West Coast University offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGACNP
- Accelerated
- Working Professional
- RN to MSN – AGACNP
- Accelerated
- Working Professional
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
All programs are delivered online with 8-week terms allowing multiple start dates throughout the year, two mandatory on-site intensive weekends for hands-on skills practice, and mobile-accessible learning designed for working nurses.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Type | Track | Est. Cost | Duration (Full-Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – AGACNP | Accelerated | $47,280 | 1.7 years |
| MSN – AGACNP | Working Professional | $48,780 | 2.7 years |
| RN to MSN – AGACNP | Accelerated | $55,705 | 2.3 years |
| RN to MSN – AGACNP | Working Professional | $57,705 | 3.7 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP | Certificate | Varies (see tuition details) | 1.3 years |
West Coast University’s AGACNP programs feature industry-current training in telehealth and special populations, CCNE accreditation, and clinical placements support with dedicated coordinators to guide students through preceptor selection and site approvals.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP (Accelerated)
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP accelerated program is $47,280 (effective Summer II 2025) and would take 1.7 years (20 months) to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Accelerated Curriculum
The 50-credit accelerated curriculum prepares students to work in acute or intensive care settings.
MSN Core (12 credits):
- MSNC 500 – Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance (3 credits)
- MSNC 505 – Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- MSNC 510 – Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care (3 credits)
- MSNC 515 – Health Promotion and Disease Management (3 credits)
APRN Core – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (38 credits):
- MSNR 550 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- MSNR 555 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- MSNR 560 – Advanced Health & Physical Assessment (3 credits)
- MSNA 600 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice (2 credits)
- MSNA 605 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis (3 credits)
- MSNA 610 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care I (3 credits)
- MSNA 610C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum I (3 credits)
- MSNA 620 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care II (3 credits)
- MSNA 620C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum II (3 credits)
- MSNA 630 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care III (1 credit)
- MSNA 630C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum III (2 credits)
- MSNA 650 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Intensive I (2 credits)
- MSNA 650C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Residency I (2 credits)
- MSNA 660 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Intensive II (2 credits)
- MSNA 660C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Residency II (2 credits)
- MSNA 680 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Transition to Practice (1 credit)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Accelerated Clinicals
Students complete clinical practicum hours embedded within five practicum courses:
- MSNA 610C
- MSNA 620C
- MSNA 630C
- MSNA 650C
- MSNA 660C
The program requires participation in two mandatory on-site intensive weekends where students learn, practice, and demonstrate essential hands-on skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners.
WCU’s Clinical Placements team provides assigned coordinators to guide students through finding and selecting preceptors and sites, with partnerships across various healthcare providers offering ample placement resources.
MSN Accelerated Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program with 3.0 GPA or better
- Valid and unencumbered RN license in any U.S. state or territory (must be maintained throughout program)
- Minimum one year of direct patient care RN experience before entering APRN core courses
- One year of intensive care unit (ICU) experience as RN within past 5 years prior to admission
- Recommendation for admission by Program Dean/Director and admission committee members
- Gap Analysis review upon admission required for all MSN APRN tracks
- Completion of Supplemental Application Form
- Completion of university application for admission
Master of Science in Nursing – AGACNP (Working Professional)
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGACNP working professional program is $48,780 (effective Summer II 2025) and would take 2.7 years (32 months) to complete.
MSN Working Professional Curriculum
The 50-credit working professional track includes the same MSN Core (12 credits) and APRN Core (38 credits) courses as the accelerated option, with a slower pacing that allows students to typically attempt one course per term rather than two, accommodating working nurses’ schedules while maintaining the same rigorous curriculum and learning outcomes.
Course listing: Same as MSN-AGACNP Accelerated track listed above.
MSN Working Professional Clinicals
Clinical requirements are identical to the accelerated track, with practicum hours embedded in five clinical courses and two mandatory on-site intensive weekends. The extended timeline allows working professionals to balance clinical practicum requirements with employment obligations while receiving the same dedicated Clinical Placements team support for preceptor and site coordination.
MSN Working Professional Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program with 3.0 GPA or better
- Valid and unencumbered RN license in any U.S. state or territory (must be maintained throughout program)
- Minimum one year of direct patient care RN experience before entering APRN core courses
- One year of intensive care unit (ICU) experience as RN within past 5 years prior to admission
- Recommendation for admission by Program Dean/Director and admission committee members
- Gap Analysis review upon admission required for all MSN APRN tracks
- Completion of Supplemental Application Form
- Completion of university application for admission
RN to MSN – AGACNP (Accelerated)
The estimated cost for the RN to MSN-AGACNP accelerated program is $55,705 (effective Summer II 2025) and would take 2.3 years (28 months) to complete on a full-time basis.
Accelerated Curriculum
The 155-credit RN to MSN accelerated track includes 48 credits awarded for college-level non-nursing coursework, 51 credits awarded for unobstructed RN licensure, plus 65 credits of required WCU coursework including BSN core courses, MSN core courses, and APRN specialization courses, providing seamless advancement from associate degree or diploma in nursing to master’s-prepared AGACNP.
