The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) pathways:
- Post-BSN to DNP — AGPCNP Specialty
- Post-Graduate Certificate — AGPCNP (for nurses holding an MSN or DNP in another specialty)
The DNP program is delivered in a hybrid format with online coursework; clinicals are completed locally with approved preceptors.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Credits / Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post-BSN to DNP — AGPCNP | ~$37,800 | 3 or 4 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate — AGPCNP | ~$11,550 | ~1.5–2 years |
Fall-only admission applies to the post-BSN to DNP track. No GRE or MAT is required.
Post-BSN to DNP — AGPCNP Specialty
Estimated tuition for the UAMS AGPCNP DNP program is approximately $37,800 for residents (and border-state nurses) and $63,936 for non-residents, based on 72 semester credits at published FY 2025–2026 rates. The program is completed in either 3 or 4 years; both options total the same credit hours.
The 3-year plan carries a heavier per-semester load.
Second APRN specialty track: Nurses who are already licensed and certified in an APRN role (NP, CNM, CNS, or CRNA) may also apply to this DNP track to earn a second specialty certification in AGPCNP. Up to 18 credits from the prior APRN program may transfer.
These credits do not count toward the 6-year completion window. Applicants for pharmacology transfer credit must hold prescriptive authority; health assessment transfer credit may require a simulated physical exam.
DNP Curriculum — Common Core (All NP Tracks, 33 credits)
The first four semesters are identical across all seven NP specialties. Specialty-specific coursework begins in Spring II (semester 5 of the 3-year plan).
Fall I (9 credits)
- NURS 51003 – Research Methodology (3 cr)
- NURS 51033 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (3 cr)
- NURS 71053 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice and Research (3 cr)
Spring I (9 credits)
- NURS 71143 – Health Care Analytics for Nursing Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 72103 – Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 51043 – Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics for APRNs (3 cr)
Summer I (6 credits)
- NURS 52063 – Quantitative Epidemiology I (3 cr)
- NURS 71153 – Clinical Prevention and Health Promotion (3 cr)
Fall II (9 credits)
- NURS 53053 – Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (3 cr)
- NURS 71103 – Economics for Complex Organizational Systems (3 cr)
- NURS 71133 – Health Care Informatics (3 cr)
DNP Curriculum — AGPCNP Specialty Courses (20 credits)
Specialty coursework is distributed across Spring II, Summer II, and Fall III. AGPCNP students take one elective in Summer II (3 credits).
NURS 51403 – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Theory I (3 Credits)
This course introduces advanced knowledge for primary care management of adults across the lifespan. Students examine health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment strategies for acute and chronic conditions in diverse care settings. Emphasis is placed on diagnostic evaluation and both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
NURS 72405 – DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Practicum I (4 Credits | 280 Clinical Hours)
This practicum develops clinical skills for assessing, diagnosing, and managing adult health conditions in primary care environments. Students work with preceptors to apply diagnostic procedures, clinical techniques, and treatment strategies for acute and chronic illnesses. Collaborative care with interdisciplinary healthcare teams is emphasized.
NURS 52463 – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Psychiatric Nursing Theory (3 Credits)
This course examines mental health care for adults within primary care practice. Students study diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and legal considerations related to psychiatric conditions. The course also explores the social and cultural factors that influence mental health across adulthood.
NURS 71403 – DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Psychiatric Nursing Practicum (2 Credits | 140 Clinical Hours)
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience in the management of psychiatric conditions in adult primary care. Students perform mental health assessments, develop treatment plans, and promote mental wellness while collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare providers.
NURS 52403 – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Theory II (3 Credits)
This course expands clinical decision-making skills for managing complex health concerns in adults. Students evaluate diagnostic findings and implement treatment strategies for acute and chronic conditions across diverse healthcare settings.
NURS 73405 – DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Practicum II (5 Credits | 350 Clinical Hours)
This advanced practicum focuses on comprehensive management of adult health concerns in primary care. Students apply health promotion, risk reduction, and restorative care strategies while managing increasingly complex patient conditions across the adult lifespan.
DNP Curriculum — Doctoral Synthesis Courses (Spring III, 10 credits)
- NURS 71173 – Leadership in Health Policy & Advocacy (3 cr)
- NURS 72142 – Integration of DNP Competencies (2 cr)
- NURS 74004 – Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice — 350 clock hours (5 cr)
- NURS 72133 – Quality Outcomes Management (3 cr) — taken in Fall III
See the UAMS Academic Catalog 2024–2025 (p. 286) for the full plan of study.
