Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online
This CCNE-accredited online MSN program is designed to help working nurses like you enrich your nursing practice with the skills and credentials to treat adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients in acute care settings.
Program Overview
Gain insights into our online MSN – AGACNP program
Develop the knowledge and clinical experience you need to provide advanced nursing care for adults throughout their life span with the Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner online program from Northern Kentucky University. This fully online program equips you with specialized knowledge to manage treatment of patients from adolescence through old age with high acuity needs, including acute, chronic, and complex health conditions. As a graduate, you will be eligible to take the Adult-Gero Acute Care NP certification examination.
MSN core coursework includes fundamentals of theory and research for advanced nursing and evidence-based practice; advanced clinical pharmacology for APRNs; analysis and application of health data; and diagnostic reasoning and advanced physical assessment. In addition to core coursework, the program's concentration courses focus on diagnostics, advanced technologies, health promotion, and clinical decision-making in acute care. Clinical residencies and a capstone course round out the program to synthesize your learning.
In this online MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP program, you will:
- Prepare for the Adult-Gero Acute Care NP certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients from adolescence to geriatrics
- Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
- Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
- Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers
- Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
- Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
- Prepare for the Adult-Gero Acute Care NP certification exam and expanded practice opportunities to diagnose and treat patients from adolescence to geriatrics
- Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
- Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
- Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
- Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers
- Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
- Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
As a certified adult-gero acute care nurse practitioner, you will be prepared to serve in a variety of acute care settings, such as:
- Long-term care facilities
- Intensive care units
- Emergency departments
- Hospitals and other treatment facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Long-term care facilities
- Intensive care units
- Emergency departments
- Hospitals and other treatment facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Nursing programs online. View our online healthcare programs.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Tuition
Pay by the course for your online program
The MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP | $578 | $5,790 | $32,956 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time. Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
Tuition Breakdown:
Age-Friendly University
Northern Kentucky University has been designated an Age-Friendly University by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, in conjunction with The Gerontological Society of America, due to its commitment to increasing educational access for all learners. NKU is the only university in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky to join the international effort to support intergenerational learners.
Calendar
Learn the dates to apply, pay and start
The MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/18/25 | 8/6/25 | 8/11/25 | 8/15/25 | 8/18/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/15/25 | 10/2/25 | 10/7/25 | 10/10/25 | 10/15/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Apply easily to the online MSN – AGACNP program
The admission process is the first step toward earning your MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP degree online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.
Admission Requirements:
- 3.0 GPA or higher on undergraduate coursework
- Current and unencumbered RN license
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse
MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
- Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
- A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
- 1 year of critical care experience. Critical Care Verification Form
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.
If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.
Courses
Preview the courses in the online MSN – AGACNP program
For the MSN – Adult-Gero Acute Care NP online program, students must complete a total of 47 credit hours, including eight core courses (24 credit hours), five specialty courses (15 credit hours), five clinical residency courses (5 credit hours) with a total of 750 clinical hours, and a capstone course (3 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks long.
