Walden University offers 3 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $41,185–$59,330 | ~2 years (full-time) |
| BSN-DNP AGPCNP | $86,400 | ~3 years (full-time) |
| MSN-DNP AGPCNP | $76,800 | ~2.5–3 years (full-time) |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP | $31,580 | ~1.5 years (full-time) |
All programs are delivered fully online with flexible full-time or part-time options, featuring the Practicum Pledge® for clinical placement support and virtual Walden Grand Rounds for real-life scenario practice.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP (BSN-Entry)
The estimated cost for the BSN-MSN AGPCNP program is approximately $41,185 with the Believe & Achieve Scholarship (or $47,465 without scholarship) based on 58 quarter credits at $785 per credit, and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN-MSN Curriculum
The curriculum totals 58 quarter credits comprising core courses (23 credits) and specialization courses (35 credits). Students gain expertise in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and managing health issues for adult patients ages 13 and older through evidence-based practice coursework.
Core Courses (23 credits):
- NURS 6002/6003: Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NURS 6050: Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health (5 credits)
- NURS 6051: Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology (5 credits)
- NURS 6052: Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- NURS 6053: Interprofessional Organizational and Systems Leadership (5 credits)
- FECN Field Experience Preparation courses (0 credits)
Specialization Courses (35 credits)
NURS 6501 – Advanced Pathophysiology (5 credits)
Examines bio-physiological processes and how they change with disease across the lifespan. Students connect alterations in organ system function to clinical signs and use this understanding to plan treatment. Emphasis is on linking pathophysiology to advanced practice decision making.
NURS 6521 – Advanced Pharmacology (5 credits)
Covers advanced pharmacologic principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics across the lifespan. Students analyze major drug classes and consider safety, cost, adherence, and patient factors when selecting therapies. The course also reviews key drug regulations and prescribing responsibilities for advanced practice nurses.
NURS 6512 – Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits)
Builds advanced physical and psychosocial assessment skills for patients of all ages. Students use diagnostic reasoning, communication, and risk evaluation to identify changing health patterns in both well and ill patients. Content includes 12-lead EKG interpretation and basic X-ray reading to support evidence-based assessment.
NRNP 6531 – Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
Focuses on diagnosing and managing common primary care problems in adolescents, adults, and older adults. Students apply clinical decision-making skills to acute and stable chronic conditions. Course work emphasizes planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic regimens in outpatient settings.
PRAC 6531 – Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum (2 credits)
Provides supervised clinical experience caring for adult patients with acute and chronic conditions in primary care. Students integrate prior coursework to plan, deliver, and evaluate treatment plans. The practicum builds confidence in advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management.
NRNP 6540 – Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults (3 credits)
Concentrates on the complex health needs of older adults in primary and acute care. Students design and evaluate care plans that address multimorbidity, functional decline, and quality of life. Topics include palliative needs, end-of-life issues, and caregiver support.
PRAC 6540 – Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum (2 credits)
Gives students hands-on experience managing conditions common in older adults. Learners apply pathophysiology, pharmacology, and assessment skills to real cases in acute and primary care environments. The focus is on safe, person-centered management of geriatric patients.
NRNP 6552 – Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care (3 credits)
Covers screening, diagnosis, and management of common gynecologic and perinatal conditions in brief primary care visits. Students practice health promotion, lifestyle counseling, and interpretation of diagnostic data in reproductive health. The course stresses inclusive, ethical care for patients across sexual identities and orientations.
PRAC 6552 – Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum (2 credits)
Offers clinical experience in reproductive and perinatal care for diverse individuals and families. Students manage common conditions, coordinate referrals, and support patients in gynecologic and obstetric settings. Attention is given to respectful care based on gender identity and sexual preferences.
NRNP 6565 – Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings (3 credits)
Serves as a capstone didactic course that integrates prior adult-gerontology primary care content. Students refine clinical judgment for complex cases and strengthen their identity as advanced practice nurses. Case studies and class activities highlight safe, high-quality, cost-conscious care in team-based settings.
PRAC 6565 – Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum (2 credits)
Final practicum focused on managing adults with complex health needs in primary care. Students independently plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive management plans under preceptor supervision. Collaboration with clients, families, and interprofessional teams is a central expectation.
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN-MSN Clinicals
Students complete 640 preceptor-supervised clinical hours across four practicum courses. The Practicum Pledge® provides dedicated Field Placement Team support to help students identify suitable clinical sites and preceptors.
