South University Online offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) tracks leading to the MSN degree:
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (BSN entry)
- RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (ADN/diploma + non-nursing bachelor’s entry)
Both tracks are delivered fully online via the Brightspace learning platform.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Graduate Tuition | Total Quarter Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – AGPCNP (BSN entry) | ~$38,280 | 2-2.5 yrs |
| RN to MSN – AGPCNP | ~$49,200 | 3 to 4 years |
Clinical practicum components require in-person hours with approved preceptors in the student’s local area.
No GRE is required and the minimum GPA threshold for admission (2.5) is notably lower than most comparable programs.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (BSN Entry)
The estimated graduate tuition for the South University MSN AGPCNP program is approximately $38,280 based on 58 quarter credit hours at $660/credit. Duration is not publicly specified; a typical part-time online MSN at this credit load runs approximately 2–2.5 years.
MSN Curriculum
The program totals 58 quarter credit hours — 12 credits of MSN foundation courses and 46 credits of AGPCNP specialization courses. NSG6021 (Pre-Clinical Evaluation) carries 0 credit hours but is a required pass/fail milestone; failure requires enrollment in NSG6023 Nurse Practitioner Enhancement (4 qtr cr, adding $2,640 to tuition).
The final course, NSG6998_A (Transition to the Professional Nurse Practitioner Role, 6 cr), serves as a capstone clinical transition experience; students who are unsuccessful must follow the Program Progression Policy.
MSN Foundation Courses (12 quarter credits)
- NSG5000 – Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse: Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6002 – Health Policy and Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6101 – Nursing Research Methods (4 qtr cr)
AGPCNP Specialization Courses (46 quarter credits)
NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology – 4 Credits
This course examines disease processes and physiologic changes that affect health across the lifespan. Students analyze mechanisms of illness and review common conditions seen in primary care settings. Emphasis is placed on regulatory and compensatory responses to disease as well as health disparities linked to genetic, environmental, and social factors.
NSG6005 Advanced Pharmacology – 4 Credits
This course reviews pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics used to treat acute and chronic conditions. Students learn to select medications, monitor treatment outcomes, and educate patients from diverse populations. Legal, ethical, and economic considerations in medication management are also examined.
NSG6020 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment – 6 Credits
This course develops advanced health assessment skills for patients across the lifespan. Students perform comprehensive physical and psychosocial assessments while considering cultural and community factors that influence health. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, health promotion, and illness prevention strategies.
NSG6021 Pre-Clinical Evaluation – 0 Credits
This course evaluates readiness for clinical practice through a standardized assessment. Students demonstrate knowledge in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment before beginning nurse practitioner practicum experiences. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
NSG6205 Decision Making for the Advanced Practice Nurse I – 4 Credits
This course introduces clinical decision-making for advanced practice nursing in primary care. Students study assessment and management of acute, episodic, and chronic conditions while applying research and evidence-based guidelines to patient care.
NSG6206 Decision Making for the Advanced Practice Nurse II – 4 Credits
This course expands advanced clinical decision-making skills for managing patients across the lifespan. Students build on prior coursework to evaluate, diagnose, and treat common health concerns using evidence-based practice in primary care settings.
NSG6320 Practicum I: Adult and Gerontology – 6 Credits
This practicum provides supervised clinical experience in adult-gerontology primary care settings. Students apply the nursing process and evidence-based practice to manage common health conditions under the guidance of an approved preceptor.
NSG6330 Practicum II: Adult and Gerontology – Reproductive Health – 6 Credits
This practicum focuses on reproductive health care for adolescents and adults. Students manage common reproductive health concerns while emphasizing prevention, health promotion, and appropriate referral for specialized care.
NSG6340 Practicum III: Adult Health – Gerontology – 6 Credits
This practicum continues advanced clinical training in gerontological care. Students work with preceptors to provide patient-centered care for older adults while gaining experience in diverse primary care and specialty practice environments.
NSG6998_A Transition to the Professional Nurse Practitioner Role – 6 Credits
This capstone course integrates knowledge gained throughout the program. Students review key clinical concepts, explore professional nurse practitioner roles, and demonstrate readiness for entry-level advanced practice through research, scholarship, and applied learning.
See the course catalog for more details.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete supervised practicum hours across three practicum courses plus the final capstone transition course. All clinical hours are completed in-person locally with an approved preceptor; South University does not guarantee flexibility in clinical scheduling. Total clock hours are not publicly specified — contact the program for preceptorship hour requirements.
- NSG6320 – Practicum I: Adult and Gerontology (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6330 – Practicum II: Reproductive Health (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6340 – Practicum III: Gerontology (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6998_A – Transition to Professional NP Role (6 qtr cr) — includes final clinical transition experience
- NSG6021 – Pre-Clinical Evaluation must be passed before practicum courses; failure requires NSG6023 remediation
- Students must hold a valid, unencumbered RN license in every U.S. state or territory in which they are licensed and in the state where clinicals are completed
MSN Admissions Requirements
- BSN from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale; or an MSN/MN from an accredited institution
- Valid, unencumbered RN license in all states where the student is licensed and in the state of clinical rotations
- Official transcripts from every institution attended (must be submitted within 5 weeks of class start; refer to Conditional Acceptance policy)
- Completed application for admission
- No GRE required; no letters of reference required
- Not available in all U.S. states — confirm state eligibility with an admissions representative before applying
- Application deadlines: not publicly specified; contact admissions
RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
The estimated tuition for South University coursework in the RN to MSN AGPCNP program is approximately $49,200 and typical completion runs approximately 3–4 years depending on transfer evaluation.
