Purdue University AGPCNP Programs

Purdue University offers 5 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • MS AGPCNP
  • BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP
  • Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (APRN entry)
  • Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (non-APRN entry)
  • Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP

All programs are delivered in a hybrid format with online coursework and limited required on-campus time at West Lafayette.

Program Tracks Overview

Program NameEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MS AGPCNP$25K~2 years
BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP$40K~3 years
Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (APRN)$25K~2 years
Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (non-APRN)$30K~2.5 years
Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP$10K–$20K~1–2 years

The breadth of entry options — from BSN all the way through post-doctoral — combined with Purdue’s interdisciplinary systems engineering emphasis makes this one of the most structurally distinctive AGPCNP programs in the Midwest.

Part-time study is available, and students may maintain professional employment through much of the program.

MS AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the MS AGPCNP at Purdue University is approximately $25K for Indiana residents (based on ~5 semesters at $4,996/semester flat rate), and the program takes approximately 2 years to complete.

MSN Curriculum

The 47-credit MS provides an interdisciplinary advanced practice education drawing on medicine, pharmacy, gerontology, audiology, speech pathology, social work, and physical and occupational therapy.

The curriculum is structured across 32 core credits and 15 clinical course credits, and includes a research and evidence-based practice thread, adult health management for both acute and chronic conditions, health policy, quality initiatives, and leadership. Electives in the transdisciplinary gerontology program are available.

A comprehensive exam is required; research opportunities are available across health care delivery systems, chronic care, and health care engineering.

Core Courses (32 credits):

NUR 50000 – Theoretical Constructs in Nursing
Explores nursing theory, concept development, and the use of theoretical frameworks in advanced practice, research, and evidence-based care.

NUR 50200 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing
Covers drug action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and prescribing principles for advanced practice nursing.

NUR 50500 – Sociocultural Influences on Health
Examines how cultural, social, and economic factors affect health, health behaviors, and care delivery.

NUR 50700 – Physiologic Concepts for Advanced Practice Nursing
Focuses on human physiology, homeostasis, and the body’s regulatory responses as a foundation for advanced practice.

NUR 51000 – Research and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
Develops skills in research appraisal, evidence synthesis, and applying findings to advanced nursing practice.

NUR 51200 – Clinical Applications in Pharmacotherapeutics
Applies pharmacology concepts to case-based medication management and patient education in primary care.

NUR 52500 – Informatics in Nursing
Integrates technology, information systems, and nursing science to support data use, decision-making, and patient care.

NUR 53200 – Acute Illness: Adult Health Practice
Examines assessment and management of acute adult conditions using evidence-based and holistic approaches.

NUR 54200 – Chronic and Commonly Recurring Conditions: Adult Health Practice
Focuses on the assessment and management of chronic adult health conditions in primary care.

NUR 63200 – Health Policy: Local to Global
Reviews health policy, advocacy, and the social, ethical, political, and economic factors shaping health care.

NUR 67400 – Quality Initiatives, Leadership and Advanced Practice Nursing
Covers leadership, quality improvement, teamwork, and practice management in advanced nursing roles.

NUR 67500 – Role Transition and Synthesis
Integrates advanced nursing knowledge with role transition, licensure, policy, ethics, and practice synthesis.

Clinical Courses (15 credits / 630 clinical hours):

  • NUR 50300 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits / 45 clinical hours)
  • NUR 51100 – Health Promotion for Advanced Practice in Nursing (3 credits / 45 clinical hours)
  • NUR 51300 – Health Promotion in Special Populations (3 credits / 120 clinical hours)
  • NUR 53300 – Acute Illness: Adult Health Preceptorship (3 credits / 210 clinical hours)
  • NUR 54300 – Chronic Illness: Adult Preceptorship (3 credits / 210 clinical hours)

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

MSN Clinicals

The MS AGPCNP requires a minimum of 630 clinical hours distributed across five preceptorship and health promotion courses. Students have access to practice at four Purdue nurse-managed clinics.

