Adelphi University offers 3 Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MS AGPCNP)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology Primary Care (DNP AGPCNP)
- Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
All programs are available fully online for New York State licensed RNs, feature small class sizes with individualized faculty mentoring, and include hands-on clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $42,300 | 28 months (≈2.3 years, full-time) |
| DNP AGPCNP | $78,960 | 6 years (part-time) |
| Certificate AGPCNP | ≈$31,960 | 3 years (part-time) |
The programs prepare nurses to provide comprehensive primary care to adults across the lifespan, from young adults through geriatric populations.
Master of Science in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MS AGPCNP program is $42,300 and would take 28 months (approximately 2.3 years) to complete on a full-time basis.
MS AGPCNP Curriculum
The 45-credit program integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare RNs for advanced practice as Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners.
NUR 602 – Frameworks for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course introduces key nursing theories and conceptual models used in advanced practice. Students learn how to analyze, compare, and evaluate theories and consider how they support practice, education, administration, and research.
NUR 703 – Health Policy for Advanced Practice Nursing
Students study major dimensions of health policy using economic, social, ethical, political, and global lenses. The course highlights the advanced practice nurse’s role in shaping policy and developing evidence-based responses to current health issues.
NUR 704 – Nursing Informatics and Advanced Nursing Practice
This course covers core concepts, systems, and tools in nursing informatics that support advanced practice, education, research, and leadership. Students strengthen skills in information retrieval, scholarly writing, and effective use of college and library resources.
NUR 705 – Nursing Research, Statistics & Evidence-Based Practice
Students examine quantitative and qualitative research methods, including design, sampling, data collection, and analysis. The course builds skills in critiquing studies and using research findings and statistics to guide evidence-based clinical decisions.
NUR 539 – Cardiac Diagnostic Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice
This course focuses on diagnostic tests and lab interpretation for adults with cardiovascular disease. Students learn to use diagnostic information to plan and evaluate patient care along the health–illness continuum.
NUR 738 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Students learn strategies to promote health and prevent disease in adult populations. The course emphasizes applying current evidence to develop clinical interventions that support healthy behaviors and reduce risk.
NUR 755 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan Lab
This lab builds hands-on skills in comprehensive interviewing and head-to-toe physical examination for patients of all ages. Students practice documenting findings, presenting cases orally, and forming initial and differential diagnoses while demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
NUR 756 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
The course explores advanced concepts in human physiology and pathophysiology from cellular mechanisms to complex body systems. Students link underlying biological changes to clinical signs, diagnostics, and disease patterns across the lifespan.
NUR 761 – Advanced Practice Professional Role & Practice Management
Students explore the evolving role of the nurse practitioner as clinician and leader. The course reviews social, cultural, economic, and political factors that shape advanced practice and examines current trends in NP education and scope of practice.
NUR 763 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
This course addresses pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics for primary care management by nurse practitioners. Students learn to select, prescribe, and monitor medications safely, consider drug interactions and adverse effects, and design age-appropriate treatment plans.
NUR 764 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (Didactic)
Students refine advanced health assessment skills to support accurate diagnostic reasoning. The course focuses on organizing data, analyzing findings, and developing differential diagnoses to guide clinical decision-making.
NUR 633 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across the Lifespan I (Didactic)
This first primary care theory course covers assessment and management of common cardiac, respiratory, hematologic, dermatologic, and ENT conditions in adults. Didactic content aligns with a concurrent clinical practicum where students apply these concepts with patients.
NUR 636 – Adult Health Nursing I Clinical
In this initial clinical course, students begin applying Adult Health I content to real patient care. They practice focused history taking, physical examination, clinical reasoning, and basic treatment planning for adult clients.
NUR 638 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across the Lifespan II (Didactic)
This second theory course addresses gastroenterology, genitourinary, women’s health, and mental health conditions in adult primary care. Students continue to integrate scientific, theoretical, and clinical knowledge to support safe management plans, paired with a related clinical practicum.