Clinical Highlights:
- 160 clinical hours in Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum
- 160 clinical hours in Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum
- 160 clinical hours in Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum
- 160 clinical hours in Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Practicum
- Students responsible for initiating site search with Practicum Advantage™ support
- Field Placement Team assists if student unable to secure placement after several attempts
BSN-MSN Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Admissions:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher (BSN or equivalent)
- Current, active RN license
- Completed online application and transcripts
- Technical Standards Policy Form
- Statement of understanding of MSN NP practicum requirements
- No application fee
- No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
- Easy credit transfer (up to 25 transfer credits accepted)
- TOEFL minimum 100 or IELTS Band 7 for non-native English speakers
- Additional Walden admission criteria apply
Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP (RN-Entry)
The estimated cost for the RN-MSN AGPCNP program is approximately $53,050 with the Believe & Achieve Scholarship (or $59,330 without scholarship) based on 84 quarter credits (26 foundational credits at $435 per credit and 58 MSN credits at $785 per credit), and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis.
RN-MSN Curriculum
The program requires 84 quarter credits total, including 26 foundational credits, 23 core credits, and 35 specialization credits. RN-Entry students complete undergraduate-level foundational courses before beginning MSN core and specialization coursework.
Foundation Courses (26 credits):
- NURS 3022: Professional Nurses as Change Agents (6 credits)
- FECN 4301: Field Experience Preparation (0 credits)
- NURS 4152: Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- NURS 4213: Population Health Nursing (5 credits)
- NURS 4107: Patient Safety and Quality Improvement (5 credits)
- NURS 4301: BSN Capstone (5 credits)
Core Courses (23 credits) and Specialization Courses (35 credits): Same as BSN-Entry track listed above
More curriculum details are available here.
RN-MSN Clinicals
Clinical requirements mirror the BSN-Entry track with 640 total preceptor-supervised practicum hours across four clinical courses. Students complete foundational coursework before beginning clinical experiences.
Clinical Components:
- Same 640 clinical hours as BSN-Entry track
- All practicum courses paired with didactic courses
- Virtual skills lab with video training and assessments
- Faculty support throughout clinical experiences
- Walden Grand Rounds for virtual case review
RN-MSN Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Admissions:
- Registered nurse with hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree other than BSN
- Current, active RN license
- Completed online application and transcripts
- Technical Standards Policy Form
- Statement of understanding of MSN NP practicum requirements
- No application fee, essay, or SAT/ACT requirement
- Easy credit transfer (up to 40 transfer credits accepted)
- May require general education courses if not previously completed
- TOEFL minimum 100 or IELTS Band 7 for non-native English speakers
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP (BSN-Entry)
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP AGPCNP program is approximately $86,400 based on 90 quarter credits at $960 per credit, and would take 3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
BSN-DNP Curriculum
The program requires 90 quarter credits including foundation course (5 credits), essential courses (10 credits), core courses (25 credits), specialization courses (35 credits), and DNP Project courses (15 credits). Students complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate practicum hours.
Foundation & Essential Courses (15 credits):
- NURS 8002: Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (5 credits)
- DNRS 6052: Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- DNRS 6211: Finance and Economics in Healthcare Delivery (5 credits)
Core Courses (25 credits):
- NURS 8114: Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing (5 credits)
- NURS 8100: Healthcare Policy and Analysis (5 credits)
- NURS 8310: Epidemiology and Population Health (5 credits)
- NURS 8211: Data Collection and Analysis for Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- NURS 8210: Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology (5 credits)
Specialization Courses (35 credits):
- DNRS 6501: Advanced Pathophysiology (5 credits)
- DNRS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology (5 credits)
- DNRS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits)
- DRNP 6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- PRCM 6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum (2 credits)
- DRNP 6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults (3 credits)
- PRCM 6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum (2 credits)
- DRNP 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care (3 credits)
- PRCM 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum (2 credits)
- DRNP 6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings (3 credits)
- PRCM 6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum (2 credits)
DNP Project Courses (15 credits):
- NURS 8312: Leading Quality Improvement (5 credits)
- NURS 8512: DNP Project and Practicum I (5 credits)
- NURS 8513: DNP Project and Practicum II (5 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
BSN-DNP Clinicals
The BSN-DNP track requires 1,000 post-baccalaureate practicum hours total, including 640 hours in specialization courses and 400 hours at the DNP level. Students complete diverse clinical experiences with faculty-supervised DNP project implementation.
