Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Post-Master's Graduate Certificate Online
Become an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Online Courses with Clinical Hours
Graduate in Six Semesters
34 Credit Hours
$940 per Credit
Learn More Today
Complete the form to learn more about Adelphi’s programs. An enrollment counselor will reach out to you to discuss coursework, financial aid and more.
Provide Care Tailored to Adults as They Age
Expand your nurse practitioner skills by supporting adult patients across their lifespan. Adelphi University’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program gives you the expertise to provide specialized care that improves the lives of your patients while preparing for licensure or certification in New York State.
You can complete the certificate program in six semesters and transfer up to six credits to finish faster.
Certificate Details
- Learn from experts in Adelphi’s CCNE-accredited Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program.
- Estimated total tuition: $31,960*
- Become eligible for New York State licensure.
Learn and Apply Advanced Gerontology Nursing Skills
14 Total Courses
Fully Online Curriculum
The AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate online program includes 14 courses with topics in health promotion, disease prevention, pharmacology, diagnostics and more. Join Adelphi’s master’s students in your second year of coursework and benefit from opportunities for collaboration.
You’ll hone your knowledge and skills in a clinical setting with support from experienced faculty. Bringing theories and knowledge into practice helps you provide evidence-based care that is ethical, culturally competent, safe and efficient.
Throughout the program, you’ll benefit from small classes with dedicated faculty who provide individualized support. At Adelphi, average nursing classes are just 25 students, and the ratio of students to clinical supervisors is 6:1 — promoting a collaborative and personal environment where students can thrive and build lasting connections.
AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate Courses
This course focuses on the necessary skills for promoting health and preventing the onset of disease states in adults. Health promotion and disease prevention evidence based knowledge will be explored, focusing on clinical application.
Students will obtain an advanced understanding of concepts in human physiology and pathophysiology for advanced practice nurses. Concepts related to biological sciences including cell biology, tumor biology, immunology, genetics, and pathology are presented. The focus is on principles related to physiological and pathophysiological alterations across the lifespan.
This course focuses on the pharmacotherapeutic use of medications for primary health care management by advanced nurse practitioners. Emphasis is placed on the critical thinking process used to prescribe drugs in the management of illnesses. Core concepts include pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacotherapeutics across the lifespan, health related information and medication compliance.
This three-credit course will critically review and analyze health assessment as a model for the development of diagnostic reasoning skills. A regional approach to physical examination will be introduced and practiced and used to develop critical thinking and clinical decision making skills. The course builds on basic health assessment skills and emphasizes advanced assessment skills, lab work, interpretation, validation, documentation and analysis of assessment findings. A synthesis of the physical, psychosocial, cultural, developmental, occupational, and spiritual assessments will lead to a statement of the wellness/illness status and risk appraisal of the individual. Legal and ethical components of client interaction are included, as well as communication and leadership skills.
This course teaches skills required to perform a comprehensive patient interview, a complete physical exam, document the assessment findings, develop preferential and differential diagnoses, and develop diagnostic reasoning skills. NP students will learn how to orally present their findings in a structured and organized manner during patient clinical encounters.
Students learn cardiac diagnostic essentials and advanced laboratory interpretation for the adult with cardiovascular disease. Students are prepared to plan the care of the client across the health-wellness continuum. During the classroom experience, students learn and develop advanced nursing knowledge for the adult cardiovascular client including lab interpretation.
This three credit course is the first of three comprehensive courses focusing on diagnosis and management of the primary care adult. ,Content related to cardiac, respiratory, hematological, dermatological, eyes, ears, nose and throat disorders are emphasized. Complementing this course is the clinical practicum where application of didactic work is integrated.
This first clinical course allows the student to begin to synthesize and integrate the knowledge obtained in Adult Health I for the assessment and management of both health and illness states. The student will be expected to demonstrate appropriate history taking, physical examination, decision-making and treatment plans on adult patients.
Students examine role development of the professional nurse and leadership in advanced nursing practice. Analysis of social, cultural, economic and political contexts in which nurse practitioners provide holistic care are studied. Students will draw on both historical development and current changes in nurse practitioner education and practice.
This is the second theory course in diagnosis and management of the primary adult patient. Theory related to gastroenterology, genitourinary, women’s health and mental health disorders are emphasized. Students continue to synthesize theoretical, scientific and clinical knowledge. Complementing this course is the clinical practicum where application of didactic work is integrated.
