Program Tracks Overview
Concordia University Wisconsin offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN
- BSN-DNP
- CAGE Certificate (post-graduate certificate)
All three tracks are primarily online with 8- and 16-week course formats and required on-campus components.
CUW is a faith-based institution and integrates Christ-centered values throughout the curriculum.
Students are responsible for identifying and securing their own clinical preceptors across all three tracks — faculty review and approve placements, and a Graduate Clinical Coordinator is available for assistance.
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | ~$33K | ~2.5 years |
| BSN-DNP AGPCNP | ~$63K | 3–4 years |
| CAGE Certificate AGPCNP | ~$28K | ~2–3 years |
CUW’s AGPCNP programs earned a 100% first-time pass rate on both the AANP and ANCC exams for three consecutive years — delivered almost entirely online across three entry paths, with no GRE and some of the lowest per-credit rates for a private nursing program.
MSN AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the MSN Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at Concordia University Wisconsin is approximately $33,000 (41 credits × $800/credit, before the $673 nursing clinical fee).
The program takes approximately 2.5 years to complete based on the 8-semester plan of study.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AGPCNP requires 41 total credits and is built around a shared core with the FNP track, with AGPCNP-specific specialization courses in the final semesters.
Core coursework covers genetics and microbiology, healthcare policy, theoretical foundations, pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, health care informatics, advanced health assessment, role transition, and pharmacotherapeutics.
One elective (3 credits) is chosen from a list of options including global perspectives, nursing education evaluation, healthcare management, or diagnostic skills for APRNs.
The three AGPCNP specialization courses — each combining didactic content with integrated clinical hours — progress through episodic and chronic adult conditions, lifespan primary care management, and an older adult focus with outpatient pharmacotherapy.
Required core courses:
- NURS 5050 – Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 5030 – Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 5034 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration (3 cr)
- NURS 6036 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
- NURS 5040 – Evidence Based Nursing Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 5060 – Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics (3 cr)
- NURS 6038 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr) *2–3 day on-campus immersion required
- NURS 6045 – Role Transition for the APN (2 cr)
- NURS 6042 – Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr)
- Elective (3 cr)
AGPCNP specialization courses:
- NURS 7265 – Advanced Primary Care Clinical I: AGPCNP (4 cr) — episodic and chronic adult conditions
- NURS 7266 – Advanced Primary Care Clinical II: AGPCNP (4 cr) — lifespan primary care with community partnerships
- NURS 7267 – Advanced Primary Care Clinical III: AGPCNP (4 cr) — older adult outpatient focus with health promotion and pharmacotherapy
More curriculum details available on the course catalog page here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN AGPCNP requires a minimum of 750 clinical hours, distributed across the three Advanced Primary Care Clinical courses. Students are responsible for identifying and securing their own clinical preceptors in approved adult or gerontology primary care settings; faculty review and approve all placements.
- Total clinical hours: 750 minimum
- Clinical hours distributed across NURS 7265, 7266, and 7267
- Settings: approved adult or gerontology primary care settings
- Students find their own preceptors — CUW does not arrange placements
- Graduate Clinical Coordinator available for assistance
- Students must comply with vaccination requirements of clinical sites
MSN Admissions
The MSN AGPCNP requires a BSN from an accredited institution; no GRE is required.
- BSN from an accredited nursing school required
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0; science GPA reviewed as part of admissions
- Current unencumbered RN license in the USA
- Actively working in practice; 2+ years of nursing experience preferred
- Undergraduate statistics course (3 credits, grade B or higher) — must be completed before NURS 5040
- Current CPR certification
- Essay addressing: NP career rationale, compatibility with CUW mission, academic success plan, and post-graduation practice vision
- Two professional/academic recommendations (one must be from someone with a master’s degree who has worked with the applicant professionally)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Professional resume
- Brief video introduction (submitted through Future Falcon application portal)
- Government-issued ID
- No GRE required
- Pre-admission telephone interview possible
- Fall deadline: July 1; Spring deadline: November 1
- Note: State restrictions apply — confirm eligibility on CUW’s Distance Education Disclosure list before applying
- F-1 visa holders are not eligible for this online program
BSN-DNP AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at Concordia University Wisconsin is approximately $63,000 (70 credits × $895/credit).
The program takes 3 to 4 years to complete.
DNP Curriculum
The BSN-DNP AGPCNP requires 70 total credits delivered across eight semesters.
The first two semesters establish the APRN science foundation — genetics and microbiology, evidence-based practice, theoretical foundations, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced health assessment.
