Online DNP-AGACNP Program

Summary

NURS 700 Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to introduce students to the purpose, content, and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to evaluate and use output from statistical computing software.

Prerequisite: NURS 710

Summary

NURS 701 Foundations of Clinical Scholarship (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to explore the phenomenon of interest related to the DNP scholarly project. Students will systematically develop a project protocol that is supported by the literature and submit it for department approval.

Course objectives:

1. Develop a clinical question that guides the scholarly project.
2. Read critically from professional nursing literature and other related disciplines to interpret, analyze and apply current research to improve practice.
3. Apply a systematic approach to address clinical problems within healthcare organizations, including outcome measures and a sustainability plan to create meaningful changes in clinical outcomes.
4. Develop a protocol and submit it to the DNP council for project approval.
5. Develop the first chapter of the scholarly project that includes needed sections based on the selected DNP project format.

Summary

NURS 702 Integrating and Synthesizing Research (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to emphasize an objective approach to the integration and synthesis of knowledge. Manuscript preparation and practical use of evidence are incorporated to prepare students for the design of research proposals.

Prerequisite: NURS 700 and NURS 701

Summary

NURS 709 Advanced Health Policy (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to present the student with knowledge of the American healthcare system. Economically and politically feasible/viable policy changes that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system’s delivery of health care will be explored. The student will analyze the policy making process in preparation to be effective advocates for health policy change.

Summary

NURS 710 Graduate Statistics (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the measurement of phenomena as it relates to the research process. Procedures for selecting, applying, and interpreting the correct statistical application to a research problem will be presented with students processing the results.

Prerequisite: NURS 700

Summary

NURS 703 Ethics For Advanced Nursing Practice (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to explore ethical principles for the highest level of nursing practice. Students will use evidence-based nursing and interprofessional literature to analyze ethical issues in professional practice.

Summary

NURS 704 Quality and Patient Safety in Advanced Nursing Practice (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to provide students with the foundation of process improvement (PI) and quality improvement (QI) concepts. Evidence-based practice and change management will be integrated with concepts of PI and QI. Systems thinking will be emphasized.

Summary

NURS 705 Clinical Inquiry I (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course will allow the students to design an evidence-based project that will guide clinical practice. The feasibility of conducting this initiative will be explored. Potential funding sources and budget issues will be examined. Students will apply the elements of protection of human subjects and complete the Maryville IRB.

Prerequisite: NURS 700, NURS 701, NURS 702, and NURS 703

Summary

NURS 706 Clinical Inquiry II (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to expand the students knowledge of clinical project data collection and analysis of data. Students will apply integrated research concepts pertaining to the clinical project. Utilization of various methods of data analysis and data management systems will be explored. Complete project data is needed prior to the start of this course.

Prerequisite: NURS 705 and NUS 705L

Summary

NURS 707 Clinical Inquiry III (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to expand the students understanding of methods of dissemination in translational research. Variables that impact the analysis of data related to the scholarly project will be examined. Implications for patients, clinical practice and the healthcare systems will be explored and findings disseminated.

Prerequisite: NURS 706

Summary

NURS 708 Organizational and Systems Leadership (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is designed to allow students to analyze organizational, management and social science theories in the context of organizational leadership and change management. Systems thinking is emphasized.

Summary

NURS 603 Professional Role Development: Advanced Practice Nurse (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing and evaluating advanced nursing practice roles within the health care system. Legal and ethical contexts are included.

Summary

NURS 610 Health Promotion/Disease Prevention (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course focuses on health screening, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual, regional and national level. This includes the exploration at the advanced nursing practice role to direct program planning, development, implementation and evaluation to improve healthcare outcomes.

Summary

NURS 611 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 Credits)

Main Content

Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness across the lifespan.

Summary

NURS 612 Advanced Health Assessment (5 Credits)

Main Content

This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care.

Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615

Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615

Summary

NURS 615 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner.

Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.

Summary

NURS 640 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management I (3 Credits)

Main Content

This is the first didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Focus is on individuals experiencing illness seen in the acute care setting. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management.

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615

Corequisite: NURS 641 or NURS 641C

Summary

NURS 641 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management Practicum I (3 Credits)

Main Content

First practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in NURS-640 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in acute care practice settings.

Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, and NURS 615

Corequisite: NURS 640

Summary

NURS 642 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management II (3 Credits)

Main Content

This course is the second didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. Students will continue to expand on knowledge, decision making and management of acute and emergent physiological alterations in health. Students will analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management.

Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641 or NURS 641C

Corequisite: NURS 643 or NURS 643C

Summary

NURS 643 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum II (3 Credits)

Main Content

This is the second practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 642 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience.

Prerequisite: NURS 640 and NURS 641

Corequisite: NURS 642

Summary

NURS 644 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management III (3 Credits)

Main Content

This is the final didactic management course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. Students will continue to analyze practice guidelines and develop differential diagnoses, implement clinical judgment and decision-making, as it relates to evidence based care management in complex symptomology.

Prerequisite: NURS 640, NURS 641 or NURS 641C, NURS 642 and NURS 643 or NURS 643C

Corequisite: NURS 645 or NURS 645C

Summary

NURS 645 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum III (3 Credits)

Main Content

This is the final practicum course in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program. The student will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-644 with focus on comprehensive health care to complex, acute and critically ill patients in a clinical, preceptored practicum experience.

Prerequisite: NURS 642 and NURS 643

Corequisite: NURS 644

Summary

Main Content

Graduates of Maryville’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice program are equipped with the expertise to excel in clinical, nonclinical, educational, and leadership roles across diverse healthcare settings. Whether your goal is to become a nurse educator in a hospital or nursing school, take on an executive role as a hospital administrator, work as a clinical researcher, advocate for healthcare policy changes, or even launch your own private practice, this program prepares you to lead at the highest levels.

Additionally, our program can help you qualify for AGACNP certification, enabling you to provide advanced care for adults and aging populations while addressing their unique healthcare needs.

Summary

Main Content

Data from PayScale indicates that in 2025, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners earned an average salary of approximately $108,000, with the top 10% making $128,000 or more.

For professionals with a DNP from a U.S. institution, the median salary was around $115,000 in 2025. This figure reflects self-reported data across various roles and settings, including patient care, administration, leadership, research, and education.

Salaries vary based on factors like discipline, education level, years of experience, and location of practice.

Summary

Main Content

Yes, Maryville’s online DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This means Maryville’s DNP and other nursing programs adhere to a rigid set of guidelines and meet or exceed the high standard of education quality set by the CCNE.

In addition, Maryville University proudly holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Maryville has maintained accreditation from the HLC since 1941.

Summary

Main Content

You can complete our online DNP-NP programs in around 36 months of full-time study.

Summary

Main Content

As nursing evolves toward greater responsibility and independence, education is more important than ever. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is one of the highest degrees in nursing (alongside the PhD in Nursing) and represents the peak of training for nurses.

Earning a DNP can help you improve patient care, specialize in advanced areas, and develop new skills for your practice. It also opens doors to leadership roles and careers beyond nursing, such as policy, law, government, education, research, and administration.

A DNP-AGACNP offers the same benefits but also prepares you to pursue additional NP certifications in adult-gerontology care, so you can further grow your practice.

Summary

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Graduates of this program qualify to take the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC®) certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Maryville’s nursing program graduates consistently exceed national average pass rates for certification exams across various specialties.

If you're not looking to pursue NP certification, you can opt for the standalone DNP instead, enabling you to graduate sooner and prepare for advanced roles within or related to nursing.

Summary

Main Content

Your career goals and interests will help you determine whether a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the best path for you. A DNP is a terminal degree that emphasizes nursing leadership, administration, research, and advanced practice. It’s ideal for nurses aiming to take on leadership roles or enhance the quality and scope of patient care.

An MSN, on the other hand, may be better suited for RNs looking to transition into a nurse practitioner (NP) role or for current NPs seeking to specialize in a new area. While MSN programs cover similar foundational topics, DNP programs provide more advanced study and open the door to broader career opportunities.

While an MSN is required for admission into our standard DNP and DNP-NP programs, you don’t need an MSN to pursue a doctorate in nursing. For BSN-prepared nurses, we offer a BSN to DNP pathway, allowing you to move straight into a DNP program on an accelerated timeline.

Summary

Main Content

Maryville’s online DNP-NP program gives you the opportunity to specialize in one of five online nurse practitioner concentrations:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
• Family NP
• Pediatric NP
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP

You can also choose to earn your DNP with no concentration. This route is designed to help you earn your terminal degree more quickly, but it’s not intended to prepare you for NP certification.