Nursing

Master of Science (MS)

Master’s Program

Modes of study:

In person

Why should you consider becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

With Maine being the state with the highest proportion of older adults, the critical demand for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP) is stronger than ever due to sustained demand for advanced providers managing complex, chronic, and acute conditions in aging patients. Combining advanced clinical training with a focus on compassionate, evidence-based care, this program at the University of Southern Maine (USM) prepares you to meet this need and make a positive impact in your community.

As a student pursuing your AGACNP degree, you’ll gain the hands-on experience you need to feel confident. You’ll participate in three practicums, including in situations involving intensive care units, emergency departments, and specialty care settings. You’ll be a well-rounded Adult-Gerontology acute care nurse once you graduate and start delivering care to adult and aging populations when they need it most.

Credit hours

45 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to three credit hours.

Visit the academic catalog

Program duration

Study full-time, finishing in as little as two and a half years, or study part-time and finish in four years.

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School

School of Nursing

Admissions

No GRE required. Apply by April 1 for fall term, October 1 for spring term.

View application process and deadlines

What can you expect by completing your MS and becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from USM?

Graduate certification-ready: Qualify to sit for the AGACNP-BC certification exam through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) after graduation.
National accreditation: Study in a program that is approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Use state-of-the-art labs and equipment: Develop skills in our Advanced Simulation Center, Physical Assessment Lab, and Objective Structured Clinical Exam rooms.
Clinical placement services access USM’s broad network across southern Maine: Gain hands-on clinical experience across three practicums with placement options across large health systems like Maine Health, Mercy Hospital, Central Maine Healthcare, Maine Veterans Administration, and more!
Graduate equipped to treat patients with USM’s competency-based education: Gain the skills and experience necessary for managing acutely ill adults and geriatric populations across the continuum of acute care.
Take advantage of flexible scheduling for working professionals: Most courses are offered in person and online, which means you will typically only need to be on campus once every other week.
Real-world relevant coursework: The University of Southern Maine offers future-oriented coursework, focusing on clinical decision-making and differential diagnosis; case management and consultation; and assessments and interventions.
Learn from highly respected faculty: Faculty in the School of Nursing at the University of Southern Maine are active participants in research and policy, at both the state and national levels. They bring innovative knowledge and insights that will positively impact your education.
Utilize the Office of Graduate Studies: The Office of Graduate Studies will connect you with opportunities to develop professionally, scholarships, and graduate assistantships which could help make your degree more affordable and accessible.

What do your career opportunities look like after earning your MS as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)?

Receive necessary training to help those that need it most, whether it's in a nursing home, residential healthcare facility or other environment, with your degree from USM.

Start training to become an advanced practice nurse

As an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, you’ll have the necessary experience for working in various environments. These can include intensive care units, cardiac care units, nursing homes, and residential healthcare facilities.

After graduating from USM, you will also have access to lifelong advising and support services from the Career and Employment Hub.

Find your calling

We’re here to help answer questions about costs

Tuition & fees Financial aid Scholarships

Students who are New England residents may qualify for reduced tuition with the NEBHE Tuition Break Program!

Are you a New England resident?

New England residents may qualify for a reduced tuition rate thanks to the NEBHE Tuition Break Program.

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If you're a student who wants to enroll in the MS in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, consider scholarship opportunities.

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Scholarships offer valuable financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. You’ll be automatically considered for Merit Scholarships when you apply for admission by the deadline. Additional opportunities are available.

Explore scholarships and deadlines

The School of Nursing at USM is accredited by the nationally-recognized Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Accredited in Maine and nationally

USM is proud to be accredited by the nationally-recognized Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

More about CCNE accreditation

What information do I need to know about admission application deadlines?

All applications are reviewed after the deadline.

Session	Fall term start	Spring term start
Final	April 1	October 1

Applications will be reviewed after the deadline.

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.
Maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications throughout the program.
Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may submit GRE or MAT scores to be considered.

A personal interview with the 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 (external link)
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.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) (external link)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) (external link)
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. Get additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Yes, these include:

Essay: a 500-word essay that addresses the following topics:
Understanding the nurse practitioner role and reasons for becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Professional goals that will be supported by earning a Master of Science Degree.
The experiences, capacity, and abilities brought to a master’s program.
Reasons for choosing the University to complete this program.

Two letters of recommendation reflecting professional practice and academic achievement. Recommendations should come from individuals with appropriate qualifications, including direct experience with the applicant’s academic or professional work, to allow them to comment on their ability to undertake graduate study and the chosen profession.

Evidence (copied or a PDF) of an unencumbered registered nurse license in Maine.

What are the international student application instructions?

What are the English proficiency test score requirements?

Where do I send my application materials?

Next steps

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