Estimate based on roughly $36,960 for 56 graduate-level quarter credits at $660/credit plus $12,240 for approximately 48 undergraduate-level quarter credits at $255/credit.
Note: Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 before progressing into graduate-level nursing courses. Students admitted with a GPA below 3.0 may be transitioned to the RN-to-BSN program and must then reapply for the MSN program.
RN to MSN Curriculum
The RN to MSN program integrates undergraduate bridge coursework with graduate MSN content into a single degree pathway. Students receive a block transfer of 78 quarter credits for prior associate degree or bachelor’s degree coursework.
The remaining undergraduate component requires 40 credits of nursing bridge courses and 8 elective credits completed at South University, plus the full MSN foundation (12 qtr cr) and AGPCNP specialization sequence (46 qtr cr) identical to the BSN-entry MSN. The final degree awarded is the MSN.
Undergraduate Bridge Courses Completed at South University (40 quarter credits)
- NSG3007 – Foundations for Professional Nursing (4 qtr cr)
- NSG3012 – Principles of Assessment for RNs (4 qtr cr)
- NSG3029 – Foundations of Nursing Research (4 qtr cr)
- NSG3039 – Information Management and Technology (4 qtr cr)
- NSG4028 – Concepts of Teaching and Learning (4 qtr cr)
- NSG4029 – Leadership in a Diverse Society (4 qtr cr)
- NSG4068 – Trends in Healthcare Policy (4 qtr cr)
- NSG4074 – Health Promotion and Clinical Prevention (4 qtr cr)
- Elective Pool — choose 2 courses (8 qtr cr): options include Medical Sociology, Epidemiology and Disease Control, Gerontological Nursing, Women and Minority Health Issues, and others
MSN Foundation Courses (12 quarter credits) — same as BSN-entry MSN
- NSG5000 – Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse: Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6002 – Health Policy and Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6101 – Nursing Research Methods (4 qtr cr)
AGPCNP Specialization Courses (46 quarter credits) — identical to BSN-entry MSN
- NSG5003 – Advanced Pathophysiology (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6005 – Advanced Pharmacology (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6020 – Advanced Health and Physical Assessment (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6021 – Pre-Clinical Evaluation (0 qtr cr) — required pass/fail gate
- NSG6205 – Decision Making for the Advanced Practice Nurse I (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6206 – Decision Making for the Advanced Practice Nurse II (4 qtr cr)
- NSG6320 – Practicum I: Adult and Gerontology (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6330 – Practicum II: Adult and Gerontology: Reproductive Health (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6340 – Practicum III: Adult Health / Gerontology (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6998_A – Transition to the Professional Nurse Practitioner Role (6 qtr cr)
See the course catalog for more details.
RN to MSN Clinicals
The clinical structure is identical to the BSN-entry MSN — three practicum courses plus the NP role transition capstone. All clinical hours are completed locally in person with an approved preceptor.
- NSG6320 – Practicum I: Adult and Gerontology (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6330 – Practicum II: Reproductive Health (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6340 – Practicum III: Gerontology (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6998_A – Transition to Professional NP Role (6 qtr cr)
- NSG6021 – Pre-Clinical Evaluation gate must be passed before practicum enrollment
- Valid, unencumbered RN license required in all states licensed and in the state of clinicals
RN to MSN Admissions Requirements
- Associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution; or equivalent foreign ADN; or nursing diploma plus a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for program admission
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 required to progress into graduate-level nursing courses; students below 3.0 at that point may be redirected to the RN-to-BSN program
- Valid, unencumbered RN license in all states licensed and in the state of assignment completion
- Official transcripts from every institution attended (within 5 weeks of class start)
- Completed application for admission
- No GRE required; no letters of reference required
- Not available in all U.S. states — confirm state eligibility before applying
Tuition
All South University MSN graduate courses are billed at a flat rate of $660 per quarter credit hour regardless of residency.
RN-to-MSN undergraduate-level bridge courses are billed at $255 per quarter credit hour. These are quarter credits, not semester credits; one quarter credit is approximately two-thirds the weight of one semester credit.
The estimated graduate-only tuition for the 58-quarter-credit BSN-entry MSN is approximately $38,280.
Additional program costs are not itemized on the public tuition page; students should confirm fees, technology charges, and textbook costs with their admissions representative. Digital course materials are accessed through the Brightspace platform.
Important: South University uses quarter credits, not semester credits. Quarter credits are approximately two-thirds the weight of semester credits. A 58-quarter-credit MSN is roughly equivalent to a 39-semester-credit program. All credit hour counts and tuition estimates on this page reflect quarter credits.
Accreditation
South University’s BSN, MSN, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The AGPCNP program meets the core competencies established by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and incorporates standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master’s Essentials.
Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification through ANCC or AANPCP; South University does not guarantee that graduates will pass the certification exam or obtain licensure.
Program availability varies by state — students must verify that the program is approved in their state of residence before applying, and confirm that the degree meets their state’s licensure requirements.