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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Make a lifesaving difference for critically ill patients with our DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP specialization.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information
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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information

ENHANCE YOUR RÉSUMÉ

In your DNP project, you’ll build a portfolio by working directly with a local healthcare partner to address a challenge they face.

IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY

Explore the complex factors that affect health outcomes and become an advocate for improving healthcare in your community.

START WITH YOUR BSN

Many of our DNP specializations offer a BSN entry point if you’re ready to move your career forward—but don’t have your MSN.

GET ENHANCED PRACTICUM SUPPORT

With Practicum Pledge®, you benefit from our collaborative, dedicated process to help you find a timely, suitable practicum match.1


We are here to help you find your nursing practicum.

PROGRAM SAVINGS

New! Believe & Achieve Scholarship: Start classes now, stay on track to graduation, and receive up to five credits at the end of the program tuition-free. Contact an Enrollment Specialist to learn more.

Program Details

Choose the Path That Is Right for You

Choose the BSN to DNP track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and have earned your bachelor’s in nursing degree.

Choose the MSN to DNP track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and have earned your master’s in nursing degree.

Curriculum

Minimum Completion Requirements

  • 90 quarter credits
    • Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 cr.)
    • Foundation course (5 cr.)
    • Essential courses (10 cr.)
    • Core courses (40 cr.)
    • Specialization courses (35 cr.)
    • Completion of DNP project
      • Doctoral Mentoring (0 cr.)
      • Doctoral DNP Project Completion (if needed to complete DNP Project after all other coursework has been completed; 3 cr. per term, taken continuously until completion)

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

Curriculum

Minimum Completion Requirements

  • 80 quarter credits
    • Doctoral Writing Assessment (0 cr.)
    • Foundation course (5 cr.)
    • Core courses (40 cr.)
    • Specialization courses (35 cr.)
    • Completion of DNP project
      • Doctoral Mentoring (0 cr.)
      • Doctoral DNP Project Completion (if needed to complete DNP Project after all other coursework has been completed; 3 cr. per term, taken continuously until completion)

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations (BSN-DNP track): You must have a current, active RN license, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent from an accredited school and meet the general admission requirements.

Program Admission Considerations (MSN-DNP track): 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.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts.

Tuition and Fees 

CurriculumRequirementsCostAmount*
Tuition-Coursework30 quarter credits* $905 per quarter hour for coursework credits$27,150
Tuition-Essential Coursework10 quarter credits$495 per quarter credit$4,950^
Tuition-NP Specialization Coursework35 quarter credits$765 per quarter credit$26,775^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project15 quarter credits$905 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits$13,575^
Clinical Course fee4 courses (PRCM)$160 per course$640
Program Fee $175 per quarter$2,275^
   $75,365+
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION
-$6,120

$69,245†*

Effective February 24, 2025

CurriculumRequirementsCostAmount*
Tuition-Coursework30 quarter credits* $925 per quarter hour for coursework credits$27,750
Tuition-Essential Coursework10 quarter credits$500 per quarter credit

$5,000^

Tuition-NP Specialization Coursework35 quarter credits$775 per quarter credit

$27,125^

Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project15 quarter credits$925 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits

$13,875^

Clinical Course fee4 courses (PRCM)$160 per course

$640 

Program Fee $180 per quarter

$2,340^

   

$76,730+

BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION

-$6,200 

$70,530†*

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500-$2,500. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary, or for practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt. and 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 vary by student and 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 a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.

†*Represents minimum time to completion and Believe and Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe and Achieve Scholarship based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

CurriculumRequirementsCostAmount*
Tuition-Coursework30 quarter credits* $905 per quarter hour for coursework credits$27,150
Tuition-NP Specialization Coursework35 quarter credits$765 per quarter credit$26,775^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project15 quarter credits$905 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits$13,575^
Clinical Course fee4 courses (PRCM)$160 per course$640
Program Fee $175 per quarter$2,100^
   $70,240+
BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION
-$6,120

$64,120†*

Effective February 24, 2025

CurriculumRequirementsCostAmount*
Tuition-Coursework30 quarter credits* $925 per quarter hour for coursework credits

$27,750 

Tuition-NP Specialization Coursework35 quarter credits$775 per quarter credit

$27,125^

Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project15 quarter credits$925 per quarter hour for doctoral study/project credits

$13,875^

Clinical Course fee4 courses (PRCM)$160 per course

$640 

Program Fee $180 per quarter

$2,160^

   

$71,550+

BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP

YOUR TUITION

-$6,200 

$65,350†*

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500-$2,500. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary, or for practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt. and 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 vary by student and 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 a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.

†*Represents minimum time to completion and Believe and Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe and Achieve Scholarship based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.

PROGRAM SAVINGS

New! Believe & Achieve Scholarship: Start classes now, stay on track to graduation, and receive up to five credits at the end of the program tuition-free. Contact an Enrollment Specialist to learn more.

Program Outcomes

Deliver an Advanced Level of Critical Care

Learn to plan, implement, and evaluate care for critically ill patients in our online DNP adult-gerontology acute care program. In this specialization, you’ll explore how to perform diagnostic and therapeutic interventions during rapid physiologic deterioration or life-threatening instability. Master essential skills in health promotion and disease prevention by assessing risks and providing wellness education to vulnerable patient populations.

Walden practicum coordinators are available to assist you in meeting your practicum requirements. Explore our FAQ document for answers to some of the most common questions.

Career Outlook

The demand for nurse practitioners in acute-care settings is rising, as an aging and expanding population strains our nation’s healthcare system. An online DNP adult gerontology acute care degree can qualify you to help meet the demand and broaden your career opportunities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for nurse practitioners are expected to grow by 52% through 2030.2 The average median pay for a nurse practitioner is $111,680 per year; however, the salary range typically falls between $82,960 and $156,160.3 Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.

A DNP-AGACNP degree can academically prepare you to work in settings such as:

  • Emergency departments and trauma centers
  • Intensive care units
  • Trauma centers
  • Tertiary care, coronary care, and palliative care
  • Specialty care centers
  • Hospital surgical units, including general, cardiovascular, and neurosurgery

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Resources

Meet Your Academic Team

Benefit from the wisdom of seasoned educators—our faculty's real-world knowledge fuels your academic and personal growth.