  • 630 total clinical hours minimum
  • Clinical hours distributed across NUR 50300 (45 hrs), NUR 51100 (45 hrs), NUR 51300 (120 hrs), NUR 53300 (210 hrs), NUR 54300 (210 hrs)
  • Access to four Purdue nurse-managed clinics
  • Clinical preceptorships with interdisciplinary teams in rural and urban healthcare settings
  • Population focus: adolescents, adults, and older adults in primary care settings
  • Current Indiana RN licensure required

MSN Admissions

Applicants need a BSN from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited program, a 3.0 nursing GPA, and current Indiana RN licensure. Full-time applications receive priority consideration.

  • BSN from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited nursing program
  • Minimum undergraduate nursing GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (conditional admission possible for applicants below this threshold)
  • Current Indiana RN licensure
  • Graduate School application form (completed online)
  • Official transcripts from all schools attended
  • 300–500 word statement of purpose addressing reasons for graduate study, academic and career goals, professional history, and plan for managing full- or part-time enrollment
  • Three letters of recommendation addressing clinical ability, work experience, professional contributions, and graduate potential (at least one from a nursing professor; direct manager letter accepted if out of school more than five years)
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Copy of current RN license
  • Personal interview with faculty may be requested
  • Application deadlines: Cycle 1 — October 15 (priority); Cycle 2 — January 15; Cycle 3 — April 15 (Cycles 2 and 3 available only if spots remain)
  • Full-time applicants given priority consideration; part-time transfer available on a space-available basis

DNP AGPCNP

Purdue offers three DNP AGPCNP entry points. Each is described separately below.

BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-to-DNP AGPCNP at Purdue University is approximately $40K for Indiana residents (based on ~8 semesters at $4,996/semester flat rate), and the program takes approximately 3 years to complete.

DNP Curriculum (BSN entry)

The 76-credit BSN-to-DNP is structured across 53 core credits and 23 residency credits. The core integrates nursing theory, pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology, informatics, evidence-based practice, biostatistics, health policy, epidemiology, systems approaches, healthcare economics, quality and leadership, and role transition.

The residency sequence builds from foundational health assessment and health promotion through adult acute and chronic illness preceptorships, a health policy residency, and two DNP practice inquiry courses.

All students attend the zero-credit DNP Project Seminar (NUR 517) every fall and spring semester. The program completes a minimum of 1,142 residency hours.

Core Courses (53 credits):

  • NUR 50000 – Theoretical Constructs in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 50200 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 50500 – Sociocultural Influences on Health (2 credits)
  • NUR 50700 – Physiologic Concepts for Advanced Practice Nursing (4 credits)
  • NUR 51000 – Research and Evidence Based Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • NUR 51200 – Clinical Applications in Pharmacotherapeutics (1 credit)
  • NUR 52500 – Informatics in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 53200 – Acute Illness: Adult Health Practice (3 credits)
  • NUR 54200 – Chronic and Commonly Recurring Conditions: Adult Health Practice (3 credits)
  • NUR 62400 – Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • NUR 62600 – Applied Biostatistics for Outcome Evaluation (3 credits)
  • NUR 63200 – Health Policy: Local to Global (3 credits)
  • NUR 64000 – Human Factors in Healthcare Engineering (3 credits)
  • NUR 64100 – Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
  • NUR 64200 – Systems Approaches in Healthcare (3 credits)
  • NUR 67400 – Quality Initiatives, Leadership and Advanced Practice Nursing (2 credits)
  • NUR 67500 – Role Transition and Synthesis (2 credits)
  • NUR 67800 – Healthcare Economics and Finance (3 credits)
  • NUR 68000 – DNP Cognate Residency: Direct Practice/Systems Management I (3 credits)

Residency Courses (23 credits / 1,142 residency hours):

  • NUR 50300 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits / 45 clinical hours)
  • NUR 51100 – Health Promotion for Advanced Practice in Nursing (3 credits / 45 clinical hours)
  • NUR 51300 – Health Promotion in Special Populations (3 credits / 120 clinical hours)
  • NUR 53300 – Acute Illness: Adult Health Preceptorship (3 credits / 210 clinical hours)
  • NUR 54300 – Chronic Illness: Adult Preceptorship (3 credits / 210 clinical hours)
  • NUR 67300 – DNP Health Policy Residency (2 credits / 128 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68700 – DNP Practice Inquiry: Evidence-Based Practice I (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68900 – DNP Practice Inquiry: Evidence-Based Practice II (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)

Seminar (required each fall and spring, 0 credits):

  • NUR 51700 – Doctor of Nursing Project Seminar

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (APRN entry)
The estimated cost for the Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (APRN entry) at Purdue is approximately $25K for Indiana residents (based on ~5 semesters at $4,996/semester), and the program takes approximately 2 years to complete. Up to 40 credits may transfer from an accredited master’s program.

