Colorado Mesa University offers a Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner track:
Key highlights of this program include:
- 100% online delivery — students remain in their home communities throughout the program
- A rural and underserved populations focus built directly into the clinical curriculum (NURS 604/640)
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) each semester to assess clinical competency, held both in-person and virtually
Program Track Overview
Master of Science in Nursing – (MSN-AGNP)
The MSN-AGNP program has an estimated in-state tuition of approximately $32,306 ($702.30/credit × 46 credits), plus ~$1,877 in student fees, for a total of roughly $34,183, and would take approximately 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
The MSN-AGNP at Colorado Mesa University is designed for BSN-prepared nurses seeking advanced primary care practice with adult and older adult populations, with a distinctive emphasis on rural and underserved communities.
The fully online program offers scheduling flexibility while preparing graduates for AGNP board certification and eligibility for doctoral-level study. Students may need to travel for clinical rotations — particularly rural health sites — and select OSCE sessions.
MSN Curriculum
The program totals 46 semester credit hours, split between required core graduate nursing courses and the AGNP-specific cognate. Core coursework covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, evidence-based practice, and health policy. The AGNP cognate adds focused primary care content for adults, older persons, rural/underserved populations, and mental/behavioral health. A capstone project is required for graduation.
Required Core Courses:
- NURS 500 – Theoretical Foundations (3 cr.)
- NURS 501 – Evidence-Based Practice (2 cr.)
- NURS 525 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
- NURS 526 – Advanced Pharmacology for Nursing (3 cr.)
- NURS 527 – Advanced Health Assessment (2 cr.)
- NURS 535 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2 cr.)
- NURS 536 – Leading Through Quality, Policy, and Ethics (3 cr.)
- NURS 577 – Clinical Practicum: Advanced Health Assessment (1 cr.)
AGNP Cognate Courses:
NURS 586 – Clinical Practicum: Procedures and Diagnostic Testing (2)
This clinical course introduces procedures and diagnostic tests commonly used in primary care practice. Students learn how nurse practitioners perform and interpret these procedures in clinical settings. Instruction emphasizes safe practice and accurate diagnostic evaluation.
NURS 600 – Advanced Practice Nursing Issues (2)
This course examines the professional role of the nurse practitioner in modern healthcare. Students study the history of advanced practice nursing, legal and ethical standards, and health policy. Instruction also explores leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary teamwork in clinical practice.
NURS 597 – Clinical Practicum: Congregate Care of Adults and Older Persons (2)
This practicum focuses on care delivery in congregate living settings such as long-term care facilities. Students manage the health needs of adult and older patients in these environments. Instruction emphasizes regulatory standards and the scope of practice for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners.
NURS 575 – Capstone Project (2)
This course guides students in developing a capstone project that demonstrates mastery of graduate nursing concepts. Students apply evidence-based practice to a clinical issue within their practice setting. The course concludes with a written manuscript and formal presentation.
NURS 602 – Primary Care of the Adult (3)
This course focuses on primary care management of adult patients. Students study clinical assessment, diagnostic testing, and treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Instruction also addresses health promotion, disease prevention, and interdisciplinary care in primary care settings.
NURS 603 – Primary Care of the Older Person (3)
This course examines healthcare management for older adult populations. Students study clinical guidelines, preventive care, and treatment strategies used in geriatric practice. Instruction emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and promotion of healthy aging.
NURS 604 – Primary Care of Rural and Underserved Populations (1)
This course explores primary care practice within rural and underserved communities. Students examine access barriers, ethical responsibilities, and culturally responsive care. Instruction highlights the nurse practitioner’s role in improving health equity.
NURS 605 – Mental and Behavioral Health (2)
This course reviews common mental and behavioral health conditions seen in primary care settings. Students study symptom recognition, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment options. Instruction emphasizes integrated care for patients with behavioral health needs.
NURS 615 – Clinical Practicum: Mental and Behavioral Health (1)
This practicum provides clinical experience in assessing and managing mental health conditions. Students apply diagnostic reasoning and therapeutic strategies in primary care settings. Instruction focuses on integrated behavioral health management.
NURS 620 – Clinical Practicum: Adult (3)
This practicum develops advanced clinical skills in adult primary care. Students perform assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment planning for adult patients. Instruction emphasizes management of acute and chronic conditions across healthcare settings.
NURS 630 – Clinical Practicum: Older Person (3)
This practicum focuses on advanced care of older adult patients. Students integrate assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology in clinical decision making. Instruction emphasizes management of chronic disease, preventive care, and health promotion.
NURS 640 – Clinical Practicum Capstone: Primary Care of Rural and Underserved Populations (3)
This capstone practicum applies primary care knowledge across the lifespan in rural or underserved communities. Students examine social and environmental factors that affect healthcare access. Instruction emphasizes culturally responsive care and strategies that improve health outcomes in underserved populations.
See the official curriculum page for more details.
MSN Clinicals
Students must complete a minimum of 750 clinical hours distributed across seven dedicated practicum courses. Clinical sites may include primary care, long-term care, inpatient, community-based, and rural health settings — and some travel may be required for rural rotation assignments.
- NURS 577 – Clinical Practicum: Advanced Health Assessment (1 cr.)
- NURS 586 – Clinical Practicum: Procedures and Diagnostic Testing (2 cr.)
- NURS 597 – Clinical Practicum: Congregate Care of Adults & Older Persons (2 cr.)
- NURS 615 – Clinical Practicum: Mental and Behavioral Health (1 cr.)
- NURS 620 – Clinical Practicum: Adult (3 cr.)
- NURS 630 – Clinical Practicum: Older Person (3 cr.)
- NURS 640 – Clinical Practicum Capstone: Rural and Underserved Populations (3 cr.)
Students are responsible for arranging their own clinical preceptors, setting up clinical hour tracking accounts, completing criminal background checks, and obtaining graduate nursing student malpractice insurance prior to beginning clinical courses.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- BSN from a regionally accredited, CCNE- or ACEN-accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in baccalaureate nursing coursework
- Current, unrestricted RN license in state of practice
- Three letters of professional and academic recommendation
- 500-word or less personal essay explaining graduate nursing goals
- Official transcripts submitted through NursingCAS
- $50 application fee
- Application deadline: April 15 for fall admission
- Additional ethical/critical reasoning screening may be required
- Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA; no grade below “B” applied toward degree
Tuition
Graduate Health Sciences Online tuition at Colorado Mesa University is $702.30 per credit hour for in-state students, plus a student fee of $40.80 per credit hour.
For the 46-credit MSN-AGNP program, estimated total in-state cost is approximately $34,183 (tuition + fees). Out-of-state and non-resident rates are not explicitly broken out for the Health Sciences Online category in the published fee schedule — prospective students should confirm current rates directly with the university.
More tuition details are available here.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in nursing at Colorado Mesa University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of the AGNP program are eligible to seek APRN licensure and sit for national board certification upon program completion.
More AGPCNP Programs in Colorado
- Colorado Christian University - Lakewood
- University of Colorado Anschutz - Anschutz