Delivering holistic care for adults from wellness to illness.
Today’s healthcare providers are incredibly challenged by the aging population. That’s why leaders are needed now more than ever. Become one. Learn how to translate your desire to give holistic care into proactive, culturally sensitive, and ethical healthcare solutions for adult patients. Each of our Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs is designed to help experienced nurses provide first-rate care for adults of varying ages.
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No GMAT, GRE, or statistics required for admission

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No waiting list once you’re accepted
Online Master of Science in Nursing — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNP)
Enhance your nursing skill set by developing expertise in adult gerontology. This advanced degree program offers an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track designed to help active nurses excel and provide first-rate care for adults of varying ages.
Want to learn more about the online Master of Science in Nursing program?
Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice Program — AGPCNP Concentration (BSN to DNP AGPCNP)
Do you seek a clear path to the top of your profession? This program offers a direct path to a DNP career with the added advantage of specializing MSN clinical work in adult-gerontology. The online BSN to DNP program is designed so you can focus a portion of your coursework in adult-gerontology.
Want to learn more about the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice program?
Post-Master’s Certificate — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNPC)
Do you already have your MSN degree and want to specialize your skills and knowledge in adult-gerontology? Our online post-master’s certificate in adult-gerontology is designed for nurses who seek increased autonomy and authority in their role.
Want to learn more about the online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner program?
Online Doctor of Nursing Practice with Nurse Practitioner Concentration — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP-NP AGPCNP)
Go from your MSN to your DNP with an AGPCNP concentration, and you can earn a terminal degree that helps bring you back into the clinical setting. You’ll earn your AGPCNP along with attaining your DNP, allowing you to practice at the highest level and lead interdisciplinary teams.
Want to learn more about the online Doctor of Nursing Practice with Nurse Practitioner Concentration program?
Why become an AGPCNP?
It’s a continuum of care and opportunity.
Combine a graying society with life-extending medical advances and healthcare reform, and you have the ideal environment for growth in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) careers. Pursue this specialty and dedicate your skills toward caring for an aging population with unique healthcare needs. It’s a gratifying career, knowing you are helping individuals progress through their entire adult life.
More autonomy.
AGPCNPs fill an important gap as the physician shortage continues to grow. There’s an emerging trend toward nurse practitioner-run clinics and private practices. Today’s AGPCNPs are empowered with the authority to provide patient education on various lifestyle changes, including medication management.
More opportunity.
As an AGPCNP, your practice settings are as varied as your care. Career opportunities are available in hospitals, community clinics, private medical practices, home care, physician offices, specialty clinics, veterans hospitals, assisted living facilities, or rehabilitation centers.
Why choose Maryville?
We’re a private, four-year institution ranked as one of America’s Best Colleges by both U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. We’re also proud to have been named to the Military Friendly Schools list for the 6th consecutive year. When you choose us, you receive a highly flexible and highly regarded education with the added convenience of being delivered 100% online. Here are a few more reasons why we offer you the best path:
- Streamline your time and talent to earn a post-master’s certificate.
- Graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Enjoy a flexible and convenient 24/7 online learning model.
- Explore important topics that will help pave the way to a better future for yourself and the nurses who follow in your footsteps.
- Take the opportunity to conduct research via clinical inquiry courses that will challenge your assumptions.
- Learn from an expert faculty of nursing leaders who openly share their experiences and insights regarding public health and the nursing profession.
The career outlook for AGPCNPs is booming.
Higher demand. Greater rewards.
Did you know that adult-gerontology nurse practitioners rank in the Top 10 Highest Paying Nursing Specialties, according to Scrubs Magazine? Salary may not be the deciding factor when choosing your specialization, but it can certainly help you weigh your options. Additionally, the AGPCNP has a higher than average growth rate due to the increasing size of the adult patient population.
Why is the AGPCNP one of the most in-demand nursing careers?
- Baby boomers make up nearly 25% of the total U.S. population, creating an incredible demand for an AGPCNP’s services.
- More than 85 million millennials (sometimes called Generation Y) are now adults; this generation is the largest cohort population the U.S. has ever seen. The age 65-plus patient population segment is projected to double to 71.5 million by 2030 (CNN).
