In Alabama, a rapidly aging population and a shortage of primary healthcare providers are providing terrific opportunities for nurses specializing in adult and geriatric care. As a graduate of one of the many fine AGNP programs in Alabama, you can expect to earn $114,040 a year, and your employment opportunities will go up by 49 percent in just 10 years. Adult gerontology acute care NPs provide potentially life-saving services to critically ill patients, while adult gerontology primary care NPs help close the access-to-care gap in rural and other medically underserved areas. Find out more with this guide to the 4 best AGNP programs in Alabama.
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 4 best campus-based and online AGNP programs in Alabama.)
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Graduate APRN Certificate
RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor’s degree? Do you want to become an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and need to find a good program? If so, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has a pathway just for you! The RN-to-MSN (Second Degree) program is designed for registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing who seek MSN preparation and is one of the best AGNP programs in Alabama. The program offers the option to specialize as an Acute Care or Primary Care AGNP.
The AGNP program is offered in a part-time, distance-learning format that combines synchronous online classes with campus-based intensives and in-person clinicals. Students admitted to the RN-to-MSN pathway are required to complete three bridge courses, which total 11 credits. Once the bridge courses are complete, you will transition to the traditional MSN pathway and can complete the program in six or seven semesters. Both the Acute Care and Primary Care AGNP MSN pathways require 45 additional credits.
MSN Program Details: If you are an RN with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and you want to earn an MSN and become an Adult Gerontology NP, the MSN program at UAB is a great option. The program offers options to specialize in acute or primary care. Admission is twice per year in the fall and summer semesters. Students admitted in the fall complete the program in six semesters, while those beginning in the summer take seven semesters to complete coursework.
The program is part-time and delivered through a distance-accessible format, making it a great option for working nurses. Although coursework is online, it is typically scheduled synchronously and is combined with on-campus intensives and face-to-face clinical practicums.
Both the Primary Care and Acute Care AGNP pathways feature 45-credit curriculum plans. The first year of coursework is dedicated to core and foundation courses. Some of the classes you will take in this program include Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Population Health for Advanced-Level Nursing, and Advanced Pathophysiology. In the second year, you will advance to concentration-specific courses and clinicals.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If advancing your career to the highest practice-focused degree and specializing as an Acute or Primary AGNP is your goal, the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is worth considering. This AGNP program in Alabama admits students in the fall and summer each year and takes nine or ten semesters to complete.
The program is offered in a distance-learning format that combines synchronous online didactic coursework with on-campus clinical specialty track intensives and face-to-face clinical practicum experiences. Students are also required to attend an annual DNP intensive on campus.
The post-bachelor’s DNP AGNP programs feature 79-credit curriculum plans, including 59 credits of didactic coursework and 20 credits of clinical practicums. In this program, you will study Clinical Data Management & Application for Improvement, Advanced Health Assessment & Introduction to Diagnostic Reasoning, and Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Level Nursing. Each specialty’s curriculum plan includes three clinical courses with corresponding clinical practicums. All DNP students complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Additionally, you will complete a DNP Scholarly Project.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: If you are a nurse practitioner seeking a second nurse practitioner specialty as an AGNP, the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program at UAB is an excellent option. The program features online coursework and clinicals near your home, making it an excellent choice for working nurses. Admission is limited to the summer semester annually, and the program can be completed in just four semesters.
An individual program of study is developed for each student based on the results of a GAP analysis. A minimum of 27 credit hours is required to earn the Post-Graduate Certificate.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice category. I encourage all prospective students to look for schools with good reputations and high rankings, especially from reputable sources.Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: The University of Alabama in Huntsville offers an excellent program for individuals seeking a pathway to become an Acute Care Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. This MSN AGNP program in Alabama is delivered in a hybrid format with both online and on-campus components. Admission occurs three times each year in the fall, spring, and summer. The program takes six semesters to complete.
To earn the MSN, you must complete 42 credits. The curriculum features classes focused on professional advanced practiced roles, scholarly inquiry, and advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology. Additionally, you will take clinical courses specific to adult gerontology acute care. Each clinical course has a corresponding clinical practicum. A total of 720 clinical practicum hours is required.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you already have a master’s degree and wish to pursue an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certificate, you should consider the Post-Master’s Certificate option at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The program admits students in the fall each year and takes just four semesters to complete. The hybrid format features campus and online components.
