Madonna University AGPCNP Programs

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

  • Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP (BSN entry)
  • Post-MSN Certificate – AGPCNP (APRN entry)

Both programs are delivered in a mix of hybrid, on-ground, and online formats to accommodate working nurses, and both emphasize health promotion, evidence-based practice, and care for vulnerable populations.

Program Tracks Overview

Program NameEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSN AGPCNP$52,800~2–2.5 years
Post-MSN Certificate AGPCNP$13,200–$16,500~1–1.5 years

Madonna’s mission-driven approach, guaranteed preceptor placement support, and above-average national certification pass rates make these programs a strong fit for Michigan-based nurses seeking a values-integrated, clinically rigorous credential in a small-cohort setting.

MSN AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the MSN AGPCNP at Madonna University is approximately $52,800 (48 credits × $1,100/credit), and the program takes approximately 2 to 2.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.

Part-time enrollment is available, and rolling admissions for fall, winter, and summer semesters give students multiple entry points per year.

MSN Curriculum

The MSN AGPCNP totals 48 credit hours organized across three blocks: a 12-credit nursing core, an 18-credit advanced practice core, and an 18-credit AGPCNP population track. The nursing core addresses scientific foundations, research translation, health policy, and organizational leadership.

The advanced practice core establishes the clinical foundation through two pathophysiology courses, health promotion, health assessment, pharmacology, clinical readiness, and role development.

The AGPCNP population track progresses through three primary care courses — building from foundational primary care through complex chronic condition management — culminating in a nurse practitioner immersion course preparing students for autonomous practice. The program requires a minimum of 849 total supervised clinical hours, with at least 600 in direct patient care.

Nursing Core (12 credits):

NUR 6120 – Scientific Foundations Informing the Advanced Practice Role
Integrates nursing theory, genomics, and scientific evidence to shape the advanced practice role with focus on ethics and quality outcomes.

NUR 6150 – Translating & Integrating Research for Advanced NP
Examines evidence-based research to improve population health outcomes through advanced nursing practice scholarship.

NUR 7010 – Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy
Analyzes health policies’ impact on communities and develops advocacy skills to address disparities and social determinants.

NUR 7020 – Organizational & System Leadership
Builds leadership skills for care delivery systems, emphasizing ethics, collaboration, and quality patient outcomes.

Advanced Practice Core (18 credits):

NUR 5070 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology I
Examines complex physiological and pathophysiological processes across the lifespan to guide clinical decision-making.

NUR 5080 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology II
Deepens understanding of disease mechanisms and their clinical implications across the lifespan.

NUR 5240 – Health Promotion for Advanced Practice
Focuses on clinical prevention, health promotion, and epidemiology to improve individual and community outcomes.

NUR 5270 – Advanced Health Assessment
Develops comprehensive health assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills across the lifespan.

NUR 5280 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
Covers pharmacotherapeutics, prescribing principles, pain management, and DEA regulations across the lifespan.

NUR 5290 – Clinical Readiness & Skill Building
Enhances clinical skills through case-based practice and hands-on assessment techniques.

NUR 7030 – Advanced Practice Role Development & Integration
Analyzes APRN roles, collaboration, and organizational practices to achieve quality care delivery.

AGPCNP Population Track (18 credits):

NUR 5320 – Primary Care I
Focuses on foundational primary care for adolescents, adults, and older adults with clinical practicum.

NUR 6530 – Primary Care II
Addresses diagnosis and management of complex acute and chronic conditions in primary care.

NUR 6750 – Primary Care III
Develops advanced clinical judgment for complex chronic conditions, preparing for autonomous practice.

NUR 6810 – Nurse Practitioner Immersion
Provides immersive clinical experience transitioning NP students to independent primary care practice.

More curriculum details are available here.

MSN Clinicals

The MSN AGPCNP requires a minimum of 849 supervised clinical hours, with at least 600 hours in direct patient care, distributed across the three primary care courses and the NP immersion experience. Madonna provides dedicated clinical placement assistance — no student begins clinicals without a secured preceptor.

  • Minimum 849 total supervised clinical hours; minimum 600 direct patient care hours
  • Clinical hours embedded in NUR 5320 (Primary Care I), NUR 6530 (Primary Care II), NUR 6750 (Primary Care III), and NUR 6810 (NP Immersion)
  • Settings include outpatient primary care, specialty practices, long-term care, palliative/hospice, and community-based settings
  • Population focus: adolescents, adults, and older adults with emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations
  • Madonna provides dedicated preceptor placement assistance — no student begins clinicals without a secured preceptor
  • Certification pass rates above the national average

MSN Admissions

Applicants need a BSN from an accredited program with a minimum 3.2 GPA and a current Michigan RN license. Rolling admissions accept applications for fall, winter, and summer starts; an interview with the NP Program Director is required.

