Purdue Global offers an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate track:
- Fully online coursework
- No campus visits required
- Clinicals completed at a local site chosen by the student
- Multiple start dates per year
- Post-MSN or post-DNP entry
The certificate is designed for practicing nurses who want to add AGPCNP scope to an existing advanced practice credential without relocating or pausing their careers.
Program Track Overview
Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP at Purdue Global is approximately $25,200, based on 60 quarter credit hours at $420 per credit, and the program takes about 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
It is not available in Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, or Guam.
Certificate Curriculum
The curriculum runs 60 quarter credit hours across 12 courses (5 credits each), covering the core APRN competencies in physiology, pharmacology, and health assessment before moving into population-specific primary care management for adolescents, adults, women, and frail elderly patients.
Three dedicated clinical courses are integrated throughout and paired with their didactic counterparts. The program closes with a Transition to Practice course and a final primary care clinical.
Course Descriptions
NU551 — Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (5 cr)
Examines advanced physiologic and pathophysiologic processes across the lifespan, from cellular to system levels. Emphasizes disease mechanisms, symptom management, and evidence-based care, with attention to genetic, cultural, and population influences.
NU552 — Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 cr)
Develops advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills across the lifespan. Focuses on interpreting clinical data, distinguishing normal and abnormal findings, and formulating differential diagnoses using evidence-based approaches.
NU553 — Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics (5 cr)
Explores advanced pharmacologic principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and genomics. Emphasizes safe, ethical prescribing, cost-effective therapy selection, and interprofessional communication in patient care.
NU566 — NP I: Introduction to Primary Care for the Nurse Practitioner (5 cr)
Introduces primary care management of acute and chronic conditions within NP scope of practice. Emphasizes diagnostic reasoning, evidence-based care planning, health promotion, and collaborative practice across diverse populations.
NU572 — AGNP I: Primary Care of the Adolescent and Adult (5 cr)
Focuses on primary care of patients from adolescence through adulthood. Addresses management of acute and chronic conditions, with emphasis on prevention, screening, and interdisciplinary care.
NU573 — AGNP I Clinical: Adolescent and Adult Focus (5 cr)
Provides clinical experience in assessing and managing common health conditions in adolescents and adults. Emphasizes diagnostic skills, treatment planning, and health promotion strategies.
NU576 — NP II: Primary Care of Women’s Health (5 cr)
Covers comprehensive primary care for women, including reproductive health, menopause, and gender-specific conditions. Addresses current issues and evidence-based approaches to women’s health management.
NU577 — NP II Clinical: Women’s Health Focus (5 cr)
Offers clinical practice in women’s health across the lifespan. Focuses on culturally responsive, collaborative care addressing physical and psychosocial needs.
NU584 — AGNP II: Primary Care of the Frail Elderly (5 cr)
Examines care of frail older adults, including aging theories, chronic condition management, and quality-of-life strategies. Addresses care settings, palliative care, and financial considerations.
NU585 — AGNP II Clinical: Frail Elderly Focus (5 cr)
Provides clinical experience managing complex health needs of frail elderly patients. Emphasizes adaptive care strategies and collaboration with caregivers and healthcare teams.
NU605 — Transition to Practice (5 cr)
Prepares students for advanced practice roles in primary care. Explores career pathways, practice models, legal considerations, and professional advocacy for nurse practitioners.
NU610 — NP III Clinical: Primary Care Focus (5 cr)
Serves as a capstone clinical experience integrating advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management skills. Focuses on comprehensive primary care across populations, emphasizing health promotion and clinical synthesis.
More curriculum details can be found on the course catalog page.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete a series of clinical practice sessions working with a qualified preceptor at an approved local site; unlike some programs, Purdue Global places the responsibility for identifying and arranging the clinical site and preceptor on the student, with university support available throughout the process.
- Clinicals must be completed in a state where the program is available for enrollment
- Student is responsible for identifying clinical sites and preceptors; university provides facilitation support
- Population focus spans adolescents, adults, women, and frail elderly patients in primary care settings
- A minimum grade of “B” is required in all clinical courses
- Drug/chemical substance test required before beginning clinical experiences
- Some states may require additional clinical hours beyond the standard program minimum; affected students are notified and enrolled in an extension course at no additional tuition cost
- Total clinical hours are not clearly stated on the official program page — contact an admissions advisor for specifics
Certificate Admissions
Purdue Global targets MSN- or DNP-prepared RNs with a current unencumbered license and a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA — the entry bar is lower than many competing certificate programs.
- Master’s degree with an upper-level major in nursing OR a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited institution
- Current, unencumbered RN license in at least one U.S. state
- Approved criminal background check (must not contain information that would prohibit APRN licensure or prescriptive authority)
- Official transcript showing degree completion (unofficial copy accepted during application process)
- Not available to international students or residents of Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, or Guam
- Multiple start dates available throughout the year
- No GRE required
Tuition
Purdue Global charges $420 per quarter credit hour for all graduate certificates, including the AGPCNP certificate.
Tuition does not vary by state of residence.
At 60 total quarter credits, estimated program tuition is approximately $25,200. Students also pay a $295 resource fee per term ($200 for U.S. military servicemembers, veterans, and spouses).
Books and instructional materials are not included in tuition and are estimated at $50–$250 per course. Military servicemembers and veterans may be eligible for a 14–30% tuition reduction per credit.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The postgraduate APRN certificate programs at Purdue Global are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Purdue Global holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification or the AANP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification.