An adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) is trained to care for patients from teenagers to senior citizens, with a special emphasis on aging. In California, AGNPs have a pathway to independent practice, which means they have a large range of opportunities in the state.
Professionals who wish to pursue AGNP degrees in California have several options.
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BSN to AGNP Programs
The following programs are for BSN-prepared nurses pursuing an AGNP degree. Many options are available, including programs for those who want to pursue a DNP or already have an MSN.
Azusa Pacific University
- Azusa, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
Azusa Pacific University offers two AGNP program options. Most classes are taken online, but some may have in-person requirements. The BSN to AGNP Primary Care option requires 48 credits and in-person clinicals, while the BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care requires about 73 credits and at least 1,000 clinical hours. Masters-level courses cost between $680 and $860 per unit, and doctoral-level courses cost $1,160 per unit.
California Baptist University
- Riverside, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 53 to 59 units
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: $670 per unit + fees
Program Overview:
California Baptist Univeristy’s AGNP programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. This part-time program offers online and in-person classes. In-person classes meet on the same afternoon and evening throughout the program, usually from 3 pm to 9:30 pm, to make it easier to plan work schedules. The school offers a BSN to AGNP Acute Care as well as a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care, which is 16 to 33 units with 720 clinical hours.
California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 72 units
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $3,804 full time for residents + fees, $3,084 full time + $420 per unit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The BSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care program at California State University Long Beach is a full-time program that takes three years to complete. Classes are offered in 15-week synchronous and asynchronous sessions. The 72 units are broken down into 39 credits of core courses, 24 units of clinical courses, and nine units for a doctoral project.
California State University, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $4,123 per semester full time for residents + fees; $4,123 per semester full time + $396 per unit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Students enrolled in the AGNP programs at Cal State LA get unique hands-on learning opportunities at the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing’s state-of-the-art simulation lab, skills lab, physical assessment lab, computer lab, and dual debrief rooms. There are two options at this school: the BSN to AGNP Acute Care, which is 56 units and 900 clinical hours, and the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care, which is 20 units and 540 clinical hours.
Loma Linda University
- Loma Linda, California
- Hybrid + On-campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 80 units
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $136,993 for the entire full-time program + fees
Program Overview:
Loma Linda University offers two DNP tracks for those interested in pursuing this advanced degree as an AGNP. All classes are online, but students are required to attend and participate in synchronous online learning when applicable. Students must also be on campus for four to eight hours during Seminar Week every quarter. Both the BSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care option and the BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care option take three years and nine months to complete full-time or five years part-time.
San Diego State University
- San Diego, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 50
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $3,804 per semester full time for residents + fees; $3,804 per semester full time + $420 per unit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The BSN to AGNP Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at San Diego State University is a blended program that prepares nurses for the AGNP or APN exam. Those preparing to work as AGNPs will attend clinicals in primary care and specialty settings. This program can be completed in two or three years. Clinical courses require 18 hours of clinical practice per week.
University of California, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, California
- Unspecified
Modality: Unspecified
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $32,932 per year for residents + fees, $45,177 per year for non-residents + fees
Program Overview:
UCLA offers AGNP options. The BSN to AGNP Acute track is 70 units with 700 clinical hours providing direct patient care and 100 clinical lab or conference hours, while the BSN to AGNP Primary track is 79 units with 720 direct patient care clinical hours and 150 lab/conference hours. For students interested in pursuing careers in the occupational health setting, UCLA also offers an AGNP with a focus on Occupational And Environmental Health.
University of California, San Francisco
- San Francisco, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Not specified
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $54,636 per year for residents + fees, $69,738 per year for non-residents + fees
Program Overview:
University of California, San Francisco, offers two DNP pathways for this specialty: BSN to AGNP DNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP DNP Primary Care. Both are hybrid programs with online classes and on-campus course requirements. Early in the program, most classes have minimal requirements for in-person learning, but as the program progresses, students are required to be on campus or at clinical sites more often.
University of San Diego
- San Diego, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 81
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $1,800 per unit + fees
Program Overview:
The Dual FNP/AGNP DNP is an excellent option for nurses who want to broaden their scope of practice and pursue an advanced degree. This doctorate program prepares students for both the FNP and AGNP exams. Students can enroll full or part-time and complete the degree in three to five years. This campus-based program requires at least two days a week of in-person learning.
West Coast University-Orange County
- Anaheim, California
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus intensives and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49-50
Clinical Hours: not specified
Tuition: $680 to $785 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
West Coast University-Orange County offers two AGNP options. The BSN to AGNP Acute Care track can be completed in 16 months/four trimesters or 32 months/eight trimesters. The BSN to AGNP Primary Care track can be completed in 20 months/five trimesters or 32 months/eight trimesters. All students must attend two on-site intensives during the program. These are held on weekends and allow students to practice their skills and competencies hands-on to prepare for clinical work and their future careers.
Online AGNP Programs
All AGNP programs have some type of in-person requirement. At minimum, each requires in-person clinical hours, but even some programs that are primarily online have some on-campus requirements, whether hybrid classes, on-site labs, or in-person simulations. If you’re looking for a program with minimal on-campus requirements, the best options are Azusa Pacific University, California State University, Long Beach, and West Coast University-Orange County.
Best AGNP Programs in California
Which program is the best depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a dual FNP/AGNP option to make yourself more marketable, look at the University of San Diego programs. If you’re interested in a DNP, you might consider Azusa Pacific University, California State University, Long Beach, Loma Linda University, University of California, San Francisco, or the University of San Diego.
California’s Most Affordable AGNP Programs
Affordability varies significantly between AGNP programs, and each university has its own fees that could increase the overall cost. As far as tuition rates are concerned, the most affordable ones are California Baptist University and West Coast University-Orange County.