Ohio State University offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGPCNP (BSN to DNP)
- Post-Master’s Study Option – AGPCNP
The programs are available entirely online through distance learning with clinical experiences completed in the student’s area, and the DNP program is ranked #9 among public institutions by U.S. News & World Report.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $51,845–$65,475 | 2 years full-time (3 years part-time) |
| BSN-DNP AGPCNP | $74,911–$95,682 | 3 years full-time (4 years part-time) |
| Post-Master’s Study Option AGPCNP | $972.50–$1,859.50 | 1–2 years (based on prior coursework) |
All tracks prepare graduates to provide direct patient care to adolescents (age 13+), adults, and older adults with common conditions, illnesses, or injuries in primary care settings.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AGPCNP program is approximately $51,845-$65,475 (53 credit hours) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis (3 years part-time).
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AGPCNP curriculum consists of 53 credit hours including core courses, specialty coursework, and clinical practicums. The program emphasizes quality improvement, evidence-based practice, leadership, health promotion, policy, and advanced clinical skills necessary for adult-gerontology primary care practice.
Core Courses:
- Nursing 7483: Quality Improvement and Informatics (3 credits)
- Nursing 7780: Evidence Based Nursing Scholarship (3 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8406: Leadership, Role, and Collaboration for the DNP (3 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8490: Health Promotion, Theory, and Population Health (2 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8500: Nursing Policy for Doctoral Nursing Practice (2 credits)
Required Specialty Courses:
- Nursing 7410: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- Nursing 7415: Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits)
- Nursing 7450: Pathophysiology of Altered Health States (5 credits)
- Nursing 7470: Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing (4 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8895: Advanced Practice Nursing: Final Professional Seminar (1 credit)
Clinical Coursework:
- Nursing 7228.01: Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I (7 credits: 3 didactic, 4 clinical = 150 precepted hours minimum)
- Nursing 7228.02: Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II (9 credits: 3 didactic, 6 clinical = 225 precepted hours minimum)
- Nursing 7228.03: Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III (9 credits: 3 didactic, 6 clinical = 225 precepted hours minimum)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN AGPCNP program requires clinical practicum experience providing the precepted hours necessary for certification. Students complete three semesters of clinical coursework totaling a minimum of 600 precepted clinical hours working with nurse practitioners, family practice physicians, internal medicine specialists, and other health professionals.
Clinical Requirements:
- Minimum 600 total precepted clinical hours across three clinical courses
- Practicum I: 150 hours minimum (4 clinical credits)
- Practicum II: 225 hours minimum (6 clinical credits)
- Practicum III: 225 hours minimum (6 clinical credits)
- Clinical sites include ambulatory primary care and specialty clinics, community settings, long-term care facilities, and inpatient settings
- Preceptors available in wide variety of geographic locations throughout the country
- Clinical experiences completed in student’s local area for distance learning students
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale (applicants below 3.0 may still apply and be considered)
- BSN must be completed by August 1 prior to beginning enrollment
Prerequisite Coursework:
- College-level statistics course completed within five years of application deadline with grade of B- or higher
- Statistics course must include basic statistical concepts, univariate/bivariate statistical analysis, and commonly used statistical tests
- Courses in progress at deadline do not meet requirement
- Credit by examination (AP scores) not accepted
Licensure Requirements:
- Active, unencumbered RN license in state where applicant practices
- Must reside in authorized state for distance learning program
Application Materials:
- Online application with $60 non-refundable fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (Ohio State transcripts not required)
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Purpose and goals statement (maximum 3 single-spaced pages) addressing specialty selection, academic/career goals, life experiences preparation, and timing rationale
- Recorded online video interview through HireVue portal
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with academic ability and professional experience
- International applicants: Test of English Proficiency scores
Ohio State University AGPCNP Program
Ohio State University offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – AGPCNP (BSN to DNP)
- Post-Master’s Study Option – AGPCNP
The programs are available entirely online through distance learning with clinical experiences completed in the student’s area, and the DNP program is ranked #9 among public institutions by U.S. News & World Report. All tracks prepare graduates to provide direct patient care to adolescents (age 13+), adults, and older adults with common conditions, illnesses, or injuries in primary care settings.
