Spring Arbor University AGPCNP Programs

Spring Arbor University (SAU) offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

  • BSN to Master of Science in Nursing – MSN-AGPCNP
  • Post-Master’s Certificate – PMC-AGPCNP

Both programs are delivered fully online and are designed for working nurses, with asynchronous coursework and flexible login times.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSN – AGPCNP$37,459~2 years, 5 months
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP~$16,73714–20 months

SAU uses a 7-1-7 schedule (seven-week courses, one-week breaks), six intake dates per year, and assigns each student a dedicated Student Success Coach.

The MSN track requires just one four-day on-campus residency in year two; the certificate track is entirely online apart from clinical placements.

Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the MSN-AGPCNP program is $37,459 (47 credits × $797/credit) and can be completed in as few as two years and five months on a full-time basis.

MSN Curriculum

The 47-credit program includes 24 credits of MSN foundation coursework shared across all SAU nursing specializations, followed by 23 credits of AGPCNP concentration courses. 

Foundation Courses

  • NUR 500 – Graduate Nursing Orientation
  • NUR 510 – Moral and Ethical Decision Making (3 cr)
  • NUR 522 – Theoretical Perspectives for Advanced Practice (3 cr)
  • NUR 532 – Role Development and Leadership (3 cr)
  • NUR 551 – Applied Research Methods (3 cr)
  • NUR 602 – Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
  • NUR 602R – MSN Residency (0 cr; one four-day campus visit)
  • NUR 612 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
  • NUR 618 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan (3 cr)
  • NUR 693 – Population Health (3 cr)

AGPCNP Concentration Courses

NUR 628 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan for Nurse Practitioners
This course builds on prior pharmacology study and prepares nurse practitioner students to prescribe and manage medications across the lifespan. Students examine drug therapies, safe medication administration, and ethical prescribing practices. The course also reviews health policy, cost considerations, and team-based care that support safe and effective medication use.

NUR 642 – Chronic Disease and Complex Problems in Older Adults
This course examines the care of older adults who live with chronic illness and complex health needs. Students study case management strategies and coordinated care planning. The course also emphasizes teamwork with other health professionals to evaluate and improve outcomes for medically fragile patients.

NUR 685 – Advanced Practice in Primary Care I
This course prepares students to deliver advanced primary care for adult patients. Students practice comprehensive health assessment, data analysis, and diagnostic reasoning. The course also covers treatment planning, disease prevention, and health promotion for diverse adult populations.

NUR 686 – Advanced Practice in Primary Care II
This course builds advanced practice skills for the management of chronic and complex health conditions in older adults. Students apply gerontology principles to address physical, psychological, and social health needs. The course also strengthens clinical reasoning through history taking, physical exams, diagnostic interpretation, and care planning.

NUR 770P – AGNP Clinical Experience I
This clinical practicum introduces the application of advanced nursing knowledge in primary care settings. Students use pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical reasoning to guide patient care. Each student completes supervised clinical hours with an approved preceptor while program faculty monitor progress and provide guidance.

NUR 780P – AGNP Clinical Experience II
This practicum continues the development of advanced practice skills in primary care. Students expand clinical decision making and apply evidence-based treatments in real patient settings. A qualified preceptor supervises the experience while faculty provide oversight and evaluation.

NUR 781 – Advanced Integration of Evidence-Based Practice
This course focuses on the use of research evidence to improve patient care. Students identify a clinical problem related to their specialty and analyze current research. The course guides students through the design of an evidence-based practice project proposal that translates research findings into clinical application.

See the official curriculum page for more details.

MSN Clinicals

Students complete a minimum of 500 supervised clinical practice hours across two clinical experience courses (NUR 770P and NUR 780P), both preceptor-led in real patient care settings. Clinical hours are defined as direct bedside patient care time (approximately one patient per hour).

  • NUR 770P – AGNP Clinical Experience I (4 credits / ~250 hours)
  • NUR 780P – AGNP Clinical Experience II (4 credits / ~250 hours)
  • Minimum 500 hours required for graduation and AGNP-C certification eligibility
  • Students may pursue additional clinical hours (NUR 783) if their state board of nursing requires more than 500

MSN Admissions Requirements

  • BSN from a regionally accredited institution (CCNE or NLN accredited nursing program)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credit hours
  • Unrestricted, unencumbered RN license from state of employment (must remain current throughout program)
  • Short personal statement (2–3 pages)
  • Completed online application (free)
  • Prerequisites prior to NUR 551: nursing-related research course and statistics (100-level or above)

Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP

The estimated cost for the PMC-AGPCNP program is approximately $16,737 (21 credits × $797/credit) and can be completed in 14 to 20 months, depending on prior coursework.

Certificate Curriculum

The 21-credit certificate is designed for MSN-prepared nurses adding the AGPCNP specialty. Required prerequisites (health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, statistics, and residency) may be waived based on prior MSN coursework; an individualized plan of study is developed for each student at admission. 

  • NUR 500 – Graduate Nursing Orientation (0 cr)
  • NUR 610 – Foundation of Post-Graduate Nursing (1 cr)
  • NUR 628 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan for Nurse Practitioners (3 cr)
  • NUR 642 – Chronic Disease and Complex Problems in Older Adults (3 cr)
  • NUR 685 – Advanced Practice in Primary Care I (3 cr)
  • NUR 686 – Advanced Practice in Primary Care II (3 cr)
  • NUR 770P – AGNP Clinical Experience I (4 cr)
  • NUR 780P – AGNP Clinical Experience II (4 cr)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

Certificate Clinicals

PMC students complete between 250 and 500 direct care practice hours, depending on whether they enter as a current NP or non-NP. Up to 125 hours may transfer from a prior MSN program, subject to review.

  • NUR 770P – AGNP Clinical Experience I (4 credits)
  • NUR 780P – AGNP Clinical Experience II (4 credits)
  • Minimum 250 hours for current NPs; up to 500 hours for non-NP entrants
  • All clinical agreement, affiliation, and preceptor forms due at least 4 weeks before any clinical course begins

Certificate Admissions Requirements

  • MSN (or DNP) from a regionally accredited institution and accredited nursing program
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in MSN and all post-graduate coursework
  • Official transcripts from all graduate institutions attended
  • Unrestricted, unencumbered RN license from state of employment (must remain current throughout program)
  • APRN license required if currently practicing as an NP
  • Short personal statement (2–3 pages)
  • CV or résumé
  • Completed online application
  • Note: Certificate programs are not eligible for federal financial aid; payment plan arranged through the SAU Business Office

Tuition

Both the MSN-AGPCNP and PMC-AGPCNP programs are priced at $797 per credit hour.

Total estimated program costs are $37,459 for the 47-credit MSN and approximately $16,737 for the 21-credit Post-Master’s Certificate. 

More tuition details are available here.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate, master’s, post-master’s certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Spring Arbor University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates of both AGPCNP tracks are eligible to sit for the national AGNP-C certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

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