Chamberlain University AGPCNP Programs

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

• Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP
• Graduate Certificate in AGPCNP

All coursework is delivered 100% online with clinical practicum placements completed in-person.

The program features Chamberlain’s Practicum Commitment® which guarantees support in securing practicum sites and preceptors.

Program Tracks Overview

The university also provides two in-person immersion events in the Chicago area: a skills lab during the Advanced Physical Assessment course and an intensive board exam review session during the capstone course.

Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the MSN-AGPCNP program is approximately $34,200 (45 credits at $760/credit) plus $450 APRN fee per NP course and would take 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.

MSN Curriculum

The 45-credit curriculum includes five MSN core courses, four nurse practitioner core courses, and six AGPCNP specialization courses:

MSN Core Courses:

NR-500NP Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles (3 credits)
This course introduces core concepts and skills for advanced practice nursing. Students study professional role development, clinical inquiry, and scholarly communication. The course also reviews key APRN roles and expectations for ongoing professional growth.

NR-501NP Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
This course reviews major nursing and related theories that guide advanced practice. Students analyze theory components and compare how theories shape care decisions. Students also link theory to evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning.

NR-505NP Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
This course teaches evidence-based practice and research basics for advanced nursing care. Students learn to define clinical problems, critique literature, and apply findings to practice. Students also develop an evidence-based project focused on quality or safety.

NR-506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership (3 credits)
This course explores health policy and leadership in advanced practice nursing. Students examine policy development, policy impact, and advocacy for patient and population needs. Students also study leadership models plus ethical and legal decision-making.

NR-599 Nursing Informatics for Advanced Practice (3 credits)
This course introduces nursing informatics for the advanced practice role. Students learn how data and technology support clinical decisions and patient care. The course covers information literacy, EHR use, and documentation standards.

Nurse Practitioner Specialty Core Courses:

NR-503 Population Health, Epidemiology and Statistical Principles (3 credits)
This course applies epidemiology and statistics to population-focused care. Students learn to assess health trends and identify risk factors in groups. Students also plan and evaluate evidence-based interventions for populations.

NR-507 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
This course examines normal and abnormal physiologic processes across the lifespan. Students analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical patterns for selected conditions. Students apply this content to clinical assessment and problem solving.

NR-509 Advanced Physical Assessment (L=25) (3 credits)
This course builds advanced history and physical exam skills across the lifespan, including mental health screening. Students complete about 25 lab hours using virtual and in-person practice. The course includes a remote skills check-off, plus an immersion lab at a designated site, with pass/fail skills requirements tied to course progression.

NR-565 Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals (3 credits)
This course covers core pharmacology for advanced practice. Students study pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics across common drug classes. Students also practice safe prescribing and monitoring for acute and chronic conditions.

AGPCNP Specialization Courses:

NR-568 Advanced Pharmacology for the AGPCNP (3 credits)
This course applies advanced pharmacology to primary care for adolescents, adults, and older adults. Students address prescribing for acute and chronic disease with attention to age, culture, and other patient factors. The course also covers polypharmacy, plus legal and ethical prescribing issues.

NR-576 Differential Diagnosis in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (C=125) (3 credits)
This course develops differential diagnosis skills for primary care. Students practice diagnostic reasoning and evidence-based decision-making with real patient data. A 125-hour precepted practicum supports diagnosis work with adolescents, adults, older adults, and women.

NR-577 Primary Care Management of Adolescents and Adults (C=125) (3 credits)
This course focuses on managing common acute and chronic conditions in adolescents and adults, with attention to women and at-risk groups. Students strengthen treatment planning, patient education, and follow-up care. A 125-hour precepted practicum builds skills in protocols, referrals, and care coordination.

NR-578 Primary Care Management of Older Adults (C=125) (3 credits)
This course prepares students to manage common primary care problems in older adults. Students apply assessment and treatment skills to acute and chronic conditions seen in aging patients. A 125-hour precepted practicum supports patient education, referral decisions, and care planning in primary care and long-term settings.

