8 Best ACNP Programs in New York (Online & Campus) – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Acute care nurse practitioners in the Empire State work with patients whose illnesses have had a sudden onset or whose injuries are potentially life-threatening. ACNPs make $149,430 on average, and demand for their services is projected to increase by 56 percent within the next decade. While some ACNPs work primarily with adults and senior citizens, others specialize in caring for acutely ill children. Acute care nurse practitioners must stay calm and focused at all times because their patients can be labile. Interested in learning more about ACNP programs in New York? Read on to learn about the 8 best ACNP programs in New York for 2025.


FOLLOWING ARE THE 8 BEST ACNP PROGRAMS IN NEW YORK (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 8 best campus-based and online ACNP programs in New York.)


1. Columbia University - New York


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: The best ACNP programs in New York equip you with top-notch skills and critical thinking and evidence-based practice to provide care to the state’s diverse patient population. If you are passionate about caring for critically ill adults and elderly patients, then obtaining your training from Columbia University may be a good idea. The university’s nursing school has been at the forefront of producing proficient nursing professionals for more than 100 years now. Whether you want to achieve the pinnacle of nursing education or want to transform healthcare, the college’s BSN to DNP program will equip you with the required skills and knowledge to achieve your goals.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This ACNP program in New York leads to a doctoral degree in nursing and the AGACNP certification. The curriculum builds on your BSN and requires completion of 78 to 79 credits. The coursework trains you to provide care for critical patients from young adulthood through old age. Here, your training includes ample clinical experiences in various intensive care units, including trauma, neurosurgery, cardiology, surgery, etc. The clinical placements are provided in the New York metropolitan area. Some of the courses that you take include acute & critical care pharmacology, advanced clinical assessment, health policy & advocacy, health promotion & disease prevention, and informatics for practice.


2. New York University - New York


Programs Offered: MSN, DNP (BSN-to-DNP), and Post-Master’s Certificate

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Primary Care/Acute Care

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care


About the School: Do you see yourself serving patients in acute care settings? Does the thought of spending time with children or the elderly make you happy? If you’ve answered yes to both these questions, then are ready to take your nursing career to the next level of becoming an acute care NP. Enrolling in one of the best ACNP programs in New York such as the ones offered by New York University should be high on your priority list.

At this school, you will be taught by expert faculty who are acute care practitioners and preceptors. With a focus on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills, the college ensures you gain plenty of hands-on practice before transitioning to clinicals. You will engage in simulation training in acute and critical care at the college’s state-of-art simulation lab. Further, to hone skills in clinical procedures such as ultrasound, chest tube insertion, and central line placement, you will take a course in procedures. Thereafter, when you transition to clinical training, you will be provided practical learning experiences at various sites in NY and greater NY areas.

At NYU, you can enter the MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate with specialization options in adult-gerontology acute care and pediatric primary care/acute care.

MSN Program Details: This MSN program leads to a certification either as Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Primary Care/Acute Care, based on the specialization track you choose.

The AGACNP program comprises 51 credits in core courses, advanced core courses, and specialty-specific courses. In addition to the didactic courses, the college provides students with meaningful clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings, including medicine, surgery, cardiology, rapid response services, intensive care, post-anesthesia care, and in emergency rooms.

On the other hand, the Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Primary Care/Acute Care is a dual specialization track where you master skills in acute as well as primary care of infants, children, and adolescents. The credits required for graduation are around 51, including 15 credits in primary care and 11 credits in the acute care specialty. To fulfill the clinical requirements, the college provides opportunities to practice skills in pediatric specialties including pulmonary, cardiovascular, oncology, endocrine, and musculoskeletal settings.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This acute care nurse practitioner program in New York offers three entry points, after a BSN, after a master's, or after your master's and APRN certification. Regardless of what point you enter, you will obtain the highest level of skills in adult gerontology acute care. While after your BSN, you may require earning around 70 credits, the track for registered nurses with a master's is tailored based on a gap analysis. Whereas the advanced standing option which is open to APRNs with a master's requires completion of at least 36 credits and 400 clinical hours. All three options offer part-time schedules, with mainly on-campus coursework. As a graduate of this program, you will gain leadership skills to impact change in the healthcare of acutely ill patients.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The post-master’s certificate is offered with options in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Pediatric Acute Care, so you can choose your population focus based on your interests and career goals. Regardless of what you choose, the minimum required credits for graduation are 11 to 13, however, the exact graduation requirements will be determined after a gap analysis.


3. Pace University - New York


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Is graduating from one of the best ACNP programs in New York high on your mind? If so, you can consider enrolling in one of Pace University’s ACNP programs. Here, you can apply to the MSN or the post-master’s certificate program and train as an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.