The Post-Master’s Certificate program requires the completion of at least 24 credits and 720 clinical hours. If you have not previously taken Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology within the last two years, those courses will be added to your curriculum plan. Direct patient care clinicals are completed one-on-one with a physician or nurse practitioner at approved clinical sites.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• As a nurse educator, I love the idea of integrating simulated learning into nursing programs. These experiences create real-life scenarios where students can practice and learn new schools in a safe environment. One of the things I find appealing about the University of Alabama in Huntsville is that it has a cutting-edge Nursing Simulation & Learning Innovation Center designed to enhance your campus learning experiences. Some of the Center features include a 16-bed hospital lab, an assessment lab, mock hospital rooms, a Pyxis medication room, and a telehealth cart.Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP New Certificate, and Post-Graduate Certificate
RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual FNP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual FNP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
MSN-to-DNP New Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
Post-Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Family NP/Adult-Gerontological Acute Care NP
RN-to-MSN Program Details: If you are an associate-level registered nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree ready to take your career to the next level by earning an MSN and becoming an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, the University of South Alabama has a program option just for you! New cohorts are admitted in the fall, spring, and summer annually.
The RN-to-MSN program offers three AGNP pathways, including Acute Care, Primary Care, and Dual FNP/AGACNP. While most coursework is delivered in an online format, all students are required to attend on-campus Clinical Skills Intensives. The single specialty pathways require one campus intensive, and the dual specialty pathway requires two intensives.
Students in the RN-to-MSN pathway follow the same degree requirements as students in the MSN track, with the addition of three courses totaling 12 credit hours. After completing the three prerequisite courses, students in the Acute and Primary Care AGNP pathways complete 45 additional credits and 600 clinical hours. Students in the Dual Role FNP/AGACNP pathway complete 57 additional credits and 1,080 clinical hours.
MSN Program Details: Whether you wish to specialize as an Acute, Primary, or Dual FNP/Acute Care AGNP, the University of South Alabama has an MSN pathway for you! The program features online coursework, one or two campus-based Clinical Skills Intensives, and clinical practicums completed in your home region. The MSN program admits students three times per year in the fall, spring, and summer.
Post-baccalaureate MSN students complete between 45 and 57 credits, depending on their chosen specialty. Four of the courses in the master’s curriculum are offered at the doctoral level, which means you can transition to doctoral studies having completed 12 credits toward the DNP.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree and you want to earn your MSN and DNP and become an Adult Gerontology NP, the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of South Alabama is an excellent program choice! The post-baccalaureate DNP program offers three AGNP pathways: Acute Care, Primary Care, and Dual FNP/Acute Care AGNP.
Coursework is offered online, and campus visits are required at the beginning of the clinical portion of the program for intensive classroom simulations and evaluation sessions. Faculty collaborate with students to locate appropriate clinical sites and preceptors as close to their home region as possible.
Each plan of study includes support, MSN specialty, DNP Core, DNP Project Planning & Development, and Residency courses. The Acute Care and Primary Care AGNP programs each require 69 credits and 1,140 clinical hours. The Dual FNP/Acute Care AGNP program is an 81-credit pathway that includes 1,620 credits.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at the University of South Alabama is designed for students who hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree and are already prepared in a specialty offered at the university but wish to earn a doctorate in nursing in the same specialty.
Coursework for this program is offered entirely online with no campus visits required. Additionally, no thesis or dissertation is required. However, a Major Synthesis Project will be completed through the DNP Residency in your home region with an approved mentor/preceptor.
The MSN-to-DNP curriculum consists of 36 credit hours. However, if you graduated with an MSN from the University of South Alabama College of Nursing, you may only need 24 credits to complete the DNP. The program can be completed in five semesters of full-time study. A part-time study plan is also available.
MSN-to-DNP New Certificate Program Details: If you already possess a master’s degree in an area of advanced nursing practice and wish to add an Adult Gerontology NP certification, the MSN-to-DNP New Certificate Program is a great option. In this pathway, you will earn a Post-Graduate Certificate in the AGNP concentration you choose, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The program can be completed in 10 semesters of full-time study or 12 semesters of part-time study. Classes are online and complemented by campus-based intensives and clinical practicums in your home area.