DNP Clinicals
The 3-year plan totals 1,120 clock hours; the 4-year plan totals 1,080 clock hours (the difference reflects sequencing variation, not fewer clinical hours — confirm with program office). AGPCNP specialty practicum hours break down as follows:
- NURS 72405 – AG Primary Care Practicum I: 280 clock hours (4 cr)
- NURS 71403 – AG Primary Care Psychiatric Nursing Practicum: 140 clock hours (2 cr)
- NURS 73405 – AG Primary Care Practicum II: 350 clock hours (5 cr)
- NURS 74004 – Advanced Nursing Clinical Practice (DNP synthesis practicum): 350 clock hours (5 cr)
- AGPCNP specialty subtotal: 770 clock hours; 1,120 total with synthesis practicum
- Students may not precept on the unit or clinic where they currently work
- Students must rotate to different clinical sites at different facilities each semester (exceptions for communities with limited resources, subject to clinical faculty approval)
- ACLS certification required before registering for any specialty course
- 2,000 verified RN hours required before enrolling in Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (NURS 53053); Verification of Employment Form must be completed and notarized
DNP Admissions Requirements
- BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program (or equivalent foreign degree)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from the last 60 hours of the BSN (or from graduate coursework if the applicant holds a graduate nursing degree)
- Basic statistics course with a grade of C or better
- Health assessment course (academic or ANCC-COA continuing education approved)
- Unencumbered Arkansas RN license or unencumbered compact state RN license — must remain in good standing throughout enrollment
- CPR certificate: American Heart Association (Health Care Provider) or American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer) only — ACLS does not substitute for CPR at admission
- ACLS certification required before the first specialty course (AGPCNP, AGACNP, and FNP tracks)
- Proof of current TB test and completed Hepatitis B immunization series
- Minimum 2,000 verified RN experience hours required before Advanced Health Assessment enrollment; 2 years of clinical experience recommended at the time of application
- Curriculum vitae or resume; professional goals statement
- Individual interview and essay may be required; applicants ranked by GPA and interview scores
- Letter from any prior graduate nursing school confirming good academic standing (applicants dismissed from or not in good standing at a prior program are not considered)
- GRE/MAT not required
- Preference given to Arkansas residents
- Fall-only admission; application deadline: March 1
- 6-year maximum completion window from date of first enrollment
- No specialty transfer between NP tracks permitted; students wishing to change specialty must reapply as a new student
Post-Graduate Certificate — AGPCNP
The UAMS AGPCNP Post-Graduate Certificate is designed for nurses who already hold an MSN or DNP in another specialty and wish to add AGPCNP certification. Estimated tuition is approximately $11,550 for residents and $19,536 for non-residents, based on 22 semester credits.
A gap analysis is conducted after admission; students lacking core or foundational courses must complete those in addition to the specialty courses, which can increase cost and time to completion. The program is offered on a space-available basis.
Gap analysis required: All certificate applicants undergo a transcript review. Missing core or foundational courses must be completed before or alongside specialty courses.
Applicants should request the gap analysis early, as additional required courses can significantly extend program length and cost.
Certificate Curriculum (22 credits)
The certificate includes the full AGPCNP specialty theory and practicum sequence. Note that credit hours for Practicum I (NURS 72405) and the Psychiatric Practicum (NURS 71403) are higher in the certificate than in the DNP track — clock hours for certificate practica are not separately listed on the program page; confirm with the program office.
- NURS 51403 – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Theory I (3 cr)
- NURS 52403 – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing Theory II (3 cr)
- NURS 52463 – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Psychiatric Nursing Theory (3 cr)
- NURS 72405 – AG Primary Care Nursing Practicum I (5 cr) — 1 credit more than the DNP track listing
- NURS 73405 – AG Primary Care Nursing Practicum II (5 cr)
- NURS 71403 – AG Primary Care Psychiatric Nursing Practicum (3 cr) — 1 credit more than the DNP track listing
Certificate Clinicals
Clock hours for certificate practica are not publicly listed separately from the DNP track. Based on the DNP course descriptions, Practicum I covers approximately 280 clock hours and the Psychiatric Practicum covers approximately 140 clock hours; however, the higher credit allocations in the certificate suggest the clock hour requirements may differ. Contact the specialty coordinator for precise clock hour totals.
- Contact: Janice Taylor, DNP, RN, APRN, GNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC — Specialty Coordinator
- Phone: 501-686-5460 | Email: JLTaylor3@uams.edu
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Official transcript reflecting a master’s or DNP degree in nursing from a CCNE- or NLNAC-accredited institution
- Current, unencumbered Arkansas RN license
- Individual interview and essay may be required
- Gap analysis conducted after admission to identify additional required coursework
- Applicants complete the MNSc application and indicate post-graduate certificate program in the Supplemental Question section
- Space-available basis; no guaranteed enrollment
Tuition
UAMS College of Nursing FY 2025–2026 DNP tuition is $525 per semester credit for residents and $888 per credit for non-residents.
Nurses from the six border states — Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas — are charged the in-state rate for all College of Nursing programs except Nurse Anesthesia.
There is no separate online tuition rate.
Mandatory per-semester fees for graduate students include:
- Graduate Program Fee: $166 per semester (fall/spring, assessed in the Advanced Health Assessment semester — covers standardized patients, Typhon tracking software, Osmosis library)
- CON Graduate Simulation Fee: $90 per semester (all enrolled graduate semesters)
- Student Liability Insurance: $20 per semester
- Enrollment Deposit: $150 (non-refundable; applied to first semester tuition)
- Institutional fees per fall/spring semester: Student Health $145, Student Transportation $78, Technology $124, University Services $500, Student Activity $25
- Summer semester: Technology and University Services fees are not charged; Transportation fee reduced to $39
- Application Fee: $50
- Graduation Fee: $70 (one-time)
More tuition and fee details are available here.
Accreditation
UAMS College of Nursing DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The AGPCNP track prepares graduates to sit for national certification upon completing all required coursework.