The University of Louisville School of Nursing offers four Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) pathways:
- MSN
- BSN-DNP
- MSN-DNP (for nurses who already hold an MSN)
- Post-Graduate Certificate
All four pathways share the same 14-credit AGPCNP specialty sequence. Courses run in a blended format with online instruction and on-campus class days in Louisville. Students must hold an RN license in Kentucky or a compact state before starting clinicals.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition (Resident) | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSN | $36,528 | 2 years full-time (minimum) | 48 |
| BSN-DNP | $57,075 | 3 years full-time (minimum) | 75 |
| MSN-DNP | $22,830–$41,094+ | 2 years part-time (minimum) | 30–54+ |
| Post-Graduate Certificate | $21,308–$28,918 | Not published | 28–38 |
Tuition estimates multiply UofL’s 2026–2027 graduate nursing rate ($761/credit Kentucky resident, $1,004/credit non-resident) by catalog credit totals. Ranges reflect prerequisite and specialty coursework assigned by individual review.
Few hybrid AGPCNP programs commit to clinical placement in writing the way UofL does. The School of Nursing states that a clinical preceptor is provided for all nurse practitioner students. MSN and certificate students complete 756 clinical hours (672 direct patient care plus 84 professional role), and BSN-DNP students complete 1,086 hours once DNP project hours are added.
The trade-off is geography. The program is blended, not fully online. UofL’s certificate page states that students attend class on campus 4 to 6 times a semester, on Thursdays. Combined with the Kentucky-or-compact RN license rule, the program fits nurses who can reach Louisville regularly, not distance students elsewhere in the country.
UofL provides preceptors for every NP student, but its Thursday campus days make it a regional program rather than a national online option.
Quick Facts
| Program Types | MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Post-Graduate Certificate |
| Format | Blended: online coursework plus on-campus class and simulation days |
| Campus Attendance | 4–6 Thursdays per semester (stated on UofL’s certificate page) |
| Clinical Hours | 756 (MSN, certificate); 1,086 including project hours (BSN-DNP) |
| Clinical Placement | Preceptor provided for all NP students |
| Population Focus | Adolescents, adults, and older adults |
| RN License | Kentucky or compact state, required for clinicals |
| Start Terms | Fall (MSN, DNP); Summer (MSN only) |
| Tuition | $761/credit resident; $1,004/credit non-resident (2026–2027) |
| Board Pass Rate | Greater than 90% (UofL-reported, all NP specialties) |
| Accreditation | CCNE |
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The MSN AGPCNP at the University of Louisville costs an estimated $36,528 for Kentucky residents and $48,192 for non-residents. It requires 48 credits and a minimum of two years of full-time study. Applicants need a BSN and an unencumbered RN license.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN divides into a 34-credit advanced practice core and a 14-credit AGPCNP specialty. The core holds advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment, plus evidence-based practice, quality and safety, health promotion, healthcare business, the APRN role course, and every clinical practicum credit. The specialty courses carry the primary care diagnosis and management content.
Patient care hours run through four equal practicum courses of 168 hours each, so the clinical load is spread evenly rather than front-loaded. Two features stand out in the specialty: a dedicated adolescent course (NURS 753), which reflects UofL’s definition of the population as adolescents through older adults, and separate courses for women’s health and mental health in primary care.
AGPCNP Specialty Courses (14 cr.):
- NURS 753 – Adolescent Well Child Theory (1 cr.)
- NURS 754 – Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing (1 cr.)
- NURS 755 – Diagnosis and Management of Adult Health in Primary Care (4 cr.)
- NURS 756 – Procedures & Diagnostics for Adult Health (1 cr.)
- NURS 757 – Diagnosis and Management of Women’s Health in Primary Care (2 cr.)
- NURS 758 – Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health in Primary Care (2 cr.)
- NURS 759 – Diagnosis and Management of the Older Adult in Primary Care (3 cr.)
Selected Core Courses (34 cr. total):
- NURS 740 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 cr.)
