Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
Overview
Bravely move forward in your nursing career today
- Access 100% online coursework with no campus visits required.
- Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics.
- Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
- Get started quickly — no waiting list once you’re accepted.
- Choose the part-time or full-time option, and earn your MSN-AGACNP degree in as few as 20 months.
Why choose the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP concentration?
This concentration is designed to help you build the critical skills to assess, educate, diagnose, and treat adult patients across the lifespan in an acute or urgent care setting. This includes treating critical illnesses and injuries alongside chronic conditions and preventive care.
With Maryville’s core NP coursework, you’ll also have the opportunity to build a graduate-level understanding of advanced nursing practice across other settings and specializations.
Nurse leaders are shaping the future of healthcare
Take this opportunity to gain a whole new leadership perspective focused on compassion, preventive care, and evidence-based decision-making, and advance your career and salary potential at a time when nurse practitioner is one of the fastest-growing careers in the U.S.
Benefits of online MSN degrees
Our accredited online MSN-AGACNP program helps you advance your nursing career on your schedule while continuing to work. Learn from expert faculty and access the support you need to succeed.
An MSN-AGACNP from Maryville can equip you with the skills and expertise to take the next step in your nursing journey with confidence.
- Enjoy flexible and convenient 24/7 online learning.
- Complete your AGACPN in approximately two years.
- Gain knowledge you can apply immediately from online classrooms and clinicals.
- Learn from experienced faculty members with real-world, hands-on clinical expertise.
- Receive learner-focused, individualized support as you pursue your education.
- Study with a university that embraces the values of caring, collaboration, and excellence.
Maryville University is also recognized as one of the best online nursing school master’s programs for 2023 by The Princeton Review and one of the best online master’s in nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Program Details
Pursue an MSN-AGACNP that aligns with your NP career goals
Our specialized program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and equips nurses with the advanced skills and clinical expertise needed to address complex patient needs in acute care settings. Prepare to pursue leadership roles, drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and play a critical part in tackling the challenges of modern adult medical care.
Study advanced concepts related to acute care diagnosis and management and learn the skills to become an AGACNP in this 18-credit concentration.
- Choose part-time or full-time study options to fit your schedule.
- Learn crucial skills related to diagnosis, management, and treatment of acute and critical conditions.
- Study with experienced nurses who know what it takes to succeed as an AGACNP.
- Get practical, hands-on education that prepares you for real-world success.
Should I choose acute care or primary care?
Primary care nurses focus on long-term patient care, often building ongoing relationships with individuals to manage chronic conditions, promote preventive health, and ensure overall well-being.
Careers
What can you do with your online MSN degree?
The demand for nurse practitioners specializing in adult and gerontological care continues to rise due to factors like ongoing healthcare reforms, the aging population in the U.S., and the increasing prevalence of age-related chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. We’ll help you prepare for new career opportunities.
How much can you earn with your online MSN degree?
- RNs who earn their MSN and become nurse practitioners make, on average, $35,000 more than RNs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Adult-gerontology acute care NP is ranked among the median annual pay for nurse practitioners was $129,210 in 2024, according to the BLS.
- Psychiatric NP, pediatric NP, family NP, and gerontological NP all are ranked among the 11 highest-paying nursing roles, according to Indeed.
- The ongoing shortage of NPs and primary care physicians means newly educated nurse practitioners have more opportunities than ever to make a difference, especially in underserved areas.
Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners can pursue a variety of careers that give them the opportunity to treat adults and older patients — or conduct their practice in other environments. Some of these include the following.
- Acute care nurse
- Clinical nurse leader
- Clinical research specialist
- Emergency room nurse
- Forensic nurse
- Nurse manager
- Nursing supervisor
- Triage nurse
MSN Career Settings
Adult-gerontology acute care NPs can find work across settings where healthcare professionals may be needed to treat adults across the lifespan. Some common work settings include the following.
- Hospitals and clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Nursing research facilities
- Retirement homes
The median salary for AGACNP-educated nurses for 2025 is about $108,000, according to data collected by PayScale, with the top 10% of earners making more than $128,000. Salaries may vary depending on factors like location, education, and years of experience.
