Adult Gerontology NP Online Programs: Explore Top Schools
With the flexibility and affordability of online grad program options, starting your path to becoming an AGNP can be more attainable than you think. Save time and money in your educational journey with online courses, and this EduMed guide can point you to details about what you’ll need to know in terms of licensing, resources, accreditation, and more.
Specializing in comprehensive healthcare and advocating for the medical needs of older adults as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner can be a rewarding calling. Online programs for this niche field exist, giving you the theoretical and practical experiences needed to address the needs of the elderly and cater to their well-being in a convenient, flexible format. Learn how these online components work to get started in this rewarding profession.
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Key Information About Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs
As you begin researching online AGNP programs, it’s natural to have some questions. Below are the answers to the most common questions about adult gerontology nursing, what types of AGNP degree programs are available, what you can expect to learn in your degree program, and more.
What is adult gerontology nursing?
Gerontology is the study of old age and the aging process. So, it’s no surprise that the first thought many people have when they hear “adult gerontology nursing” is the care and treatment of the elderly. That’s not the case, however. The key term here is “aging process,” and if you think about it, the aging process begins the moment we are born. The practice of an AGNP nurse actually encompasses all aspects of the adult aging process, including issues of both illness and wellness, from adolescence to adulthood and on through to old age. That’s where the value of AGNP’s specialized practice lies: in the ability to address the broad range of care and treatment issues related to aging throughout the entire adult life cycle.
What will I learn in an online AGNP program?
The goal of any quality online AGNP program is to ensure that its students graduate with advanced knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied on their first day of advanced nursing practice. This knowledge will come from all elements of the academic program, including didactic coursework, clinicals, internships, capstone projects, etc. Your exact learning outcomes will depend partially on your specialization (acute care or primary care) as well as the particular school and program you choose. Regardless, all AGNP graduates should expect to attain the following common learning outcomes:
- Manage the healthcare needs of patients based upon physical examinations and assessments, health histories, and behavioral and developmental assessments, particularly in how they relate to the aging process.
- Provide effective advanced nursing care to patients employing pathophysiological, pharmacotherapeutic, and cultural principles.
- Communicate and collaborate with interprofessional team members to improve the health outcomes of individual patients and across diverse populations and settings.
- Effectively employ knowledge of systems and organizational leadership theories and practices.
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the advancement of AGNP practice and the broader nursing profession.
Can I complete an AGNP program 100% online?
You will not be able to complete your AGNP program entirely online if you take into account the in-person clinical hour requirements that are part of every program. In terms of other requirements, most programs offer the bulk of their didactic coursework online (all of it, in some cases), but additionally require some on-campus participation in the form of short two- or three-day “intensives.” A few programs, like Maryville University’s AGNP programs, can be completed with no required on-campus attendance.
How long does it take to complete an online nurse practitioner gerontology program?
The time it takes to earn an AGNP degree varies from program to program depending on a range of factors including full-time vs. part-time study, transfer credits and practicum hours allowed, and the degree level you’re pursuing. You should have a good understanding of the time limits and allowances in place for any program you are considering before your enroll.
With that in mind, here’s a baseline estimate of how long each type of AGNP program usually takes to complete.
- MSN: One-and-a-half (accelerated plans) to two years full-time; Three years or more part-time.
- BSN to DNP: Three to four years. Programs often allow substantially more time to complete the capstone project.
- MSN to DNP: Two to three years. Programs often allow substantially more time to complete the capstone project.
- Post-Graduate Certificate: One-and-a-half to two years.
How much do online AGNP programs cost?
The cost associated with earning an online AGNP degree or certificate will vary based on the many of the same factors as those that affect program length we’ve listed above. Another major cost factor is whether the program you choose is offered by a public or private institution. Here are a few sample tuition costs for three online AGNP programs. Remember, however, that your total cost will likely be higher because of additional fees, the cost of books and supplies, and more.
MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Total Credits: 52
$997/credit
DNP Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Total Credits: 78
$1,772/credit (Full-time)
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Total Credits: 60
$420/credit
Where to Find Help Paying for Your Online AGNP Program
College can be expensive, and paying for any degree or certificate program can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. That’s why it’s important to understand all of your funding options and have your financial resources lined up before entering your AGNP program. Fortunately, there are a number of real, manageable sources available. Here’s a look at some of your options, and be sure to check out our ultimate guide to financial aid for even more information on how to get help paying for your AGNP program.
- Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing – Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)
- NurseJournal – Guide to Financial Aid and Scholarships for Nurses
Understanding Accreditation for Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs
Accreditation is an essential consideration for any degree or certificate program choice you make because proper accreditation is how you are assured that the education you receive meets certain minimum standards of quality. There are two basic types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation addresses the college or university itself. It is administered in the United States by a number of Department of Education-approved independent regional and national agencies.