Clinical Requirements:
- 640 preceptor-supervised practicum hours in specialization courses (same as MSN)
- 80 course faculty-supervised practicum hours in NURS 8312
- 160 preceptor-supervised practicum hours in NURS 8512
- 160 preceptor-supervised practicum hours in NURS 8513
- Students with fewer than 600 documented hours complete additional NURS 8601 DNP Field Experience
- DNP project implementation in clinical settings
- Field Experience Preparation courses (0 credits) guide practicum application process
BSN-DNP Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Admissions:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent from accredited school
- Current, active RN license
- Completed online application and transcripts
- Technical Standards Policy Form
- Statement of understanding of DNP NP practicum requirements
- No application fee, essay, or SAT/ACT requirement
- Easy credit transfer
- Doctoral Writing Assessment required
- TOEFL minimum 100 or IELTS Band 7 for non-native English speakers
- 8-year maximum time frame for degree completion
Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP (MSN-Entry)
The estimated cost for the MSN-DNP AGPCNP program is approximately $76,800 based on 80 quarter credits at $960 per credit, and would take 2.5-3 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN-DNP Curriculum
The program requires 80 quarter credits including foundation course (5 credits), core courses (25 credits), specialization courses (35 credits), and DNP Project courses (15 credits). MSN-prepared students enter at advanced level without essential courses.
Foundation Course (5 credits):
- NURS 8002: Foundations and Essentials for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (5 credits)
Core Courses (25 credits), Specialization Courses (35 credits), and DNP Project Courses (15 credits): Same as BSN-DNP track listed above
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN-DNP Clinicals
The MSN-DNP track requires completion of 1,000 total post-baccalaureate practicum hours. Gap analysis conducted to determine previous master’s-level clinical hours, with DNP program requiring additional hours to reach 1,000 total.
Clinical Components:
- Minimum 1,000 post-baccalaureate practicum hours required
- Gap analysis validates previous master’s-level clinical hours
- 640 hours in specialization courses if not previously completed
- 400 DNP-level practicum hours minimum
- Students with certain APRN licensure/certification receive prior credit
- Students with approved APRN credentials complete at least 500 practicum hours
MSN-DNP Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Admissions:
- Master of Science in Nursing or equivalent from accredited school
- Current, active RN license
- Completed online application and transcripts
- Technical Standards Policy Form
- Statement of understanding of DNP NP practicum requirements
- Verification of Precepted Clinical Hours form from previous institution
- No application fee, essay, or SAT/ACT requirement
- Doctoral Writing Assessment required
- TOEFL minimum 100 or IELTS Band 7 for non-native English speakers
- 8-year maximum time frame for degree completion
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP program is approximately $31,580 based on 38 quarter credits at $785 per credit, and would take 1.5 years to complete on a full-time basis.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum
The program requires 38 quarter credits total including core course (3 credits) and specialization courses (35 credits). Fast Track option available for students with appropriate APRN licensure and certification, reducing requirements to 18 credits with prior nursing credit.
Core Course (3 credits):
- NURS 6003: Perspectives on Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)
Specialization Courses (35 credits):
- NURS 6501: Advanced Pathophysiology (5 credits)
- NURS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (5 credits)
- NURS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology (5 credits)
- NRNP 6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
- PRAC 6531: Primary Care of Adults Across the Lifespan Practicum (2 credits)
- NRNP 6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults (3 credits)
- PRAC 6540: Advanced Practice Care of Older Adults Practicum (2 credits)
- NRNP 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care (3 credits)
- PRAC 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care Practicum (2 credits)
- NRNP 6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings (3 credits)
- PRAC 6565: Synthesis in Advanced Nursing Practice Care of Patients in Primary Care Settings Practicum (2 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Post-Master’s Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 640 preceptor-supervised practicum hours. Fast Track students with approved APRN licensure and certification complete 500 practicum hours with up to 23 credits of prior nursing credit.
Clinical Highlights:
- 640 practicum hours for standard track students
- 500 practicum hours for Fast Track students with APRN credentials
- 160 hours each in four specialty practicum courses
- Practicum Advantage support for site identification
- Virtual skills lab and faculty coaching
- Walden Grand Rounds participation
Post-Master’s Certificate Admissions Requirements
Prerequisites & Admissions:
- Current, active RN license or APRN license
- Master of Science in Nursing, DNP, or PhD in nursing from accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale for admitting degree
- Completed online application and transcripts
- No application fee, essay, or SAT/ACT requirement
- Easy credit transfer (up to 20 credits for non-alumni; more for Walden MSN alumni)
- Fast Track option for those with appropriate APRN licensure and certification
- TOEFL minimum 100 or IELTS Band 7 for non-native English speakers (if applicable)
- No current disciplinary actions or restrictions on license
Tuition
Graduate tuition effective February 23, 2026 is $785 per quarter credit hour for MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate coursework, and $960 per quarter credit hour for DNP coursework.
Additional fees include an $80 per credit clinical fee for nurse practitioner practicum courses and a $185 per quarter program fee (covers learning management system, technology upgrades, and technical support).
RN-Entry foundation courses are $435 per credit. Books and materials cost between $1,800 to $2,500 (includes mandatory $299 clinical skills resource).
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Walden University’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency.
The MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP programs are designed to academically prepare graduates to sit for national adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner certification exams through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), which are required for practice in most states.