Online MSN degrees job outlook
The healthcare field is continually expanding, creating numerous opportunities for nurses. With your MSN-AGACNP, you’ll have the opportunity to advance your nursing career in a thriving job market.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for nurse practitioners will increase by a tremendous 46% between 2023 and 2033.
- Strong growth is projected for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners as baby boomers age, according to the BLS.
The changing workforce
With these demographic shifts — as well as a trend toward less-experienced employees in the workplace — healthcare organizations increasingly need highly qualified NPs equipped to work independently, especially in areas like adult and geriatric care.
The rewards of the profession
Many employers offer great benefits packages to attract skilled acute care NPs in the face of an ongoing talent shortage.
The new model of healthcare
The preferred caregiver
Move forward in your nursing career
Curriculum
Our AGACNP program comprises 47 credit hours and is built to accommodate your busy lifestyle with maximum flexibility. All coursework is fully online, and you can select either a part-time or full-time schedule. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 20 months, while part-time learners typically finish within 28-32 months. Clinical and practicum requirements can be completed locally where it’s convenient for you.
MSN Core Courses
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
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.
AGACNP Concentration Curriculum
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
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
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
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
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
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
To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.
Professional licensure and certification regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Students are encouraged to visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for the state in which they intend to practice to verify specific licensure requirements which includes ensuring the program of interest meets the licensure requirements prior to enrolling. Students may visit the professional licensure page or reach out to our team of enrollment advisors for guidance.
Admission Requirements
- BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and CCNE/ACEN/CNEA accredited nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all college work
- Have at least one year of professional nursing experience
- Hold current, unencumbered licensure as an RN in the U.S.
- Official transcripts from every post-secondary school where a degree was earned and any graduate-level coursework
- Transfer credit request form
Admission notes
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement will be required to submit a personal statement explaining the low grades and outlining plans for improvement.
- The acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of Maryville University. View our transfer credit policy here.
- Maryville’s online MSN and BSN-DNP programs require students with an international education background to have their BSN from a CCNE/ACEN accredited program. Please reach out to an enrollment advisor for more information.
Interested in our online MSN-AGACNP?
University Details
Founded in 1872 — top-rated today
Maryville University is proud to be recognized as one of America’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.
At Maryville, we invite future nursing leaders to be brave and expand their potential. Let’s be brave together.
MSN Online Degrees: Meet Our Faculty
Mykale Elbe, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
“At Maryville University, we are educating the future of nursing. Our graduates are tasked with serving patients with compassion, competency-based healthcare, and advocacy. Our faculty strives to ensure students are challenged to rise to the top, think critically, and be leaders in the profession. We hope to support our students in the fulfillment of their educational pursuits.
We’ve asked Mykale Elbe for her thoughts on the MSN online degrees. Here are her responses:
Why do you recommend Maryville’s online MSN degrees?
What are the most important skills employers are looking for?
What advice would you give to someone studying nursing?
Time management is essential to success as you continue in your educational endeavors toward advanced practice.
Communication is also key, as faculty members can’t know you need help unless you speak up. We’re here to help you learn. We want to know when you’re struggling, so we can find additional resources to support you.
Having passion — for your patients and yourself — is also important, as this is what drives us all to do what we love in nursing.
What is one area of nursing that you are most excited to teach about?
Frequently Asked Questions
Maryville MSN graduates gain the skills and knowledge they need to pursue a variety of advanced nursing roles. Earning your online master’s in nursing can prepare you for a nurse practitioner role in one of five distinct specialization areas or to pursue a specialized nursing role such as a forensic nurse or clinical research specialist role.
Find out more about career opportunities for MSN graduates.
The AGACNP concentration is designed to prepare nurses to work with adults and older patients in an acute or emergency setting.
Graduating classes from Maryville’s MSN programs consistently beat national pass rate averages for certification exams across disciplines.
Yes, Maryville’s online Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an independent accrediting agency that assesses and identifies high-quality nursing programs.
In addition, Maryville University proudly holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Maryville has maintained accreditation from the HLC since 1941.
You can specialize your online MSN degree with one of five online nurse practitioner concentrations:
Online Master of Science in Nursing Careers and Resources
