Master of Science
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
With a master’s degree in this specialty, you’ll be prepared to work with patients ranging from teenagers to older adults. You’ll help patients manage illnesses or diseases, order tests to understand what’s causing a health issue, and prescribe medication. Train to become an independent health professional who provides holistic, patient-centered care.
This specialty is focused on prevention, education, and building trust with the adults you care for.
Overview
Format
Hybrid online
Mostly online with some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Avg. time to complete
2.5 years
7 semesters
Exam prep
AG-PCNP
When you finish the program, you can sit for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) exam to become board-certified.
Clinical placements set up for you
If you’re in Denver or Aurora, we arrange clinical placements for you. We work with some of the top clinics and hospitals in the metro area to provide high-quality, hands-on experiences.
Expert faculty dedicated to your success
Many of our faculty are recognized locally and nationally for their excellence in nursing, education, and research. Our educators are passionate about helping students advance their knowledge and careers.
100%
Board certification exam pass rate for this specialty
#1
Nursing master’s program in Colorado*
Career
When you complete the MS Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, you can take the board certification test through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. After passing the exam, you'll be ready to get your license, unlocking a new career path and scope of practice. Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners can get licensed to work in all 50 states, including Colorado.
What you can do
- Prescribe medication
- Serve as an independent provider
- Assess, diagnose, and treat health conditions
- Educate patients about health management and disease prevention
Who you can care for
Patients who range in age from teenagers to older adults. If you want to work with adults with a focus on prevention and education and are not interested in working with children, this is the right specialty for you.
Where you can work
- Urgent care clinics
- Outpatient clinics
- Palliative care and hospice settings
- + more
Admissions
Deadline(s)
| Start term | Application opens | Priority deadlinetooltip | Extended deadlinetooltip |
| Fall 2025 | August 15, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | January 15, 2025 | July 1, 2025 | Not applicable |
Get started
1
Check the requirements
Understand the admissions requirements like how many letters of recommendation you need and what courses should be on your transcript.
2
Start your application
Work on your application and submit it through NursingCAS.
Curriculum
Real-world experience
This program puts you in a clinical setting for 540 hours. This allows you to gain practical experience treating adults, focusing on their primary care needs.
Advanced classes
In 33 classroom-based credit hours, you’ll learn the ins and outs of adult primary care. These advanced courses focus on topics like pathophysiology and evidence-based practice.
Skills and knowledge you'll gain
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $37,680 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $37,680 |
| Nonresidents | $61,104 |
| Additional expenses | Time frame | Estimated costs |
| Matriculation fee | One-time | $140 |
| Other fees | By term | Fall $392, Spring $232, Summer $180 |
| Books and supplies | Total for program | $2,000 |
| CU health insurance (may be waived with proof of comparable personal health insurance) | By term | Fall $1,575, Spring $1,575, Summer $1,050 |
The quality of the education in this program is phenomenal and I’ve made lifelong relationships with peers and faculty members along the way.
Amy Loomis, DNP, MS, AGNP-C
CU Nursing Alum
MS Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program
Become the nurse practitioner looked to first 
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