DNP Curriculum (Post-MSN APRN)

The post-MSN APRN track requires 40 credits with a minimum of 1,000 post-BSN residency hours combined across master’s and DNP coursework. Plans of study are individualized through a gap analysis of prior graduate credits. APRNs must have completed or take advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, and must have a qualifying statistics course within the past five years.

Core Courses (29 credits):

  • NUR 50000 – Theoretical Constructs in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 50500 – Sociocultural Influences on Health (2 credits)
  • NUR 52500 – Informatics in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 62400 – Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • NUR 62600 – Applied Biostatistics for Outcome Evaluation (3 credits)
  • NUR 63200 – Health Policy: Local to Global (3 credits)
  • NUR 64000 – Human Factors in Healthcare Engineering (3 credits)
  • NUR 64100 – Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
  • NUR 64200 – Systems Approaches in Healthcare (3 credits)
  • NUR 67800 – Healthcare Economics and Finance (3 credits)

Residency Courses (11 credits / 704 residency hours):

  • NUR 67300 – DNP Health Policy Residency (2 credits / 128 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68000 – DNP Cognate Residency: Direct Practice/Systems Management I (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68700 – DNP Practice Inquiry: Evidence-Based Practice I (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68900 – DNP Practice Inquiry: Evidence-Based Practice II (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)

Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (non-APRN entry)
The estimated cost for the Post-MSN DNP AGPCNP (non-APRN entry) at Purdue is approximately $30K for Indiana residents (based on ~6 semesters at $4,996/semester), and the program takes approximately 2.5 years to complete.

DNP Curriculum (Post-MSN non-APRN)

The non-APRN post-MSN track requires 55 credits and completes 750 residency hours. It adds pharmacotherapeutics and physiologic concepts to the APRN core, reflecting that these nurses do not hold prior APRN preparation. Plans are individualized through gap analysis.

Core Courses (34 credits):

  • NUR 50000 – Theoretical Constructs in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 50200 – Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 50700 – Physiologic Concepts for Advanced Practice Nursing (4 credits)
  • NUR 52500 – Informatics in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NUR 62400 – Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • NUR 62600 – Applied Biostatistics for Outcome Evaluation (3 credits)
  • NUR 63200 – Health Policy: Local to Global (3 credits)
  • NUR 64000 – Human Factors in Healthcare Engineering (3 credits)
  • NUR 64100 – Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits)
  • NUR 64200 – Systems Approaches in Healthcare (3 credits)
  • NUR 67800 – Healthcare Economics and Finance (3 credits)

Residency Courses (14 credits / 750 residency hours):

  • NUR 50300 – Advanced Health Assessment (3–4 credits / 46 clinical hours)
  • NUR 67300 – DNP Health Policy Residency (2 credits / 128 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68000 – DNP Cognate Residency: Direct Practice/Systems Management I (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68700 – DNP Practice Inquiry: Evidence-Based Practice I (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)
  • NUR 68900 – DNP Practice Inquiry: Evidence-Based Practice II (3 credits / 192 clinical hours)

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

DNP Clinicals

Clinical hour requirements vary by entry point: the BSN-to-DNP completes 1,142 residency hours; the post-MSN APRN track completes 704 new DNP residency hours (combined with master’s hours to reach the 1,000-hour post-BSN minimum); and the post-MSN non-APRN track completes 750 residency hours (combined with prior hours to reach 1,069 total).