Program Tracks Overview
Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AGPCNP program is approximately $51,845-$65,475 (53 credit hours) and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis (3 years part-time).
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AGPCNP curriculum consists of 53 credit hours including core courses, specialty coursework, and clinical practicums. The program emphasizes quality improvement, evidence-based practice, leadership, health promotion, policy, and advanced clinical skills necessary for adult-gerontology primary care practice.
Core Courses:
- Nursing 7483: Quality Improvement and Informatics (3 credits)
- Nursing 7780: Evidence Based Nursing Scholarship (3 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8406: Leadership, Role, and Collaboration for the DNP (3 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8490: Health Promotion, Theory, and Population Health (2 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8500: Nursing Policy for Doctoral Nursing Practice (2 credits)
Required Specialty Courses:
- Nursing 7410: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- Nursing 7415: Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits)
- Nursing 7450: Pathophysiology of Altered Health States (5 credits)
- Nursing 7470: Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing (4 credits)
- Nursing Practice 8895: Advanced Practice Nursing: Final Professional Seminar (1 credit)
Clinical Coursework:
- Nursing 7228.01: Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum I (7 credits: 3 didactic, 4 clinical = 150 precepted hours minimum)
- Nursing 7228.02: Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum II (9 credits: 3 didactic, 6 clinical = 225 precepted hours minimum)
- Nursing 7228.03: Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical Practicum III (9 credits: 3 didactic, 6 clinical = 225 precepted hours minimum)
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN AGPCNP program requires clinical practicum experience providing the precepted hours necessary for certification. Students complete three semesters of clinical coursework totaling a minimum of 600 precepted clinical hours working with nurse practitioners, family practice physicians, internal medicine specialists, and other health professionals.
Clinical Requirements:
- Minimum 600 total precepted clinical hours across three clinical courses
- Practicum I: 150 hours minimum (4 clinical credits)
- Practicum II: 225 hours minimum (6 clinical credits)
- Practicum III: 225 hours minimum (6 clinical credits)
- Clinical sites include ambulatory primary care and specialty clinics, community settings, long-term care facilities, and inpatient settings
- Preceptors available in wide variety of geographic locations throughout the country
- Clinical experiences completed in student’s local area for distance learning students
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale (applicants below 3.0 may still apply and be considered)
- BSN must be completed by August 1 prior to beginning enrollment
Prerequisite Coursework:
- College-level statistics course completed within five years of application deadline with grade of B- or higher
- Statistics course must include basic statistical concepts, univariate/bivariate statistical analysis, and commonly used statistical tests
- Courses in progress at deadline do not meet requirement
- Credit by examination (AP scores) not accepted
Licensure Requirements:
- Active, unencumbered RN license in state where applicant practices
- Must reside in authorized state for distance learning program
Application Materials:
- Online application with $60 non-refundable fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (Ohio State transcripts not required)
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Purpose and goals statement (maximum 3 single-spaced pages) addressing specialty selection, academic/career goals, life experiences preparation, and timing rationale
- Recorded online video interview through HireVue portal
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with academic ability and professional experience
- International applicants: Test of English Proficiency scores
Application Deadlines:
- Autumn 2026 Round 1: Opens August 1, 2025; Deadline October 16, 2025; Decision end of January
- Autumn 2026 Round 2: Opens October 17, 2025; Deadline March 1, 2026; Decision end of April
Holistic Review Criteria:
- Clear understanding of DNP role, goals, and alignment
- Clear understanding of specialty track
- Experience with evidence-based practice, quality improvement, research, innovation, scholarship
- Experience with relevant populations
- Leadership, interprofessional collaboration, teamwork demonstration
- Resiliency, critical thinking, growth evidence
- Community engagement, diversity of thought/perspective/experience
- Written/oral communication skills, emotional intelligence
- Personal attributes (humility, professionalism, compassion)
- Overall commitment to nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP (BSN to DNP)
The estimated cost for the BSN to DNP AGPCNP program is approximately $74,911-$95,682 (79 credit hours) and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis (4 years part-time).
