This option prepares nurses for advanced practice roles in caring for acutely and critically ill adults across the continuum of acute care services. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in advanced assessment, therapeutics, and technological interventions, equipping students to respond effectively to complex medical situations, including severe injuries, post-surgical care, and life-threatening diseases. Emphasizing the integration of didactic knowledge with patient management and advanced technical skills, the program requires the completion of 55 credits and 1,031 practicum hours. Graduates will be eligible to take the national certification examination as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). Applicants to this option must have two years of acute care hospital experience prior to admission.
Sample Plan of Study
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 1 | NURS 510 Theoretical & Scientific Foundations of Advanced Nursing – 3 credits NURS 590 Colloquium – 1 credit NURS 803 Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 587 Ethics in Health Research – 1 credit NURS 588 Healthcare Policy for Nurse and Healthcare Scholars – 3 credits NURS 804 Pharmacologic Therapy for the Advanced Practice Nurse – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 802 Advanced Health Assessment of Adult Populations (18 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 831 Evidence-Based Practice II (75 DPH) – 4 credits NURS 866 Health Assessment of the Adult Gerontology Population in Acute Care – 1 credit Credit total – 8 |
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | |
| Year 2 | NURS 861 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Role – 3 credits NURS 862D Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Practicum (225CPH) – 3 credits NURS 865 Pharmacology for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners – 3 credits Credit total – 7 | NURS 837 Evidence-Based Practice III: Project Development (75 DPH) – 3 credits NURS 860 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Role – 3 credits NURS 863D Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Practicum (150 CPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 8 | NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits NURS 864D Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Integrative Doctoral Practicum (225CPH) (225CPH) – 3 credits NURS 867 Clinical Practice Synthesis for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (38 DPH) – 3 credits Credit total – 8 |
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | May | |
| Year 3 | NURS 808 Population Health Perspectives – 3 credits NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits Credit total – 5 | NURS 835 Doctor of Nursing Practice Project (75 DPH) – 2 credits NURS 836 Healthcare Informatics – 3 credits Credit total – 5 | Commencement |
Learn more about the program’s courses by visiting the University Bulletin »
DNP–NP Practicum
A total of 1,031 hours of post–B.S. practicum is required in the hybrid DNP nurse practitioner program. Your required hours will be accomplished through courses in the DNP curriculum that include practicum hours as part of the coursework.
Practicum hour plans will be developed in consultation with the course’s faculty member and with the approval of the DNP faculty adviser.
- Development of the plans for practicum experiences begins with your admission to the program.
- The practicum planning process involves establishing a site affiliation agreement with the practicum site and identifying a preceptor(s).
- Our clinical placement team supports students in finding practicum sites and preceptors, but cannot guarantee top-choice placements. Students are responsible for starting this process early to maximize their chances of securing optimal placements.
- Some students choose to complete practicum requirements at their place of employment and other students identify alternate practicum sites.