- NURS 741 – Advanced Pathophysiology (4 cr.)
- NURS 742 – Advanced Physical Assessment (3 cr.)
- NURS 807 – The Professional Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 cr.)
- NURS 726–729 – Clinical Practicum for the MSN NP I–IV (2 cr. and 168 clinical hours each)
- NURS 840 and 841 – Clinical Seminar I and II (1 cr. each)
- NURS 842 – Clinical Practicum in the Advanced Practice Role (1 cr., 84 hours)
View the full MSN curriculum in the UofL catalog.
MSN Clinical Requirements
- Direct patient care: 672 hours minimum across NURS 726–729 (168 hours each)
- Professional role: 84 hours in NURS 842
- Total: 756 hours
- 750-hour states: students seeking initial APRN licensure in a state that requires 750 direct care hours can add one clinical credit (84 hours) through NURS 730 or 731
- Placement: the School of Nursing states a clinical preceptor is provided for all NP students
- Settings: internal medicine offices, health clinics, specialty offices, hospital rehab or hospice units, long-term care, fast-track ER, and adult urgent care
- Licensure: RN license in Kentucky or a compact state; CastleBranch compliance, including a drug screen within six months before clinicals
Provided preceptors remove the largest planning risk in NP school: losing a semester because no site is available. UofL does not publish geographic limits on where placements are arranged. Given the Thursday campus schedule and the Kentucky-or-compact license rule, applicants should expect clinical sites within reach of Louisville.
Applicants planning to license in a 750-hour state will need the extra practicum credit, which adds tuition and clinical time beyond the standard plan.
MSN Admissions
- BSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or NLN-accredited nursing program at a regionally accredited institution
- Recommended 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA
- Active, unencumbered U.S. RN license (Kentucky or compact state before clinicals)
- Two letters of recommendation from a nursing supervisor, preceptor, clinical supervisor, or nursing faculty
- Current resume or CV
- Responses to all NursingCAS application questions
- English proficiency documentation, if applicable
- CastleBranch criminal background check before enrollment
- Holistic review of career goals, academic ability, GPA, work experience, leadership, and community engagement
- Apply through NursingCAS
- Deadlines: February 1 (summer start); April 1 (fall start)
UofL publishes no minimum RN experience requirement for AGPCNP applicants, and the 3.0 GPA is a recommendation, not a cutoff. The MSN is the only AGPCNP pathway with a summer entry option.
BSN-DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The BSN-DNP AGPCNP at the University of Louisville costs an estimated $57,075 for Kentucky residents and $75,300 for non-residents. It requires 75 credits (61 DNP core plus 14 specialty) and a minimum of three years of full-time study. It admits BSN-prepared RNs in the fall only.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP keeps the MSN’s advanced practice core and specialty sequence, then adds a doctoral layer: epidemiology, applied statistics, evidence synthesis, program development and evaluation, finance, leadership and health policy, and a three-course DNP project. Two courses appear only in the doctoral plan: NURS 843, a legal and professional topics course for the APRN role, and NURS 560, a 1-credit wellness course.
The clinical sequence also differs. Instead of four equal 168-hour blocks, the DNP uses three practicum courses that front-load patient care: 336 hours, then 252, then 84. Students should plan for the heaviest clinical semester early in the practicum sequence.
Doctoral Courses Beyond the MSN Core:
- NURS 560 – Wellness in the Advanced Nursing Role (1 cr.)
- NURS 725 – Analysis of Leadership and Health Policy (3 cr.)
- NURS 743 – Epidemiology (3 cr.)
- NURS 744 – Synthesis and Evaluation of Evidence in Practice (3 cr.)
- NURS 746 – Program Development & Evaluation (3 cr.)
- NURS 747 – Finance Management (2 cr.)
- NURS 748 – Application of Leadership and Health Policy (1 cr.)
- NURS 791 – Applied Statistics for Evidence Based Practice (3 cr.)
- NURS 843 – Legal and Professional Topics in the APRN Role (3 cr.)
