The University of Washington offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- BSN-DNP AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP
Both tracks are full-time and in-person, with no distance or fully online option available.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| BSN-DNP AGPCNP | $99K | 3 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP | $1,062/credit | 12–15 months |
The BSN-DNP is designed for BSN-prepared RNs pursuing a terminal degree, while the certificate targets experienced APRNs who already hold a graduate nursing degree and want to add AGPCNP scope. UW’s pre-arranged clinical placement process — managed through the Office of Clinical Placements — is a standout feature that allows students to focus on learning rather than site sourcing.
BSN-DNP AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP AGPCNP at the University of Washington is approximately $99K. The program takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis across 9 quarters.
Estimate based on 93 published credit hours at $1,062 per credit (fee-based rate effective Autumn 2026).
The $1,062/credit fee-based rate applies to cohorts beginning Autumn 2026 and later.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP AGPCNP runs across 3 years and 93 credit hours, structured as a shared first-year DNP core followed by AGPCNP-specific clinical and specialty coursework in Years 2 and 3.
Year 1 establishes the advanced practice foundation; Years 2 and 3 shift into adult-gerontology primary care management, clinical practica, and the DNP practice doctorate project.
Year 1 (21 credits) — DNP Core & APRN Foundation
- NSG 555: Perspectives on Implementing Research in Advanced Nursing Practice
- NSG 530: Leadership Communication & Professional Role Development
- NSG 553: Foundations of Health Systems and Health Economics
- NMETH 535: Nursing Inquiry to Support Evidence-Based Practice
- NSG 551: Health Politics and Policy
- NSG 552: Social Determinants of Health & Health Equity
- NMETH 533: Appraisal & Translation of Evidence for Practice
- NURS 552: Wellness, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
- NMETH 536: Methods of Program Evaluation & Quality Improvement
- NURS 573: Foundation of Advanced Practice Nursing
- NSG 520: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing Practice
- NCLIN 505: Diagnostic Management and Decision Making
- NSG 562: Management of Adults I
- NURS 541: Sexual and Reproductive Health
Year 2 (32 credits) — AGPCNP Specialty Coursework
NSG 557: Physiology & Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Explores alterations in normal physiology across the lifespan, emphasizing underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. Uses case-based learning to connect theory with evidence-based clinical practice. Offered: A.
NCLIN 500: Comprehensive Health Assessment
Develops advanced assessment skills through classroom and experiential learning. Focuses on systematic data collection, analysis, and communication across diverse adult populations, incorporating holistic health factors. Prerequisite: instructor permission. Credit/no-credit. Offered: AWS.
NCLIN 501: Diagnostic Health Assessment
Builds on foundational assessment skills to support clinical decision-making and diagnostic reasoning. Emphasizes focused data collection and interpretation to formulate differential diagnoses. Prerequisite: NCLIN 500 (may be concurrent). Credit/no-credit. Offered: AWS.
NCLIN 516: Advanced Clinical Practicum I
Provides supervised clinical experience to develop advanced practice competencies with selected populations. Emphasizes applying theory to patient care, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Credit/no-credit. Offered: Sp.
NSG 563: Management of Adults II
Covers evidence-based management of common acute and episodic adult health conditions. Focuses on clinical decision-making, health promotion, and development of cost-effective care plans. Offered: Sp.
PHARM 549: Pharmacotherapeutics for Older Adults
Examines medication management in older adults with complex health conditions. Highlights age-related pharmacologic changes and individualized treatment planning using case-based approaches. Prerequisite: PHRMCY 536 and 547. Offered: WSp.
NURS 515: Common Adolescent Health Problems
Addresses assessment and management of prevalent adolescent health issues. Integrates developmental theory, health promotion, and intervention strategies for primary care settings.
NCLIN 517: Advanced Clinical Practicum II
Expands clinical practice experience with an emphasis on advanced competencies across individuals, groups, and systems. Focuses on applying theory in care delivery, education, and collaboration. Credit/no-credit. Offered: S.
NSG 564: Management of Adults III
Focuses on care of older adults with complex chronic conditions across care settings. Emphasizes geriatric syndromes, care transitions, and strategies to optimize outcomes along the continuum of care.
Year 3 (40 credits) — Practica & DNP Project
- NCLIN 518: Advanced Clinical Practicum III
- NMETH 801: Practice Doctorate Project
- NCLIN 801: Practice Doctoral Clinical Immersion
You can search for more UW course descriptions here.
