Oversee your own group of patients and provide complete, preventive, and continuous healthcare from adolescence to older adulthood. Our online AGPCNP certificate program prepares you to perform wellness visits and develop individual treatment plans.
WALDEN GRAND ROUNDS
Meet virtually with faculty and classmates to critically examine real-life scenarios you’ll encounter in your specialty.
DIVERSIFY YOUR SKILLS
Get training in the proactive diagnosis and management of chronic and acute conditions. Explore women’s and seniors’ healthcare.
PRACTICUM ADVANTAGE
Get the support you need for a successful experience at all stages of your nursing practicum.
Take Advantage of Transfer-of-Credit Opportunities
Do you already have your MSN—or are you already an NP? You may be eligible to transfer credit from your previous coursework to reduce the number of courses you will need to complete the AGACNP post-master’s certificate. Contact an Enrollment Specialist to learn more.
Gain expertise in the primary care of adults across the life span in our online AGPCNP certificate program.
Start dates are offered each quarter so you can begin your program when it is convenient for you. Enrollment in this nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate program is currently open to new students.
Advanced practice nurses must be equipped with an in-depth understanding of pathophysiological disease processes across the lifespan. In this course, students focus on understanding the bio-physiological processes, the deviations from these processes, and an in-depth examination of the scientific concepts related to the biology of disease processes. Advanced practice nursing students build on their knowledge of normal organ systems functioning to help organ systems return to optimal homeostasis. Through knowledge of pathophysiological disease processes, students synthesize the information needed to develop appropriate treatment plans for patients across the life span. Students explore a variety of topics regarding organ system diseases.
A solid foundation in the concepts and principles of drug therapy across the lifespan is essential to the work of advanced practice nurses. This course applies the advanced principles of pharmacology, including pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, by analysis of common drug classes prescribed by advanced practice nurses across the life span. Factors influencing successful therapy, such as effectiveness, safety, acceptability, cost, genetic/environmental influences, complementary regimens, and patient behaviors are considered. Through this course, students prepare to examine complex decisions in the management and treatment of selected acute and chronic diseases across the life span through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic agents. Advanced practice nursing students will have a more in-depth understanding of drug legislation and regulation for prescribing drugs.
The physical and emotional well-being of patients and families can be complex and multifaceted. Advanced practice nurses need to have the knowledge and ability to provide safe, competent, and comprehensive physical health assessments. Students in this course focus on concepts and skills to assess patients across the lifespan. They learn to use diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication, and physical assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns. Students also will explore preventative health through risk evaluation of healthy individuals as a central theme of clinical practice in addition to the assessment of patients with acute and chronic health problems. The advanced skills of reading 12 Lead EKGs, and interpreting X-rays will be covered. Course assignments emphasize risk assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based assessment across the lifespan.
In this course, students learn how nurse practitioners master the art and science of clinical decision making among adult populations across the lifespan. Students focus on the diagnosis and management of primary healthcare needs and problems of the adult across the lifespan. They engage in a variety of course assignments that focus on physical and behavioral disease processes central to diagnosing conditions as well as planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic treatment programs for acute illnesses commonly encountered in a primary healthcare setting.
In this course, students focus on the complex healthcare and management needs of older adults by advanced nurse practitioners in acute and primary care settings. Students learn to plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens of older adults through the application of knowledge in multiple settings. Additionally, students examine content related to end-of-life care and caregiver issues to gain the knowledge and sensibilities needed to implement positive change for the quality of life available to this vulnerable population.
Work directly with an Enrollment Specialist who will guide you through every step—from finding the right degree program to exploring ways to fund your education.
Pursuing your AGPCNP post-master's certificate online is an exciting step, and we wouldn’t dampen your enthusiasm with a complex admissions process. Your Enrollment Specialist will guide you through and answer any program-specific questions you may have.
The journey begins with:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
To be considered for this certificate program, you must have a current, active RN license, a Master of Science in Nursing or equivalent from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply. More information for international applicants.
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we are here to support you along your journey. Request information to learn more about grants and financial aid for those who apply and qualify.
Reduce the cost of your AGPCNP post-master’s certificate online with partner and military tuition savings and credit transfer:
Tuition savings
Transfer credits
Scholarships
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 38 quarter credit hours | $765 per quarter hour | $29,070 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $175 | $1,050 |
| Clinical Course Fee | 4 courses (PRAC) | $160 | $640 |
| $30,760‡* |
Effective February 24, 2025
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 38 quarter credit hours | $775 per quarter hour | $29,450 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $180 | $1,080 |
| Clinical Course Fee | 4 courses (PRAC) | $160 | $640 |
| $31,170‡* |
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 20 transfer credits for non-alumni. Walden MSN alumni may be eligible to transfer more credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,500. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
In our Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, you’ll prepare to build rewarding relationships with your patients as you personally manage their long-term care.
Our CCNE-accredited AGPCNP certificate program empowers you to become a catalyst for accessible, high-quality healthcare in a range of settings.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners provide primary or specialty care, working independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Expected growth: 46%1
Estimated annual wage: $94,530–$140,6101
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing AGPCNP program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
Upon completing this adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner certificate program, you will be academically prepared to:
Synthesize organizational/systems leadership for cost-effective specialist nursing practice that contributes to high-quality healthcare delivery, advancement of the nursing profession, and social change.
Critique evidence-based literature drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and pertinent research to guide decision making that demonstrates best practices for specialist nursing practice in a global society.
Integratively assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective healthcare strategies that reduce health disparities by patient/population advocacy for access to specialist nursing care.
Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care.
Evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury.
Exhibit ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical principles (altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice) in accordance with ethically responsible, legally accountable, specialist nursing practice.
Implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations.
Below are some of the distinguished faculty members who bring diverse industry expertise and a passion for teaching to the Walden community.
This post-master’s certificate program prepares nurses who hold an MSN with the specialized knowledge and skills to be academically eligible to take the national NP certification examination for adult gerontology primary care through either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and obtain NP licensure at the state level.
Applicants must have a registered nurse (RN) license or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license in the United States or its territories that is current, active, and in good standing through the start date of their intended program. International nurses must have the equivalent of a U.S. RN license. Determining equivalency may require applicants to submit an additional evaluation from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or the Global Transcript Evaluation Team (GTE service offered by Walden University). Applicants with current disciplinary actions or restrictions will not be admissible. Any prior or concluded disciplinary actions will require additional verification to determine admissibility.
Admission requires a master’s degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or PhD degree in nursing from a U.S. school accredited by a regional, professional/specialized, or national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education, or from an appropriately accredited non-U.S. institution. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the admitting degree.
The curriculum includes 38 quarter credit hours of instruction, including classroom content and 640 practicum hours. It covers topics relevant to health management in a primary care setting for all adults aged 13 to older adult.
The career paths for AGPCNPs are broad. Many AGPCNPs work in settings such as primary care practices, nursing homes―which includes both long-term care and skilled rehabilitation―assisted living communities, corrections facilities, palliative care and hospice, as well as home-based care. Additionally, AGPCNPs may have the opportunity for roles in advocating for legislation and policies that have an impact on the health of all adults, including older adults.