NR-579 Palliative Care in Adult-Gerontology Across the Spectrum (C=125) (3 credits)
This course teaches palliative care principles for serious and life-limiting illness across adult and older adult populations. Students address symptom management and whole-person care that includes family and community needs. A 125-hour precepted practicum supports palliative, hospice, rehab, or related experiences, with attention to practice and policy barriers.

NR-580 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Capstone and Intensive (C=125) (3 credits)
This capstone course integrates advanced assessment and management skills in adult-gerontology primary care. Students complete a 125-hour precepted practicum and use case work, chart review, and practice critique to refine clinical judgment. The course includes an in-person intensive review session to support readiness for certification and entry to practice.

More curriculum details are available here.

MSN Clinicals

Students complete 625 total clinical practicum hours focused on managing adolescents, adults, and older adults in primary care settings including clinics and private practices.

• 25 lab hours during Advanced Physical Assessment course
• 125 clinical hours in five specialty practicum courses
• Two-day on-ground immersion skills lab during NR-509 in Chicago area
• Two-day intensive board exam review session during NR-580 capstone in Chicago area
• Students responsible for securing practicum sites/preceptors or can utilize Practicum Commitment® with documentation of three formal denials

MSN Admissions Requirements

• BSN degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license valid for the state where practicum will be completed
• Background check and fingerprint screening ($150 fee)
• $60 application fee (waived for Chamberlain alumni, military personnel, and select partners)
• Up to six semester credits may transfer for core courses only (completed within past seven years, grade B or higher)
• Provisional acceptance available for GPA 2.50-2.99 with completion of NP Provisional Assessment or NR-545 prerequisite course

Graduate Certificate in AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the Graduate Certificate in AGPCNP is approximately $25,080 (33 credits at $760/credit) plus $450 APRN fee per NP course and would take 1.67 years to complete on a full-time basis.

Certificate Curriculum

The 33-credit post-graduate certificate curriculum (effective March 2024) includes:

• NR-586NP Population Health and Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• NR-582NP Leadership and Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
• NR-507 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• NR-565 Advanced Pharmacology Fundamentals (3 credits)
• NR-509 Advanced Physical Assessment (3 credits)
• NR-568 Advanced Pharmacology for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (3 credits)
• NR-576 Differential Diagnosis in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (3 credits)
• NR-577 Primary Care Management of Adolescents and Adults (3 credits)
• NR-578 Primary Care Management of Older Adults (3 credits)
• NR-579 Palliative Care in Adult-Gerontology Across the Spectrum (3 credits)
• NR-580 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Capstone and Intensive (3 credits)

Certificate Clinicals

Students complete 625 total clinical practicum hours with the same clinical requirements as the MSN track.

• Faculty-supervised laboratory work during NR-509
• On-ground immersion weekend during Advanced Physical Assessment course
• On-ground intensive review weekend during capstone course
• Students highly encouraged to have secured practicum site/preceptor upon admission to avoid progression delays

Certificate Admissions Requirements

• Master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited institution
• Current, active, unrestricted RN license in state where practicum will be completed
• Background check and fingerprint screening ($150 fee) required by end of first course
• $60 application fee (waived for Chamberlain alumni, military personnel, and select partners)
• Documentation of five denied practicum sites required to access Practicum Commitment® assistance
• Program availability varies by state

Tuition

MSN and Graduate Certificate NP course tuition is $760 per credit hour with a non-refundable $450 APRN resource fee charged per nurse practitioner course.

Additional fees include $200 student services charge per session (non-refundable), $75 electronic course resource fee per course (non-refundable), and $150 background check/fingerprint/drug screening fee.

Students are responsible for travel costs to immersion and intensive events in the Chicago area including transportation, lodging, and meals.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for national AGPCNP certification exams.