Kent State University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP Concentration
- Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP
The MSN-AGPCNP concentration is mostly online with clinical requirements, while the post-master’s certificate provides a pathway for nurses who already hold graduate nursing degrees.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $16,355 | 2 years full-time |
| Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate AGPCNP | $16,355 | 1.5–2 years |
Both programs prepare students to deliver comprehensive primary care to adults and older adults across clinical settings including internal medicine offices, family practice clinics, managed care facilities, emergency departments, free clinics, and occupational health environments.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGPCNP program is approximately $16,355 and takes 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on 29 credit hours at $564.13 per credit hour for Ohio residents.
MSN Curriculum
The curriculum includes 12 core nursing courses totaling 29 credit hours plus 4 foundational MSN courses (12 credits).
NURS 60015: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
This course builds advanced history-taking and physical and psychosocial assessment skills across the lifespan. Students use diagnostic reasoning to identify findings and start a plan of care in varied clinical settings.
NURS 60045: Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 credits)
This course explains advanced physiology and the mechanisms that lead to altered function and disease. Students apply this foundation to understand common disease processes across the lifespan.
NURS 60126: Family and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Role and Procedures (2 credits)
This course reviews the nurse practitioner role and responsibilities in health care. Students learn basic procedures and diagnostic interpretation used to support clinical judgment in family and adult-gerontology care.
NURS 60129: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits)
This course introduces acute care management for adults and older adults with chronic illness, acute illness, and acute exacerbations. Students identify key health problems, communicate with diverse patients, and apply evidence-based practice to build clinical judgment.
NURS 60230: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (4 credits)
This course focuses on care of critically ill adult and older adult patients with complex acute and chronic conditions. Students analyze critical care problems, strengthen patient and team communication, and use evidence-based practice to guide high-acuity decisions.
NURS 60330: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (2 credits)
This course introduces specialty acute care for adult and older adult patients with complex conditions. Students evaluate specialty care problems, practice effective communication, and use evidence-based sources to support clinical judgment.
NURS 60441: Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 credits)
This course covers core principles for safe prescribing and medication management in advanced practice. Students study pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and major drug classes while considering safety, legal standards, and social factors that affect outcomes.
NURS 60506: Clinical Diagnostics for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
This course teaches selection and interpretation of lab and diagnostic tests for acute and chronic conditions. Students integrate patient data and evidence-based guidance to strengthen clinical judgment and diagnostic stewardship.
NURS 61092: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I Practicum (2 credits)
This practicum applies concepts from NURS 60129 in supervised clinical practice. Students complete 150 practicum hours and use real cases to build assessment, diagnosis, and management skills.
NURS 61392: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II Practicum (2 credits)
This practicum reinforces didactic nurse practitioner learning through direct clinical care. Students complete 150 hours focused on applying advanced practice assessment and treatment concepts.
NURS 62392: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III Practicum (2 credits)
This practicum applies concepts from NURS 60230 in high-acuity clinical settings. Students complete 150 hours and strengthen clinical reasoning for critically ill adult and older adult patients.
NURS 63392: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV Practicum (2 credits)
This practicum applies concepts from NURS 60330 with a focus on specialty acute care experiences. Students complete 150 hours and refine decision making, communication, and evidence-based management skills.
Additional foundational courses include Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice, Methods of Inquiry, Advanced Nursing Informatics, and Health Policy and Advanced Nursing Practice.
MSN Clinicals
Clinical experiences total 7 credit hours distributed across four practicum courses. Students complete direct patient care in collaboration with healthcare teams across primary care offices, internal medicine and family practice clinics, managed care offices, emergency departments, free clinics, long-term care facilities, and occupational health settings.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited registered nursing program
- Minimum 2.750 GPA (starting Spring 2026; currently 3.000)
- Active, unrestricted RN license in the state where clinical coursework will be completed
- Curriculum vitae including certifications, professional organizations, clinical ladder participation, PI/QI projects, research, publications, and military experience if applicable
- Admission essay (500 words, double-spaced) addressing contribution plans to nursing, professional development readiness, and experience with underserved populations (starting Spring 2026)
- Three professional letters of reference from healthcare professionals or supervisors
- International students: minimum TOEFL iBT 83, IELTS 6.5, PTE 55, or DET 110
- Statistics course requirement eliminated starting Spring 2026
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGPCNP Certificate is approximately $16,355 and takes 1.5-2 years to complete depending on course load.
Estimate based on 29 credit hours at $564.13 per credit hour for Ohio residents/
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate requires 29 credit hours with possible course waivers for previously completed advanced practice coursework.
- NURS 60015 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)*
- NURS 60045 – Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 credits)*
- NURS 60441 – Pharmacology for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (3 credits)*
- NURS 60120 – Adult Gerontology Primary Care I (3 credits)
- NURS 60220 – Primary Care II: Chronically Ill Adults (3 credits)
- NURS 60320 – Adult Gerontology Primary Care III (3 credits)
- NURS 60125 – Family and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Role (1 credit)
- NURS 60506 – Clinical Diagnostics for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
- NURS 61292 – Adult Gerontology Primary Care I Practicum (2 credits)
- NURS 62292 – Primary Care II Practicum: Chronically Ill Adults (2 credits)
- NURS 63692 – Adult Gerontology Comprehensive Primary Care III Practicum (2 credits)
- NURS 61892 – Family and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Role Practicum (1 credit)
*Courses marked with asterisks may be waived or transferred if previously completed with a B or better grade.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical requirements total 7 credit hours across four practicum courses. Students gain experience in primary care settings through direct patient care collaborations with healthcare professionals in ambulatory care, specialty clinics, and emergency care environments.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Master’s degree in nursing or DNP from an accredited nursing program
- Minimum 3.000 graduate GPA
- Official transcripts of all graduate coursework
- Active, unrestricted RN license in the state where practicum hours will be completed
- Curriculum vitae
- Admission essay (500 words, double-spaced) addressing nursing profession contribution, professional development, and underserved population experience (starting Spring 2026)
- Course syllabi for all courses considered for transfer in gap analysis
- Three professional letters of reference from healthcare professionals or supervisors
- International students: minimum TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, PTE 58, or DET 110
- Graduate-level advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment courses must be completed within 5 years for applicants who haven’t practiced as APRNs within the past 2 years
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $564.13 per credit hour for Ohio residents and program fees are additional.
Non-Ohio residents pay $1,131.16 per credit hour.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Kent State’s MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Kent State is a three-time designated Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (2013-2017, 2017-2022, 2022-2026) in the “Advancing the Science of Nursing Education” category. Graduates are eligible to sit for ANCC or AANP certification examinations, with 2021 MSN graduates achieving a 96.3% average pass rate on board certification exams.
More Ohio ACNP Programs
- Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland
- Ohio State University - Columbus
- University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati
- Ursuline College - Pepper Pike