Semesters three through six introduce AGPCNP specialty content: health promotion and disease prevention for the adult gerontology NP, adult chronic and acute disease management, women’s health and the older adult, and diagnostic skills for APRNs, alongside the DNP project sequence and early clinical residency credits.
Semesters seven and eight are heavily clinical, with two 5-credit clinical residency courses totaling the bulk of the 750 direct care hours, while the DNP project concludes with a final presentation at an on-campus cohort meeting.
The program includes a mandatory 4-day on-campus residency at the end of the program. Two mandatory cohort meetings occur: an initial Zoom orientation and the final on-campus graduation cohort.
DNP core and shared courses:
- NURS 5050 – Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 5040 – Evidence Based Nursing Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 5034 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration (3 cr)
- NURS 6036 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
- NURS 6042 – Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr)
- NURS 6038 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr) *on-campus component
- NURS 6045 – Role Transition for the APN (2 cr)
- NURS 5030 – Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 8003 – Biostatistics & Epidemiology (4 cr)
- NURS 8015 – Advanced Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 8010 – Business Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (3 cr)
- NURS 8021 – Healthcare Informatics (3 cr)
- NURS 9040 – DNP Project I (4 cr)
- NURS 9041 – DNP Project II (4 cr)
- NURS 9030 / 9031 / 9032 – DNP Project Practicum Immersions I, II, III (1 cr each)
AGPCNP specialization courses:
NURS 7013 Diagnostic Skills for APRN (3 credits)
This course focuses on evidence-based clinical decision-making for selecting and interpreting diagnostic tests. Students examine common primary care procedures, lab work, and imaging, with an emphasis on ordering appropriate diagnostics to support accurate medical decisions.
NURS 7220 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Primary Care for the Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (3 credits)
This introductory management course explores the AGNP’s role in caring for diverse populations from adolescence through older adulthood. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based strategies for health promotion, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic conditions.
NURS 7221 Adult Chronic and Acute Disease Management – AGPCNP (3 credits)
Building on foundational concepts, this course prepares students to manage acute and chronic conditions in adult and geriatric populations. Focus areas include applying clinical guidelines, developing differential diagnoses, and supporting restorative health through evidence-based care.
NURS 7222 Women’s Health and the Older Adult – AGPCNP (3 credits)
This advanced course emphasizes comprehensive care for women and older adults within primary care settings. Students apply evidence-based approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and management, including chronic illness care, restorative strategies, and palliative support.
NURS 8226 AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency I (1 credit)
In this initial practicum, students develop skills in conducting comprehensive histories and physical exams across the lifespan from adolescence to older adulthood. Emphasis is placed on building a structured, evidence-based diagnostic approach.
NURS 8227 AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency II (5 credits)
This intermediate practicum integrates assessment and diagnostic skills in patient evaluations. Students apply health promotion and disease prevention principles while managing acute and chronic conditions using an evidence-based framework.
NURS 8228 AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Residency III (5 credits)
In the final practicum, students demonstrate advanced clinical competence in managing complex patient cases. The course emphasizes independent decision-making, leadership, and the integration of diagnostic, clinical, and procedural skills in primary care settings.
More curriculum details are available in the course catalog.
DNP Clinicals
The BSN-DNP AGPCNP requires 1,008 total hours — 750 direct care clinical hours and 258 leadership practicum hours.
Clinical hours are distributed across three clinical residency courses; leadership hours are completed through the DNP project practicum immersion series. Students identify and secure their own preceptors, which are reviewed and approved by faculty.
- Total hours: 1,008 (750 clinical + 258 leadership)
- NURS 8226 – Clinical Residency I: 1 credit (early clinical hours)
- NURS 8227 – Clinical Residency II: 5 credits
- NURS 8228 – Clinical Residency III: 5 credits
- NURS 9030 / 9031 / 9032 – DNP Project Practicum Immersions I, II, III (leadership hours)
- Note: Students identify and secure their own preceptors — CUW does not arrange placements
- Graduate Clinical Coordinator available for assistance
- Final DNP projects presented at the on-campus graduation cohort meeting
DNP Admissions
The BSN-DNP AGPCNP requires a BSN from a regionally accredited nursing school; no GRE is required. Only fall starts are available.