- NURS 750–752 – DNP Project I–III: Inception, Implementation, Evaluation and Dissemination (8 cr., 110 hours each)
- NURS 787–789 – Clinical Practicum for the DNP NP I–III (4, 3, and 1 cr.)
The AGPCNP specialty courses (NURS 753–759, 14 credits) are identical to the MSN sequence listed above.
View the full DNP curriculum in the UofL catalog.
BSN-DNP Clinical Requirements
- Direct patient care: 672 hours across NURS 787 (336), 788 (252), and 789 (84)
- Professional role: 84 hours in NURS 842
- DNP project: 330 hours across NURS 750–752
- Total: 1,086 hours by course count; the catalog sets a 1,000-hour minimum for the degree
- 750-hour states: one additional clinical credit (84 hours) is available
- Placement: preceptor provided, same policy as the MSN
Direct patient care is the same 672 hours as the MSN. The DNP adds project and leadership work, not more primary care practice. An applicant choosing between the two for clinical readiness alone gains nothing from the doctorate; the case for it rests on the leadership, policy, and quality-improvement preparation.
BSN-DNP Admissions
- BSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or NLN-accredited program at an institution accredited by a Department of Education-recognized agency
- Recommended 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA
- Active, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Two letters of recommendation, resume or CV, and NursingCAS application responses
- CastleBranch criminal background check before enrollment
- Deadline: April 1, fall start only
With a single fall entry, an applicant who misses April 1 waits a full year. Nurses who need a summer start must choose the MSN.
MSN-DNP – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The MSN-DNP at the University of Louisville serves nurses who already hold an MSN. The DNP core is 30 credits (an estimated $22,830 resident, $30,120 non-resident) and takes a minimum of two years of part-time study. MSN-prepared nurses who are not APRNs, and APRNs adding AGPCNP as a new specialty, must also complete the specialty and its prerequisites, which raises the total to an estimated 44 to 54 or more credits.
A credit total that is not published. The catalog lists the 30-credit MSN-DNP core and states that advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, clinical reasoning, and NP specialty coursework are required for non-APRNs and for APRNs seeking an additional specialty. It does not publish a combined total or the practicum credits these students need. This page’s 44–54 credit range ($33,484–$41,094 resident) is a calculation: 30 core credits, plus the 14-credit specialty, plus up to 10 prerequisite credits. Practicum credits would add to that figure.
MSN-DNP Curriculum
The core contains the doctoral courses from the BSN-DNP plus NURS 845, an introductory DNP project and data management course, and a 3-credit elective. Advanced practice core courses do not appear because MSN coursework covers them. A gap analysis of prior coursework determines what an individual student adds.
- NURS 725 – Analysis of Leadership and Health Policy (3 cr.)
- NURS 743 – Epidemiology (3 cr.)
- NURS 744 – Synthesis and Evaluation of Evidence in Practice (3 cr.)
- NURS 746 – Program Development & Evaluation (3 cr.)
- NURS 747 – Finance Management (2 cr.)
- NURS 748 – Application of Leadership and Health Policy (1 cr.)
- NURS 791 – Applied Statistics for Evidence Based Practice (3 cr.)
- NURS 845 – Introduction to the DNP Project and Data Management (1 cr.)
- NURS 750–752 – DNP Project I–III (8 cr., 110 hours each)
- Elective (3 cr.)
View the MSN-DNP requirements in the UofL catalog.
MSN-DNP Clinical Requirements
- Total: 1,000 post-baccalaureate hours, combining documented MSN clinical hours with DNP hours
- DNP project: minimum 330 project or professional hours (NURS 750–752)
- Prior hours: students with fewer than 670 documented MSN clinical hours enroll in a clinical completion course
- Specialty hours: practicum hours for nurses adding AGPCNP are not separately published for this pathway
The 670-hour rule matters most for nurses with non-clinical MSNs in education or leadership. They should expect a clinical completion course on top of the 30-credit core, and the specialty sequence if they want AGPCNP certification.