Programmatic accreditation focuses on the specific degree or certificate program. Programmatic accreditation of MSN, DNP, and postgraduate nursing certificate programs in the U.S. is administered by both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The AGNP program you choose should be accredited by at least one of these organizations.
Confirming a school or program’s accreditation status is easy. Current accreditation information can almost always be found on the individual program’s website and/or institution’s accreditation webpage. You can also search for accreditation status by visiting the CCNE and ACEN websites, as well as this DOE database.
Getting Your Professional License and Certification After Your Online AGNP Program
All AGNPs in the United States must be licensed as RNs in the state or states in which they practice. Additionally, some states require nurse practitioners to hold a specific NP license to practice within that state. If you are looking for an AGNP degree or certificate program, you are likely already a RN or possibly even an APRN. Regardless of your RN or APRN status, if you want to learn more about a particular state’s licensure requirements, contact the state’s regulatory agency directly. You can find contact information using this NCSBN interactive map. You can also find licensure information for each state by visiting the American Association of Nurse Practitioners website.
Additionally, following completion of an AGNP degree or certificate program, prospective AGNPs should obtain national board certification, which in the U.S. is available through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). Most states require national board certification as part of their licensure process.
To find out more about the specific certifications offered, visit the following sites:
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Career and Salary Outlook for Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners
Once you've completed your AGNP program and are qualified to work as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, you may be wondering about job opportunities and salary expectations as you look for work. Fortunately, you can expect plenty of opportunities—the market for AGNPs is booming, with a projected growth rate of an impressive 44.5% nationally over the next decade. This figure varies from state to state but is generally high across the board. For example, New York has a relatively low growth rate of 26.3% over the next decade, while Arizona is projected to grow by 71.3% over the same period. Additionally, with a median national salary of $126,260, you can expect to make an excellent living as an AGNP in whichever state you choose to work. Check the table below for more details.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $94,530 | $126,260 | $168,030 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Alabama | 4,540 | 6,770 | 2,230 | 49.10% | 470 |
| Alaska | 500 | 550 | 50 | 10.00% | 30 |
| Arizona | 6,540 | 11,200 | 4,660 | 71.30% | 860 |
| Arkansas | 3,000 | 4,840 | 1,840 | 61.30% | 360 |
| California | 21,500 | 34,100 | 12,600 | 58.60% | 2,500 |
| Colorado | 3,700 | 5,780 | 2,080 | 56.20% | 420 |
| Connecticut | 3,150 | 4,560 | 1,410 | 44.80% | 310 |
| Delaware | 1,000 | 1,550 | 550 | 55.00% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | 600 | 850 | 250 | 41.70% | 60 |
| Florida | 18,910 | 29,980 | 11,070 | 58.50% | 2,190 |
| Georgia | 7,900 | 12,500 | 4,600 | 58.20% | 910 |
| Idaho | 900 | 1,440 | 540 | 60.00% | 110 |
| Illinois | 8,970 | 12,660 | 3,690 | 41.10% | 850 |
| Indiana | 6,550 | 9,550 | 3,000 | 45.80% | 660 |
| Iowa | 2,400 | 3,670 | 1,270 | 52.90% | 260 |
| Kansas | 3,240 | 4,630 | 1,390 | 42.90% | 310 |
| Kentucky | 4,730 | 6,870 | 2,140 | 45.20% | 470 |
| Louisiana | 4,470 | 6,420 | 1,950 | 43.60% | 440 |
| Maine | 1,330 | 1,800 | 470 | 35.30% | 120 |
| Maryland | 5,240 | 7,450 | 2,210 | 42.20% | 500 |
| Massachusetts | 2,730 | 4,010 | 1,280 | 46.90% | 280 |
| Michigan | 7,370 | 10,410 | 3,040 | 41.20% | 700 |
| Minnesota | 5,570 | 8,010 | 2,440 | 43.80% | 550 |
| Mississippi | 4,110 | 5,860 | 1,750 | 42.60% | 400 |
| Missouri | 7,520 | 10,670 | 3,150 | 41.90% | 720 |
| Montana | 880 | 1,330 | 450 | 51.10% | 90 |
| Nebraska | 1,790 | 2,430 | 640 | 35.80% | 160 |
| Nevada | 1,840 | 2,780 | 940 | 51.10% | 200 |
| New Hampshire | 1,520 | 2,290 | 770 | 50.70% | 160 |
| New Jersey | 6,790 | 10,230 | 3,440 | 50.70% | 720 |
| New Mexico | 1,590 | 2,620 | 1,030 | 64.80% | 200 |
| New York | 16,600 | 20,970 | 4,370 | 26.30% | 440 |
| North Carolina | 8,200 | 12,750 | 4,550 | 55.50% | 920 |
| North Dakota | 580 | 860 | 280 | 48.30% | 60 |
| Ohio | 11,020 | 15,710 | 4,690 | 42.60% | 1,060 |
| Oklahoma | 3,030 | 4,200 | 1,170 | 38.60% | 280 |
| Oregon | 2,240 | 3,420 | 1,180 | 52.70% | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,010 | 11,430 | 3,420 | 42.70% | 770 |
| Rhode Island | 1,440 | 2,090 | 650 | 45.10% | 140 |
| South Carolina | 4,120 | 6,620 | 2,500 | 60.70% | 490 |
| South Dakota | 820 | 1,280 | 460 | 56.10% | 90 |
| Tennessee | 13,620 | 21,500 | 7,880 | 57.90% | 1,570 |
