Florida Atlantic University AGPCNP Programs

Florida Atlantic University offers three Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing handles clinical site and preceptor placement for students — a notable advantage for nurses who do not want to source their own sites. All clinical placements are in South Florida.

The MSN track runs part-time only; the BSN to DNP runs full-time across 11 semesters. Neither program is fully online; both use a hybrid format with on-campus or synchronous components.

Program Tracks Overview

Program NameEst. Tuition (FL Resident)Est. Duration
MSN – AGPCNP~$21K~2.5 years (part-time)
BSN to DNP – AGPCNP~$29K~3.5 years (11 semesters, full-time)
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNPVaries (gap analysis)Varies

FAU gives BSN-prepared nurses two distinct paths into AGPCNP practice: a part-time MSN running about 2.5 years, or a full-time BSN-to-DNP spanning 11 semesters.

Post-master’s RNs with existing APRN certification can pursue a post-graduate certificate, with coursework determined by a gap analysis. In-state tuition makes both degree tracks accessible for Florida residents, but out-of-state costs rise sharply.

FAU is a strong fit for South Florida nurses who want school-arranged clinical placements and a clear path from BSN to doctoral practice.

Master of Science in Nursing – Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

The estimated cost for the MSN – AGPCNP is approximately $21,400 for Florida residents (including lab fees) and approximately $55,500 for out-of-state students, and it would take about 2.5 years to complete on a part-time basis.

MSN Curriculum

The MSN AGPCNP requires 52 credit hours effective Fall 2024, spread across 8 semesters in a part-time format. Core content covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, and health assessment, followed by AGNP-specific coursework including Perspectives of Aging, Women’s Health in Advanced Practice, and three clinical practicum sequences.

Courses are offered on the Boca Raton, Davie, and Harbor Branch campuses; live sessions typically fall on Thursdays.

Course list:

Advanced Nursing Practice Grounded in Caring (NGR 6110)
Defines caring as the foundation of advanced nursing practice. Students study key nursing theories and apply them to clinical care, leadership, and research.

Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice Roles (NGR 6811)
Explores how nursing theory guides advanced practice roles. Students apply middle-range theories to improve decision-making across care settings.

Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (NGR 6812)
Teaches students to evaluate and apply clinical research. Focus is placed on improving patient outcomes through evidence-based decision-making.

Leadership, Policy and Finance in Advanced Nursing Practice (NGR 6891)
Covers leadership, healthcare policy, and financial management. Students learn how system-level decisions affect care quality and outcomes.

Advanced Health Assessment (NGR 6002)
Builds advanced patient assessment skills. Students perform detailed exams, identify risks, and develop diagnostic reasoning.

Advanced Health Assessment Lab (NGR 6002L)
Provides hands-on training in assessment techniques. Students practice physical exams and diagnostic skills in a supervised setting.

Advanced Pathophysiology (NGR 6141)
Examines disease processes across the lifespan. Students connect pathophysiology to diagnosis and patient care.

Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (NGR 6172)
Reviews drug therapy across major systems. Students learn safe medication use, side effects, and treatment planning.

Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 2 (NGR 6176)
Focuses on prescribing in clinical practice. Students apply pharmacology knowledge to real patient cases.

Perspectives of Aging (NGR 6251)
Explores aging and its impact on health. Students learn to care for diverse older adult populations.

Primary Care 1: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (NGR 6200)
Introduces primary care across the lifespan. Students learn prevention, assessment, and treatment of common conditions.

Primary Care 1 Practicum: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (NGR 6200L)
Provides supervised clinical experience in primary care. Students apply core skills in real patient settings.

Women’s Health: Nursing Situations in Advanced Practice (NGR 6342)
Focuses on women’s health across the lifespan. Students manage common reproductive and preventive care needs.

Primary Care 2: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (NGR 6605)
Expands clinical skills to manage complex conditions. Students strengthen diagnosis and treatment planning.