MSN-DNP Admissions
- MSN from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or NLN-accredited program
- Recommended 3.0 graduate cumulative GPA
- Active, unencumbered U.S. RN license
- Two letters of recommendation, resume or CV, and NursingCAS application responses
- Documentation of prior MSN clinical hours
- CastleBranch criminal background check before enrollment
- Deadline: April 1, fall start
UofL’s current graduate admissions page lists the February 1 summer deadline for MSN programs only and places DNP applications under the April 1 fall deadline. Earlier descriptions of a summer MSN-DNP start are not supported by current sources.
Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The AGPCNP Post-Graduate Certificate at the University of Louisville costs an estimated $21,308 for Kentucky residents for 28 credits, or $28,918 when all 10 prerequisite credits are needed (non-resident: $28,112–$38,152). Applicants need an MSN or a terminal nursing degree. APRN certification is not required. Completion time is not published.
Two clinical-hour figures. The 2026–2027 catalog lists 672 direct patient care hours plus 84 professional role hours for the AGPCNP certificate. UofL’s certificate programs page states 672 hours for a first APRN specialty and a minimum of 504 hours for students adding a specialty. This page treats 756 hours as the standard plan and 504 as the floor for current APRNs, with the final plan set by gap analysis.
Certificate Curriculum
The certificate is the MSN without its non-clinical core courses (evidence-based practice, quality and safety, health promotion, and healthcare business). It keeps the 14-credit specialty, the APRN role course, four practicum courses, two clinical seminars, and the professional role practicum. Students who have not completed advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment with a qualifying grade take them first. A gap analysis of transcripts and credentials sets each student’s plan.
- Prerequisites, if needed (10 cr.): NURS 740 Advanced Pharmacology (3), NURS 741 Advanced Pathophysiology (4), NURS 742 Advanced Physical Assessment (3)
- AGPCNP specialty (14 cr.): NURS 753–759, identical to the MSN sequence
- Role course (3 cr.): NURS 807 The Professional Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
- Practicum (8 cr.): NURS 726–729, 168 hours each
- Seminars and role practicum (3 cr.): NURS 840, 841, and 842 (84 hours)
View the certificate requirements in the UofL catalog.
Certificate Clinical Requirements
- First APRN specialty: 672 direct patient care hours plus 84 professional role hours (756 total)
- APRNs adding a specialty: minimum 504 clinical hours (certificate programs page)
- 750-hour states: one additional 84-hour clinical credit available
- Campus attendance: on campus 4 to 6 times a semester, on Thursdays
- Placement: preceptor provided for all NP students
For a practicing FNP or AGACNP adding primary care, the 504-hour floor and a gap analysis could shorten the plan meaningfully. UofL does not publish how many credits that reduction removes.
Certificate Admissions
- MSN or terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DNP) from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or NLN-accredited nursing program
- Recommended 3.0 graduate GPA
- Active, unencumbered U.S. RN license, with the license number on the resume or CV
- Two letters of recommendation from a nursing supervisor, preceptor, or faculty member
- Goal statement covering specialty choice and professional plans
- Criminal background check after admission
- Start term and deadline: not clearly published in current UofL sources
Because APRN certification is not required, the certificate also serves MSN-prepared educators and nurse leaders who want to become nurse practitioners without a second master’s degree.
Tuition
UofL charges graduate nursing at its own rate, separate from the standard graduate rate. For Fall 2026 through Summer 2027:
- Kentucky residents: $761 per credit (under 9 credits) or $6,847 per semester (9 or more credits)
- Non-residents: $1,004 per credit (under 9 credits) or $9,032 per semester (9 or more credits)
UofL’s general tuition link still opens the 2025–2026 table ($750 resident, $989 non-resident). This page uses the newer 2026–2027 bursar table. The change adds $528 to the resident MSN estimate and $720 to the non-resident estimate compared with the old rate.
