Drexel University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
Both programs are delivered online with mandatory on-campus intensives, providing students flexibility while ensuring hands-on clinical training.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $60,788 | 3 years (part-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP | $39,746 | 2 years (part-time) |
Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AGPCNP program is $60,788 and would take 3 years to complete on a part-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The 52-quarter-credit curriculum prepares students to provide comprehensive care for adult and geriatric populations through specialized coursework and clinical practice.
NURS 500 [WI] Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments (3.0)
This course reviews current health policy and politics that affect advanced nursing practice. Students analyze how access, quality, and cost shape care delivery. The course links policy topics to advanced nursing roles and global health concerns.
NURS 502 Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care (3.0)
This course trains students to spot ethical conflicts in clinical practice. Students use ethical principles and moral reasoning to choose and defend actions. The course covers common ethics challenges that advanced practice providers face.
NURS 544 Quality and Safety in Healthcare (3.0)
This course introduces core quality and safety skills for nursing leadership. Students apply QSEN-based concepts to improve care processes and reduce harm. The course supports quality improvement work across healthcare systems.
RSCH 503 Research Methods and Biostatistics (3.0)
This course covers research design, methods, and basic biostatistics for healthcare studies. Students practice literature searching, data review, and interpretation of results. The course builds skill in judging how research supports clinical practice.
RSCH 504 Evaluation and Translation of Health Research (3.0)
This course teaches students to appraise study quality and apply findings to practice. Students complete targeted literature searches and evaluate methods and data analysis. Each student creates a plan to translate evidence into a practice change.
NUPR 520 Nurse Practitioner Clinical Orientation Seminar (0.0)
This seminar prepares students for the nurse practitioner clinical sequence. Students review clinical requirements, compliance steps, and site contracting processes. The seminar helps students complete pre-clinical tasks before practicum starts.
NURS 548 Advanced Pathophysiology (3.0)
This course explains disease mechanisms across major body systems. Students connect altered physiology to common conditions and syndromes. The course builds a framework for advanced clinical decision making.
NURS 549 Advanced Pharmacology (3.0)
This course reviews drug actions and effects across the lifespan. Students study pharmacokinetics, dosing routes, adverse effects, and interactions. The course supports safe medication selection for varied patient needs.
NURS 550 Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (4.0)
This course develops advanced history-taking and physical and psychosocial assessment skills. Students distinguish normal findings from disease-related changes across the lifespan. The course strengthens diagnostic reasoning for advanced practice nursing.
NURS 641 Advanced Pharmacology for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (3.0)
This course focuses on prescribing for adult and older adult primary care conditions. Students match drug therapy to disease states while assessing risks, interactions, and contraindications. The course also covers legal and professional duties tied to prescribing.
NURS 664 Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners (1.0)
This course integrates nurse practitioner role functions and core competencies. Students review practice, legal, policy, certification, and reimbursement topics. The course supports team-based care and ethical conflict resolution in advanced practice.
NURS 660 Adult-Gero Primary Care I: Introduction to Adult-Gero Primary Care and Care of the Young-Adult (5.0)
This clinical course introduces the AGPCNP role and primary care practice. Students focus on young adults through young-old adults across wellness and illness. The course begins the four-course clinical sequence.
NURS 661 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care II: Management and Care of Adult Patients in Primary Care (5.0)
This clinical course builds primary care management skills for aging adults. Students develop clinical competence and role transition in ambulatory care settings. The course emphasizes care for young-old to older adult patients.
NURS 662 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care III: Management of the Older-Adult Patient in Primary Care (5.0)
This clinical course expands care planning for older adults in primary and long-term care settings. Students use a team-based approach for complex needs and chronic conditions. The course strengthens comprehensive geriatric assessment and management.
NURS 663 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care IV: Gerontology Management and Care (5.0)
This clinical course supports transition from student to entry-level AGPCNP practice. Students apply skills from prior clinical courses to manage gerontology-focused cases. The course emphasizes safe, effective, and independent practice behaviors.
Elective (3.0)
The elective lets students choose a focused topic that supports AGPCNP goals. Students deepen skills in an area that fits their practice interests or patient population needs.
MSN Clinicals
Students coordinate their own clinical sites and preceptors with university support. Pennsylvania RN licensure is required before starting clinical components. Students attend a mandatory 4-day in-person intensive during NURS 660 in week one of the summer quarter. Clinical settings include primary care and assisted living facilities providing mixed outpatient experiences.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- BSN from CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Current unrestricted U.S. RN license
- One year of adult nursing experience (preferred but not required)
- Two professional letters of recommendation from supervisors or faculty
- Personal statement under 1,000 words addressing program choice, career goals, and relevant experience
- Current resume detailing clinical responsibilities
- Official transcripts from all attended institutions
- Admissions interview may be required
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program is $39,746 and would take 2 years to complete on a part-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The 34-quarter-credit certificate builds on existing graduate nursing education to provide specialized AGPCNP training.
Support courses include:
- Nurse Practitioner Clinical Orientation Seminar (0 credits)
- Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- Advanced Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (4 credits)
- Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners (1 credit)
Concentration courses include:
- Advanced Pharmacology for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care I: Introduction to Adult-Gero Primary Care and Care of the Young-Adult (5 credits)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care II: Management and Care of Adult Patients in Primary Care (5 credits)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care III: Management of the Older-Adult Patient in Primary Care (5 credits)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care IV: Gerontology Management and Care (5 credits)
Certificate Clinicals
Students arrange their own clinical placements with departmental support and resources. Pennsylvania RN licensure must be obtained before clinical coursework begins. The program requires a mandatory 4-day on-campus intensive during NURS 660 in the first week of summer quarter. Clinical rotations occur in primary care and assisted living settings across specialty and primary care environments.
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- MSN and/or DNP from NLN (ACEN) or AACN (CCNE) accredited program
- BSN from CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Current unrestricted U.S. RN license
- Two professional letters of recommendation from supervisors or nursing faculty
- Personal statement (800-1,600 words) explaining track selection, relevant experience, and post-completion goals
- Resume with detailed clinical responsibilities
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- License verification from nursing registry website accepted
Tuition
Graduate tuition is $1,169 per credit for the 2025-2026 academic year (10% savings off the regular $1,298 per credit rate). A $125 annual graduate online program fee applies.
Special rates are available for Drexel alumni, military members, and partner organization members but cannot be combined. Tuition rates increase annually each fall term.
Accreditation
Both the MSN AGPCNP program and Post-Master’s Certificate are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Drexel’s online graduate nursing programs rank #45 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs and #12 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
More Pennsylvania ACNP Programs
- La Salle University - Philadelphia
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- Moravian University - Bethlehem
- University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
- York College - York