- BSN from a regionally accredited nursing school required
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0; science and nursing GPA reviewed as part of admissions
- Current unencumbered RN license in the USA; actively working in practice
- 2+ years of nursing experience preferred
- Statistics course (3 credits, grade B or higher) completed within 5 years of admission — prerequisite for NURS 5040
- Current CPR certification
- Certified Background Check via Castle Branch required upon acceptance
- Essay addressing: NP career rationale, career goals, CUW mission compatibility, academic success plan, and post-graduation practice vision
- Two professional/academic recommendations (one from someone with a master’s degree who has worked with the applicant professionally)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Professional resume
- Brief video introduction (Future Falcon portal)
- Government-issued ID
- No GRE required
- Pre-admission telephone interview required
- Fall only deadline: July 1
- F-1 visa holders not eligible
CAGE Certificate AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Certificate After Graduate Education in Nursing (CAGE) – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at Concordia University Wisconsin is approximately $28,000 (35 credits × $800/credit).
The program takes approximately 2–3 years to complete based on the standard plan of study.
Certificate Curriculum
The CAGE AGPCNP requires 35 total credits and is designed for nurses who already hold an MSN or DNP and want to add the AGPCNP specialty certification.
Core coursework covers healthcare policy, theoretical foundations, genetics and microbiology, pathophysiology, health care informatics, role transition, pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced health assessment.
The AGPCNP specialization mirrors the MSN track, with three Advanced Primary Care Clinical courses (12 credits) progressing through adult episodic and chronic conditions, lifespan primary care, and older adult outpatient management.
The advanced health assessment course requires a 2–3 day on-campus immersion.
Required core courses:
- NURS 5030 – Healthcare Policy & Issues in Advanced Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 5034 – Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration (3 cr)
- NURS 5050 – Genetics, Immunology, & Microbiology for Advanced Nursing (3 cr)
- NURS 6036 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
- NURS 5060 – Fundamentals of Health Care Informatics (3 cr)
- NURS 6045 – Role Transition for the APN (2 cr)
- NURS 6042 – Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr)
- NURS 6038 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr) *2–3 day on-campus immersion required
AGPCNP specialization courses:
- NURS 7265 – Advanced Primary Care Clinical I: AGPCNP (4 cr)
- NURS 7266 – Advanced Primary Care Clinical II: AGPCNP (4 cr)
- NURS 7267 – Advanced Primary Care Clinical III: AGPCNP (4 cr)
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical hour requirements for the CAGE certificate are individualized based on clinical hours completed during the student’s prior MSN or DNP program; a letter from the prior school documenting earned clinical hours is required at admission.
The minimum clinical requirement is 750 hours across the three AGPCNP specialization courses.
- Minimum clinical hours: 750 (distributed across NURS 7265, 7266, 7267)
- Prior clinical hours documented at admission; individualized adjustments may apply
- Clinical sites: approved adult or gerontology primary care settings
- Students must comply with vaccination requirements of clinical sites
Certificate Admissions
The CAGE AGPCNP requires an MSN or DNP from an accredited nursing school; no GRE is required.
- MSN or DNP from an accredited nursing school required
- Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA: 3.0; science and nursing GPA reviewed
- Current unencumbered RN license in the USA
- Certified Background Check via Castle Branch required upon acceptance
- Essay addressing: NP career rationale, CUW mission compatibility, academic success plan, and post-graduation practice vision
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
- Letter from prior school of nursing documenting number of clinical hours earned during the master’s program
- Current resume
- No GRE required
- Fall deadline: July 1; Spring deadline: November 1
- Note: State restrictions apply — verify eligibility on CUW’s Distance Education Disclosure list
- F-1 visa holders not eligible
Tuition
Concordia University Wisconsin charges $800 per credit for MSN and CAGE certificate programs and $895 per credit for the BSN-to-DNP program (2025–26 rates). There is no resident/non-resident tuition distinction.
MSN students are also charged a nursing clinical fee of $673, though the exact billing frequency is not clearly stated on the official tuition page — prospective students should confirm this fee with the admissions office.
Scholarships are available exclusively for adult and post-traditional learners; CUW advertises thousands of dollars in scholarship opportunities for qualifying students. Transfer of up to 6 graduate credits may be accepted into the MSN or BSN-DNP programs, subject to approval.
See the official tuition and fees page for more details.
Accreditation
The MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and CAGE post-graduate certificate programs at Concordia University Wisconsin are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Concordia University Wisconsin is also approved by the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission to conduct practice experiences in Washington for MSN and BSN-DNP students in the AGPCNP track.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the AGPCNP certification examinations through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Review Other AGPCNP Programs in Wisconsin
- Edgewood University - Madison
- Marquette University - Marquette