Primary Care 2 Practicum: Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice (NGR 6605L)
Offers advanced clinical training in primary care. Students manage complex patient cases with guidance.

Comprehensive Care of Adolescents through Older Adults (NGR 6607)
Prepares students to treat adolescents through older adults. Focus is on chronic and complex condition management.

Comprehensive Care of Adolescents through Older Adults Practicum (NGR 6607L)
Provides clinical experience with complex adult patients. Students build confidence for independent practice.

More curriculum details are available in the course catalog here.

MSN Clinicals

The MSN AGPCNP requires a minimum of 780 supervised clinical hours; attainment of competencies may require additional hours beyond that threshold. FAU arranges all clinical placements — sites include health department clinics, private practice, home health agencies, community health centers, long-term care facilities, and hospitals serving adolescents, adults, and older adults in South Florida (Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties).

  • Minimum clinical hours: 780
  • Primary Care 1 Practicum: 180 hours (spring) + 120 hours (summer)
  • Primary Care 2 Practicum: 240 hours
  • Comprehensive Care Practicum: 240 hours
  • Lab and practicum courses carry a $150/credit surcharge
  • Students do not find their own clinical sites or preceptors
  • All sites are located in South Florida

MSN Admissions

The MSN AGPCNP is a limited-access, competitive program admitted once per year in the fall only. Applications are submitted through GradCAS, which opens September 15 with a February 15 deadline.

  • BSN from a regionally accredited, CCNE- or ACEN-accredited nursing program
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on the final 60 baccalaureate-level credits
  • Prerequisite statistics course
  • Baccalaureate-level nursing research course
  • Current Florida RN license (or compact)
  • CV/resume (required format)
  • 1 letter of recommendation (with signature)
  • Philosophy of Nursing essay
  • Final official academic transcript
  • GRE/MAT not required (and not accepted for applicants below 3.0 GPA)
  • Criminal background check required for admitted students only
  • Students may apply to only one MSN concentration

BSN to DNP – Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP – AGPCNP is approximately $28,629 for Florida residents and approximately $79,064 for out-of-state students, and it would take about 3.5 years to complete across 11 full-time semesters.

DNP Curriculum

The BSN to DNP AGPCNP requires 77 credit hours and follows a sequential 11-semester plan beginning in the summer. Doctoral-level content (7000-level) covers caring-based practice theory, epidemiology, health equity, informatics, quality improvement, and a DNP scholarly project.

The AGPCNP concentration courses (6000-level) mirror the MSN pathway, including two pharmacotherapeutics courses, primary care practicum sequences, Perspectives of Aging, Women’s Health, and a comprehensive adolescent-to-older-adult practicum. A “Master’s Along the Way” option is available after completing all MSN-level coursework in semester IX.

DNP Core Courses (selected):

  • Theoretical Grounding for Caring-Based Practice (NGR 7124)
  • Epidemiology for Advanced Nursing Practice (NGR 6673)
  • The Role of the DNP as Scholar (NGR 7768)
  • Translation of Evidence for Advanced Practice Nursing (NGR 7855)
  • Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare (NGR 7795)
  • Healthcare System Analysis and Quality Improvement (NGR 7895)
  • DNP Proposal Development (NGR 7974)
  • Project Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination (NGR 7975C)
  • Practicum for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (NGR 7947L)

AGPCNP Concentration Courses:

  • Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (NGR 6172) + Pharmacotherapeutics 2 (NGR 6176)
  • Primary Care 1 (NGR 6200) + Practicum (NGR 6200L)
  • Perspectives of Aging (NGR 6251)
  • Women’s Health: Nursing Situations in Advanced Practice (NGR 6342)
  • Primary Care 2 (NGR 6605) + Practicum (NGR 6605L)
  • Comprehensive Care of Adolescents through Older Adults (NGR 6607) + Practicum (NGR 6607L)

DNP Clinicals

The BSN to DNP requires a minimum of 1,035 clinical hours across the 11-semester plan, exceeding the AACN-recommended 1,000 hours. Clinical hours are phased in beginning semester III and intensify through semesters VI–XI.

