Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online

Prepare for specialized leadership roles when you complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in this streamlined program. Develop the clinical expertise to provide care for adult and senior patients with urgent medical needs.

Apply by: 4/18/25
Start class: 5/19/25
Apply Now

Program Overview

Develop the clinical judgment to diagnose and treat adults across the lifespan

Designed for working nurses, this flexible RN to MSN – AGACNP program features 100% online coursework that provides a path to completion in less time than a BSN and MSN might require separately. You will learn to diagnose and treat adults of all ages in acute care settings.

Explore nursing theory and research as you acquire new credentials in evidence-based practice and pharmacology. Discover innovative care management strategies that promote positive outcomes for patients after heart attacks, strokes, traumatic injuries or other significant health events. Learn from experienced professors who support your goals as you prepare for advanced practice and adult gerontology roles in a wide range of acute care settings.

UTA's online RN to MSN – AGACNP program includes these key elements:

  • Ability to demonstrate clinical expertise and provide care to acutely ill patients—including diagnostic reasoning, complex monitoring and therapies
  • Experience using research and theoretical principles to implement therapies that restore health, minimize complications and manage risk factors
  • Practice in integrating the patient's care across the continuum of acute care services in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, families and patients
UTA's online RN to MSN – AGACNP program includes these key elements:
  • Ability to demonstrate clinical expertise and provide care to acutely ill patients—including diagnostic reasoning, complex monitoring and therapies
  • Experience using research and theoretical principles to implement therapies that restore health, minimize complications and manage risk factors
  • Practice in integrating the patient's care across the continuum of acute care services in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, families and patients

This CCNE-accredited RN to MSN – AGACNP program prepares you for opportunities in a variety of settings, including:

  • Intensive care unit (ICU)
  • Emergency department (ER)
  • Outpatient practice settings in many specialty areas, such as neurology, infectious disease, cardiology and pulmonology
This CCNE-accredited RN to MSN – AGACNP program prepares you for opportunities in a variety of settings, including:
  • Intensive care unit (ICU)
  • Emergency department (ER)
  • Outpatient practice settings in many specialty areas, such as neurology, infectious disease, cardiology and pulmonology

State Authorization

Residents of certain states may not be eligible to enroll in all UTA accelerated online programs. See program map for details. Currently enrolled students who reside in ineligible states will need approval to continue uninterrupted in their programs in accordance with applicable state laws. Approval is not guaranteed.

Also available:

UTA offers a wide variety of nursing programs online. Check out all of our online nursing programs.

Total Tuition* $35,038
Duration As few as 42 months
Credit Hours As few as 76

Accreditation

CCNE accreditation logo

The baccalaureate, master's and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs and the post-graduate APRN certificate program in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at The University of Texas at Arlington are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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Need more information?

Call 866-489-2810

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"The UT Arlington program builds off your work experience already and that was the biggest factor of why I chose it."

Roberta Deutsch, Graduate of UTA's Online RN to MSN Program

Tuition

Discover the affordable online RN to MSN tuition

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing students with a quality, affordable education. That's why this online program offers pay-by-the course options.

Tuition Guarantee

Did you know if you enroll now and complete your program without interruption, you can lock in your tuition rate? Read more

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $35,038*
UTA testimonial roberta deutsch

“...What I really liked about the program was the fact that I could be online, do the classes on my schedule...”

Roberta Deutsch

RN to MSN online graduate

Calendar

View enrollment dates and deadlines

Our RN to MSN – Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner online program offers multiple start dates to accommodate your professional and personal schedule.

View full calendar  + 

8-week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment Due
Summer I5/19/254/18/255/2/255/16/25
Summer II6/30/255/30/256/13/256/27/25
Fall I8/18/257/18/258/1/258/15/25
Fall I9/2/258/1/258/15/258/29/25
Fall II9/29/258/29/259/12/259/26/25
Fall III11/3/2510/3/2510/17/2510/31/25

View General Education Courses calendar  + 

Course StartRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineSession
5/19/255/14/255/16/25Summer I
6/30/256/25/256/27/25Summer II
8/18/258/13/258/15/25Fall I
9/2/258/27/258/29/25Fall I
9/29/259/24/259/26/25Fall II
11/3/2510/29/2510/31/25Fall III

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 4/18/25
Class Starts 5/19/25

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your degree?