- There could potentially be more than 80 million individuals on Medicare by 2029 (CNN).
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job openings for nurse practitioners are expected to increase by 31% through 2020.
- The average salary for nurse practitioners is $94,460, according to the BLS.
Founded in 1872 — Top Ranked for Today
Proud to be recognized as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.




The MSN, Post-Master’s NP Certificate, and DNP programs at Maryville University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
AGPCNP Curriculum
Four curriculum models. One rewarding career specialty.
Online MSN AGPCNP Concentration
Online Master of Science in Nursing — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNP)
You can complete your AGPCNP in as few as 28 months and 100% online. Begin your coursework the semester after you enroll with six entry points per year (January, March, May, July, August, and October).
MSN | Core Courses
NURS 600 | Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
A master's-prepared nurse is expected to critique, evaluate and utilize appropriate theory within his/her practice. This course focuses on the application of theoretical and conceptual frameworks to guide decision making that enhances health for culturally diverse populations. A variety of theories, e.g., developmental, systems, psychodynamic, physiological, and nursing theories relevant to health and illness care and organizations are explored. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 601 | Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing | 3 Credits |
Evidence-based practice is the deliberate use of current best practice in making informed decisions about patient care. This course emphasizes evidence-based practice as it relates to changing and improving nursing practice. Students systematically explore and evaluate current nursing knowledge for scientific and clinical merit. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 602 | Health Care Policy | 3 Credits |
The advanced practice nurse needs to understand the complexities and functioning of health care delivery systems, health care financing systems, and the development and implications of health care policies that guide those systems. The philosophical and sociocultural underpinnings of health care policy are examined. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 610 | Health Promotion/Disease Prevention | 3 Credits |
The master's-prepared nurse is in a key position to influence the health practices of individuals, groups and communities. Health screening, risk assessment, targeted needs assessment, and health promotion are emphasized. Health care goals at the local, regional, and national levels are implemented to direct program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 603 | Professional Role Development | 3 Credits |
Advanced Practice Nurse This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing, and evaluating the advance practice nursing roles within the health care system. The legal and ethical context in which the advanced nurse practices is addressed. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 619 | Leadership and Quality | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on preparing the graduate nursing student to assume leadership roles on interprofessional teams that effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. The course explores using a complexity science and systems theory approach to analyze organizations and the provision of health care within those organizations, as well as plan change strategies to improve the care environment. Budget and marketing principles will also be discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 611 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 Credits |
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness. Emphasis is on correlating manifestations of illness with pathophysiological processes in order to formulate diagnoses and health care goals. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 612 | Advanced Health Assessment | 5 Credits |
Advanced practice nurses perform comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings. Advanced health assessment integrates health history, physical and psychological changes and psychosocial variations. The assessment is used to determine health and risk status, develop health promotion strategies, and establish priorities of care. Differences between a complete health history and a history for an episodic event are examined. This course incorporates documented clinical experience with a preceptor focusing on health history and physical assessment. Students will apply concepts related to advanced health assessment and health promotion to problems of adults in rural and/or urban health settings and will begin their clinical logs. (5 credit hours) | ||
NURS 615 | Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 Credits |
Nurse practitioners diagnose and prescribe treatment regimens for persons with common acute and/or chronic health problems. This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens for illnesses that affect individuals. Also included are illness prevention and non-pharmacological primary care for individuals and populations at risk. Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed. (3 credit hours) |
For both the AGPCNP concentrations you will need:
NURS 620 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care I | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems are studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 621 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum I | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 623 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care II | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems is studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 624 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum II | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older-aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
Online BSN to DNP AGPCNP Concentration
Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice Program — AGPCNP Concentration (BSN to DNP AGPCNP)
You can complete your program in as few as 36 months and 100% online. You can begin your coursework the semester after you are accepted, in spring, summer, or fall.