  • Minimum clinical hours: 1,035
  • Clinicals begin semester III (45 hours) and ramp up through semesters VI–XI
  • Primary Care 1 Practicum: 300 hours total (semesters VI–VII)
  • Primary Care 2 Practicum: 240 hours (semester VIII)
  • Comprehensive Care Practicum: 240 hours (semester IX)
  • DNP Practicum: 120 hours (semesters X–XI)
  • DNP Project hours: 90 hours (semesters X–XI)
  • FAU arranges all clinical placements; sites are in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties
  • Students strongly advised against full-time employment once clinical hours begin (semester VI onward)
  • Hybrid format: live in-person, synchronous Zoom, and asynchronous online; some 7000-level courses meet one weekend day per month

DNP Admissions

The BSN to DNP is admitted once per year with a summer start; the application deadline is January 15 (hard deadline, no exceptions).

  • BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Current Florida RN license
  • CV/resume (required format)
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a doctorate-holding reference)
  • Goals statement (500 words or fewer)
  • Interview required
  • GRE/GMAT not required
  • Annual Level 2 criminal background check required for admitted students
  • Students select one concentration and one campus (Boca Raton, Davie, or Harbor Branch); campus changes require committee approval

Post-Graduate Certificate – Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

The estimated cost for the Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP is not publicly listed as a fixed figure because it depends on each student’s gap analysis; a minimum of 10 credits is required for FAU MSN graduates and 13 credits for applicants from other institutions.

Certificate Curriculum

All PGC students must complete Advanced Nursing Practice Grounded in Caring (NGR 6110) regardless of prior coursework. Beyond that required course, the plan of study is individualized based on a gap analysis comparing the student’s master’s curriculum to FAU’s AGPCNP requirements. Applicants whose gap analysis indicates 30 or more credits are needed will be advised to pursue a second master’s degree instead.

  • Required for all: NGR 6110 – Advanced Nursing Practice Grounded in Caring
  • Remaining coursework determined by gap analysis
  • Program is not a degree; a certificate is issued upon completion

Certificate Clinicals

Clinical requirements depend on the student’s gap analysis and which AGPCNP practicum courses remain outstanding. Not all certificate students will complete the same clinical hours. FAU’s clinical placement policies for the PGC track are not separately detailed; students should consult the assistant dean for graduate practice programs during initial advisement.

  • Clinical hours: determined by gap analysis
  • Specific practicum requirements not publicly listed separately for PGC

Certificate Admissions

PGC AGPCNP applicants must hold an existing MSN and active APRN board certification. Admission is on a space-available basis and requires a meeting with the assistant dean or concentration coordinator before applying.

  • Earned MSN from an ACEN-, CNEA-, or CCNE-accredited program
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the master’s program
  • Completion of graduate-level Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology (all across the lifespan)
  • APRN board certification from an appropriate certifying body
  • Current Florida RN/APRN license
  • CV/resume
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Philosophy of Nursing essay
  • Interview required
  • Level 2 criminal background check and drug screen required

Tuition

Graduate tuition at FAU is $371.82 per credit hour for Florida residents and $1,125.06 per credit hour for non-residents (2026–2027 rates).

Program-specific pages list the out-of-state rate for nursing at $1,026.81/credit; prospective students should confirm the applicable rate with the College directly.

Lab and practicum courses carry an additional $150/credit surcharge, which adds up to approximately $2,100 in fees over the MSN AGPCNP plan of study. Total in-state tuition for the BSN to DNP AGPCNP (77 credits) is listed as $28,629.37; out-of-state is $79,064.37.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

FAU’s baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The university is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). Graduates of the AGPCNP concentration are eligible to sit for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Other AGPCNP Programs in Florida

Compare all Florida AG-PCNP programs