Best AGNP Programs in Kentucky (Online & Campus) – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion BSN, RN

Are you a Kentucky-based RN looking for an advanced practice specialization that will give you a good salary, job security, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives? Think about enrolling in one of the AGNP programs in Kentucky. Adult gerontology nurse practitioners in the Bluegrass State can choose to specialize in acute or primary care. Both specialties command paychecks that average $114,410 annually, and both are in such high demand that job opportunities in their field are expected to jump by 45 percent in the next decade. Sound intriguing? Reading through the list below of the best AGNP programs in Kentucky will help you make up your mind.



FOLLOWING ARE THE BEST AGNP PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025

(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the best campus-based and online AGNP programs in Kentucky.)


1. University Of Louisville - Louisville


Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post Graduate APRN Certificate

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


MSN Program Details: The MSN program at the University of Louisville offers pathways to becoming certified as either an Acute Care or Primary Care Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. The program admits students three times per year in the fall, spring, and summer. Courses are taught in a hybrid format combining on-campus and online learning. Didactic instruction is complemented by clinical practicums relevant to your specific concentration.

The curriculum for both MSN AGNP specialties includes core courses and specialty-focused courses. Students in both pathways complete 34 credits of core coursework. The Acute Care and Primary Care programs also include 15 and 14 credits of specialty-specific coursework, respectively. You will begin the program with core courses, including Health Promotion & Disease Prevention in Culturally Diverse Populations, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Clinical Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing. You will then begin specialty courses, which may include Diagnoses & Management in Acute Care, and Procedures & Diagnostics for the Acute Care NP or Diagnosis & Management of Women’s Health in Primary Care and Diagnosis & Management of Mental Health in Primary Care. A minimum of 672 patient care clinical hours is required for each program option.


MSN Admission Requirements: The University of Louisville utilizes Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) to process applications and verify supplemental documents and transcripts. The school uses a holistic review process to determine which applicants will be admitted. Criteria that are considered include your professional career goals, previous GPA, academic abilities, work experience, community engagement, and leadership skills. Applicants must have one year of work experience in an intensive care setting or one year of RN experience in any area and a commitment to complete one year of ICU work before starting program clinicals.

In addition to completing an application via NursingCAS, you must also provide two letters of recommendation, a professional resume or curriculum vitae, a copy of your unencumbered RN license, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. Candidates with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are preferred.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: For registered nurses who want to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice and become an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Louisville is worth considering.

The BSN-to-DNP program requires a minimum of three years of full-time study. The first year of the DNP program features online learning, while the remainder of the program is delivered in a hybrid format, requiring four to six campus visits per semester. The last two years of the program consist of clinical, professional, and project hours.

When you choose this AGNP program in Kentucky, you will complete 75 or 76 credits, depending on whether you choose the Acute Care or Primary Care pathway. The curriculum includes 61 credits of BSN-to-DNP coursework, after which you will complete your specialty courses and clinicals. All students pursuing the DNP must complete a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. The program culminates with the completion of a DNP project.


BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Louisville, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an institution accredited by the ACEN, CCNE, or NLN and an unencumbered RN license in Kentucky or a Compact State.

Candidates are required to submit a current resume or CV, two letters of professional recommendation, and answers to all questions asked on the NursingCAS application. Additionally, transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended are to be submitted, with a recommended cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Post Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program offers an opportunity for registered nurses with a graduate degree to add a new specialty as an Acute Care or Primary Care Adult Gerontology NP. The program utilizes rolling admission on a monthly basis until a specialty is full. New classes are admitted to both Post-Graduate APRN AGNP pathways each fall, spring, and summer semester. The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program utilizes a structured hybrid format. You are required to attend class on campus four to six times each semester. The remaining class content is delivered online.

The Acute Care AGNP Post-Graduate Certificate pathway features a 29-credit curriculum, and the Primary Care pathway features a 28-credit curriculum. All students must take three prerequisite courses, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Physical Assessment (The 3 P's), to earn the certificate. If you did not complete these classes in your previous nursing program, they will be added to your plan of study to meet program requirements.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses seeking an additional specialty complete a minimum of 504 specialty-specific clinical hours. All other Post-Graduate APRN Certificate students are required to complete at least 672 patient care clinical hours and four professional role practicum hours.


Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program and have an unencumbered RN license from a United States State Board of Nursing. You are required to complete a Graduate Admission Application and pay an application fee. If you wish to pursue the Acute Care AGNP certificate program, you must have one year of RN experience in the ICU before beginning program clinicals.