| Texas | 19,060 | 30,490 | 11,430 | 60.00% | 2,240 |
| Utah | 3,680 | 5,900 | 2,220 | 60.30% | 430 |
| Vermont | 810 | 1,100 | 290 | 35.80% | 70 |
| Virginia | 7,170 | 11,160 | 3,990 | 55.60% | 800 |
| Washington | 4,150 | 6,020 | 1,870 | 45.10% | 600 |
| West Virginia | 1,700 | 2,590 | 890 | 52.40% | 180 |
| Wisconsin | 4,950 | 7,480 | 2,530 | 51.10% | 530 |
| Wyoming | 480 | 710 | 230 | 47.90% | 50 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Best-Ranked Online AGNP Schools
With our list of the best AGNP schools, you don’t have to worry whether or not these schools are accredited, feature online components, or offer student support resources. Take a look at our ranking methodology to understand exactly how our data scientists narrowed down the best of the best. These rankings of today’s most popular adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs can make your search feasible.
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Why We Selected University of Utah:
Program Details
- AccreditationNWCCU
- Average In-State Tuition$7,749
- Average Institutional Aid$7,795
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course75%
- % of Students Receiving an Award68%
- Student/Faculty Ratio18/1
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan
Why We Selected Madonna University:
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$24,900
- Average Institutional Aid$13,817
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course74%
- % of Students Receiving an Award59%
- Student/Faculty Ratio11/1
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Why We Selected University of North Carolina at Greensboro:
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$4,422
- Average Institutional Aid$3,140
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course88%
- % of Students Receiving an Award59%
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Why We Selected University of Nebraska at Omaha:
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$6,344
- Average Institutional Aid$3,576
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course78%
- % of Students Receiving an Award49%
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Why We Selected University of Iowa:
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$8,356
- Average Institutional Aid$10,037
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course61%
- % of Students Receiving an Award72%
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
Why We Selected Kansas State University:
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$9,489
- Average Institutional Aid$5,479
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course44%
- % of Students Receiving an Award64%
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Why We Selected Nova Southeastern University:
Program Details
- AccreditationNSU
- Average In-State Tuition$33,510
- Average Institutional Aid$17,916
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course50%
- % of Students Receiving an Award58%
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
Why We Selected University of North Georgia:
Program Details
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Average In-State Tuition$4,120
- Average Institutional Aid$1,528
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course47%
- % of Students Receiving an Award41%
- Student/Faculty Ratio18/1
Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana
Why We Selected Indiana University-Bloomington:
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$9,913
- Average Institutional Aid$8,452
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course50%
- % of Students Receiving an Award79%
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Why We Selected Oklahoma State University:
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$5,417
- Average Institutional Aid$8,746
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course55%
- % of Students Receiving an Award67%
- Student/Faculty Ratio18/1
Helpful Resources for AGNP Students and Professionals
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
GAPNA’s website offers a wealth of information on the AGNP practice including student resources such as its career center, online library, and access to GAPNA Foundation scholarships and grants.
About Nursing Licensure (NCSBN)
This page offers a great overall look at nursing licensure and includes links to more detailed information on the nursing licensing process and state boards of licensing in the U.S.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
The preeminent organization of professional nurses in the U.S. This website offers information about the profession generally and its various specializations, certification, and scholarship and grant opportunities.
Excellent webpage that acts as a clearinghouse for literature, graphics, videos, and more on everything you want to know about student financial aid and federal student aid programs.
Major organization for both nurses and nursing students with chapters on over 700 college and university campuses worldwide. Both undergraduate and graduate student memberships are available.