BSN to DNP | Core Courses
NURS 600 | Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
A master's-prepared nurse is expected to critique, evaluate and utilize appropriate theory within his/her practice. This course focuses on the application of theoretical and conceptual frameworks to guide decision making that enhances health for culturally diverse populations. A variety of theories, e.g., developmental, systems, psychodynamic, physiological, and nursing theories relevant to health and illness care and organizations are explored. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 601 | Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing | 3 Credits |
Evidence-based practice is the deliberate use of current best practice in making informed decisions about patient care. This course emphasizes evidence-based practice as it relates to changing and improving nursing practice. Students systematically explore and evaluate current nursing knowledge for scientific and clinical merit. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 603 | Professional Role Development | 3 Credits |
Advanced Practice Nurse This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing, and evaluating the advance practice nursing roles within the health care system. The legal and ethical context in which the advanced nurse practices is addressed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 610 | Health Promotion/Disease Prevention | 3 Credits |
The master's-prepared nurse is in a key position to influence the health practices of individuals, groups and communities. Health screening, risk assessment, targeted needs assessment, and health promotion are emphasized. Health care goals at the local, regional, and national levels are implemented to direct program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 611 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 Credits |
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness. Emphasis is on correlating manifestations of illness with pathophysiological processes in order to formulate diagnoses and health care goals. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 612 | Advanced Health Assessment | 5 Credits |
Advanced practice nurses perform comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings. Advanced health assessment integrates health history, physical and psychological changes and psychosocial variations. The assessment is used to determine health and risk status, develop health promotion strategies, and establish priorities of care. Differences between a complete health history and a history for an episodic event are examined. This course incorporates documented clinical experience with a preceptor focusing on health history and physical assessment. Students will apply concepts related to advanced health assessment and health promotion to problems of adults in rural and/or urban health settings and will begin their clinical logs. (5 credit hours) | ||
NURS 615 | Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 Credits |
Nurse practitioners diagnose and prescribe treatment regimens for persons with common acute and/or chronic health problems. This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens for illnesses that affect individuals. Also included are illness prevention and non-pharmacological primary care for individuals and populations at risk. Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 700 | Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 Credits |
This course introduces students to the purpose, content, and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. The fundamental concepts and techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics are explored with particular emphasis on applications in epidemiology, public health, global health, disease surveillance and outbreak analysis, health care administration, and the social and biological sciences. Basic statistics, including exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, and ANOVA methods are presented. Evaluating and using output from statistical computing software are also addressed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 701 | Foundations of Clinical Scholarship | 3 Credits |
As the first course in the DNP program, this course is designed to refine students' scholarly writing skills through a variety of strategies. Along with important works in nursing, literature in other disciplines is also explored. The process of concept analysis is emphasized. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 702 | Integrating and Synthesizing Research | 3 Credits |
This course emphasizes an objective approach to the integration and synthesis of knowledge according to scientific principles and rules. The conceptual consequences imposed by science on philosophies of knowledge are also discussed. Manuscript preparation and practical use of evidence are incorporated in an effort to prepare students for the design of research proposals. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 703 | Ethics For Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
This course is designed to present ethical principles and decision-making models for the highest level of nursing practice. Evidence-based nursing and interprofessional literature are used to analyze ethical dilemmas that arise in professional practice. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 704 | Quality and Patient Safety in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
This course is designed to provide students with the foundation of process improvement (PI) and quality improvement (QI) concepts. Theoretical perspectives of quality and patient safety factors and the use of selected process improvement tools will be examined. Evidence-based practice and change management will be integrated with concepts of PI and QI. Systems thinking will be emphasized. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 705 | Clinical Inquiry I | 3 Credits |
In this course, students design an evidence-based research study that will guide clinical practice. The feasibility of conducting this research initiative is explored. Potential funding sources and budget issues will be examined. Students complete the human subjects training and write a proposal. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 706 | Clinical Inquiry II | 3 Credits |
In this course, students implement their clinical project and complete data collection. Students apply integrated research concepts as they pertain to their clinical project. Utilization of various methods of data analysis and data management systems will be explored. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 707 | Clinical Inquiry III | 3 Credits |
In this course, students complete data analysis of the clinical project. Based upon the results of data analysis, students disseminate their evidence-based research through written and oral delivery. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 708 | Organizations Theory and Systems Leadership | 3 Credits |
Organizational, management and social science theories are analyzed in the context of organizational leadership and change management. Systems thinking is emphasized. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 619 | Leadership and Quality | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on preparing the graduate nursing student to assume leadership roles on interprofessional teams that effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. The course explores using a complexity science and systems theory approach to analyze organizations and the provision of health care within those organizations, as well as plan change strategies to improve the care environment. Budget and marketing principles will also be discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 709 | Advanced Health Care Policy | 3 Credits |
In this course knowledge of the American healthcare system is used to identify economically and politically feasible and viable policy changes that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system's delivery of health care. The policy-making process is examined to prepare students to be effective advocates for health policy change. (3 credit hours) |
For both the AGPCNP concentrations you will need:
NURS 620 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care I | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems are studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 621 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum I | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 623 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care II | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems is studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 624 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum II | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older-aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
Online Post-Master's Certificate AGPCNP Concentration
Online Post-Master’s Certificate — Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN AGPCNPC)
You can complete your adult gerontology nurse practitioner certification in as few as 20 months and 100% online. You can begin your coursework the semester after you are accepted, with six entry points either in spring, summer, or fall.