NUR 646 – Adult Health Nursing II Clinical
Students extend their clinical skills from Adult Health I and II to manage a broader range of adult health and illness states. The focus is on refining assessment, decision-making, and care planning in supervised clinical settings.
NUR 653 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across the Lifespan III (Didactic)
This final didactic course in the series emphasizes musculoskeletal, neurologic, renal, advanced cardiac, pain, infectious disease, and oncology conditions. Students deepen their understanding of complex primary care management while coordinating with a companion clinical experience.
NUR 655 – Adult Health Nursing III Clinical
In the culminating clinical rotation, students move toward more independent practice while still under supervision. They are expected to manage more complex adult cases, synthesizing prior coursework and clinical experience in evidence-informed care.
NUR 708 – ePortfolio
Students complete an electronic portfolio that showcases their growth and achievement of program outcomes. The ePortfolio, developed over the program, includes reflective work and artifacts that demonstrate core competencies in advanced nursing practice.
More curriculum details are available here.
MS AGPCNP Clinicals
The program includes three clinical courses providing hands-on patient care experience across multiple healthcare settings. Students complete clinical rotations in Adult Health Nursing I, II, and III, working alongside advanced practice nurses and healthcare professionals in primary care, geriatrics, oncology/hematology, hospital outpatient clinics, hospital inpatient units, and private group practices.
MS AGPCNP Prerequisites & Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- New York State RN license (for online verification purposes)
- College-level statistics course
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- $60 application fee
- No GRE required
- International students must provide NACES course-by-course evaluation, English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or DET), and transcripts in English and original language
Doctor of Nursing Practice in Adult Gerontology Primary Care
The estimated cost for the Post-Baccalaureate DNP AGPCNP program is approximately $78,960 (84 credits × $940/credit) and would take 6 years to complete on a part-time basis.
DNP AGPCNP Curriculum
The 84-credit hybrid program (online and on-campus Thursday evenings) prepares RNs as comprehensive care practitioners with terminal degrees in nursing practice, focusing on evidence-based leadership and translational research.
Year 1 Courses:
- NUR 602 – Frameworks For Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 704 – Nursing Informatics and Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 738 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3 credits)
- NUR 705 – Nursing Research, Statistics & Evidence Based Practice (4 credits)
- NUR 756 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 763 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
Year 2 Courses:
- NUR 755 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan Lab (2 credits)
- NUR 764 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 539 – Cardiac Diagnostic Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit)
- NUR 633 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 636 – ANP: Adult Health Nursing I Clinical (2 credits)
- NUR 761 – Advanced Practice Professional Role & Practice Management (2 credits)
Year 3 Courses:
- NUR 638 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across The Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 646 – ANP: Adult Health Nursing II Clinical (2 credits)
- NUR 703 – Health Policy for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
- NUR 653 – Diagnosis & Management of The Adult Across The Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 655 – ANP: Adult Health Nursing III Clinical (2 credits)
Years 4-6 Advanced Courses:
- NUR 874 – Leadership and Organizational Management in AP Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 875 – Essentials of Epidemiology in AP Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 877 – Healthcare Economics and Finance for AP Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 879 – Social Determinants of Health for AP Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 876 – Translational Science in Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 880 – Legal and Ethical Considerations in AP Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 878 – Nursing Informatics for Advance Practice Nursing (3 credits)
- NUR 881 – DNP Project I Project Planning and Proposal (3 credits)
- NUR 882 – DNP Residency I (1 credit)
- NUR 883 – Seminar in Clinical Genetics and Genomics (3 credits)
- NUR 884 – DNP Project II (4 credits)
- NUR 885 – DNP Residency II (2 credits)
- NUR 886 – DNP Project III (4 credits)
- NUR 887 – DNP Residency III (2 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP AGPCNP Clinicals
Post-baccalaureate DNP students complete 1,100 total clinical and residency hours, including 600 hours of direct patient care clinical practice and 500 hours dedicated to DNP Project work across three residency courses.
