Loyola University Chicago AGPCNP Programs

Loyola University Chicago offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

• BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP
• Post-Graduate APRN Certificate AGPCNP

Both programs are rooted in Loyola’s Jesuit tradition, weaving social justice, ethics, and interprofessional collaboration throughout the curriculum.

Program Tracks Overview

Faculty-managed clinical placements across Chicago — with emphasis on underserved communities — and required on-campus immersion experiences make these programs best suited for nurses who want a values-driven, clinically intensive terminal or post-doctoral credential in the Chicago area.

BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP at Loyola University Chicago is approximately $89K (69 credits × $1,295/credit), and the program takes approximately 3 years to complete.

Note: An oncology specialization variant of this track is also available at 72 credits (~$93K), designed to prepare AGPCNP graduates for expanded roles in oncology settings.

DNP Curriculum

The 69-credit BSN-to-DNP is organized across four course blocks: core DNP coursework, APRN role courses, adult-gerontology population courses, a DNP scholarly project sequence, and 12 credits of clinical practicum.

The core addresses theories and concepts, statistics, research, social justice, ethics, health care policy, and evidence translation. The APRN role courses build advanced health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and diagnostics skills.

The adult-gerontology population block covers common and complex adult health problems, family-focused health promotion, advanced practice care of older adults, and palliative and end-of-life care. The DNP scholarly project runs across four sequential courses from planning through dissemination.

Population (Adult-Gerontology) Courses:

GNUR 404 – Theories & Concepts for Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
Explores philosophical foundations and the evolution of nursing knowledge, emphasizing how theory, research, and practice intersect in advanced clinical care. Focuses on applying key concepts and middle-range theories to guide evidence-based nursing practice.

GNUR 405 – Introductory Statistics for Healthcare Professionals (3)
Introduces essential statistical principles and methods used in healthcare research. Students learn to interpret data, analyze findings in published studies, and apply statistical reasoning to support evidence-based decisions and quality improvement.

GNUR 407 – Social Justice and Ethics in Health Care (3)
Examines ethical frameworks and principles of social justice that inform equitable healthcare practice. Students analyze global, national, and local issues and develop strategies for advancing nursing advocacy and ethical leadership.

GNUR 408 – Research for Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
Prepares students to evaluate and apply scientific evidence as the foundation of advanced nursing practice. Emphasizes evidence translation and the integration of scholarly inquiry into clinical protocols and patient care improvement.

GNUR 420 – Leadership and Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
Focuses on leadership theories and strategies to guide professional growth in advanced practice nursing. Students cultivate leadership competencies to drive healthcare transformation and develop a personal vision for improving population health.

GNUR 521 – Population-Focused Health (3)
Develops skills in assessing and addressing population health needs using epidemiologic data and evidence-based interventions. Emphasis is placed on health disparities, social determinants of health, and strategies for improving outcomes at a population level.

GNUR 523 – Health Care Policy and Economics (3)
Examines healthcare policy, financial frameworks, and economic influences that shape clinical practice and leadership. Students analyze how political and financial factors impact population health and learn to apply evidence to policy development.

GNUR 545 – Evidence Translation for Advanced Clinical Practice (3)
Builds advanced skills in evaluating and synthesizing research to address complex clinical issues. Focuses on developing leadership in translational science, evidence-based protocols, and interprofessional collaboration to enhance care outcomes.

Role (APRN) Courses

GNUR 413 – Advanced Pharmacology (3)
Provides the pharmacologic foundation for safe, effective medication management by advanced practice nurses. Topics include pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, legal and ethical prescribing, and case-based applications for diverse populations.

GNUR 425 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (4)
Develops comprehensive assessment skills for collecting health histories and performing physical exams across age groups. Includes lecture and lab experiences emphasizing clinical reasoning and health promotion.

GNUR 442 – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology (3)
Examines the physiological principles underlying normal and altered body function across organ systems. Students apply theoretical knowledge through case analysis to understand mechanisms of health and disease within clinical contexts.

GNUR 476 – Basic Diagnostics for Advanced Practice (2)
Focuses on selecting and interpreting diagnostic tests to guide clinical decision-making. Students integrate evidence-based approaches to effectively analyze and manage diagnostic data for patients across the lifespan.

Population (Adult-Gerontology) Courses

GNUR 471 – Palliative Care (2)
Introduces the philosophy and principles of palliative care, emphasizing holistic and interprofessional approaches to managing pain, symptoms, and psychosocial needs in life-limiting illness.

GNUR 526 – Management of Common Adult Health Problems (4)
Prepares nurse practitioner students to assess, diagnose, and manage common primary care conditions in adults and older adults. Focuses on evidence-based strategies for health promotion, disease prevention, and collaborative care.

GNUR 528 – Management of Complex Adult Health Problems (4)
Advances clinical expertise in managing complex primary care conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic disorders. Emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based treatment across the adult age spectrum.

GNUR 529 – Family-Focused Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3)
Explores family-centered strategies for promoting health and preventing disease throughout the lifespan. Students analyze cultural, social, and equity factors that influence population health across communities and generations.

GNUR 534 – Advanced Practice Nursing Care of Older Adults (2)
Examines specialized approaches to caring for older adults with multifaceted medical and psychosocial needs. Focuses on geriatric syndromes, functional assessment, and best practices in promoting health and independence.