Graduate Nursing Core Courses
NURS 603 | Professional Role Development | 3 Credits |
Advanced Practice Nurse This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing, and evaluating the advance practice nursing roles within the health care system. The legal and ethical context in which the advanced nurse practices is addressed. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 610 | Health Promotion/Disease Prevention | 3 Credits |
The master's-prepared nurse is in a key position to influence the health practices of individuals, groups and communities. Health screening, risk assessment, targeted needs assessment, and health promotion are emphasized. Health care goals at the local, regional, and national levels are implemented to direct program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. (3 credit hours) |
Nurse Practitioner Core Courses
NURS 611 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 Credits |
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness. Emphasis is on correlating manifestations of illness with pathophysiological processes in order to formulate diagnoses and health care goals. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 612 | Advanced Health Assessment | 5 Credits |
Advanced practice nurses perform comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings. Advanced health assessment integrates health history, physical and psychological changes and psychosocial variations. The assessment is used to determine health and risk status, develop health promotion strategies, and establish priorities of care. Differences between a complete health history and a history for an episodic event are examined. This course incorporates documented clinical experience with a preceptor focusing on health history and physical assessment. Students will apply concepts related to advanced health assessment and health promotion to problems of adults in rural and/or urban health settings and will begin their clinical logs. (5 credit hours) |
NURS 615 | Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 Credits |
Nurse practitioners diagnose and prescribe treatment regimens for persons with common acute and/or chronic health problems. This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens for illnesses that affect individuals. Also included are illness prevention and non-pharmacological primary care for individuals and populations at risk. Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed. (3 credit hours) |
For the AGPCNP certificate you will need:
NURS 620 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care I | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems are studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 621 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum I | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 623 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care II | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems is studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 624 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum II | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older-aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
Online DNP-NP Program AGPCNP Concentration
Doctor of Nursing Practice Foundation Courses (15 credit hours)
NURS 700 | Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 3 Credits |
This course introduces students to the purpose, content, and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. The fundamental concepts and techniques of descriptive and inferential statistics are explored with particular emphasis on applications in epidemiology, public health, global health, disease surveillance and outbreak analysis, health care administration, and the social and biological sciences. Basic statistics, including exploratory data analysis, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, correlation, regression, and ANOVA methods are presented. Evaluating and using output from statistical computing software are also addressed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 701 | Foundations of Clinical Scholarship | 3 Credits |
As the first course in the DNP program, this course is designed to refine students' scholarly writing skills through a variety of strategies. Along with important works in nursing, literature in other disciplines is also explored. The process of concept analysis is emphasized. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 702 | Integrating and Synthesizing Research | 3 Credits |
This course emphasizes an objective approach to the integration and synthesis of knowledge according to scientific principles and rules. The conceptual consequences imposed by science on philosophies of knowledge are also discussed. Manuscript preparation and practical use of evidence are incorporated in an effort to prepare students for the design of research proposals. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 709 | Advanced Health Care Policy | 3 Credits |
In this course knowledge of the American healthcare system is used to identify economically and politically feasible and viable policy changes that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system's delivery of health care. The policy-making process is examined to prepare students to be effective advocates for health policy change. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 710 | Graduate Statistics | 3 Credits |
Understanding the measurement of phenomena is a critical component of 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. (3 credit hours) |
Doctor of Nursing Practice Capstone Courses (18 credit hours)
NURS 703 | Ethics For Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
This course is designed to present ethical principles and decision-making models for the highest level of nursing practice. Evidence-based nursing and interprofessional literature are used to analyze ethical dilemmas that arise in professional practice. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 704 | Quality and Patient Safety in Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
