University of Minnesota offers 2 Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGPCNP Specialty
- Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP
The DNP program features institution-arranged clinical placements with a dedicated team securing practicum sites, allowing students to focus on studies while working with trusted preceptors.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| DNP AGPCNP | $85,120–$106,400 | 3–4 years (FT) |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP | $37,245–$44,724 | 2 years |
Students benefit from renowned faculty leading innovation in practice, research, and policy, with opportunities for involvement in research through the Center for Aging Science and Care Innovation and the Minnesota Center on Aging.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the DNP-AGPCNP program is approximately $85,120-$106,400 for residents and would take 3-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Estimate based on $63,840 in tuition for 32 DNP core credits plus $37,680-$58,440 for 48 specialty credits.
DNP-AGPCNP Curriculum
The DNP-AGPCNP program requires 80 total credits comprising 32 DNP core credits, 48 specialty credits, and 2 elective credits. Students complete coursework according to program plans specific to their admission term and selected timeline (3-year or 4-year track).
DNP Core Coursework (32 credits):
- NURS 7104 Scholarly Writing for Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit)
- NURS 5115 Nursing Informatics and Digital Health Technologies (3 credits)
- NURS 7205 Healthcare Economics and Finance in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 7230 Advanced Nursing for Public, Population, and Planetary Health (3 credits)
- NURS 6200 Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing Interventions (3 credits)
- NURS 7600 Evaluating Evidence to Improve Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 7610 Nurses Leading Change and Innovation to Transform Healthcare (3 credits)
- NURS 7000 Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits)
- DNP Project Coursework (8 credits total): NURS 7100 Quality Improvement and Implementation Science, NURS 7110 DNP Project Planning, NURS 7111 DNP Project Implementation, NURS 7112 DNP Project Evaluation/Dissemination, NURS 7102 Scholarly Dissemination
- Statistics (3 credits): EPSY 5261, PUBH 6414, or STAT 5021
Required AGPCNP Specialty Coursework (48 credits):
NURS 5222 – Advanced Human Physiology (2 cr.)
This course explains cell and body-system physiology across the lifespan. Students study regulation of major systems and how the body maintains homeostasis. Students use this content to recognize early shifts from normal function and support clinical reasoning for advanced practice.
NURS 5228 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 cr.)
This course covers core drug principles and common medication classes. Students connect drug actions to related physiology and learn key pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students build a base for safe medication selection and monitoring.
NURS 5226 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology (2 cr.)
This course examines disease mechanisms across body systems and across the lifespan. Students link basic science to assessment findings, diagnoses, and treatment decisions. Students use case studies and current evidence to explain common and uncommon disorders.
NURS 5229 – Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (3–4 cr.)
This course focuses on prescribing and therapeutic decision-making for advanced practice nurses. Students practice prescription writing and review prescriptive authority concepts. Students apply guidelines and drug-response principles to manage conditions in different age groups.
NURS 5200 – Advanced Holistic Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 cr.)
This course builds advanced assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Students learn to distinguish normal findings, normal variants, and abnormal results. Students use evidence to complete comprehensive, person-centered assessments.
NURS 6111 – Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning (1 cr.)
This course teaches the basics of diagnostic reasoning for advanced practice. Students synthesize clinical data, form differential diagnoses, and present cases clearly. Students also learn common sources of diagnostic error and methods to reduce risk.
NURS 6501 – Assessment and Management of Health for Advanced Practice Nurses I (3 cr.)
This course covers health promotion and management of common acute and stable chronic conditions in primary care groups. Students develop evidence-based plans in independent and team-based settings. Students practice clinical reasoning and advanced practice role skills.
NURS 6305 – Reproductive and Sexual Health Care (3 cr.)
This course applies theory and evidence to reproductive and sexual health care across the life cycle. Students address common needs in prevention, assessment, and treatment. Students also examine social and policy factors that affect care access and outcomes.
NURS 6306 – Reproductive and Sexual Health Practicum (2 cr.)
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience in reproductive health settings. Students practice histories, focused exams, and patient education for reproductive and sexual health concerns. Students build safe, competent skills across age groups.
NURS 6502 – Assessment and Management of Health for Advanced Practice Nurses II (2–3 cr.)
This course expands assessment and management of acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan. Students integrate physical, psychosocial, and medication-based interventions. Students adjust plans for age-related differences and patient context.
NURS 6925 – Advanced Concepts in Reproductive and Sexual Health Care (2–3 cr.)
This course builds advanced assessment and care planning skills for complex gynecologic and pregnancy-related conditions. Students use evidence to refine diagnostic and treatment decisions. Students strengthen management plans for higher-acuity cases.
NURS 6926 – Advanced Concepts in Reproductive and Sexual Health Care Practicum (3 cr.)
This practicum applies advanced skills with patients who have complex gynecologic and pregnancy-related risks. Students practice higher-level assessment, diagnosis, and care planning under supervision. Students focus on safe management and follow-up.
NURS 6927 – Reproductive Healthcare for Specific Populations (2 cr.)
This course focuses on equitable reproductive health care for marginalized groups. Students apply theory, research, and practice standards to select effective interventions. Students address barriers, bias, and system factors that affect outcomes.
NURS 6928 – Reproductive Healthcare in Specific Populations Practicum (2 cr.)
This practicum applies advanced reproductive health assessment and management with specific populations. Students use evidence-based interventions across the lifespan. Students focus on promoting wellness and reducing inequities in care.
CSPH 5713 – Health Coaching for Health Professionals (2 cr.)
This course teaches core health coaching skills using a four-pillar model. Students practice behavior-change support, mindful presence, and clear communication. Students use tools such as motivational interviewing and other structured communication methods in team-based activities.