Apply Now

Admissions

Review the requirements for the RN

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation admission process is the first step toward changing your life and enriching the lives of others. Familiarize yourself with these admission requirements, along with information on required documentation.

Admission Requirements

  • 3.0 GPA
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Active RN license
View all admission requirements +

Online Admission Requirements

  • Completed online application and application fee
  • Active and unencumbered RN License verifiable via Nursys or state boards of nursing (BON)
    • If the license is unable to be verified, you must send in a copy via email of the license for verification. Acceptance will be on hold until the license is verified. Use the RN License Upload Form to submit license.
    • If you do not have a license but graduated within one year of completion of the ADN program, you will have the license checklist waived and be accepted to the AO RN to BSN program. However, the license will be verified within NURS 3345. If the license is unable to be verified, students will be unable to progress.
  • 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) of all courses completed
  • TOEFL or TSI may apply
    • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is satisfied by resident status, associate degree, or completion of Composition I and II with a grade of C or better plus 24 additional transferrable hours at a college or university located in the U.S. Otherwise, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam is required if your native or first language is not English. Additional information is available here.
    • Completed Texas Success Initiative (TSI). This will NOT prevent admission, but the requirement must be satisfied during the first semester of enrollment.

At this time, the program is only open to United States citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), and individuals who hold an H1-B Visa or other valid U.S. work visa.

Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended should be submitted, along with required documents, from the granting institution(s) to:

Electronic Submission (faster processing)

utaadmissions@uta.edu

U.S. Postal Service

UTA Undergraduate Admissions
701 S. Nedderman Drive
Box 19114
Arlington, TX 76019-0114

Have a question? Call us at 866-489-2810.

Learn more about our admission requirements, review the nursing handbook and policies, and discover tips for success on the UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) page.

Courses

Explore the UTA online nursing curriculum in adult gerontology

This program can be completed at an accelerated pace depending on which RN to MSN track is selected as well as meeting the requirements for the BSN.

Students begin the program as an undergraduate in the RN to BSN program and must meet all undergraduate requirements prior to transitioning into the MSN program of choice. Prior to completing the BSN requirement, two graduate-level courses must be completed. Those courses will be two of the last three courses needed to complete the undergraduate requirements. The courses will be applied to meet both BSN electives and MSN core requirements.

Once a student officially graduates with their BSN, the student must continue to the MSN program within one semester, excluding summer, to successfully transition. The estimated date of completion is dependent upon the successful completion of the undergraduate program and transition period, as well as the length of the program outline of the specific MSN program chosen.

Expand All

Undergraduate credit is given for courses listed in the FOSC (Coordinating Board Field of Study Curriculum) guidelines and up to 29 hours credit may be applicable for transfer from ADN or nursing diploma programs.

One of the literature courses (ENGL 2329, ENGL 2319, or ENGL 2309) must be completed to graduate from the AO RN-MSN program. If you have taken one of these courses in the past, they can be transferred into the AO RN-MSN program.

Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Intended to develop an understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of art in its many forms. Recommended as a fine arts elective for non-art majors.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Functional morphology of humans, cellular function, principles of support and movement, and neural and endocrine control systems. Laboratory exercises involve both anatomical and experimental aspects of principles introduced in the lecture. This class is designed for students in sport activities (EXSA), medical technology and nursing and health Prerequisite: BIOL 1345 or BIOL 1441 or equivalent, or approval of the department. May not be used for biology grade point calculation or biology credit toward a B.S. degree in biology or microbiology.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Functional morphology of humans, maintenance of the human body, and continuity of life. Topics will include the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, immune, and reproductive systems. Laboratory exercises explore both anatomical and experimental aspects of principles introduced in the lecture. This class is designed for students in sport activities (EXSA), medical technology, and nursing and health. Prerequisite: BIOL 2457 or equivalent. May not be used for biology grade point calculation or biology credit toward a B.S. degree in biology or microbiology.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
The intention of this course is to present basic information, relevant to nursing practice, with the principles of microbiology and the nature of microbial disease. This course will give the student a fundamental background of knowledge that will be applicable to the care of infectious patients, to the control of microbial diseases, and an understanding of microorganisms. The laboratory will provide practice in aseptic techniques, the use of disinfectants and antimicrobial agents, and microscopic study of bacteria. This course cannot be applied for credit toward a degree in Biology. Prerequisite: BIOL 1345, or BIOL 1441 or equivalent.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The critical thinking about, and reading and writing of, referential/expository discourse. Introduction to inventional procedures. Writing assignments focusing on identification and development of a subject, on organization, audience analysis, style, and the revision process.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Continues ENGL 1301, but with an emphasis on critical thinking about, and reading and writing of, argumentative discourse. Introduction to inventional procedures such as types of proofs and claims and the Toulmin model. Writing assignments focusing on the identification, development, and support of propositions of fact, cause, value, and policy. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in ENGL 1301.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the United States prior to 1865. This course is designed to help students understand and evaluate their society, comprehend the historical experience, and further develop reading and writing competencies and critical skills. Prerequisite: completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1301.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the United States since 1865. This course is designed to help students understand and evaluate their society, comprehend the historical experience, and further develop reading and writing competencies and critical skills. Prerequisite: completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 1301.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is offered as a blended MATH 0311/MATH 1301 course. This course covers material in a traditional algebra course together with real-world applications of mathematics. It develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Topics include the mathematics of dimensional analysis, mathematical logic, population growth, optimization, voting theory, number theory, graph theory, relations, functions, probability, statistics, and finance. The use of mathematical software and calculators is required. See course syllabus for details. Credit may be received for only one of MATH 1301, MATH 1302, or MATH 1315.
Duration: 8 & 15 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course not required if MATH 1301 completed. Topics include the study of linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical, absolute value, logarithmic, and exponential relations; functions and inequalities; graphs, basic characteristics, and operations on relations and functions; real and complex zeros of various functions; graphing techniques; systems of equations; and matrices. The use of mathematical software and a basic/scientific calculator is required. No graphing calculators are allowed. All exams will be proctored for a minimal fee using an online proctoring service requiring a webcam. See course syllabus and blackboard course site for specific details.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Topics may include collection, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data. Analysis includes descriptive statistics, probability, relationships between variables and graphs, elementary statistical models, hypothesis testing, inference, estimation, correlation, regression and confidence intervals. The use of mathematical software and calculators is required. See course syllabus for details.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The constitution and government of the United States. The organization, procedures, and duties of the branches of the government, together with their accomplishments and defects.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The principles and organization of American state, county, and municipal government, together with current problems and the constitution and government of Texas.
Duration: 8 & 15 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The fundamental methods and content of scientific psychology. Concentration on the understanding of basic principles.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Human development and growth from conception through old age, concerned with the physical, behavioral, and social aspects.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A scientific approach to the analysis and explanation of culture, personality, and social organization. The social processes and mechanisms of interaction involved in the natural process of cultural development, dissemination, assimilation, and the institutions of the group.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Consideration of significant American works with a focus on ideas and the ways in which they reflect cultural and aesthetic values; emphasis on critical methods of reading, writing, and thinking; at least three genres and six authors considered.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Consideration of significant British works with emphasis on ideas and the ways in which they reflect cultural and aesthetic values; emphasis on critical methods of reading, writing, and thinking; at least three genres and six authors considered.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Consideration of significant works of world literature with emphasis on ideas and the ways in which they reflect cultural and aesthetic values; emphasis on critical methods of reading, writing, and thinking. Examines at least three genres and six authors.

The current curriculum requires two upper-division electives: one upper-division nursing elective and one upper-division general elective (or a second upper-division nursing elective). With the curriculum change in Fall 2024, there will be three upper-division elective requirements. CONHI recommends that the third elective be NURSU 3322 Human Factors in Healthcare; however, students may take a second upper-division nursing elective or a second upper-division general elective. 