  • BSN from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
  • Current, unencumbered RN license in the State of Michigan
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Curriculum vitae or resume highlighting RN work experience
  • Admission essay addressing short- and long-term professional goals, including population focus of interest
  • Two letters of recommendation: one from a current nursing leader or undergraduate clinical faculty; one from an advanced practice professional
  • Completed interview with the NP Program Director or designee
  • Criminal background clearance
  • Rolling admissions: Fall, Winter, and Summer starts available
  • Direct admission available for currently enrolled BSN students meeting the 3.2 GPA threshold
  • Students directly admitted must obtain Michigan RN licensure within 6 months of beginning graduate coursework
  • $25 graduate admissions application fee

Post-MSN Certificate AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the Post-MSN Certificate AGPCNP at Madonna University is approximately $13,200–$16,500 for the 12–15 required certificate credits (× $1,100/credit), and the program takes approximately 1 to 1.5 years to complete.

Nurses whose prior MSN included all prerequisite content (the “3 Ps” and a foundations or role development course) may proceed directly to certificate coursework; those with gaps will need to complete additional prerequisites, which carry their own tuition costs.

Certificate Curriculum

The post-MSN certificate requires 12–15 credit hours of graduate coursework beyond a 16-credit prerequisite sequence that is typically satisfied by current APRN certification. Certificate course requirements vary based on the student’s existing NP certification: nurses who hold Adult Acute Care or Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certification need fewer courses (9–11 credits), while nurses with other or no NP certification complete the full primary care sequence (12–15 credits). A gap analysis is conducted individually upon admission to determine which prerequisites and certificate courses apply.

Prerequisite Sequence (16 credits — usually met by current APRN certification):

  • NUR 5070 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology I (2 cr.)
  • NUR 5080 – Advanced Human Pathophysiology II (2 cr.)
  • NUR 5240 – Health Promotion for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
  • NUR 5270 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
  • NUR 5280 – Pharmacology for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
  • NUR 6120 – Scientific Foundations Informing the Advanced Practice Role (3 cr.) OR NUR 7030 – Advanced Practice Role Development & Integration (3 cr.)

Certificate Requirements — All other NP certifications or no NP certification (12–15 credits):

  • NUR 5320 – Primary Care I (4–5 cr.)
  • NUR 6530 – Primary Care II (4–5 cr.)
  • NUR 6750 – Primary Care III (4–5 cr.)

Certificate Requirements — Adult Acute Care or AGACNP certified (9–11 credits):

  • NUR 5320 – Primary Care I (4–5 cr.)
  • NUR 7130 – Advanced Practice Residency (5–7 cr.)

More curriculum details are available here.

Certificate Clinicals

The post-MSN certificate requires 600 clock hours of supervised direct patient care, distributed across the primary care clinical practicum courses. As with the MSN, Madonna provides dedicated preceptor placement support — no student begins clinicals without a secured site. Currently certified NPs who are adding AGPCNP to their scope may request a waiver of selected courses and clinical experiences based on individual gap analysis.

  • 600 supervised direct patient care hours required
  • Clinical hours embedded within the Primary Care I, II, and III course sequence (or Primary Care I and Advanced Practice Residency for AGACNP-certified nurses)
  • Settings include outpatient primary care, specialty practices, long-term care, palliative/hospice, and community-based settings
  • Population focus: adolescents, adults, and older adults with emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations
  • Dedicated preceptor placement assistance provided — no student begins clinicals without a secured preceptor
  • Course and clinical waivers available on a case-by-case basis via gap analysis for currently certified NPs

Certificate Admissions

Applicants must hold an MSN from an accredited program, current APRN national certification, and an active Michigan RN license. The gap analysis to determine prerequisite and certificate course requirements is completed individually upon admission.

  • Master of Science in Nursing from an accredited college or university required prior to certificate award
  • Current, unencumbered RN license in the State of Michigan; APRN specialty certification required
  • Minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale (graduate program GPA — implied from MSN requirements)
  • Current certification from a U.S. national certifying board as an NP, CNS, CRNA, or CNM
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Admission essay addressing career goals and motivations for additional graduate study in the AGPCNP specialty
  • Two letters of recommendation from sources with direct knowledge of professional and educational experience
  • Completed interview with the NP Program Director or designee
  • Criminal background clearance
  • Gap analysis conducted upon admission to determine prerequisite and certificate course requirements
  • Rolling admissions; contact Graduate Admissions at (734) 432-5339 or gradadmissions@madonna.edu for current start dates
  • $25 graduate admissions application fee

Tuition

Madonna University charges $1,100 per credit hour for graduate nursing (MSN-level) coursework. This rate applies to both the MSN AGPCNP and the post-MSN certificate. No separate in-state or out-of-state distinction is published for graduate nursing programs.

Based on published credit totals, estimated tuition is approximately $52,800 for the MSN AGPCNP (48 credits) and approximately $13,200–$16,500 for the post-MSN certificate (12–15 required certificate credits).

Certificate students who must complete prerequisites will pay an additional $1,100/credit for any prerequisite courses not satisfied by prior APRN education — up to $17,600 for the full 16-credit prerequisite sequence if none are waived.

Additional fees include a $25 graduate admissions application fee, $21 annual liability insurance, and a $10 certificate graduation application fee.

See the official tuition page for more details here.

Accreditation

Accreditation details for Madonna University’s nursing programs are not explicitly confirmed in the available source material beyond references to ANCC and AANP certification eligibility for graduates. Prospective students should contact the Madonna University nursing department directly to confirm current CCNE or ACEN accreditation status before applying.

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