Project Courses

GNUR 570 – DNP Scholarly Project: Planning (1)
Guides students in identifying and designing an evidence-based scholarly project tailored to their advanced practice focus. Emphasizes needs assessment, project planning, and leadership skills for interprofessional collaboration.

GNUR 571 – DNP Scholarly Project: Proposal and Pre-Implementation (2)
Supports the development and proposal of a scholarly project aimed at improving practice or patient outcomes. Students create a project plan, form professional partnerships, and initiate preparatory steps through seminar and practicum experiences.

GNUR 572 – DNP Scholarly Project: Project Implementation (2)
Centers on executing a scholarly project in collaboration with faculty and mentors. Students apply project management and leadership competencies through guided practicum and seminar discussions.

GNUR 573 – DNP Scholarly Project: Analysis and Dissemination (1)
Leads students in evaluating project outcomes and disseminating findings through presentations, manuscripts, and stakeholder engagement. Emphasizes translating practice improvements into scholarly contributions.

Practicum

GNUR 543 – Adult Primary Care NP Practicum (12)
Features immersive clinical practice integrating nursing science with primary care responsibilities. Students provide comprehensive care for adults, emphasizing health promotion, prevention, and management of acute and chronic health conditions.

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

DNP Clinicals

Faculty design all clinical rotations and place students with preceptors — students do not arrange their own sites. A minimum of 2,000 hours of prior RN clinical practice experience is required before a student may enter the first APRN clinical rotation. All clinical placements are in the Chicago metropolitan area and an Illinois RN license is required before clinicals begin.

• 12 credits of AGPCNP practicum via GNUR 543 — total clock hours not clearly stated on the official page
• Minimum 2,000 hours of prior RN clinical experience required before entering the first APRN clinical rotation
• Faculty design rotations and place all students with preceptors
• Clinical placements span the Chicago metropolitan area with emphasis on underserved community settings
• Illinois RN license required before clinical experiences begin
• Population focus: adults and older adults across primary care, community, hospital, and hospice settings
• Immersion experiences held on-campus at Loyola’s Health Sciences Campus in Maywood, supplementing coursework and building cohort connection

DNP Admissions

Applicants must be registered nurses with a BSN or higher from an accredited program. Admission is competitive and interview-based.

• BSN or higher from an accredited nursing program
• Active RN licensure (Illinois RN license required before clinical experiences begin)
• Minimum 2,000 hours of prior RN clinical practice experience before first APRN clinical rotation
• GPA requirements not clearly stated in the available source material — contact program for details
• Application materials evaluated competitively
• Admission interview required
• Contact Program Track Director Kimberly Reschke, DNP, AGPCNP, NP-C at kreschke@luc.edu for program-specific requirements
• Advanced practice nursing DNP tracks (NP and CNS) are open to RNs who are not already certified as an NP or CNS

Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate AGPCNP at Loyola University Chicago is $1,295 per credit hour; the total credit requirement varies by student based on a gap analysis of prior graduate coursework. Duration is not clearly stated.

Certificate Curriculum

The post-graduate AGPCNP certificate is designed for DNP-prepared nurses who need additional content and clinical expertise to qualify for the AGPCNP national certification examination.

The program director works with each student to build an individualized plan of study based on prior graduate coursework and the recency of that coursework.

At minimum, all students complete patient care management coursework and clinical practicum experiences relevant to the AGPCNP role and population focus. The certificate draws from the same AGPCNP population and role coursework used in the DNP track.

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

Certificate Clinicals

Clinical practicum requirements are individualized based on the gap analysis. As with the DNP track, faculty place students with preceptors — clinical specifics beyond this are not fully detailed on the official page.

• Clinical hours and practicum structure determined by individualized plan of study
• Faculty arrange all clinical placements
• Clinical sites span the Chicago metropolitan area
• Illinois RN license required before clinical experiences begin
• Population focus: adolescents through older adults in primary care settings

Certificate Admissions

This program is open to DNP-prepared nurses seeking additional AGPCNP preparation and national certification eligibility.

• DNP degree from an accredited nursing program required
• Active APRN licensure required
• Gap analysis completed with program director upon admission to determine individualized plan of study
• Application deadlines: July 1 for Fall; December 1 for Spring
• Specific admissions materials not fully detailed on the official page — contact Program Director Amanda Peacock, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-C at apeacock3@luc.edu

Tuition

Loyola charges $1,295 per credit hour for graduate nursing degree-seeking and certificate students alike — no distinction is made between in-state and out-of-state rates.

Additional fees include a Student Development Fee ($50–$206/semester depending on credit load), a Technology Fee ($32–$135/semester), and individual course fees for select practicum and project courses — GNUR 543 (primary care NP practicum) carries a $185 course fee.

The Fitness Center Fee ($194/semester) applies to students registered for 8 or more hours except those in online or hybrid programs. Based on the 69-credit DNP curriculum, tuition totals approximately $89K before fees.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

Accreditation details for Loyola University Chicago’s Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing are not explicitly stated in the available source material. Prospective students should confirm current CCNE or other nursing accreditation status directly with the school. Graduates of the AGPCNP DNP track are prepared to sit for the national AGPCNP certification examination.

More AGPCNP Programs in Illinois

• Bradley University - Peoria
• North Park University - Chicago
• Rush University - Chicago
• University of Illinois Chicago - Chicago