DNP Curriculum
The BSN to DNP AGPCNP curriculum consists of 79 credit hours including foundational DNP courses, APRN core, specialty clinical coursework, and DNP project components completed over 3-4 years. The curriculum meets the curriculum guidelines of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, leadership, health policy, and advanced clinical competencies.
Year 1 Autumn:
- NRSPRCT 8781: Method/Measurement for the Evaluation for Evidence-Based Nursing (2 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8480: Evidence Based Quality Improvement for the DNP (2 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8890: Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Seminar: Scholarly Writing I (1 credit)
- NRSPRCT 8785: Foundations of Evidence Based Practice (2 credits)
Year 1 Spring:
- NRSPRCT 8490: Health Promotion, Theory, and Population Health (2 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8786: Implementation and Evaluation of Evidence Based Practice (2 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8500: Nursing Policy for Doctoral Nursing Practice (2 credits)
- NURS 5115: MINDSTRONG (1 credit)
Year 1 Summer:
- NRSPRCT 8610: Health Informatics and Technology for the DNP (2 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8406: Leadership, Role and Collaboration for the DNP (3 credits)
Year 2 Autumn:
- NURS 7450: Pathophysiology of Altered Health States (5 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8605: Healthcare Economics and Finance for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (2 credits)
Year 2 Spring:
- NURS 7410: Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
- NURS 7470: Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing (4 credits)
Year 2 Summer:
- NURS 7228.01: Advanced Practice Adult Nursing Clinical Practicum I (7 credits)
- NURS 7415: Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits)
Year 3 Autumn:
- NURS 7228.02: Advanced Practice Adult Nursing Clinical Practicum II (9 credits)
Year 3 Spring:
- NURS 7228.03: Advanced Practice Adult Nursing Clinical Practicum III (9 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8896: DNP Systems Application I (2 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8895: Advanced Practice Nursing: Final Professional Seminar (1 credit)
Year 3 Summer:
- NRSPRCT 8891: Doctor of Nursing Practice Professional Seminar: Scholarly Writing II (1 credit)
- NRSPRCT 8897: DNP Systems Application II (3 credits)
Year 4 Autumn:
- NRSPRCT 8898.01: DNP Systems Application III (5 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8998.01: DNP Final Document Project I (1 credit)
Year 4 Spring:
- NRSPRCT 8898.02: DNP Systems Application IV (5 credits)
- NRSPRCT 8998.02: DNP Final Document Project II (1 credit)
More curriculum details are available here.
DNP Clinicals
The BSN to DNP AGPCNP program requires 600 total clinical hours (9 credits didactic, 16 credits clinical) plus 412.5 immersion hours (11 immersion credits and 4 didactic). Online students must attend one on-campus visit during each of the final three semesters for in-person learning and evaluation of clinical skills, with dates pre-scheduled for advance travel planning.
Clinical Requirements:
- 600 clinical hours minimum across three clinical practicum courses
- 412.5 immersion hours for DNP Systems Application courses
- Total: 1,012.5 practice hours
- Three required on-campus visits during final three semesters (pre-scheduled)
- Clinical experiences focus on application of advanced practice nursing theories, research findings, skills, and interventions including pharmacological management
- Health promotion needs and common diagnoses in primary care settings
- Clinical sites include ambulatory primary care, specialty clinics, community settings, and long-term care facilities
DNP Prerequisites & Admissions
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale (applicants below 3.0 may still apply and be considered)
- Degree must be completed by August 1 prior to beginning enrollment
Prerequisite Coursework:
- College-level statistics course completed within five years of application deadline with grade of B- or higher
- Course must include basic statistical concepts, univariate/bivariate statistical analysis, and commonly used statistical tests
- Courses in progress at deadline do not meet requirement
- Credit by examination (AP scores) not accepted
Licensure Requirements:
- Active, unencumbered RN license in state where applicant practices
- Must reside in authorized state for distance learning program
Application Materials:
- Online application with $60 non-refundable fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Purpose and goals statement (maximum 3 single-spaced pages)
- Recorded online video interview through HireVue
- Three letters of recommendation
- International applicants: Test of English Proficiency scores
- Current or former Ohio State graduate students: Supplemental application
Application Deadline:
- Extended to March 1, 2026 for Autumn 2026 term
Graduation Requirements:
- Minimum cumulative point-hour ratio of 3.0 on 4.0 scale
- Successful completion of DNP professional examination
- Completion and successful oral presentation of DNP Final Project
- Registration for minimum 3 graduate credit hours during semester of professional examination and graduation
- Minimum 24 graduate credit hours completed at Ohio State
- Completion within 5 years after successfully completing Professional Doctoral Examination
Post-Master’s Study Option – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s AGPCNP program varies based on individual course requirements ($972.50-$1,859.50 per credit hour) and would take 1-2 years to complete depending on previously completed coursework.
Post-Master’s Curriculum
The Post-Master’s AGPCNP curriculum is individualized based on review of previous master’s coursework. Students work with faculty advisor to create curriculum plan meeting certification requirements, completing only Ohio State coursework not included in prior graduate program plus specialty coursework and precepted clinical placements.
Typical Required Courses (if not completed in prior MSN):
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology of Altered Health States
- Advanced Pharmacology in Nursing
- Clinical Reasoning with Diagnostic Methods
- Advanced Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Clinical Practicum courses
- Professional Role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Post-Master’s Clinicals
Post-Master’s students complete required clinical practicum hours necessary for AGPCNP certification. Clinical requirements determined by previously completed coursework and what remains for certification eligibility, typically including precepted clinical experiences in primary care settings.
Clinical Requirements:
- Clinical hours determined by gap analysis of previous coursework
- Practicum experiences in ambulatory primary care and specialty clinics
- Preceptors available throughout Ohio and outside state
- Final year clinical courses require three-to-four days per week commitment
- Clinical experiences completed in student’s area for distance learning
Post-Master’s Prerequisites & Admissions
Education Requirements:
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from accredited institution
- Students with non-Ohio State MSN can enroll if pursuing AGPCNP specialty
- Previous master’s coursework reviewed after admission to determine course waivers
- Syllabi from previous program required for course evaluation
Application Requirements:
- Online application
- Official transcripts from all institutions
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Previous master’s degree coursework will only be reviewed after admission offer
Application Deadlines:
- Summer/Autumn 2026 Round 1: Opens August 1, 2025; Deadline October 16, 2025; Decision end of January
- Summer/Autumn 2026 Round 2: Opens October 17, 2025; Deadline March 1, 2026; Decision end of April
Important Notes:
- Students do not earn degree from Ohio State (certificate only)
- Program length varies based on previous coursework
- May begin in Summer or Autumn semester depending on individual course of study
- Part-time study strongly recommended if maintaining substantial employment
- Final year is full-time commitment
Tuition
Graduate tuition ranges from $829.75 to $1,859.50 per credit hour for part-time students.
Full-time graduate students pay $7,780 instructional fee per semester plus additional fees.
Nursing programs include a $250 per credit hour program fee, $228 per semester Nursing Distance Learning Fee, $100 per semester Distance Learning Fee, and $32.63 per credit hour general fee.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Ohio State University’s AGPCNP program meets the nurse practitioner curriculum guidelines of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Graduates are eligible for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as AGPCNP-BC or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board (AANP) as AGNP-C.
More ACNP Programs in Ohio
- Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland
- Kent State University - Kent
- University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati
- Ursuline College - Pepper Pike