Additionally, you must provide a Goal Statement, a professional resume or curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your professional and/or academic potential and capabilities, and official transcripts representing all previously completed college coursework. Although not required, a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0 is recommended to make your application more competitive.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• As a nurse educator, I believe simulation is an excellent tool to foster learning and develop skills. At the University of Louisville School of Nursing, you will experience learning opportunities in the outstanding Simulation Center. The University of Louisville is one of only 250 nursing simulation centers accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare worldwide!
• Finding a nursing school/program that has experienced, dedicated faculty is crucial to your success. When I talk to potential nursing students, I suggest reviewing faculty profiles to see what the program has to offer. You can typically find information like this on the program’s webpage or professional profiles, like LinkedIn. The idea is to look for schools whose faculty is comprised of experienced, dedicated instructors. For instance, one faculty member, Dr. Ratchneewan Ross, became the 2025 Health Promoting Behaviors Across the Lifespan Senior Career Award recipient. Other faculty are Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.
• The University of Louisville School of Nursing was established in 1979. Since its culmination, the school has expanded its program offerings to include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and MSN-to-DNP programs. The school’s long history of dedication to nursing education is exemplified by continuous growth and the addition of new, innovative waves to bring you the highest quality program experiences. No wonder it is considered one of the best schools to find AGNP programs in Kentucky!


2. University of Kentucky College of Nursing - Lexington


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and Post Graduate APRN Certificate

BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Post Graduate APRN Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Kentucky College of Nursing offers three options for registered nurses searching for an AGNP program in Kentucky. If you are an RN with a bachelor’s degree, the BSN-to-DNP pathway could be a great choice. This program is designed to provide a pathway to transition to the highest level of clinical practice by earning a DNP while taking specialized courses to prepare for certification as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

The post-bachelor’s DNP program admits students once each year in the fall semester. The program is available in a part-time (5-year) plan and a modified (full-time) 4-year plan. DNP nursing courses are delivered in an online format. Core courses require one hour of campus attendance at the beginning of each semester. DNP specialty courses require attendance on campus from one to six days during each semester.

The BSN-to-DNP pathway requires you to complete 74 credits. The curriculum features classes, including Application of Biostatistics & Epidemiology for Strategic Decision Making, Applications of Advanced Health Assessment, Population Health Assessment, Planning, & Policy, and Evaluating Evidence for Research & Evidence-Based Practice. A total of 1,020 clinical hours is included in the program. You will complete at least 780 direct patient care clinical hours. The remaining clinical hours are earned through the completion of a DNP Project.


BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Prospective students who wish to enroll in the BSN-to-DNP program must hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program and have a current, unencumbered RN license.

You are required to submit three letters of reference (forms are provided by the school), a Personal Statement, a sample of your written scholarly work, a current CV or resume, and copies of all college or university transcripts reflecting an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. A personal interview with the program faculty will be required before an official admission offer is extended. Finally, you must have clinical nursing experience before beginning the first DNP clinical course.

MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Master’s-prepared RNs also have the option to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and specialize as an Acute Care AGNP. The MSN-to-DNP program admits students in the fall semester each year and can be completed in as few as two years full-time, or you can enroll part-time and graduate in three years.

This AGNP program in Kentucky features a 51-credit curriculum. However, students who have not completed the “3 Ps” will be required to take those courses before beginning NP specialty courses. A GAP analysis is conducted for all students to determine whether prior courses may be transferred for credit. All DNP students are required to accomplish at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. The MSN-to-DNP pathway incorporates 1,020 clinical hours into the curriculum. The GAP analysis will determine if you may receive credit for any of the clinical hours from your master’s program.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the MSN-to-DNP program are required to have a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree in nursing from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredit nursing program and proof of a current, unrestricted RN license and APRN license, if applicable. Applications are submitted via NursingCAS.

Applicants must provide three letters of reference, a current curriculum vitae or resume, a Personal Statement, a sample of written scholarly work, and official college/university transcripts. A cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Candidates who meet all other admission criteria will interview with program faculty as a final step in the application process.

Post Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program is designed for nurses who already hold an advanced practice graduate degree in nursing and wish to specialize in the Acute Adult Gerontology population and obtain certification. New students are accepted to the fall and spring semesters each year.

The curriculum includes didactic and clinical courses specific to the Acute Care Adult Gerontology NP role. In this pathway, you will complete 23-32 credits, based on whether you previously took Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology for APN, and Applications of Advanced Health Assessment. The program includes 780 hours of direct patient care clinicals.


