clinicals

Students complete a minimum of 750 post-baccalaureate supervised direct clinical hours across concentration courses. Clinical placements occur throughout Florida and may be assigned anywhere within the state. The program culminates in a Master’s College of Nursing Comprehensive Examination preparing graduates for ANCC or AACN certification exams.

Clinical Requirements:

  • 540 direct clinical hours across three clinical courses
  • All clinical placements located in Florida
  • Clinical experiences in ICUs, hospitals, and high-acuity settings
  • Faculty evaluation on case-by-case basis for clinical placement appropriateness

MSN Admissions Requirements

Academic Requirements:

  • BSN degree or equivalent from foreign institution
  • 3.0 minimum overall GPA meeting USF Graduate Admissions standards
  • 3.0 minimum nursing GPA
  • Current unencumbered Florida RN license by October 30th (compact/multi-state acceptable)

Experience Requirements:

  • Minimum 12 months full-time critical care or high-acuity experience before program start
  • ICU or intensive care unit experience strongly preferred
  • Clinical experience evaluated case-by-case by faculty
  • Applicants with less than 12 months RN experience placed on modified program plan

Application Materials:

  • Three letters of recommendation from nursing faculty/clinical instructor, nursing supervisor, and advanced healthcare provider (APRN, PA, MD, DO)
  • Current resume or CV
  • Completion of both USF Graduate Admissions and NursingCAS applications
  • Official transcripts from all institutions sent to NursingCAS
  • GRE scores recommended but not required

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – BSN to DNP AGACNP

The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP-AGACNP program is approximately $33,220 for Florida residents ($70,984 for non-residents) and requires 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.

DNP Curriculum

The BSN to DNP pathway requires 77 credit hours combining advanced practice preparation with doctoral-level competencies. Students complete shared core requirements, foundational courses, DNP-specific courses, concentration courses, electives, and DNP project requirements. More curriculum details are available here.

Shared Core Requirements (13 credit hours):

  • NGR 7766 Health Systems Leadership and Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
  • NGR 7846 Biostatistics and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (4 credits)
  • NGR 6875 Digital Health and Informatics to Transform Healthcare (3 credits)
  • NGR 7772 Health Systems, Economics, and Finance (3 credits)

Foundational Courses (21 credit hours):

  • NGR 6152 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (4 credits)
  • NGR 6002C Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (4 credits)
  • NGR 6172 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing (4 credits)
  • NGR 6638 Health Promotion Across Diverse Populations (3 credits)
  • NGR 6803 Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • NGR 6064C Advanced Diagnostics and Procedures (3 credits)

Required DNP Courses (6 credit hours):

  • NGR 7768 Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Role (2 credits)
  • NGR 7769 Quality Improvement and Implementation Science (4 credits)

AGACNP Concentration (21 credit hours):

  • NGR 6210 Clinical Management of the Acutely Ill Adult (4 credits)
  • NGR 6210L Clinical Management of the Acutely Ill Adult Clinical (3 credits – 180 clinical hours)
  • NGR 6211 Acute Care of Adults and Older Adults: Special Topics (4 credits)
  • NGR 6211L Acute Care of Adults and Older Adults: Special Topics Clinical (3 credits – 180 clinical hours)
  • NGR 6232 Clinical Management of Acute and Critically Ill Adults and Older Adults (4 credits)
  • NGR 6232L Clinical Management of Acute and Critically Ill Adults and Older Adults Clinical (3 credits – 180 clinical hours)

Electives (7 credit hours):

  • Selected with Concentration Director approval

DNP Project (12 credit hours minimum):

  • NGR 7955C DNP Project I (3 credits – 125 practicum hours)
  • NGR 7956C DNP Project II (3 credits – 125 practicum hours)
  • NGR 7957C DNP Project III (3 credits – 125 practicum hours)
  • NGR 7958C DNP Project IV (3 credits – 125 practicum hours)

DNP Clinicals

DNP students complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate supervised practice hours combining direct clinical experiences and practicum activities. The DNP project requires 500 practicum hours distributed across four semesters at 125 hours minimum per semester. All clinical placements and DNP project work must be completed in Florida.

