Expert acute care for adults and older adults
Our Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) track within the DNP degree program prepares you to care for adults and older adults who are physiologically unstable or at risk for complications, with a focus on the diagnosis and management of acute, critical and complex chronic illnesses or injuries.
AGACNP practice focuses on:
- Stabilizing patients with acute and medically unstable conditions
- Diagnosing and managing acute, critical and complex chronic illnesses or injuries
- Preventing and managing complications
- Providing palliative and end-of-life care
You will learn to care for patients across the adult lifespan, from late adolescence through older adulthood.
Program format
The AGACNP track follows the DNP program’s online model in year one, with required live online sessions and up to one on-campus intensive each quarter. Beginning in year two, you’ll attend regular on-campus coursework and simulation in Seattle alongside your online coursework. Plan for regular travel to campus from year two through completion.
Recommended experience
We strongly recommend at least one year of recent direct patient care experience as a registered nurse in an acute, critical, emergency or similar care setting.
Choosing the right track
The AGACNP track focuses on restorative and complex care for patients with acute and critical illness. If your interests center on health promotion, disease prevention and ongoing primary care, explore our Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track.
The two tracks also differ in format; the primary care track follows the standard DNP model of online coursework with quarterly on-campus intensives.
What makes our DNP-AGACNP track different?
The AGACNP track combines nationally recognized acute care preparation, hands-on simulation and coordinated clinical placements. You’ll build the assessment, diagnostic and procedural skills to care for adults with acute, critical and complex chronic conditions while learning from faculty with expertise in acute care and gerontology.
Ranked No. 11 nationally for gerontology acute care
UW’s DNP gerontology acute care specialty is ranked No. 11 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2026.
Build clinical competency through hands-on simulation
Strengthen point-of-care ultrasound, airway management, vascular access and other advanced procedures in our INACSL-endorsed Simulation Center. Beginning in year two, you’ll practice on campus regularly in a controlled, psychologically safe environment.
We coordinate your clinical placements
UW works with UW Medicine and an extensive network of clinical partners to integrate acute and specialty care experiences into your program plan.
Build the judgment and skills to lead acute care
Curriculum
You’ll build a foundation in population health, health policy, evidence appraisal and translation, leadership and health systems alongside DNP students from every specialty track, while advancing your knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics and comprehensive health assessment.
Specialty coursework in acute and critical illness, diagnostic reasoning and the management of complex conditions leads into a sequence of advanced clinical practica, clinical immersion and your DNP Project. From year two, you’ll come to campus regularly for simulation and selected specialty coursework. The rest of your coursework continues online with required live sessions.
National certifications
Graduates of our DNP-AGACNP program may be eligible to apply for the following national certifications:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (AGACNP-BC): American Nurses Credentialing Center
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC-AG): AACN Certification Corporation
Why choose advanced acute care at UW?
A perspective from the specialty co-director
“I graduated from the UW AGAC-DNP program in 2020 and can say that the education I received was excellent. My coursework was high level, the faculty were amazing clinicians and educators, and my clinical training was superb. We run a fast paced, challenging program with an emphasis on clinical skills, clinical reasoning and management of acute and chronic illness. The UW’s standards are high, and the quality of our graduates reflects this. If this type of setting appeals to you, I would highly recommend applying!”
Experience & impact
“I decided to get my DNP at UW because I knew I wanted to get an advanced degree, stay in acute/critical care and continue to work with patients! I think nurse practitioners make a huge impact in care delivery by providing excellent evidence-based care with an added holistic and individualized approach.”
Application deadlines
You may apply to each specialty track once per admissions year.
Review application requirements
Apply through the UW Graduate School