An adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) focuses on the needs of adults from later adulthood until the end of life, with a special focus on how aging changes the body and what that means for treatment and quality of life.
Ohio is a state that has a rapidly aging population, so the demand for experienced care providers for the elderly continues to increase in demand. From hospitals to nursing homes, there are a myriad of different employment opportunities for AGNP’s.
Multiple AGNP programs in Ohio are available, focusing on acute or primary care. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so AGNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. For other NP specialties in the state, see our guides to PMHNP programs, NNP programs, and PNP programs in Ohio. The 11 AGNP programs in Ohio are listed below:
Case Western Reserve
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: 39/41
Clinical Hours: 700
Tuition: Between $1,091 and $2,248 per credit hour
Program Overview:
Case Western Reserve offers two AGNP programs. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program comprises 39 credit hours and 700 clinical hours. Clinical placements are usually within 40 minutes of campus at sites like the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as 16 months. Start dates are flexible; full-time students only need to be on campus three to four times a semester. A flight nurse specialty is also available under this program. Applicants must have at least one year of recent ICU experience.
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program takes four full-time semesters to complete, and part-time options are available. This program also offers distance-friendly options with minimal trips to campus each semester, and you can explore various specialties, including oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, and palliative care.
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 800
Tuition: $680 to $707 per credit
Program Overview:
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration at Cedarville prepares you to care for young adult, adult, and elderly patients in acute, complex, or critical settings. The program consists of 45 credit hours and 800 clinical hours. Classes are online, but students are required to attend four on-campus experiences that last two to three days apiece. These experiences include face-to-face instruction and simulation experiences.
Franklin University
- Columbus, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 41
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $670 per credit
Program Overview:
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at Franklin University prepares students to care for adults across the lifespan, from young adults to seniors. This program can be completed in as little as 27 months, and the 600 required clinical hours are embedded into the coursework. Applicants can start the program during any trimester.
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
- Lancaster, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: 650
Tuition: $850 per credit
Program Overview:
Mount Carmel offers an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program that trains practitioners to care for adults of all ages with chronic, complex, and critical healthcare needs. This program uses a cohort model, with groups starting in the fall and spring semesters. Students can complete the program in 18 months over five semesters, taking two classes each semester using a hybrid online-in-person format. Hands-on clinicals begin in the third semester and continue throughout the program.
Ohio State University
- Columbus, Ohio
- On-campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 650
Tuition: $972.50 per credit
Program Overview:
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at Ohio State University prepares students to work in a number of settings, promoting the health and well-being of patients of many ages, from young adults to seniors. In addition to providing hands-on care, graduates are also prepared to work in education and research, advocate for their patients, and get involved in legislative activities to promote quality healthcare. It can be completed on-campus through several options: as a traditional MSN, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, Graduate Entry MS for non-nurses, and as a Post-Master’s Study.
Ohio University
- Athens, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 40
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $668 per credit for residents, $687 for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Ohio University can be completed in two years for full-time students. Students take classes online but are expected to participate in on-campus intensives throughout the program. These intensives are generally at the program’s beginning, middle, and end and are designed to help prepare students for clinical roles.
University of Akron
- Akron, Ohio
- On-campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: 30, plus 14 nursing core credits
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: $462.50 per credit for Ohio residents; $782.50 per credit for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Adult Gerontological Health Nurse Practitioner Track at the University of Akron consists of 14 nursing core credits that must be completed successfully with at least a B- grade before progressing in the program. These courses cover concepts like information management, health policy, and evidence-based practice. Adult Gerontological Health Nurse Practitioner track classes include multiple practicums and clinical courses. This program prepares students to practice as an NP, but it also serves as a suitable foundation for students who wish to pursue a doctorate.
University of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
The University of Cincinnati offers three programs for students who want to pursue being an adult geriatric nurse practitioner.
The Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program is a doctorate-level program that prepares students to care for adolescents, adults, and elderly patients with short-term illnesses, chronic illnesses, or terminal diseases. Students get hands-on experience throughout the program. Tuition varies from $8,359 per semester for residents to $8,609 per semester for metro residents. Students must reside in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana while in the program.
The Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program is a post-master’s program. It is 12 to 18 credits and can be completed in two years. The cost varies depending on residency status. Residents of Ohio pay $836 per credit, residents of Kentucky or Indiana pay $861 per credit, and residents of other states pay $1,423 per credit. Graduates of this program earn a DNP and can work for physician groups, private practices, long-term care, and more.
The Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program takes three years to complete and is around 150 credits. Full-time residents pay $8,359 per semester, and the cost is $8,509 per semester for non-residents. Students earn a doctorate when graduating and can work in several settings providing preventative, chronic, and acute care, emphasizing evaluation, education, diagnosis, and treatment.
Ursuline College
- Pepper Pike, Ohio
- Online/On-campus
Modality: Online/On-campus
Credit Hours: 39
Clinical Hours: Not available
Tuition: $1,274 per credit
Program Overview:
Ursuline College offers two different tracks for Adult-Gerontology Care Nurse Practitioners. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track prepares students to work in facilities that require high-intensity nursing intervention, complex monitoring and therapies, or high-acuity care, while the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track emphasizes health maintenance, counseling, disease prevention, and patient education. These options allow students interested in working in gerontology to choose how they would like to help this patient population.
Wright State University
- Dayton, Ohio
- On-campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: 51
Clinical Hours: Not available
Tuition: $680 per credit for residents; $1,145 for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to care for patients from adolescence to old age in intensive care units, emergency rooms, clinics, or doctor’s offices. Students can select an area of emphasis based on their interests, such as pulmonology, oncology, trauma, or critical care. Those interested in cardiology must enroll in an additional three-hour elective course.
Youngstown State University
- Youngstown, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 540
Tuition: $527 per credit for residents; $532 for non-residents
Program Overview:
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner online program at Youngstown State University has a total of 45 credits, with 27 credits for core nursing classes and 18 credits for specialty and practicum courses. Each semester lasts seven weeks, and full-time students can finish the program in as little as 18 months.
Ohio AGNP Program Comparison Table
The following table compares all 11 AGNP programs in Ohio side by side, including modality, credit hours, clinical requirements, and tuition.
| Program | Modality | Credits | Clinical Hours | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve | Online/On-Campus | 39/41 | 700 | $1,091–$2,248/cr |
| Cedarville University | Online | 45 | 800 | $680–$707/cr |
| Franklin University | Online | 41 | 600 | $670/cr |
| Mount Carmel College | Online/On-Campus | 48 | 650 | $850/cr |
| Ohio State University | On-Campus | Varies | 650 | $972.50/cr |
| Ohio University | Online/On-Campus | 40 | 750 | $668–$687/cr |
| University of Akron | On-Campus | 44 | N/A | $462–$782/cr |
| University of Cincinnati | Varies | Varies | N/A | Varies |
| Ursuline College | Online/On-Campus | 39 | N/A | $905/cr |
| Wright State University | On-Campus | 51 | N/A | $680–$1,145/cr |
| Youngstown State | Online/On-Campus | 45 | 540 | $558–$703/cr |
AGNP Salary in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Ohio earn an average salary of $121,250 per year and a median salary of $126,740. The national median NP salary is $129,210. AGNPs working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and specialty clinics often earn at or above these averages due to the growing demand for geriatric care as Ohio’s population ages.
AGNP Licensure Requirements in Ohio
Ohio is a “Reduced Practice” state for nurse practitioners. To practice as an AGNP in Ohio, you must hold an active RN license, complete an accredited AGNP program (either acute or primary care), and pass the corresponding ANCC or AACN certification exam. AGNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement (SCA) with a collaborating physician and obtain a Certificate to Prescribe (CTP) from the Ohio Board of Nursing. After 1,000 hours of NP practice, AGNPs may apply for independent prescriptive authority for non-controlled substances. Graduates of AGNP programs in Ohio should also consider pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for expanded career opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many AGNP programs are in Ohio?
Ohio has 11 accredited AGNP programs in Ohio spanning both acute care (AGACNP) and primary care (AGPCNP) tracks at universities including Case Western Reserve, Ohio State, Ohio University, and more.
What is the average AGNP salary in Ohio?
According to the BLS (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Ohio earn an average salary of $121,250 per year and a median of $126,740. The national median is $129,210.
Can I complete an AGNP program online in Ohio?
Yes. Several AGNP programs in Ohio offer fully online or hybrid formats, including Cedarville University, Franklin University, and Ohio University. All programs require in-person clinical hours.
What is the difference between AGACNP and AGPCNP?
AGACNP (Acute Care) prepares nurse practitioners for hospital and critical care settings, while AGPCNP (Primary Care) focuses on outpatient and community health settings for adult and geriatric patients. Several Ohio programs offer both tracks.
How long does it take to complete an AGNP program in Ohio?
Most full-time AGNP programs in Ohio take two to three years to complete. Part-time options are available at many programs and may extend the timeline. Credit requirements range from 39 to 51 hours depending on the institution.