Nursing — Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Program Type
Master’s Program
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Mode of Study
In Person
School
School of Nursing
Our Nursing — Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MS program is currently not admitting new students. Our Admission team can help you to find other program options.
Contact us

Tuition per credit hour

In-state: $445.
Out-of-state: $1,350. New England residents may qualify for tuition break. See details and other costs

Credit hours

45 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours. Browse course list

Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship & fellowship opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

No application fee. No GRE required. Apply by April 1 for fall term, November 1 for spring term. View application process & deadlines

Program Highlights

  • Earn your degree on your terms: Study full-time and finish in as few as 3 years or study part-time and finish in 4 years.
  • Prepare to be an advanced practice nurse who functions as a healthcare provider for adults and older adults with acute, critical, and complex health conditions.
  • Become eligible to sit for national certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) upon graduation.
  • Study with engaged faculty members who are committed to advancing excellence in nursing.
A nursing student practices taking a person blood pressure.

Program requirements

Our Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GACNP) program prepares you to care for adults and older adults with acute, critical, and complex health conditions. Coursework builds on the baccalaureate degree in nursing and is based on theory and research in nursing.

Visit course catalog
Next Steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

Students walk down the sidewalk by Wishcamper Center on the Portland campus on a sunny day.

Admission information: MS in Nursing — Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Because the MS in Nursing program includes supervised clinical experiences and the desire to maintain a high-quality program, the nursing faculty reserves the right to limit enrollments. The number of students accepted varies by program (Family Nurse, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) and is based on clinical cohorts. Admission to the program is highly selective. The graduate program in nursing seeks candidates whose baccalaureate preparation, scholastic achievement, professional experience, interest, motivation, and references are predictive of successful graduate study.

Each student’s application for admission will be evaluated based on a composite of the following recommended standards.

  • A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from a degree program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing.
  • Two years of acute care experience as an RN or two years of NP experience.
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average.
  • An undergraduate course in Microbiology with a grade of B- or better.
  • An undergraduate course in introductory Statistics that includes descriptive and inferential statistics completed with a grade of B- or better.
  • An undergraduate course in total health assessment.
  • Current and unencumbered registered nurse license in Maine.
  • Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may submit GRE or MAT scores to be considered.

A personal interview with graduate faculty of the School of Nursing may be requested following a preliminary review of all required admission materials.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

  • Application: Online application
  • Application fee:
    • In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
    • International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
  • Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
  • Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

  • Essay: A 500-word essay that addresses the following topics:
    • Understanding of the nurse practitioner role and reasons for becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
    • Professional goals that will be supported by the Master of Science Degree.
    • The experiences, capacity, and abilities brought to a master’s program.
    • Reasons for choosing the University of Southern Maine for this program.
  • Two letters of recommendation reflecting professional practice and academic achievement. Recommendations should come from individuals who are qualified, through direct experience with the applicant’s academic or professional work, to comment on the applicant’s ability to undertake graduate study and the chosen profession.
  • Evidence (photocopy or PDF) of an unencumbered registered nurse license in Maine.

International student instructions

View additional application requirements

English proficiency test scores

View test requirements

Where to send application materials

Get our mailing address and email address