If students were admitted before Fall 2024 and must satisfy the Technical Writing requirement, CONHI will still offer ENGL 2338 at UTA through Summer 2025.

Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed for nursing cooperative education students to integrate classroom study with career-related practical experience in the workplace. Must earn a C or better to earn credit.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Areas of special interest. May be repeated with varied topics. Formerly NURSU 3347 prior to Fall 2022.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explore and enhance understanding and application of the principles of family science knowledge in therapeutic relationships with families across the lifespan.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will enable the student to speak, use, and understand commonly used terms in the healthcare field. This course can be used as the upper division elective.

NURSU 3345 must be completed before enrolling in additional nursing courses.

Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theory and practice of holistic health assessment of individuals and families across the lifespan designed for the Registered Nurse. An application-based practice experience is required and can be completed in the workplace.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction of concepts and issues related to the holistic care of older adults and the impact on society and healthcare. An application-based practice experience is required and can be completed in the community.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Health promotion for individuals and families. Opportunities to gain knowledge about primary prevention in healthcare. Importance of the role of the nurse in disease prevention and health promotion. RN-MSN students only. Previously NURSU 3435. Prerequisite: NURSU 3345.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course addresses the role transition to professional nursing, nursing theory, ethics, decision making, critical thinking/clinical judgment, introduction to evidence-based practice, and informatics/technology in practice. Identifies strategies for personal and professional empowerment.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Course addresses health policy, legislative and political concerns, nurse practice act, legal and ethical aspects that impact the practice of professional nursing in contemporary healthcare.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Basic concepts, processes, and applications of nursing research. Research role of the nurse in decision making and clinical practice. RN-BSN students only. Prerequisite: Math 1308, or equivalent and NURS 3345. (Previously offered as NURS 4321.)
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Exploration of organizational strategies, leadership theories and societal trends with implications for decision making in healthcare. Introduction to management and leadership skills needed by professional nurses with clinical application in diverse settings. An application-based practice experience is required and can be completed in the workplace.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Integrates knowledge from nursing theory and public health science in assessing healthcare needs of aggregates, communities, and society for the Registered Nurse. An application-based practice experience is required and can be completed in the community.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 6
Synthesis of theories and concepts for professional nursing practice. Focuses on evolution and transition of professional nursing practice in diverse settings within a context of emerging societal issues and trends. The student will pick one of three areas (management, clinical or education) of interest for concentrated study.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A critical examination of the philosophical and theoretical bases for nursing science.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Integration of theoretical and empirical principles of nursing research to generate evidence for nursing practice.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on preparation to implement an evidence-based change in practice.
Duration: 11 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on developing an advanced knowledge base of pathophysiology. Principles of biochemistry, molecular biology and nutrition are applied to disease processes. Clinical Hours: 0 hours
Duration: 11 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study of clinical pharmacological therapeutics for advanced nursing practice.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
Apply theoretical foundations and clinical skills in comprehensive health assessment across the lifespan.
Duration: 3 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
Conduct comprehensive health assessment in the adult-gerontology population. Prerequisite: NURS 5220 or concurrent enrollment
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theory and application of the multiple roles of the advanced practice nurse within the healthcare system.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Foundations of advanced knowledge of common acute and chronic health problems in adolescents, adults, and elders across healthcare settings.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
Focuses on a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach in the management of acutely ill, physiologically unstable adolescent, adult and gerontology patients with complex multi-system dysfunction.
Duration: 11 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Clinical experience in specialty practice and high acuity healthcare settings with focus on managing adolescents, adults and elders with common secondary and tertiary healthcare need.
Duration: 11 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Continued clinical experience in specialty practice and high acuity healthcare settings with focus on managing adolescents, adults and elders with common secondary and tertiary healthcare needs.
Duration: 13 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 6
Clinical preceptorships in selected health practice sites with opportunities to apply knowledge, skills and concepts in a guided, progressive context of adult gerontology acute care advanced nursing practice.

*Tuition cost reflects required nursing courses only, and cost may vary if general courses are required. Cost is subject to change by the University.

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