Pace employs faculty who are accomplished in the field and have years of experience in advanced practice nursing. Also, the college takes practical learning seriously, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepped to play the role of critical caregiver. It provides ample simulation learning opportunities at its state-of-art lab before you transition into your clinical placement at various acute care settings.

MSN Program Details: This ACNP program in New York is open to registered nurses with an accredited baccalaureate degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0. The curriculum requires you to complete 42 credits and 550 clinical hours. You will take classes in the online and on-campus format. The courses you take include pathophysiology for advanced practice nursing, clinical pharmacology, leadership, advanced nursing in primary health care, and the management of adult-gerontology care.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: This post-graduate certificate program is offered only on-campus. The 30-credit coursework is designed for MSN-prepared APRNs who have at least one year of experience in acute care. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to take the AGACNP certification exam.


4. University of Rochester - Rochester


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care


About the School: The University of Rochester has consistently produced top-notch quality NPs who are in demand among local employers. The college offers some of the reputable ACNP programs in New York in the form of its MSN, BSN to DNP, and post-master’s certificate programs. Ranked among the best graduate nursing schools in the U.S. News & World Report’s list, here, you will receive instructions from a distinguished faculty, most of whom are involved with path-breaking research in various advanced practice nursing specialties. Also, the university’s medical center which is a leading healthcare center provides students with several interprofessional learning opportunities and meaningful clinical experiences. Further, with more than 500 NP preceptors and extensive clinical partnerships across the ‘Empire State’, you can easily secure a placement for your clinical training.

MSN Program Details: To complete this MSN-ACNP program in New York, you must earn 47 credits and 672 clinical hours. The program prepares you for the advanced specialized care of adults and geriatric patients in various acute care settings. Equipped with exceptional professional skills, graduates of the program are serving patients in intensive care units and a variety of specialties, including cardiology, medicine, trauma, and surgery. Here, the professional core courses that you take educate you on advanced physiology & pathophysiology, public policy in the health care system, evidence-based practice, advanced assessment, evaluation & management of common health problems, and finally the management of adult gerontology acute care.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: By earning the terminal nursing degree, not only will you be able to transform health within your chosen focus, but you will also advance your nursing career to the leadership level. One of the highly-ranked DNP programs in the country as per the U.S. News & World Report, this BSN to DNP program in adult gerontology acute care can be a good option. The coursework is offered through a part-time schedule, so if you are working, you will be able to seamlessly juggle your education with a full-time job.

To graduate, you must complete MSN core courses, AGACNP-specific courses, and DNP course courses. Post your BSN, you will complete almost 47 credits of MSN and AGACNP courses, after which you complete another 36 credits in the DNP core courses. While MSN and AGACNP core courses equip you with the skills to provide care to adults and elderly patients suffering from critical health conditions, the DNP coursework emphasizes healthcare leadership. Through the DNP courses, you will learn about quality safety & informatics, population health, health policy development, application of evidence-based knowledge in healthcare, interprofessional partnerships, and healthcare financial management.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: To be considered for admission into this post-master’s certificate program, you must have a bachelor’s degree, a minimum GPA of 3.0, an active RN licensure, and an APRN license. By completing this AGACNP coursework, you will be able to add an in-demand specialty to your advanced practice nursing. Your coursework will be customized, depending on the courses you have completed in your previous nursing degree.


5. St. John Fisher College - Rochester


Programs Offered: MSN and BSN-to-DNP

MSN Concentrations: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Do you care about making a difference in the lives of critically ill patients? Do you want to launch your career in an in-demand NP field? If your answer is yes, then a career as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner will be perfect for you. St. John Fisher College offers some excellent ACNP programs that can be considered an option to start your journey as an adult-gerontology, acute caregiver. Counted among the best ACNP programs in New York, the graduate school ranks among the top in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Here, you can enter either the MSN or the BSN to DNP program, based on your educational background.

MSN Program Details: This MSN program can prepare you for the AGACNP certification through an on-campus or online coursework. Regardless of whether you enroll in the online or on-campus format, graduation requires the completion of 46 to 47 credits and around 600 clinical hours of practice. The program starts with 21 to 22 credits in scholarship core, then progresses to 9 credits in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and diagnostic reasoning. Finally, you will complete 16 credits in AGACNP-specific courses.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are seeking doctoral education, then here you can achieve this goal, seamlessly within three years of full-time study. This acute care nurse practitioner program in New York also offers a part-time track and delivers the coursework through a hybrid format. To graduate, you must complete around 62 post-BSN credits and a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical training. Upon enrolment, you must ensure to score at least a grade B in all the courses to successfully progress through the program.