This second clinical course allows the student to continue to synthesize and integrate the knowledge obtained in Adult Health I and II for assessment and management of both health and illness states. The student will demonstrate history taking, physical examination, decision-making and treatment plans on adult patients.
The student will examine major dimensions of health policy. A framework is presented for analyzing contemporary health policy issues from economic, social, ethical, political, and global perspectives. Emphasis is on the advanced practice nursing role and the development of evidence-based approaches to health policy.
This course is the third comprehensive course focusing on the primary care management of adults through the life span. Theory related to selected disorders in musculoskeletal, neurological, renal, advanced cardiology, pain, infectious diseases, and oncology are emphasized. Complementing this course is the clinical practicum where didactic work is integrated.
This course is the final Adult Health clinical rotation. The student synthesizes clinical knowledge from previous courses and clinical experiences toward more independent and evidence based practice. The student is expected to assess and manage both health and illness states of greater complexity.
Help Adults Navigate Health Challenges as an AGNP
Adult gerontology nurse practitioners are in continuous demand as the population of older adults grows. According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 and older in the U.S. will grow by 47% from 2022 to 2050, from 58 million to 82 million people.1 More AGNPs are needed to care for this increasing number of Americans. Prepare for New York State licensure and national AGNP certification in Adelphi University’s AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate online program.
Grow in Your AGNP Career
Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) $108,831 per year2
Mid-Career Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) $124,000 per year2
Value of a Certificate
A certificate program offers career-ready skills faster than a traditional degree program, which is ideal for busy professionals. The Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Post-Master’s Certificate can be completed in six semesters. Plus, the certificate program can save you money because it requires fewer credit hours and accepts up to six transfer credits from within the past five years.
Certificates are especially valuable to those in the nursing profession because they can quickly lead to a specialized role without repeating advanced degree programs. The AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate, for example, is a great way to build upon your master’s degree and direct your career toward adult gerontology.
AGNP Certificate Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of complex systems and skills in collaboration with others.
- Integrate theories and knowledge into practice to provide evidence-based quality care that is ethical, culturally competent, safe, efficient and cost effective to individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
- Use knowledge of healthcare policy to improve healthcare organizational, financial and delivery outcomes.
- Use information technology to design, implement, deliver and evaluate healthcare.
- Value and demonstrate integrity, excellence, respect, accountability and cultural competence in all aspects of nursing.
How to Apply for the AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate Online
Once you’ve made the decision to apply to Adelphi University’s AGNP certificate program, you should gather your required materials and complete the online application form. If you have any questions about applying, we’re here to help. Upon acceptance into the program, you’ll have access to dedicated academic advisors and 24/7 tech support.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started**
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $60 |
| RN License | Current New York State RN license |
| Official Transcripts | All previous college transcripts, including final transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited four-year institution |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 |
| Additional Requirements |
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Tuition for the AGNP Post-Master’s Certificate Online Program
$940 Cost per Credit
34 Total Credits
The online Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program offers a cost-effective way to customize an education that will work for you and your future. We have a team that’s dedicated to answering your financial questions and they’ll be there to assist you with financial aid, loans, military benefits and more.
Answers to Common Questions
No, there are no entrance exams required. However, applicants must have a current New York State RN license and a master’s degree in nursing from an accredited four-year institution.
The first steps are to gather your application materials and start your online application.
Yes, the program accepts up to six transfer credits from within the past five years.
With a Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, you can become a primary care provider for adults across the lifespan. You could work in a wide variety of settings, such as community health centers, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, private practice and more.
The adult gerontology nurse practitioner certificate program includes fully online courses. This allows you to study at times and locations that are best for you throughout your entire program without coming to campus.
The program also requires 600 clinical hours. Our clinical placement office will help determine a suitable clinical location.
Sources and Disclaimer
- Population Reference Bureau (PRB). “Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States.” January 9, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-aging-in-the-united-states/.
- Payscale. “Average Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Salary.” April 2, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Adult-Gerontology_Nurse_Practitioner_(AGNP)/Salary.
*A maximum of six transfer credits may be accepted, subject to approval, which will affect the final number of credit hours needed to graduate and tuition.
** The admissions criteria listed are minimum requirements. The College of Nursing and Public Health reserves the right to request additional materials from applicants on an as-needed basis.