Clinical Requirements:

  • 540 concentration clinical hours across three AGACNP courses
  • 500 DNP project practicum hours (125 hours per semester minimum)
  • Total minimum 1,000+ post-baccalaureate supervised practice hours
  • Comprehensive qualifying exam in final didactic clinical course
  • DNP project proposal, scholarly manuscript, poster presentation, and portfolio

DNP Admissions Requirements

Academic Requirements:

  • BSN degree or equivalent from foreign institution
  • 3.0 minimum overall GPA meeting USF standards
  • 3.0 minimum nursing GPA
  • Completion of undergraduate statistics course (3 credits) with B or better before program start
  • Current unencumbered Florida RN license by October 30th

Experience Requirements:

  • Minimum 12 months full-time critical care or high-acuity experience before program start
  • ICU or intensive care experience evaluated case-by-case
  • Applicants with less than 12 months RN experience placed on new graduate program plan

Application Materials:

  • Three letters of recommendation from nursing faculty/clinical instructor, nursing supervisor, and advanced healthcare provider
  • Current resume or CV
  • Completion of USF Graduate Admissions and NursingCAS applications
  • Official transcripts sent directly to NursingCAS
  • GRE scores recommended but not required

Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate – AGACNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGACNP Certificate is approximately $10,354 for Florida residents ($22,122 for non-residents) and requires 1.5-2 years to complete on a part-time basis.

Certificate Curriculum

The post-master’s certificate requires 24 credit hours beginning Fall 2026, designed for advanced practice nurses seeking additional AGACNP certification. The program delivers 750 total clinical hours including 30 indirect hours and 720 direct patient care hours. More curriculum details are available here.

Certificate Courses (24 credit hours starting Fall 2026):

  • NGR 6210 Acute Care Management of Adolescents to Older Adults (3 credits)
  • NGR 6210L AGACNP Clinical Management I (3 credits – 150 direct/30 indirect hours)
  • NGR 6232 Acute Care Management of Adults and Older Adults (3 credits)
  • NGR 6232L AGACNP Clinical Management II (3 credits – 180 direct hours)
  • NGR 6211 AGACNP Special Topics (3 credits)
  • NGR 6211L AGACNP Clinical Management III (3 credits – 180 direct hours)
  • NGR 6XXX AGACNP Transition Seminar (2 credits)
  • NGR 6XXXL AGACNP Clinical Practice Immersion (4 credits – 240 direct hours)

Certificate Clinicals

Certificate students complete 750 total clinical hours across four semesters synchronized with PhD coursework options. The program culminates in a clinical practice immersion experience providing intensive acute care exposure. All clinical experiences occur in Florida.

Clinical Requirements:

  • 720 direct clinical hours across four clinical courses
  • 30 indirect clinical hours in first semester
  • 240-hour clinical practice immersion in final semester
  • Four-semester completion timeline
  • All placements in Florida acute care settings

Certificate Admissions Requirements

Academic Requirements:

  • MSN or DNP degree from accredited university
  • Current advanced practice nurse certification in another specialty
  • Validation of Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Health Assessment coursework within 10 years
  • Current unencumbered Florida APRN license

Application Materials:

  • Official transcripts from all institutions
  • Current resume
  • Letter of intent
  • Two letters of recommendation (preferably from clinical supervisor and healthcare provider – APRN, PA, or MD)
  • Contact with Graduate Certificate Director recommended before applying

Tuition

Florida resident graduate students pay $431.43 per credit hour, while non-Florida residents pay $921.74 per credit hour. Standard USF flat fees include $7 Activities & Services, $10 Athletic, and $20 Student Union fees assessed once per term.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Application Deadlines

NursingCAS Application Timeline:

  • Application opens: August 15
  • Priority deadline: February 15
  • Final application deadline: July 1
  • Verification deadline: July 15

Priority admission decisions are emailed shortly after February 15th. Applications received after the priority deadline are reviewed on a space-available basis. All programs admit exclusively for fall semester entry.

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits all University of South Florida nursing programs. Graduates meet competencies established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), preparing them for ANCC or AACN certification examinations.