Post Graduate APRN Certificate Admission Requirements: The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program is available to applicants who hold a Master of Science or doctoral degree in nursing and have a current, active, unrestricted RN license and APRN license (if applicable) in the state where clinicals will occur. You must complete an application for the UK College of Nursing and choose the Certificate Option. All candidates must provide two references, one of whom is a current supervisor and the other a master's or doctoral degree program advisor or other faculty member. An interview with graduate faculty members is also required.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The University of Kentucky is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the top 9% of DNP programs in the nation. Recognition from reputable sources like U.S. News is something I encourage you to look for when searching for a nursing program. Reputable sources are known for using high-quality standards to rank programs and can give you an idea of whether the program you are considering is worthwhile.
• Graduates of the AGNP programs consistently demonstrate excellent success on national certification exams. According to the school, most graduates pass the exam on their first try, which is a good indication that the program offers adequate training and preparation to meet licensure and certification criteria following graduation.
• If you want to earn your degree and become an AGNP but worry about the cost of going to school, the University of Kentucky may be able to help. Financial aid advisors are available to assist you in identifying financial aid opportunities that could help reduce the cost of your degree. For example, there are several graduate scholarships, including the College of Nursing Millennium Fund and the Pamela Stinson Kidd Memorial Scholarship Fund.


3. Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights


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: If you’re looking for an AGNP program in Kentucky that offers flexibility, consider Northern Kentucky University! At NKU, you can pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with an Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP concentration. The program can be completed in as little as 24 months and offers multiple start times each year, allowing you to begin your studies when you are ready.

The MSN Acute Care AGNP program is a 47-credit hour pathway. The curriculum consists of core courses, specialty courses, and clinical residency courses. Some classes you will take include Human Pathophysiology, Healthcare Policy & Economics in Population Health, Advanced Technologies for Acute Care & Diagnostic Reasoning, and Differential Diagnosis & Disease Management in Acute Care. Additionally, you will complete a total of 750 clinical hours and a Capstone Course.


MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the MSN program, candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or CNEA-accredited program, have a current and unrestricted RN license, and have 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse.

You may begin the admission process by completing an online application and paying an application fee. Additionally, you must provide official transcripts from all the college coursework you have completed. Your transcripts should reflect a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA and show completion of an undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of "C" or better.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: As a master’s-prepared RN, you can build on your existing clinical practice and professional experience and become an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner through the Post-Master’s Certificate program at Northern Kentucky University. The program can be completed in as few as 20 months.

The certificate program offers the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and relevant competencies to provide care to patients from adolescence through old age, experiencing chronic, acute, and complex health conditions. The program requires the completion of a total of 35 credit hours, including core courses and supervised clinical residencies, which have a total of 750 clinical hours.


Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: Candidates desiring admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate program must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned from a program accredited by the ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA. You must have a current, unencumbered RN license and at least 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a licensed Registered Nurse. In addition to submitting an admission application and application fee, you are required to provide verification of your RN license and official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate academic coursework you have completed. A minimum 3.0 grade point average in your MSN graduate coursework is required.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• At Northern Kentucky University, you will learn from faculty with decades of combined experience. They are committed to promoting excellence in education, providing leadership you can be inspired and learn from, and dedicated to your lifelong success!
• One of the greatest concerns for many prospective graduate nursing students is how to pay for their education. Northern Kentucky University understands and works with you to find ways to make your degree affordable and more manageable. For example, all students in the AGNP program pay the same in-state tuition, regardless of their residency status. Additionally, the school offers a pay-by-the-course option, which allows you to make smaller payments as you move from one course to the next.
• The AGNP program at Northern Kentucky University reports high retention and graduation rates as well as excellent first-time pass rates on national certification exams for graduates!


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



HOW MUCH DO AGNP GRADUATES MAKE IN KENTUCKY?


WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF AGNP PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY EXPECT?


Hourly$40.47
Weekly$1,619
Monthly$7,010
Annual$84,170


HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF AGNP PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Entry-Level$40.47$1,619$7,010$84,170
1-4 Years of Experience$45.79$1,832$7,940$95,240
5-9 Years of Experience$54.05$2,162$9,370$112,420
10-19 Years of Experience$60.19$2,408$10,430$125,200
20 Years or More Experience$71.93$2,877$12,470$149,620


WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGNP SALARY IN KENTUCKY?


