8 Cheapest Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate Programs

If you are a registered nurse (RN) and possess a master's degree in your field, then you may wonder if there are other advanced credentials to prepare for specializing in senior care. Now, you can earn an Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certificate and combine that with your substantial clinical experience to qualify for more advanced work. This article will show you how to obtain an AGACNP post-master's certificate online at affordable nursing schools.

What Is a Post-Master's AGACNP Certificate?

An AGACNP post-master's certificate online is most suitable for candidates who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and wish to specialize in caring for elderly patients. These programs provide in-depth training for treating chronic illnesses, end-of-life care, ill patients in intensive care units, and other patient-care services in various acute-care settings.

Can I Earn an AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate Online?

Yes, these certifications are available to online and on-campus students alike. However, like other healthcare credentials, you may need to do some coursework in person, such as a clinical practicum.

How Much Does an Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate Cost?

The total cost for an acute care nurse practitioner certification varies depending on your location and whether you enroll in a public or private college. You can expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $30,000 for these programs.

How Long Is an AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate Online Program?

Typical program duration is between one to two years for most students. You can proceed faster if you have done similar coursework in other programs. Always check with your intended nursing school to learn about transfer credits or ways to test out of certain courses.

Cheapest Post-Master's AGACNP Certificate Programs Online

Here is a list of 10 AGACNP programs, featuring an online or hybrid learning format. This includes program descriptions, expected program costs, financial aid options, and the accreditation status.

1. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a 36-credit-hour acute care nurse practitioner certificate program. Prospective students must have earned at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all other graduate studies and submit official transcripts to qualify for admission. This program has three start dates each fall, spring, and summer.

• Estimated tuition cost: $240 per credit hour
• Financial aid: You can find funding from resources like short-term loans, scholarships, and federal/state grants.
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. University of North Carolina - Charlotte

The University of North Carolina - Charlotte (UNCC) has an AGACNP program for licensed nurses in North Carolina. This certificate requires seven core courses and 60 clinical hours at an adult-care center.

• Estimated tuition cost: $309.59 per credit hour
• Financial aid: UNCC's School of Nursing offers scholarships for nursing students through its NinerScholars Portal.
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. East Carolina University

East Carolina University offers an AGACNP post-master's certificate focusing on patient-centered, evidence-based care. This is a 20-credit-hour program, designed to prepare graduates to take the AGACNP certification exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $454.84 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for financial aid eligibility.
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University's AGACNP certificate is one of the fastest and most affordable. It requires 18 credit hours, which some students finish within 12 months. Youngstown State receives CCNE accreditation for this certificate along with all of its other graduate degree programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $527 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Finanacial support is available for all nursing students after completing the FAFSA.
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa has an 18-credit-hour online AGACNP program, which includes extensive hands-on clinical training in acute care for at least 600 hours. Tulsa's College of Nursing requires prospective students to prove they have an unencumbered nursing license and submit to a 10-panel drug screening for program admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $603 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Most students receive funding through Pell Grants, subsidized loans, private loans, outside scholarships, and grants.
• Accreditation: ACEN

6. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers an AGACNP certificate, which often serves as a preliminary step toward earning a doctoral degree in the field. Students further master their nursing skills by focusing on client-centered patient-care strategies, holistic treatments, and other evidence-based practices. ASU delivers this program through a hybrid-online format, so you would need to make some appearances at its campus.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,170 (total tuition cost)
• Financial aid: You can qualify for financial aid through loans, grants, scholarships, and student work-study programs.
• Accreditation: CCNE

7. Rockhurst University

Rockhurst University has a hybrid program with a combination of classroom and virtual immersion experiences. It focuses on training in two areas: acute care and primary care. The latter involves advanced training in high-quality treatment methods for stable patients across their lifespan.

• Estimated tuition cost: $765 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students become eligible for financial aid by completing the FAFSA using the school's code: 009782.
• Accreditation: CCNE

8. University of Texas - Arlington

The University of Texas - Arlington has a CCNE-accredited AGACNP program, requiring only five courses for the certification. It emphasizes health restoration, acute/chronic illness treatment, end-of-life healthcare, and other vital approaches to senior care. Many graduates pursue new positions in rehabilitation centers, emergency departments, intensive care units, and outpatient care clinics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,810 (total program cost)
• Financial aid: Graduate students qualify for FAFSA-based financial aid, such as grants, loans, and outside scholarships.
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

This is how we selected these schools with acute care NP programs. These nursing programs must have a valid accreditation, offer affordable tuition rates, and have reputable advanced practice nursing curricula.

• Accreditation: All nursing education programs should have accreditation through organizations like CCNE.
• Affordability: We've chosen schools that cost less than $15,000 total for tuition.
• Program reputation: These are respected nursing education providers who reinforce evidence-based treatment methods and adhere to modern academic standards.

What To Expect From an Affordable Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate

AGACNP post-master's programs offer a challenging curriculum, suitable for experienced nursing professionals. This includes courses in topics like complex acute care, critical care management, advanced health assessments, advanced pharmacology, advanced primary care, interventions, advanced pathophysiology, and health promotion. Many certifications take roughly two years to complete and often require 18 to 30 credit hours.

FAQs About Low-Cost AGACNP Post-Master's Certificates

Check out these frequently asked questions (FAQs) from nursing students in AGACNP post-master's programs. These address the value of this certification, what you can do with it, typical admissions requirements, and more.

Is an Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate Worth It?

Yes, this certification may be most suitable for experienced nurses seeking career advancement. This could present opportunities for more advanced roles in elderly care, including managing large medical staffs in long-term care facilities.

What Can You Do With an AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate?

You can enroll in an online adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program to further your understanding of advanced patient-care practices. The coursework covers emerging treatment methods for seriously ill patients in acute-care centers and emergency departments. Some nurses may also use this as a stepping stone toward completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) further down the road.

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online AGACNP Post-Master's Certificate Program?

Since this is a post-master's program, applicants should possess an MSN degree or at least an equivalent graduate certification. Most incoming students have years of clinical practice and other credentials, such as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certification.

How Does the Clinical Placement Process Work?

Each school of nursing has a placement coordinator in charge of assigning students to preceptors and clinical work sites. Online students should work with the placement coordinator to find opportunities as close to them as possible to minimize long commutes for these work roles.

Can International Students Apply to an Online AGACNP Certificate Program?

Most nursing colleges do not accept international students for this certification. Even online programs have residency restrictions, requiring students to live in a particular jurisdiction with that location's appropriate nursing licensure.

Discover Online Certificate Programs

We welcome you to use Learn.org to find the most worthwhile online nursing degrees and certifications for any specialization. This includes MSN degrees, family nurse practitioner (FNP) certificates, APRN certificates, and more.