The curriculum for the Primary and Acute Care AGNP pathways of the MSN-to-DNP New Certificate program requires a total of at least 60 credit hours. You will complete specialty courses and support courses, if needed, to earn the Post-Graduate Certificate and DNP Core, DNP Project Planning & Development, and Residency courses to complete the DNP degree. The Dual Role Family NP/Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP pathway requires 72 or 81 credits, depending on whether you need support courses. After verification of your master’s program clinical hours, the total number of clinical and residency hours you need to complete will be determined and factored into your plan of study.
Post-Graduate Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate Certificate AGNP program is designed for students who have already earned a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and wish to complete study to prepare as an Adult Gerontology NP.
The Primary Care and Acute Care Post-Graduate Certificate AGNP pathways require 23 and 24 credits, respectively, and 600 clinical hours each. The Dual Family NP/Acute Care AGNP program is a 36-credit pathway that includes 1,080 clinical hours. You may complete clinicals in your home community or travel to Mobile to complete clinicals through the University of South Alabama Health System.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• As a nurse educator, I believe it is crucial for prospective students to find programs where faculty support is available. This is especially important when programs feature online learning formats, like the AGNP programs at the University of South Alabama. The university promotes good faculty/student relationships and communication, ensuring faculty and staff are available to support you by phone, email, and other forms of communication throughout the program.Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you’re ready to advance your career by becoming an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, another excellent school to consider is Jacksonville State University. This AGNP program in Alabama admits new classes in the fall of each year. The program takes four years (12 consecutive semesters) to complete.
The program offers online didactic courses blended with some campus requirements to complete orientation, simulated learning activities, and presentation of your DNP Scholarly Project. Following completion of the spring semester of the third year, an MSN degree is conferred. You will then continue the next four semesters to earn the DNP.
The BSN-to-DNP program is a 69-credit pathway. In this program, you will take classes, including Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing, Health Promotion & Disease Prevention for Advanced Nursing Practice, Biostatistics & Translating Evidence. The curriculum includes four AGNP clinical courses with corresponding clinicals and three AGACNP residencies. You will complete a minimum of 1,330 clinical hours.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At Jacksonville State University, you will have dedicated support from the College of Health Professions & Wellness Advisors. Faculty and staff work with you to ensure you have access to the right resources and support to promote your success in the program and your career!| Hourly | $40.34 |
| Weekly | $1,613 |
| Monthly | $6,990 |
| Annual | $83,900 |
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $40.34 | $1,613 | $6,990 | $83,900 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $45.64 | $1,826 | $7,910 | $94,930 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $53.88 | $2,155 | $9,340 | $112,060 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $60.00 | $2,400 | $10,400 | $124,800 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $71.70 | $2,868 | $12,430 | $149,130 |
| Hourly | $54.83 |
| Weekly | $2,193 |
| Monthly | $9,500 |
| Annual | $114,040 |
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville | $57.86 | $2,314 | $10,030 | $120,350 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $52.54 | $2,102 | $9,110 | $109,290 |
| Birmingham-Hoover | $56.70 | $2,268 | $9,830 | $117,930 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $55.41 | $2,217 | $9,610 | $115,260 |
| Decatur | $54.05 | $2,162 | $9,370 | $112,430 |
