Placement Secured
Clinical placement guaranteed and arranged by faculty
Competitive Tuition
Lower than peer institutions on average
Flexible Format
Asynchronous courses with two on-campus days per semester
24 Credits to Finish
Complete efficiently with a focused curriculum
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate at NDSU is designed for graduates of accredited Family Nurse Practitioner programs who want to specialize in acute care for adult and aging populations. Through a combination of advanced coursework and hands-on clinical training, this certificate equips practitioners with the skills necessary to manage complex, high-risk health conditions in adult and geriatric patients. You’ll also engage with the societal and policy issues that impact adults and seniors, gaining insight into how healthcare systems shape access to care and how to advocate for better outcomes. Courses are delivered in an asynchronous, online learning format, paired with two, two-day campus immersion experiences. These campus immersion days provide hands-on learning, meaningful connections and applied skill development — allowing students to advance their education while continuing in their current practice. This certification opens the door to leadership roles in adult and geriatric care and a more specialized scope of practice.
Explore the Curriculum
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Shape Your Future
NDSU students are encouraged to collaborate with an advisor and develop a unique program of study that meets their specific interests.
Acute Care and Chronic Disease Management
Develop expertise in managing acute, critical and complex illnesses or injuries. You’ll be able to address the complex, immediate healthcare needs of adult and aging patients in fast-paced clinical settings, ensuring they receive timely and effective care.
Assessment and Diagnostics
Hone your ability to assess, diagnose and treat medical conditions in adult and geriatric patients. Learn to evaluate, stabilize and restore medically unstable patients while making critical decisions and improving patient outcomes in fast-paced settings.
Exam Preparation
Graduates of the program will be eligible for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Acute Care NP (AGACNP) exam or the American Academy of Critical Care Nurses exam. The AGACNP certificate emphasizes the development of critical diagnostic and decision-making skills to provide high-quality, evidence-based care in acute and critical care settings.
Campus Immersion Days
Campus immersion days include two, two-day on-campus sessions — one in the spring focused on hospital and internal medicine competencies, and one in the summer dedicated to practicing procedures and acute care skills.
Capture the Moment at NDSU
Tuition and Funding
NDSU offers a high-quality, academically rigorous education at an affordable cost. To help you cover tuition and expenses, various departments offer graduate assistantships designed to support your academic and professional goals.
Admission Info
At NDSU, we welcome students from all backgrounds who are seeking to further their education within a supportive, welcoming community.
No matter your academic path, we're committed to making your application process straightforward and stress-free. Find the specific requirements and steps for your graduate application.
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