The full-time flat rate matters for planning. At 9 or more credits, the semester charge does not rise with additional credits, so full-time students taking heavier loads could pay less than the per-credit estimates below. UofL does not publish semester-by-semester credit loads for these pathways.
Estimated Total Tuition
| Pathway | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| MSN (48 cr.) | $36,528 | $48,192 |
| BSN-DNP (75 cr.) | $57,075 | $75,300 |
| MSN-DNP, core only (30 cr.) | $22,830 | $30,120 |
| MSN-DNP, adding AGPCNP (44–54+ cr.) | $33,484–$41,094+ | $44,176–$54,216+ |
| Post-Graduate Certificate (28–38 cr.) | $21,308–$28,918 | $28,112–$38,152 |
Figures are calculated from UofL’s published per-credit rates and catalog credit totals. UofL does not publish program totals.
Residency is the largest cost variable. A non-resident pays $11,664 more for the MSN and $18,225 more for the BSN-DNP.
Fees Beyond Tuition
The School of Nursing lists these fees for APRN students (MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate):
- Instructional fee: $50 per credit hour
- Clinical fee: $250 per credit hour in clinical courses
- Clinical placement fee: $250, assessed in the first clinical course
- Clinical hours documentation (Typhon): $100
- Student liability insurance: $350
- University fees: $276 bundled fee and $52.50 health fee per semester; $10 per credit for online courses
- Student-paid compliance: CastleBranch background check and drug screening
These fees are material. The instructional fee alone adds an estimated $2,400 to the 48-credit MSN. If the clinical fee applies to the nine practicum credits in the MSN plan, it adds about $2,250. UofL does not itemize which courses count as clinical.
UofL’s reduced military tuition rate is not confirmed for graduate nursing; the bursar’s 2026–2027 table excludes professional-school and fixed-cost programs from it.
See UofL’s 2026–2027 tuition rates and the School of Nursing graduate tuition and fees page.
Why Choose This AGPCNP Program?
Best suited for: Kentucky RNs, or RNs in nearby compact states, who can attend Thursday class days in Louisville and want the school to supply their preceptors.
Preceptors Provided, Within Commuting Range
UofL states that every NP student receives a clinical preceptor. Many hybrid and online programs leave preceptor searches to students. The condition is physical presence: 4 to 6 campus days per semester mean most students will live within driving distance of Louisville.
Resident Pricing Drives the Value
At $761 per credit, a Kentucky resident pays an estimated $36,528 for the MSN before fees. Non-residents pay 32% more per credit. For an out-of-state student who can commute, that premium buys the placement support but erases much of the price advantage.
The DNP Adds Projects, Not Patient Care
The BSN-DNP and MSN share the same 672 direct patient care hours and the same specialty courses. The DNP adds 27 credits, about $20,547 at the resident rate, and at least a year of study for leadership, policy, statistics, and a 330-hour project. That trade makes sense for nurses targeting leadership or faculty roles, not for those focused only on clinical practice.
Four Entry Points, One Specialty Sequence
BSN holders choose between the MSN and BSN-DNP. MSN holders choose between the certificate (shortest route to AGPCNP certification) and the MSN-DNP (doctorate plus specialty). The certificate does not require prior APRN certification, which opens it to nurse educators and leaders.
The Verdict
Kentucky residents within reach of Louisville have the strongest reason to choose UofL: provided preceptors, resident tuition near $37,000 for the MSN, and four entry routes into the same specialty. Nurses outside commuting range, nurses who need a fully online program, and MSN-DNP applicants who need a published credit total before committing should compare other options.
Accreditation
UofL’s BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through 2031. The university is accredited by SACSCOC. UofL states that graduates are prepared to apply for APRN certification in their population focus, while noting that educational preparation does not guarantee licensure.
Clinicals require an RN license in Kentucky or a compact state. Applicants outside Kentucky should check UofL’s professional licensure disclosures for their state’s current determination before applying.
Other AGPCNP Programs in Kentucky
- No related programs found for state KY.