An adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) works with adult patients of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens. Generally, they can specialize in acute or primary care, ultimately working in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and nursing homes.
AGNPs are highly trained advanced practice nurses, but their scope of practice is largely dictated by the state where they work. In Texas, FNPs must practice and prescribe medication under the supervision of a physician.
Nurses who want to pursue a career as an AGNP have plenty of program options in the Lone Star State, including MSN programs, DNP tracks, and post-graduate programs. Here are the AGNP programs available in the great state of Texas.
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Texas RN to AGNP Programs
For diploma- or associate-prepared nurses, RN-to-AGNP programs are a convenient and often more affordable way to pursue a career as an AGNP. These programs integrate both BSN and MSN courses, so RNs do not have to complete a separate BSN degree before applying for an AGNP program. South University-Austin and West Coast University-Dallas offer the only RN-to-MSN programs in Texas in this field.
South University-Austin
- Austin, Texas
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 227
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $660 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
This RN to AGNP offers online courses with in-person clinicals. South University has a number of campuses throughout the south and southeast and has significant experience with distance learning. Students access flexible learning opportunities via the university’s Brightspace online classroom.
West Coast University-Dallas
- Richardson, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 154 to 155
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $680 to $785 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
West Coast University-Dallas offers two AGNP options for RNs: an RN to AGNP Acute Care and an RN to AGNP Primary Care program. The acute care track can be completed in seven full-time or 11 part-time trimesters; the primary care track in six and 11 trimesters, respectively.
BSN to AGNP Programs
BSN-prepared nurses have many options when considering pursuing a career as an AGNP.
Baylor University
- Waco, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 75
Clinical Hours: 1,125
Tuition: $1,150 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN to AGNP DNP program at Baylor University offers online coursework with on-campus residences and immersions. Courses are 15 weeks long, and students complete three terms a year. BSN students will need about three years and four months to finish the program. Those with MSN degrees interested in pursuing a DNP at Baylor may be admitted to the program and can complete the coursework in 18 to 24 months.
Texas Christian University
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus intensives and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 70
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $2,145 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
TCU’s BSN to AGNP DNP program offers online courses with on-campus intensives where students receive hands-on learning in the university’s state-of-the-art simulation lab. Students can apply to start the program in the spring or fall and complete clinical hours in facilities close to home.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $1,003.69 per credit including fees for residents; $1,413.69 per credit including fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The BSN to AGNP Acute Care program at TTUHSC is primarily online, with occasional travel to the Lubbock campus for in-person skills labs and learning. This school also offers a 36-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in acute care, but transfer credits are accepted.
Texas Woman’s University
- Dallas, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 780
Tuition: $323 per credit + fees for residents
Program Overview:
There are multiple options at Texas Woman’s University for those interested in becoming an AGNP, but all are only available to Texas residents. BSN-prepared nurses can choose between the BSN to AGNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP Primary Care tracks, both of which consist of 45 credits and 780 clinical hours. There is also a Post-Graduate MSN to AGNP Acute Care option and a Post-Graduate MSN to AGNP Primary Care track.
The University of Texas at Arlington
- Arlington, Texas
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $654 per credit + fees for online; $3,456 for one 6-credit semester hybrid + fees or about $576 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
There are multiple AGNP options at the University of Texas at Arlington: a BSN to AGNP Acute Online program, a BSN to AGNP Acute On-Campus option, a BSN to AGNP Primary Online option, and a BSN to AGNP Primary On-Campus program. There are also four post-graduate certificates available: Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Online, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute On-Campus, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Online, and Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary On-Campus. This school also offers a unique BSN to AGNP Dual Acute/Primary option for nurses who wish to specialize in two areas.
The University of Texas at El Paso
- El Paso, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: $522 per credit + fees for residents; $782 per hour + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of El Paso BSN to AGNP Acute Care program has primarily online classes with up to three required campus visits every semester for evaluations and hands-on learning in the school’s simulation lab. There are two admission cycles a year, so students can start in the spring or fall.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- San Antonio, Texas
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 76
Clinical Hours: 1080
Tuition: $398 per credit + fees for residents; $1,106 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The AGNP program at UT Health San Antonio offers a BSN to AGNP DNP Acute Care option for those who wish to pursue a terminal degree. This program is a hybrid format, with students expected to be on campus between one and three days a week, depending on whether they are full or part-time. UT Health San Antonio also offers a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in acute care, which is 28 credits and 660 clinical hours.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- Galveston, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $1,555.14 per credit including fees for residents; $2,031.14 per credit including fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
UTMB Galveston offers two MSN programs for BSN-prepared nurses: a BSN to AGNP Acute Care and a BSN to AGNP Primary Care program. Both tracks are 49 credits and require students to be on campus two to three days every semester. UTMB Galveston also has a BSN to DNP Dual FNP/AGNP Acute Care, a unique program allowing nurses to dual specialize while obtaining a doctorate.
West Coast University-Dallas
- Richardson, Texas
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 49 to 50
Clinical Hours: 500
Tuition: $680 to $785 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
West Coast University-Dallas has options with a BSN or MSN degree. BSN-prepared nurses have a BSN to AGNP Acute Care and a BSN to AGNP Primary Care track to choose from. There is also a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care track and a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care track available for MSN-prepared nurses.
Online AGNP Programs
Nursing programs all have some in-person requirements, as a clinical component is required to complete qualifications for each one, but some of these programs offer more flexible classwork than others. The only program that does not require any on-campus visits is the RN to AGNP option at South University-Austin.
Best AGNP Programs in Texas
Each program has its own unique offerings, so which program is the best depends highly on what you’re looking for. Some stand-out options include the DNP programs at Baylor University, Texas Christian University, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the dual-degree FNP/AGNP program at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Texas Most Affordable AGNP Programs
Some of the most affordable AGNP programs in Texas are at Texas Woman’s University, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Note that It can be challenging to determine which program is the most affordable as universities break down their costs in different ways, and fees can vary greatly from one program to another.