Hourly$55.00
Weekly$2,200
Monthly$9,530
Annual$114,410


HOW MUCH DO AGNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF KENTUCKY?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Bowling Green$53.18$2,127$9,220$110,620
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox$56.24$2,249$9,750$116,970
Lexington-Fayette$57.42$2,297$9,950$119,430
Louisville/Jefferson County$57.40$2,296$9,950$119,390
Owensboro$56.37$2,255$9,770$117,240



AGNP SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. OTHER SALARIES


AGNP SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. AGNP SALARY IN THE NATION


Average Kentucky
AGNP Annual Salary
Average National
AGNP Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$114,410$133,190-$18,780-14.10%


AGNP SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. AGNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES


StateAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
California$167,450-$53,040-31.68%
Nevada$154,110-$39,700-25.76%
Washington$150,720-$36,310-24.09%
New Jersey$150,340-$35,930-23.90%
Oregon$150,250-$35,840-23.85%
Massachusetts$149,280-$34,870-23.36%
New York$148,050-$33,640-22.72%
Connecticut$141,990-$27,580-19.42%
New Mexico$141,770-$27,360-19.30%
Minnesota$139,950-$25,540-18.25%
District of Columbia$139,780-$25,370-18.15%
Rhode Island$138,340-$23,930-17.30%
Hawaii$137,460-$23,050-16.77%
Arizona$137,410-$23,000-16.74%
Delaware$135,910-$21,500-15.82%
Iowa$135,610-$21,200-15.63%
New Hampshire$135,520-$21,110-15.58%
Texas$134,770-$20,360-15.11%
Wisconsin$133,020-$18,610-13.99%
Maryland$132,670-$18,260-13.76%
Utah$132,500-$18,090-13.65%
North Dakota$132,430-$18,020-13.61%
Pennsylvania$132,110-$17,700-13.40%
Illinois$131,540-$17,130-13.02%
Alaska$130,790-$16,380-12.52%
Vermont$130,710-$16,300-12.47%
Montana$129,200-$14,790-11.45%
Idaho$129,110-$14,700-11.39%
Oklahoma$128,880-$14,470-11.23%
Wyoming$128,080-$13,670-10.67%
Indiana$127,830-$13,420-10.50%
Maine$127,440-$13,030-10.22%
Ohio$127,360-$12,950-10.17%
Colorado$126,450-$12,040-9.52%
Nebraska$126,130-$11,720-9.29%
North Carolina$126,040-$11,630-9.23%
Georgia$125,580-$11,170-8.89%
South Dakota$125,410-$11,000-8.77%
Virginia$125,290-$10,880-8.68%
Michigan$125,090-$10,680-8.54%
Florida$124,090-$9,680-7.80%
Kansas$123,630-$9,220-7.46%
Louisiana$123,010-$8,600-6.99%
Mississippi$121,790-$7,380-6.06%
South Carolina$121,220-$6,810-5.62%
Missouri$120,950-$6,540-5.41%
West Virginia$117,600-$3,190-2.71%
Arkansas$117,560-$3,150-2.68%
Kentucky$114,410$00.00%
Alabama$114,040+$370+0.32%
Tennessee$107,510+$6,900+6.42%


AGNP SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN KENTUCKY


Type of NurseAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Nurse Anesthetist$185,630-$71,220-38.37%
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner$114,410$00.00%
Registered Nurse$81,770+$32,640+39.92%
Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary$79,370+$35,040+44.15%
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse$55,100+$59,310+107.64%
Nursing Assistant$35,980+$78,430+217.98%


AGNP SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN KENTUCKY


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Dentist$186,480-$72,070-38.65%
Optometrist$161,300-$46,890-29.07%
Pharmacist$131,020-$16,610-12.68%
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner$114,410$00.00%
Veterinarian$104,380+$10,030+9.61%
Physician Assistant$99,290+$15,120+15.23%
Radiation Therapist$95,720+$18,690+19.53%
Physical Therapist$87,480+$26,930+30.78%
Occupational Therapist$86,860+$27,550+31.72%
Speech-Language Pathologist$83,310+$31,100+37.33%
Chiropractor$82,040+$32,370+39.46%
Audiologist$76,370+$38,040+49.81%
Dental Hygienist$73,850+$40,560+54.92%



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits AGNP Programs In Kentucky?


S.No.Accrediting Agency
1Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
2Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)


2. How Many Accredited AGNP Schools Are There In Kentucky?


3


3. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Hour In Kentucky?


$55.00


4. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Week In Kentucky?


$2,200


5. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Month In Kentucky?


$9,530


6. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Year In Kentucky?


$114,410


7. What Is The Job Outlook For AGNPs In Kentucky?


10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030)
+45.24%


Darby Faubion BSN, RN
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).



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