Prepare for a rewarding career as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) through an online, faith-based program that aligns with your life and values.
Spring Arbor University's online Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PMC-AGPCNP) program is an in-demand specialty that will equip you with the primary care knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to care for adolescents and adults of all ages.
SAU is recognized by Colleges of Distinction for its engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.
As a student in the online PMC-AGPCNP program, you can:
- Continue working full-time as you earn your certificate on your own schedule.
- Enjoy a week off in between classes with our 7-1-7 model (7-week courses, 1-week breaks).
- Receive dedicated support from a Student Success Coach who will guide you through the program, helping you find a work-school-life balance.
- Join a close community of motivated students and caring faculty.
- Complete your certificate prepared to take the AGPC certification exam (AGPCNP-BC® or AGNP-C).
- Experience spiritual growth through a quality educational journey rooted in faith.
For more information about our online PMC-AGPCNP program, request a program guide.
Online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Post-Master’s Certificate Fast Facts
- 14-month program (may require additional prereq courses)
- $767 per credit hour
- 500 clinical hours
Designed for Working Nurses
- Take one seven-week course at a time and enjoy a week off in between
- Begin your certificate at the right time for you — choose from six intake dates a year
- Flexible login times — complete your assignments on your own schedule
Inspiring Outcomes
- Become prepared for certification through a quality educational experience
- Strong certification passing rates: above national average for first-time test-takers
- Ranked on a national and regional level for its academic quality and value
A Caring Community
- Small class sizes and caring, connected faculty provide a personal learning experience
- Dedicated student success advisor to support you from enrollment to completion, as well as career development support
- Faith-based educational philosophy that considers Christian perspectives in nursing practice and values spiritual growth
Admission Requirements
- MSN degree from an accredited program
- Official graduate transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- A current nursing license from your state of employment
- Online application
- Short personal statement
Prerequisite Courses
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Physical Assessment
- Adult Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Some additional prerequisites may apply
Spring Arbor University is recognized as a “Best Value” school by U.S. News & World Report. The online PMC-AGPCNP program provides academic quality with competitively priced tuition of $767 per credit hour.
You may also be eligible to receive financial aid. SAU will work with you to determine any benefits for which you qualify, including student aid, military discounts and tax benefits.
The post-graduate APRN certificate program at Spring Arbor University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The online PMC-AGPCNP program will build your advanced nursing knowledge and clinical reasoning while empowering your spiritual development.
As a student in the program, you will:
- Understand Population-Specific Care: Gain the necessary knowledge to manage chronic diseases and the complex primary care needs of adults of all ages, considering epidemiology, socioeconomic background, age, cultural norms and level of disease risk.
- Grow A Spirit of Service: Address healthcare disparities by delivering compassionate care and advocating for underserved populations and their healthcare needs, as exemplified by the Christian worldview.
- Build a Leadership Mindset: Reach a new level of professionalism and intellectual development as you evolve into a nursing leader. Learn how to design, arrange and evaluate primary care for health-compromised patients through case management and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Gain Advanced Nursing Competencies: Apply the knowledge, skills and competencies essential to meeting the biological, psychosocial, mental and spiritual needs of adult-gerontology patients.
Contact us to discuss Spring Arbor University's online PMC-AGPCNP program.
Download a program guide for a complete listing of courses.
Featured courses
This course will present critical concepts the advanced practice nurse can use in delivering evidence-based nursing for the adult population. Using a holistic approach, students will apply theory to practice.
This course prepares students with the skills to function as an advanced practice nurse in addressing chronic and complex alterations in health experienced by the older adult. Gerontology concepts will be applied in meeting the biological, psychosocial, mental, and spiritual needs of the older adult. Students will combine history taking, physical examination techniques, and diagnostic interpretation with problem-solving and clinical strategies.
The focus of this course is on management of chronic disease and complex care needs of older adults. Emphasis will be on case management and interdisciplinary collaboration to arrange and evaluate care for the most health compromised clients.
Gain access to full course descriptions, program details and tuition information.
Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs) can provide the full spectrum of primary care services, just as primary care physicians do. They prescribe medication, perform examinations, diagnose illnesses and provide treatment for patients ranging from adolescents to older adults.
In some states, AGPCNPs can practice independently. AGPCNPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospital inpatient and outpatient clinics
- Private group practices
- Community health centers
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that there are more than 325,000 nurse practitioners in the country, and only 7% are certified in adult-gerontology primary care. This small percentage clearly demonstrates the need for more, as our population is aging rapidly.
Benefits of Becoming an AGPCNP
Becoming an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner can fulfill your passion for service and healthcare advocacy for this population with unique needs. Other benefits include:
- Increased salary and career opportunities
- Better work/life balance with a more traditional work schedule
- New level of independence and leadership
- Versatility to work in a wide range of care environments
By earning your online PMC-AGPCNP, you’ll be preparing for one of the fastest-growing professions in the country, while meeting the surging demand for providers in this specialized area of primary care.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for all types of NPs is exploding. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that projected employment for this profession is expected to grow 52% through the year 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. It notes that the median annual wage of NPs is $115,000, which is 42% higher than that of RNs, according to the AANP.
*National Council for Mental Wellbeing
**American Association of Nurse Practitioners
***U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