  • BSN-to-DNP: 1,142 total residency hours
  • Post-MSN APRN: 704 new DNP residency hours (combined with master’s hours to reach 1,000+ post-BSN)
  • Post-MSN non-APRN: 750 residency hours (combined to reach 1,069 total)
  • Clinical preceptorships with interdisciplinary teams in rural and urban settings focused on underserved populations
  • Access to four Purdue nurse-managed clinics
  • Strategic leadership opportunities in nurse-managed clinics, HMOs, and regional healthcare facilities
  • Population focus: adolescents, adults, and older adults across primary care and systems leadership contexts
  • Current Indiana RN licensure required

DNP Admissions

All DNP entry points share core admissions requirements. Post-MSN applicants are evaluated case by case; plans of study are individualized based on gap analysis of prior graduate credits.

  • BSN from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited nursing program (post-MSN applicants evaluated case by case)
  • Minimum undergraduate nursing GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (conditional admission possible)
  • Grades of B or better in all previous master’s coursework
  • Current Indiana RN licensure (or licensure in the state where practice will occur)
  • Upper-division statistics course with a grade of 3.0 or better, completed within the past five years (may be taken concurrently with first semester)
  • Graduate School application form completed online
  • Two official transcripts from each school attended
  • 300–500 word essay addressing reasons for pursuing the DNP, career goals, alignment with specific Purdue faculty expertise, professional history, and plan for managing full- or part-time study
  • Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a nursing professor; direct manager letter accepted if out of school more than five years)
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Copy of current RN license
  • Personal interview with faculty (by invitation; conducted on West Lafayette campus)
  • Application deadlines: Cycle 1 — October 15 (priority); Cycle 2 — January 15; Cycle 3 — April 15
  • Full-time applicants receive priority; part-time transfer available on a space-available basis
  • Admission subject to applicable state authorizations

Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP at Purdue University is approximately $10K–$20K for Indiana residents, based on the 16–34 credit range at the flat rate of $4,996/semester.

The program takes approximately 1–2 years depending on prior coursework. A gap analysis determines the individualized credit requirement.

Certificate Curriculum

The post-master’s certificate requires a minimum of 16 credit hours, with most students completing between 16 and 34 credits depending on their academic record, clinical experience, and program objectives.

Credit requirements are individualized through a gap analysis of prior master’s coursework. The certificate aligns with the MS AGPCNP curriculum and draws from the same clinical and management course sequence.

Specific course lists for individual students are developed in consultation with an advisor.

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

Certificate Clinicals

The post-master’s certificate requires 630 clinical hours, consistent with the MS AGPCNP track and sufficient to meet AGPCNP national certification requirements.

  • 630 total clinical hours required
  • Clinical hours may be partially derived from gap analysis credit for prior master’s clinical work
  • Access to four Purdue nurse-managed clinics
  • Clinical preceptorships in rural and urban settings with interdisciplinary teams
  • Population focus: adolescents, adults, and older adults in primary care settings
  • Current Indiana RN licensure required

Certificate Admissions

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in nursing or a health-related field. All standard advanced practice admissions requirements apply.

  • Master’s or doctoral degree in nursing or a health-related field (MSN, DNP, PhD, MPH, MBA with healthcare concentration, MHA, or equivalent) from an accredited institution
  • All standard advanced practice nursing admissions requirements apply (GPA, licensure, transcripts, essay, letters of recommendation, CV, RN license copy)
  • Gap analysis required to determine individualized plan of study
  • Application deadlines: Cycle 1 — October 15 (priority); Cycle 2 — January 15; Cycle 3 — April 15
  • Personal interview with faculty may be requested

Tuition

Purdue charges a flat rate of $4,996 per semester for Indiana residents enrolled in 8 or more graduate credits.

A published per-credit rate is not listed separately, but based on typical graduate loads of 9–12 credits per semester, the implied per-credit cost is approximately $416–$555, with a midpoint of roughly $480–$500 per credit.

At that rate, the MS totals approximately:

  • $23K (47 credits), the BSN-to-DNP approximately $37K (76 credits)
  • the post-MSN DNP APRN track approximately $19K (40 credits)
  • the post-MSN non-APRN track approximately $26K (55 credits)
  • the post-master’s certificate approximately $8K–$16K (16–34 credits)

These estimates reflect Indiana resident tuition only.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

Purdue University’s DNP program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MS AGPCNP program and post-master’s certificate are also CCNE-accredited. Purdue’s School of Nursing is a member of the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence. Graduates of the AGPCNP tracks are eligible to sit for national AGPCNP certification examinations.

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