6. Hofstra Northwell - Hempstead


Programs Offered: MSN, DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)/Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Hofstra Northwell stands out among the other ACNP programs in New York for offering a unique dual track in adult gerontology acute care and nurse anesthesia. This unique dual specialization, offered through its DNP, can provide you with a much greater edge in the field of advanced practice nursing. Alternatively, if you are looking at advancing your career in adult gerontology acute, then you have options, an MSN, DNP, or a post-graduate certificate. With an impressive pass rate on the AGACNP certification exam along with an excellent placement rate, the college certainly seems to be training graduates for success. In small-sized classes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, at Hofstra, you will receive individualized attention and be able to nurture meaningful lifelong bonds with your peers and faculty.

MSN Program Details: This ACNP program in New York is a 51-credit program, open to RNs with a BSN. Additionally, before admission, you must have at least two years of experience in acute care. The patient-centered curriculum prepares you to provide holistic care to improve the health of acutely ill adults and elderly patients. Offered on a part-time basis, the program spans three years and educates you on advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, evidence-based knowledge, population health, health policy, and leadership. You will also master skills in the principles of ECG, and advanced adult gerontology acute care.

DNP Program Details: This DNP program is offered with two track options; Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)/Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

The DNP-AGACNP program offers two entry points; post-BSN and post-MSN either in AGACNP, FNP, or PMHNP. If you enter after a BSN, you will complete 73 credits over three years. Whereas when entering after an MSN, you will receive advanced standing into the program, for which degree requirements will be customized based on a gap analysis.

To be eligible for the dual Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)/Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program, you must have a BSN and an active RN license. Graduation requires the completion of 97.5 credits on a full-time basis, offered on-campus. The program also includes a nurse anesthesia residency. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the national certification exam for the AGACNP and the CRNA position. As a graduate of this innovative dual specialty program, you will be able to equipped with the skills and knowledge to administer anesthesia, mainly focusing on critically ill patients.

Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: Ideal for APRNs with an MSN, this acute care nurse practitioner program in New York can take you closer to your goal of becoming an AGACNP. All you need to complete is a minimum of 26.5 credits in health information, population health, health policy, health literacy, evidence-based knowledge, and advanced adult gerontology in acute care.


7. Molloy College - Rockville Centre


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master's Advanced Certificate

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master's Advanced Certificate Concentrations: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Molloy College can be your go-to nursing school to complete an education in adult gerontology acute care. With affordable tuition fees and excellent quality education, the college’s acute care programs are one of the well-known ACNP programs in New York. The college offers an MSN, BSN to DNP, and a post-masters certificate program in combination with the AGACNP specialization.

MSN Program Details: This MSN program requires the completion of 45 credits in core courses, elective courses, advanced practice core, and clinical courses. You will learn about the theoretical applications of transformative leadership, reflective practice & advocacy, and research and evidence-based practice knowledge. You will also learn about advanced pathophysiology, advanced physical assessment, pharmacotherapeutics and gain an understanding of the role of an NP.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This acute care nurse practitioner program in New York builds up on your BSN education and takes you to the highest level of a doctorate. Offered on a part-time basis, the program takes five years to complete. To graduate, you must complete 67 to 70 credits and a minimum of 1000 clinical hours. By gaining proficiency in core graduate and AGCNP-specific courses, you will be prepared to offer the highest level of healthcare in various acute care settings.

Post-Master's Advanced Certificate Program Details: This program requires the completion of 30 AGACNP credits and 500 clinical hours. You will complete this certificate program on a part-time basis. If you are already certified as an AGNP and are seeking to specialize in acute care, then you may seek enrollment after a gap analysis. This means the exact credit requirements will be based on the coursework previously completed by you in your AGNP training. However, a minimum of six credits and 300 clinical hours must be completed from Molloy for such students.


8. The Sage College - Troy


Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate

MSN Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse


About the School: If you’ve decided to enter the in-demand field of acute care, it is prudent that you obtain your professional skills from one of the credible acute care nurse practitioner programs in New York. Sage College can be a great option as here the education is aligned with the changing demands of the healthcare industry. Through its MSN and post-master’s certificate, the college trains graduates who are desired by employers for their exceptional skills and knowledge. With an experience of more than 100 years in training proficient nursing professionals, the college produces nurse leaders, most of whom are playing pivotal leadership roles in the New York Capital region. Aside from this, if you are working in an organization that is a member of the Health Alliance Agreement, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on tuition costs.

MSN Program Details: This acute care nurse practitioner program in New York is open to BSN graduates having an active RN license. Also, to fulfill the eligibility criteria, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Upon enrollment into the MSN-AGACNP program, you may take the part-time or full-time schedule, based on your convenience. To graduate, you require completing around 47 credits in graduate core and specialty-specific courses. Upon completion of this program, you will be eligible to take the AGACNP certification exam.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: By using your graduate nursing education, you can complete this post master’s certificate program and expand your scope of practice in adult gerontology acute care. While the graduation requirements for this program are not defined, you will complete your coursework based on a gap analysis.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



Best ACNP Programs in Other States