APPLY TODAY! Request More Information The Post-Master’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Certificate Program is designed for nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and are seeking to expand their scope of practice into acute and critical care. Through this specialized certificate pathway, experienced nurses gain the knowledge and clinical expertise needed to care for acutely and critically ill adult patients. AGACNPs assess, diagnose, and manage complex health conditions while supporting recovery, stabilization, and continuity of care for individuals across the adult lifespan—from young adults to the frail elderly. Graduates of this certificate program are prepared to practice in high-acuity environments such as hospitals, ICUs, trauma centers, specialty clinics, and health systems. They collaborate with interprofessional teams to deliver patient-centered care in fast-paced, dynamic settings. Program Highlights Advanced Acute Care Focus The AGACNP curriculum strengthens your ability to: Conduct focused and comprehensive assessments in high-acuity settings. Diagnose and manage acute and complex health conditions using evidence-based interventions. Deliver care across the adult age continuum, including vulnerable and aging populations. Support recovery, stabilization, and transitions across levels of care. Clinical Expertise Through one-on-one practice with experienced clinicians, you’ll apply advanced skills in real acute care settings. Clinical training emphasizes direct patient care, decision-making, and clinical leadership in collaboration with physicians and nurse practitioners. Interprofessional Collaboration You’ll work alongside professionals across health systems to coordinate high-quality, patient-centered care. Training emphasizes communication, teamwork, and systems-based practice to improve outcomes. Evidence-Based and Ethical Practice The certificate prepares you to promote safety, evaluate care delivery models, apply research to practice, and integrate emerging technologies into advanced nursing roles. Program Details Spring Plan of StudySummer Plan of StudyFall Plan of Study Admission Requirements Graduation from a Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission of Nursing Education (ACEN), or Commission on Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) accredited program with a masters in nursing. An overall grade-point average minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all Masters of Science in Nursing coursework. For students applying to the Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track, applicants must have 1000 hours as an RN in a critical care environment before beginning their clinical hours. Current, unencumbered US registered nurse license Licensure State Contacts Authorized States NC-SARA Prerequisites/Co-requisites Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology are required prerequisites/co-requisites. These courses can be taken at UAH or another institution before applying to the program, or they may take them while in the program. All three courses must not be older than two years at the time of admission. Clinical Hour Requirements Once admitted into the program, students will be required to complete 720 clinical hours, including a minimum of 600 direct patient care hours with a physician or nurse practitioner. These hours must include experience caring for adults across the lifespan, from young adults to elderly. The remaining hours may include clinical seminars, pre-approved continuing education, simulation experiences, or specialty rotations approved by the Nurse Practitioner Coordinator. Clinical rotations are currently only available in Alabama or Tennessee. Delivery Mode The AGACNP track is a hybrid program with on-campus and online components. Classes typically meet every other Wednesday except where noted. Certificate Program Outcomes Upon successful completion of the certificate program, the graduate will be able to: Integrate theoretical foundations of nursing knowledge, science, humanities, and scholarly inquiry in advanced-level nursing practice. Demonstrate advanced-level nursing practice that is evidence-based and adheres to scientific, ethical, legal, and professional standards in the delivery of compassionate, person-centered care. Evaluate policies, care delivery models, and organizational structures/processes for efficacy in meeting current and future health care needs of diverse communities and populations. Evaluate findings from research to create evidenced-based practice policies and protocols to improve health care delivery and outcomes. Use improvement processes in all health care settings to promote quality and safety principles. Engage in strategies that promote intra-and interprofessional communication and collaboration to deliver advanced care for diverse populations. Evaluate system-based strategies to provide equitable care and improve access to health care. Incorporate informatics principles in the use of current and emerging technologies in advanced-level nursing practice. Exemplify professional practice at the advanced level by promoting ethical values and professional standards. Assume responsibility for life-long learning and continuing personal, professional, and leadership development.