This course is designed to provide students with the foundation of process improvement (PI) and quality improvement (QI) concepts. Theoretical perspectives of quality and patient safety factors and the use of selected process improvement tools will be examined. Evidence-based practice and change management will be integrated with concepts of PI and QI. Systems thinking will be emphasized. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 705 | Clinical Inquiry I | 3 Credits |
In this course, students design an evidence-based research study that will guide clinical practice. The feasibility of conducting this research initiative is explored. Potential funding sources and budget issues will be examined. Students complete the human subjects training and write a proposal. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 706 | Clinical Inquiry II | 3 Credits |
In this course, students implement their clinical project and complete data collection. Students apply integrated research concepts as they pertain to their clinical project. Utilization of various methods of data analysis and data management systems will be explored. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 707 | Clinical Inquiry III | 3 Credits |
In this course, students complete data analysis of the clinical project. Based upon the results of data analysis, students disseminate their evidence-based research through written and oral delivery. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 708 | Organizations Theory and Systems Leadership | 3 Credits |
Organizational, management and social science theories are analyzed in the context of organizational leadership and change management. Systems thinking is emphasized. (3 credit hours) |
Graduate Nursing Core Courses (6 credit hours)
NURS 603 | Professional Role Development | 3 Credits |
Advanced Practice Nurse This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing, and evaluating the advance practice nursing roles within the health care system. The legal and ethical context in which the advanced nurse practices is addressed. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 610 | Health Promotion/Disease Prevention | 3 Credits |
The master's-prepared nurse is in a key position to influence the health practices of individuals, groups and communities. Health screening, risk assessment, targeted needs assessment, and health promotion are emphasized. Health care goals at the local, regional, and national levels are implemented to direct program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. (3 credit hours) |
Nurse Practitioner Core Courses (11 credit hours)
NURS 611 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 Credits |
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness. Emphasis is on correlating manifestations of illness with pathophysiological processes in order to formulate diagnoses and health care goals. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 612 | Advanced Health Assessment | 5 Credits |
Advanced practice nurses perform comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings. Advanced health assessment integrates health history, physical and psychological changes and psychosocial variations. The assessment is used to determine health and risk status, develop health promotion strategies, and establish priorities of care. Differences between a complete health history and a history for an episodic event are examined. This course incorporates documented clinical experience with a preceptor focusing on health history and physical assessment. Students will apply concepts related to advanced health assessment and health promotion to problems of adults in rural and/or urban health settings and will begin their clinical logs. (5 credit hours) |
NURS 615 | Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 Credits |
Nurse practitioners diagnose and prescribe treatment regimens for persons with common acute and/or chronic health problems. This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens for illnesses that affect individuals. Also included are illness prevention and non-pharmacological primary care for individuals and populations at risk. Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed. (3 credit hours) |
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (12 credit hours)
NURS 620 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care I | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems are studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 621 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum I | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
NURS 623 | Adult-Gerontology Health Care II | 3 Credits |
Care of adults experiencing selected common acute and chronic health problems as well as those experiencing complex and multiple health problems is studied in this course. Emphasis is placed on detailed history taking, differential diagnosis, management of health care problems, and documentation of findings. Strategies to manage health problems of adults in urban and rural primary care settings are explored with an emphasis on evidence-based research guidelines. Nursing care to support positive life-style behaviors, primary prevention, and support of functional ability is discussed. (3 credit hours) | ||
NURS 624 | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Practicum II | 3 Credits |
The theoretical, clinical, and role components of care are implemented in a supervised clinical practicum with a board certified nurse practitioner or physician preceptor. Opportunity is provided for the assessment, management, and evaluation of young, middle, and older-aged adults with common and complex health problems in a primary care setting. Emphasis is on independence in decision-making within a multidisciplinary context. (3 credit hours) |
To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends. 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.