Arkansas has one in-state AGPCNP program, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing in Little Rock. It offers a BSN-to-DNP and a post-graduate certificate in a Mostly Online format.
Because UAMS is the only in-state option, every table below also compares two online programs that enroll Arkansas residents: Chamberlain University and Purdue Global.
Compare AGPCNP Programs for Arkansas Nurses
| School | Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS (in-state) | Mostly Online | Not clearly stated | $525 | BSN-DNP, certificate | Low-cost in-state DNP |
| Chamberlain (online option) | Mostly Online | Two 2-day events | $760 | RN-MSN, MSN, certificate | RNs without a BSN |
| Purdue Global (online option) | Online | None | $420–$700 | MSN, BSN-DNP, certificate | No campus travel |
Cost per credit is each school’s published tuition rate before fees. UAMS and Chamberlain bill per semester credit. Purdue Global bills per quarter credit ($420 for the MSN and certificate, $700 for the DNP), so compare total tuition in the pathway tables below.
Arkansas eligibility: Chamberlain lists its AGPCNP MSN, RN-BSN to MSN, and graduate certificate as open to Arkansas residents. Purdue Global’s September 2026 program availability list does not exclude Arkansas from its AGPCNP MSN, postgraduate certificate, or DNP.
Arkansas AGPCNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state (UAMS), plus 2 online options compared
- MSN: online only (Chamberlain, Purdue Global); no in-state MSN
- RN-to-MSN: online only (Chamberlain), for ADN- or diploma-prepared RNs
- DNP: UAMS in-state (BSN-to-DNP); Purdue Global online
- Post-graduate certificate: all three schools
- Accreditation: all three hold CCNE accreditation
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $12K for the UAMS certificate, before any gap coursework
Choosing an AGPCNP Program in Arkansas
Lowest Doctoral Cost: UAMS
UAMS fits an Arkansas RN who can study full-time and wants a doctorate. Its AGPCNP sequence includes a dedicated psychiatric theory course and a 140-hour psychiatric practicum. The trade-offs are real. UAMS advises at least 36 hours per week, and it needs 10 new enrollees to run the AGPCNP track. Without them, applicants may be redirected to FNP. UAMS also does not publish who locates clinical sites.
RN Entry and a Placement Backup: Chamberlain
Chamberlain is the only option here for RNs without a BSN. It also publishes a placement fallback, the Practicum Commitment. After documented denials and a request about six months ahead, Chamberlain provides one preceptor option within 100 miles of home. Six starts per year and eight-week sessions allow part-time pacing. Expect two 2-day events in the Chicago area and fees that add about $12,900 to the MSN.
No Campus Travel and Frequent Starts: Purdue Global
Purdue Global publishes no campus visits for AGPCNP students and offers five start terms per year. Its rate is the same in every state except Indiana. Clinical placement is the main risk. Students lead their own preceptor search across four rotations, including women’s health and frail elderly care. The Placement Match fallback requires outreach to 10 sites, three formal denials, and a request 20 weeks ahead. Matches may require travel of 100 miles or more.
Arkansas RN-to-MSN AGPCNP Programs
No Arkansas school offers an RN-to-MSN AGPCNP pathway. Among the online options, only Chamberlain admits RNs with an ADN or nursing diploma. Its RN-BSN to MSN awards both degrees, and two MSN courses count toward the BSN, saving about eight weeks on each degree.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain (online option) | Not clearly stated | 3+ years | 625 hrs |
- Tuition not published: Chamberlain — no total for the AGPCNP bridge; the MSN portion matches the 45-credit MSN
- Campus requirement: Chamberlain — the same two Chicago-area events as the direct-entry MSN
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN AGPCNP programs
Arkansas BSN-to-MSN AGPCNP Programs
UAMS does not offer an AGPCNP master’s degree, so BSN-prepared Arkansas nurses who want an MSN must study online. Chamberlain and Purdue Global both offer one, and neither publishes a minimum RN experience requirement. Recent BSN graduates can apply, though limited experience can make preceptors harder to recruit.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain (online option) | $34K | 2.5 years | 625 hrs |
| Purdue Global (online option) | $38K | 2 years | 640 hrs |
- Lowest tuition, not lowest total: Chamberlain — $34K tuition, but its published MSN starting cost with all fees is $47,100
- Shortest completion: Purdue Global — about 2 years full-time
- Campus requirement: Chamberlain — two 2-day events; Purdue Global publishes none
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN AGPCNP programs
Arkansas BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP Programs
UAMS is the only Arkansas school with an AGPCNP doctorate. Its 72-credit BSN-to-DNP is full-time by design, with three- and four-year plans. Purdue Global offers an online alternative: its AGPCNP MSN followed by a separate DNP. That doctorate focuses on leadership and systems rather than clinical practice.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS (in-state) | $38K | 3–4 years | 1,120 hrs |
| Purdue Global (online option) | $66K–$73K | 3.5–4 years | 1,140+ hrs |
UAMS hours include a 350-hour DNP synthesis practicum, with 770 hours in the AGPCNP specialty. Purdue Global’s figure combines 640 AGPCNP hours with at least 500 DNP practice hours.