DNP Clinicals
The University of Washington manages clinical placements directly through its Office of Clinical Placements — students are not responsible for sourcing their own sites, a feature the school identifies as a key differentiator from most other DNP programs. Clinical experiences span urban and rural settings and emphasize primary care across the adult lifespan from adolescence through older adulthood.
- Pre-arranged placements through the UW School of Nursing Office of Clinical Placements
- Clinical partners include UW Medicine, primary care clinics, community health centers, subspecialty clinics, VA clinics, and medically underserved settings
- Practica distributed across Years 2 and 3 (NCLIN 516, 517, 518, and 801)
- Year 3 includes a Practice Doctoral Clinical Immersion (NCLIN 801, 8 credits)
- Simulation training available through UW’s INACSL-endorsed, 7,000+ sq. ft. Simulation Center with high-fidelity manikins and standardized patient activities
- Specific total clinical hours are not clearly stated on the official program page
DNP Admissions
The DNP program targets BSN-prepared RNs ready to commit to full-time, in-person doctoral study; no GRE is required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required
- Active RN license
- No GRE required
- Applications submitted through the UW Graduate School
- Priority deadline: January 15 (Autumn start)
- Final deadline: May 1 (Autumn start; AGPCNP track is eligible for the May 1 deadline)
- Specific GPA, recommendation, and statement requirements are not fully detailed on the program page — contact asknursing@uw.edu or attend an information session for application guidance
Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate in AGPCNP at the University of Washington is $1,062 per credit (fee-based), but total program credits are not clearly stated because the curriculum is individualized through a gap analysis — the program takes 12 to 15 months to complete on a full-time basis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate has no fixed course list. Upon application, the AGPCNP Specialty Director works with each student to complete a formal gap analysis comparing their prior education and clinical experience against program competencies.
The resulting curriculum plan is customized to fill gaps specific to that student. The program covers adult-gerontology primary care management across the age spectrum, from older adolescents through older adults, and along the full health continuum.
Clinical practice experiences are included and available in both urban and rural settings.
- Curriculum is fully individualized — no standardized course sequence
- Gap analysis with Specialty Director required prior to enrollment
- Covers health promotion, chronic disease management, diagnostics, and primary care across the adult lifespan
- Specific course titles and total credit hours are not published on the official page
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical practice experiences are built into the individualized curriculum plan and are available in both urban and rural settings. Placement details are coordinated through the gap analysis and faculty advising process.
- Clinical placements available in urban and rural settings
- Population focus: older adolescents through older adults in primary care contexts
- Total clinical hours are not clearly stated on the official page
- Weekly in-person attendance may be required for some core courses (noted for the related AGNP-AC track; confirm with the AGPCNP Specialty Director)
Certificate Admissions
The post-graduate certificate is open only to practicing APRNs who already hold or are pursuing a graduate nursing degree — this is not an entry-level pathway.
- Must be an APRN (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse anesthetist)
- Must hold or be actively pursuing a graduate nursing degree (MN, DNP, or PhD)
- Admission is space-available — check the UW Apply page before submitting an application
- Gap analysis consultation with the Specialty Director required as part of the application process
- No GRE required
- Multiple start dates available: Winter (October 15 deadline), Spring (January 15 deadline), Autumn (May 1 deadline)
- Current UW School of Nursing students use a separate application process
- Specific GPA, recommendation, or transcript requirements are not fully detailed on the official page
Tuition
Beginning with the Autumn 2026 cohort, the BSN-DNP AGPCNP and Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP are both fee-based programs charged at $1,062 per credit, regardless of Washington state residency.
DNP students entering before Autumn 2026 follow the state tuition model: $11,688/quarter for Washington residents and $16,679/quarter for non-residents over 9 quarters.
UW provided $2.1 million in DNP scholarships across 180 awards in the 2024–25 academic year, which prospective students should factor into their cost planning. Additional fees (technology, services and activities, clinical-related costs) apply and vary by enrollment status.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Both the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Washington are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Graduates of the AGPCNP DNP track are eligible to sit for the AGNP Primary Care certification examination through ANCC or AANPCP; graduates of the post-graduate certificate are eligible for AGPCNP certification through ANCC or AANP.