Advanced standing students (with master’s degrees and NP certification) complete 500 DNP Project and residency hours distributed across:
- DNP Project I (100 hours)
- DNP Project II (200 hours)
- DNP Project III (200 hours)
DNP AGPCNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Post-Baccalaureate Track:
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from CCNE or CNEA accredited program
- 3.0 minimum GPA with B grade or higher in all nursing and science courses
- Minimum 1 year working experience as post-baccalaureate registered nurse
- 3 letters of reference from doctorally prepared nursing faculty or colleagues (at least 2 from supervisor or faculty)
- 500-word essay addressing future role vision with DNP degree
- Curriculum vitae
- Faculty interview
- $60 application fee
- International students must provide NACES course-by-course evaluation
- Spring semester start only
Advanced Standing Track (for existing NPs):
- Master’s degree with focus as Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP
- National board certification as AGPCNP by ANCC (AGPCNP-BC) or AANP (AGPCNP-C)
- One year clinical experience as nurse practitioner (preferred)
- 3.0 minimum GPA with B grade or higher in all nursing and science courses
- 3 letters of reference from doctorally prepared nursing faculty or colleagues (at least 2 from supervisor or faculty)
- 500-word essay addressing future role vision with DNP degree
- Faculty interview
- $60 application fee
- International students must provide NACES course-by-course evaluation
- Spring semester start only
Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care
Advanced Certificate Curriculum
The 34-credit program provides specialized training in adult gerontology primary care for nurses who already hold master’s degrees in nursing, emphasizing scientific inquiry and clinical knowledge development.
Spring Semester Year 1:
- NUR 738 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (3 credits)
Summer Semester Year 1:
- NUR 756 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 credits, online)
- NUR 763 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 credits, online)
Fall Semester Year 2:
- NUR 764 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 755 – Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan Lab (2 credits)
- NUR 539 – Cardiac Diagnostic Essentials for Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit)
Spring Semester Year 2:
- NUR 633 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 636 – ANP: Adult Health Nursing I Clinical (2 credits, 200 hours)
- NUR 761 – Advanced Practice Professional Role & Practice Management (2 credits)
Fall Semester Year 3:
- NUR 638 – Diagnosis & Management of the Adult Across The Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 646 – ANP: Adult Health Nursing II Clinical (2 credits, 200 hours)
- NUR 703 – Health Policy for Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
Spring Semester Year 3:
- NUR 653 – Diagnosis & Management of The Adult Across The Lifespan (3 credits)
- NUR 655 – ANP: Adult Health Nursing III Clinical (2 credits, 200 hours)
More curriculum details are available here.
Advanced Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete 600 clinical hours across three clinical courses (200 hours each in Adult Health Nursing I, II, and III). Students work with advanced practice nurses in physician offices, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, home healthcare, and assisted living facilities to gain comprehensive primary care experience with adult populations.
Advanced Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing
- Required coursework may vary based on faculty evaluation of prior coursework
- New York State RN license
- Small class sizes with personalized faculty support
- Part-time program structure
Tuition & Fees
Graduate tuition for all AGPCNP programs is $940 per credit hour. The application fee is $60 for all programs.
Military students (veterans, active military, and eligible spouses/dependents) receive discounted undergraduate tuition of $250 per credit hour.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Adelphi University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Doctor of Nursing Practice program in adult gerontology primary care is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the accrediting branch of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Graduates of all programs are eligible for New York State Adult Health Nurse Practitioner licensure and national board certification as an AGPCNP through either ANCC or AANP.
More AGPCNP Programs in New York
- Hunter College - New York
- Keuka College - Keuka Park
- NYU - New York
- St. John Fisher University - Rochester
- St. Joseph’s University - New York
- Stony Brook University - Stony Brook
- SUNY Brockport - Brockport