- Lowest estimated tuition: UAMS — $38K for Arkansas residents, roughly half Purdue Global’s estimate
- Experience requirement: UAMS — 2,000 verified RN hours before Advanced Health Assessment in semester four
- Doctoral focus: Purdue Global — the DNP is not AGPCNP-specific and was not designed for initial APRN certification
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP programs
Arkansas Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP Programs
All three schools offer an AGPCNP certificate for nurses who hold a master’s or doctorate in nursing. UAMS admits on a space-available basis and runs a gap analysis after admission. Chamberlain and Purdue Global do not require APRN certification, so MSN-prepared educators and leaders qualify.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS (in-state) | $12K (specialty courses only) | 3+ semesters | Not clearly stated |
| Chamberlain (online option) | $25K | 1.8 years | 625 hrs |
| Purdue Global (online option) | $25K | 1.5 years | 640 hrs |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UAMS — $12K for 22 specialty credits, before any gap coursework
- License requirement: UAMS — a current Arkansas RN license; no compact-state alternative is listed
- Full NP sequence: Purdue Global — all 60 quarter credits, including pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment
Compare more programs: See all post-graduate certificate AGPCNP programs
Other Online AGPCNP Programs for Arkansas Nurses
Rasmussen University also offers an online AGPCNP MSN. Its 2026–27 catalog lists Arkansas among the states where its nurse practitioner MSN meets licensure requirements. Rasmussen does not enroll residents of every state, so confirm eligibility with admissions before applying.
Other national online programs may also accept Arkansas nurses. NP programs restrict enrollment by state, so check each school’s availability list first.
Rasmussen University AGPCNP Programs
Bloomington | 925 cpc | Certificate
Walden University AGPCNP Programs
Minneapolis | 785 cpc | Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
How many AGPCNP programs are available in Arkansas?
One. UAMS in Little Rock offers a BSN-to-DNP and a post-graduate certificate. Chamberlain and Purdue Global are online programs that enroll Arkansas residents.
Are any programs fully online?
Purdue Global publishes no campus visits for AGPCNP students. Chamberlain requires two 2-day events in the Chicago area. UAMS is Mostly Online but does not publish a campus-visit schedule, so ask before applying. Clinicals are in person at all three.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, the UAMS certificate is lowest at about $12K, and its DNP is about $38K. Online, Chamberlain’s MSN tuition is about $34K, but fees raise its published starting cost to $47,100. Purdue Global’s MSN is about $38K.
Which schools offer a DNP?
UAMS offers an AGPCNP BSN-to-DNP. Purdue Global offers its AGPCNP MSN followed by a leadership-focused DNP. Chamberlain’s AGPCNP options stop at the MSN and certificate.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Yes, but support differs. UAMS faculty evaluate each site and visit at least once per semester, which limits how far from Little Rock students can train. UAMS does not publish that radius. Chamberlain and Purdue Global expect students to find their own sites, with fallbacks that may mean driving up to 100 miles or more.
Can I become an AGPCNP in Arkansas without a BSN?
Yes, through Chamberlain’s RN-BSN to MSN, which admits RNs with an ADN or nursing diploma. UAMS and Purdue Global require a BSN or higher.
Is there state funding for Arkansas AGPCNP students?
Arkansas offers the Graduate Nursing Education Student Loan and Scholarship Program. The loan converts to a scholarship grant through full-time advanced practice in an Arkansas community, one year per year of funding. Full funding requires nine or more credits per semester. Funding depends on legislative appropriation, so confirm which programs qualify.