NURS 6213 – Reproductive Healthcare for Patients with Complex Conditions (3 cr.)
This course covers advanced care for high-risk reproductive and perinatal conditions. Students use evidence and epidemiology to guide multidisciplinary plans. Students study complex gynecologic and pregnancy-related problems that require coordinated care.
NURS 6214 – Reproductive Health Care for Patients with Complex Conditions Practicum (2 cr.)
This practicum provides experience with high-risk perinatal and reproductive health cases. Students apply advanced assessment and management for medical and psychosocial risk. Students gain practice in team-based care for selected high-acuity conditions.
NURS 7310 – WHNP Clinical and Professional Integration (2 cr.)
This course integrates WHNP clinical practice with professional role development. Students examine leadership, policy, and legislation that shape WHNP work. Students connect specialty practice to system change and advocacy.
More curriculum details are available here
DNP-AGPCNP Clinicals
Students complete approximately 1,000 clinical hours at sites arranged by the School of Nursing throughout the 3-4 year program. Clinical experiences are individualized through placements and assignments matching student interests, with rotations led by outstanding clinical leaders committed to student education.
Clinical Structure:
- Institution-arranged practicum placements with trusted preceptors
- Variety of clinical rotations with nationally recognized clinical leaders
- Clinical experiences designed to match individual student interests
- Practicum hours embedded throughout specialty coursework
- Students benefit from dedicated team securing clinical placements
DNP-AGPCNP Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Application Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or professional master’s entry-level nursing degree
- Current registered nurse license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required to receive degree
- Application through NursingCAS with all official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Two required essays
- Current curriculum vitae/resume
- English language proficiency scores (if applicable): TOEFL minimum 79 total (19 reading, 21 writing) or IELTS minimum 6.5 total (6.5 reading, 6.5 writing)
- Interviews by invitation only (not granted to all applicants)
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate AGPCNP Certificate program is approximately $37,245-$44,724 for residents and would take 2 years to complete.
Estimate based on 21 specialty credits at $1,773.50/credit plus potential 0-13 APRN core credits if not previously completed.
Post-Graduate Certificate Curriculum
The post-graduate certificate requires 21-34 total credits depending on gap analysis of previous coursework and APRN certification experience. Students who completed APRN core courses during their DNP program may have those requirements waived, reducing total credits to 21.
Required Specialty Courses (21 credits):
- NURS 6305 Reproductive and Sexual Health Care (3 credits)
- NURS 6501 Assessment and Management of Health for Advanced Practice Nurses I (3 credits)
- NURS 7504 Assessment and Management of Health for Advanced Practice Nurses Practicum I (1 credit)
- NURS 6502 Assessment and Management of Health for Advanced Practice Nurses II (3 credits)
- NURS 7505 Assessment and Management of Health for the Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (1 credit)
- NURS 7502 Health Care of Older Adults for Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (2 credits)
- NURS 7243 Assessment and Management of Health for AGPCNP Practicum III (1 credit)
- NURS 6407 Advanced Nursing Care of Older Adults (3 credits)
- NURS 6408 Advanced Nursing Care of Older Adults Practicum (1-2 credits)
- NURS 7406 Adult/Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist Practicum V (3 credits)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Core Courses (0-13 credits if not previously completed):
- NURS 5200 Advanced Holistic Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 credits)
- NURS 5222 Advanced Human Physiology (2 credits)
- NURS 5226 Advanced Human Pathophysiology (2 credits)
- NURS 5228 Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NURS 5229 Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics (4 credits)
More curriculum details are available here
Post-Graduate Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 840 total practicum hours across five clinical courses over two years. Gap analysis of prior academic and work experiences determines if clinical hour requirements will be adjusted, with requirements ranging from 240-600 hours based on individual assessment.
Clinical Hour Breakdown:
- NURS 7241: 120 hours
- NURS 7242: 120 hours
- NURS 7243: 120 hours
- NURS 7244: 240 hours
- NURS 7245: 240 hours
- Total Practicum Hours: 840
Clinical Structure:
- Clinical experiences coordinated by UMN School of Nursing
- Partnerships with acute care hospitals across Twin Cities
- Wide range of clinical placement opportunities
- Individualized clinical experiences matching student interests
Post-Graduate Certificate Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Application Requirements:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in a clinical nursing specialty area required
- Current registered nurse license in good standing
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA required
- Preferred undergraduate GPA: 3.0
- Application through NursingCAS with all official transcripts
- Two reference materials containing Admission Reference Form and personal letter of reference
- Two required essays
- Current curriculum vitae/resume
- English language proficiency scores (if applicable): TOEFL minimum 79 total (19 reading, 21 writing) or IELTS minimum 6.5 total (6.5 reading, 6.5 writing)
- Gap analysis conducted to determine credit requirements based on prior coursework
Tuition
Graduate tuition for 2025-26 is $1,773.50 per credit for Minnesota residents and $2,796.00 per credit for non-residents.
Full-time enrollment (6-14 credits) costs $10,640 per semester for residents and $16,776 per semester for non-residents, with additional credits beyond 14 billed at the per-credit rate.
See the official tuition page for more details
Application Deadlines
Applications for all DNP specialties (except Nurse Anesthesia) are currently open with rolling admissions review. Verified applications are reviewed continuously, and programs may close or shift to waitlist-only consideration when enrollment capacity is reached. Applicants can expect admission decisions within 6-8 weeks of NursingCAS verification.
To be considered for scholarship and graduate assistantship opportunities during the first program year, students are strongly encouraged to achieve verified application status by March 1, 2026.
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Minnesota is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the national certification examination for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
More AGPCNP Programs in Minnesota
- St. Catherine University - St. Paul