Required at WCU (65 credits):
BSN Core:
- BSNR 300 – Principles of Leadership for Healthcare Organizations (3 credits)
- BSNR 305 – Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- BSNR 315 – Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
- BSNR 400C – Community & Public Health Nursing I (3 credits)
- BSNR 405C – Community & Public Health Nursing II (3 credits)
MSN Core:
- MSNC 500 – Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance (3 credits)
- MSNC 505 – Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- MSNC 510 – Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care (3 credits)
- MSNC 515 – Health Promotion and Disease Management (3 credits)
APRN Core – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care:
- MSNC 550 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- MSNC 555 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- MSNC 560 – Advanced Health & Physical Assessment (3 credits)
- MSNA 600 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice (2 credits)
- MSNA 605 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis (3 credits)
- MSNA 610 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care I (3 credits)
- MSNA 610C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum I (3 credits)
- MSNA 620 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care II (3 credits)
- MSNA 620C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum II (3 credits)
- MSNA 630 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care III (1 credit)
- MSNA 630C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum III (2 credits)
- MSNA 650 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Intensive I (2 credits)
- MSNA 650C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Residency I (2 credits)
- MSNA 660 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Intensive II (2 credits)
- MSNA 660C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Residency II (2 credits)
- MSNA 680 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Transition to Practice (1 credit)
Accelerated Clinicals
Clinical practicum hours are embedded throughout the APRN specialization courses with the same two mandatory on-site intensive weekends as the MSN track. Students receive support from WCU’s Clinical Placements team with assigned coordinators providing guidance through preceptor selection, site approval processes, and clinical placement coordination throughout the extended RN to MSN curriculum.
Accelerated Prerequisites & Admissions
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from accredited collegiate institution with 3.0 CGPA or better
- Valid and unencumbered RN license in any U.S. state or territory (must be maintained throughout program)
- Official transcripts from approved programs (AS in Nursing, AAS in Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, or state-approved nursing with RN license)
- Minimum one year of direct patient care RN experience before entering APRN core courses
- One year of critical care or intensive care setting experience as RN within past 5 years prior to admission
- Recommendation for admission by Program Dean/Director and admission committee members
- Gap Analysis review upon admission required
- Completion of Supplemental Application Form
- Up to 48 credits of transfer coursework for college-level non-nursing courses
RN to MSN – AGACNP (Working Professional)
The estimated cost for the RN to MSN-AGACNP working professional program is $57,705 (effective Summer II 2025) and would take 3.7 years (44 months) to complete.
Working Professional Curriculum
The 155-credit working professional track maintains the same credit distribution as the accelerated RN to MSN option (48 credits awarded for non-nursing coursework, 51 credits for RN licensure, 65 credits required at WCU) but extends completion time to accommodate students balancing education with full-time employment.
Course listing: Same as RN to MSN-AGACNP Accelerated track listed above.
Working Professional Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the accelerated RN to MSN track with practicum hours embedded in APRN specialization courses and two mandatory on-site intensive weekends. The extended timeline allows working professionals to manage clinical obligations alongside employment while receiving identical Clinical Placements team support and resources.
Working Professional Prerequisites & Admissions
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from accredited collegiate institution with 3.0 CGPA or better
- Valid and unencumbered RN license in any U.S. state or territory (must be maintained throughout program)
- Official transcripts from approved programs (AS in Nursing, AAS in Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, or state-approved nursing with RN license)
- Minimum one year of direct patient care RN experience before entering APRN core courses
- One year of critical care or intensive care setting experience as RN within past 5 years prior to admission
- Recommendation for admission by Program Dean/Director and admission committee members
- Gap Analysis review upon admission required
- Completion of Supplemental Application Form
- Up to 48 credits of transfer coursework for college-level non-nursing courses
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP program varies based on tuition structure and would take 1.3 years (16 months effective Fall I 2024) to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 29-credit post-master’s certificate prepares nurses with an MSN or DNP degree with specialized information, knowledge, and skills to be eligible for national NP certification examination and NP licensure at the state level, focusing exclusively on adult-gerontology acute care competencies.
Effective Fall I 2024 Coursework:
- MSNA 600 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Introduction to Advanced Practice (2 credits)
- MSNA 605 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Clinical Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis (3 credits)
- MSNA 610 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care I (3 credits)
- MSNA 610C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum I (3 credits)
- MSNA 620 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care II (3 credits)
- MSNA 620C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum II (3 credits)
- MSNA 630 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care III (1 credit)
- MSNA 630C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Complex Care Practicum III (2 credits)
- MSNA 650 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Intensive I (2 credits)
- MSNA 650C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Residency I (2 credits)
- MSNA 660 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Intensive II (2 credits)
- MSNA 660C – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Residency II (2 credits)
- MSNA 680 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care: Transition to Practice (1 credit)
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete a total of 540 precepted clinical hours (effective Fall I 2024) distributed across five practicum courses. The program requires participation in two mandatory on-site intensive weekends for hands-on skills demonstration and essential nurse practitioner competencies practice, with Clinical Placements team support throughout the clinical experience.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program with 3.0 GPA or better
- Valid and unencumbered RN license in any U.S. state or territory (must be maintained throughout program)
- Minimum one year of direct patient care RN experience before entering APRN core courses
- One year of intensive care unit (ICU) experience as RN within past 5 years prior to admission
- Recommendation for admission by Program Dean/Director and admission committee members
- APRN Transfer Credit Gap Analysis completed prior to admission acceptance
- Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health/Physical Assessment courses must have been completed within last 5 years with grade of “B” or better
- PMC applicants dismissed from previous WCU nurse practitioner program track do not qualify for admission
- Completion of Supplemental Application Form
- Applicants with nursing degrees outside the United States not considered for admission
Tuition
Graduate MSN tuition rates effective Summer II 2025 are $700 per credit for MSN Core courses and $810 per credit for APRN Core courses.
RN to MSN programs include BSN Core courses at $495 per credit.
Additional fees include Technology Fee ($2,500 accelerated, $4,000 working professional), Program Fee for Clinical ($3,300), and Estimate for Supplies & Licensure Preparation Fees ($2,300).
Students may also incur costs for books, materials, background checks, and clinical-related expenses including travel, onboarding fees, and liability insurance.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are academically prepared to sit for national Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification examinations required for practice as an AGACNP in most states.