| Dothan | $51.00 | $2,040 | $8,840 | $106,080 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $49.96 | $1,998 | $8,660 | $103,920 |
| Gadsden | $54.83 | $2,193 | $9,500 | $114,040 |
| Huntsville | $53.77 | $2,151 | $9,320 | $111,850 |
| Mobile | $52.76 | $2,111 | $9,150 | $109,750 |
| Montgomery | $56.05 | $2,242 | $9,720 | $116,590 |
| Tuscaloosa | $53.63 | $2,145 | $9,300 | $111,550 |
| Average Alabama AGNP Annual Salary | Average National AGNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $114,040 | $133,190 | -$19,150 | -14.38% |
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $167,450 | -$53,410 | -31.90% |
| Nevada | $154,110 | -$40,070 | -26.00% |
| Washington | $150,720 | -$36,680 | -24.34% |
| New Jersey | $150,340 | -$36,300 | -24.15% |
| Oregon | $150,250 | -$36,210 | -24.10% |
| Massachusetts | $149,280 | -$35,240 | -23.61% |
| New York | $148,050 | -$34,010 | -22.97% |
| Connecticut | $141,990 | -$27,950 | -19.68% |
| New Mexico | $141,770 | -$27,730 | -19.56% |
| Minnesota | $139,950 | -$25,910 | -18.51% |
| District of Columbia | $139,780 | -$25,740 | -18.41% |
| Rhode Island | $138,340 | -$24,300 | -17.57% |
| Hawaii | $137,460 | -$23,420 | -17.04% |
| Arizona | $137,410 | -$23,370 | -17.01% |
| Delaware | $135,910 | -$21,870 | -16.09% |
| Iowa | $135,610 | -$21,570 | -15.91% |
| New Hampshire | $135,520 | -$21,480 | -15.85% |
| Texas | $134,770 | -$20,730 | -15.38% |
| Wisconsin | $133,020 | -$18,980 | -14.27% |
| Maryland | $132,670 | -$18,630 | -14.04% |
| Utah | $132,500 | -$18,460 | -13.93% |
| North Dakota | $132,430 | -$18,390 | -13.89% |
| Pennsylvania | $132,110 | -$18,070 | -13.68% |
| Illinois | $131,540 | -$17,500 | -13.30% |
| Alaska | $130,790 | -$16,750 | -12.81% |
| Vermont | $130,710 | -$16,670 | -12.75% |
| Montana | $129,200 | -$15,160 | -11.73% |
| Idaho | $129,110 | -$15,070 | -11.67% |
| Oklahoma | $128,880 | -$14,840 | -11.51% |
| Wyoming | $128,080 | -$14,040 | -10.96% |
| Indiana | $127,830 | -$13,790 | -10.79% |
| Maine | $127,440 | -$13,400 | -10.51% |
| Ohio | $127,360 | -$13,320 | -10.46% |
| Colorado | $126,450 | -$12,410 | -9.81% |
| Nebraska | $126,130 | -$12,090 | -9.59% |
| North Carolina | $126,040 | -$12,000 | -9.52% |
| Georgia | $125,580 | -$11,540 | -9.19% |
| South Dakota | $125,410 | -$11,370 | -9.07% |
| Virginia | $125,290 | -$11,250 | -8.98% |
| Michigan | $125,090 | -$11,050 | -8.83% |
| Florida | $124,090 | -$10,050 | -8.10% |
| Kansas | $123,630 | -$9,590 | -7.76% |
| Louisiana | $123,010 | -$8,970 | -7.29% |
| Mississippi | $121,790 | -$7,750 | -6.36% |
| South Carolina | $121,220 | -$7,180 | -5.92% |
| Missouri | $120,950 | -$6,910 | -5.71% |
| West Virginia | $117,600 | -$3,560 | -3.03% |
| Arkansas | $117,560 | -$3,520 | -2.99% |
| Kentucky | $114,410 | -$370 | -0.32% |
| Alabama | $114,040 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Tennessee | $107,510 | +$6,530 | +6.07% |
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $173,370 | -$59,330 | -34.22% |
| Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $114,040 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $87,360 | +$26,680 | +30.54% |
| Registered Nurse | $71,370 | +$42,670 | +59.79% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $48,320 | +$65,720 | +136.01% |
| Nursing Assistant | $31,280 | +$82,760 | +264.58% |
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $179,000 | -$64,960 | -36.29% |
| Podiatrist | $129,560 | -$15,520 | -11.98% |
| Pharmacist | $126,960 | -$12,920 | -10.18% |
| Optometrist | $115,970 | -$1,930 | -1.66% |
| Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $114,040 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Veterinarian | $111,030 | +$3,010 | +2.71% |
| Physical Therapist | $96,950 | +$17,090 | +17.63% |
| Physician Assistant | $96,210 | +$17,830 | +18.53% |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,680 | +$19,360 | +20.45% |
| Audiologist | $84,760 | +$29,280 | +34.54% |
| Radiation Therapist | $83,580 | +$30,460 | +36.44% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,510 | +$38,530 | +51.03% |
| Chiropractor | $72,540 | +$41,500 | +57.21% |
| Dental Hygienist | $54,460 | +$59,580 | +109.40% |
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
| 4 |
| $54.83 |
| $2,193 |
| $9,500 |
| $114,040 |
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +49.12% |




Darby Faubion BSN, RN