MSN: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The Master's of Science in Nursing degree, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Concentration is a six semester program that allows students to continue working full or part time. The BSN to MSN program would be 48 credit hours over a period of 24 months. Courses will be delivered in a variety of formats including online, hybrid, and face to face. Clinical/practicum courses will provide experiential learning in the acute care setting.

Didactic and Clinical coursework with preceptorships in Advanced Acute Care, Advanced Critical Care and Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Residency prepares students for the national certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). The student's education provides theoretical and evidence-based clinical knowledge and learning experiences emphasizing the development of clinical expertise needed to provide care for young adults (including late adolescents and emancipated minors), adults, and older adults (including young-old, old, and old-old adults) in the acute care setting. Course work prepares students in theoretical foundations for advanced practice, health care policy, and clinical assessment and management.

Students have didactic and clinical courses concurrently, reinforcing course work in the clinical setting. Courses include advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology. From there students complete the advanced practice core courses and the role specific courses in Advanced Acute Care and Advanced Critical Care. The final AGACNP practicum allows immersion in the role as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Once certified, students who earn their MSN as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from UTC may begin work immediately as a graduate AGACNP feeling confident that they have the skills needed to work in acute care.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing is a member of the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence.

Full Accreditation

The UTC AGACNP Program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Family Nurse Practitioner Program adheres to the Criteria for Evaluation as set forth by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF), 2012.

Outstanding Value

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the region. In addition, financial aid, and a variety of scholarships in the School of Nursing helps students achieve their goals. The University provides full accessibility for North Georgia and Alabama graduate students seeking advanced degrees. Residents of Catoosa, Dade, Fannin, Murray, Walker, and Whitfield counties in Georgia and Jackson county in Alabama qualify for a regional tuition rate for graduate classes at UTC. Eligible students pay a tuition rate equal to in-house fees plus 25 percent of out of state tuition. Contact the Bursar's Office for current tuition and fees.