
Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program - RN to MSN
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RN to Master of Science in Nursing in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners play a critical role in health promotion and disease prevention for adults as they age. At South University, the RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program offers a path to earning an MSN that focuses on gerontology and adult care and entering into advanced nursing practice. Through interactive coursework, thoughtful discussions, and supervised practicum experiences, this RN to MSN program can prepare you to exercise advanced leadership, clinical judgment, critical thinking, and communication in diverse primary care settings. Across the curriculum, you’ll develop expertise in preventing, diagnosing, and treating common health problems, focusing on at-risk and vulnerable populations.
South University’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program meets the core competencies for Adult Health Nurse Practitioners outlined by the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and allows you to develop and practice the skills required for the national certification exams (ANCC; AANP). The program also incorporates key elements from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master's Essentials.
*South University does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to South University.
Admission Requirements
Procedure for Admission to the RN to Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The criteria to determine admission to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program include:
- Completion of the application for admission.
- An associate's degree in nursing from an accredited collegiate institution, or a diploma in nursing from an accredited institution.
- A cumulative CGPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
- Submission of official transcripts from every college or university attended within 5*/10 weeks after the initial start date. *Effective March 22, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Montgomery campus or High Point Off Campus Instructional Site will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective April 1, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Richmond and West Palm Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective May 31, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Tampa and Orlando campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective July 12, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Austin and Columbia campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation. *Effective August 16, 2022 - Students beginning classes at the Savannah and Virginia Beach campuses will have five weeks to submit acceptable documentation.
- A valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse in all US states or territory in which the student is licensed, including the state in which the student completes all assignments for the program. (Note that military, federal, and foreign educated nurses must meet this state requirement for nursing licensure).
Note: In order to progress into Graduate level nursing courses, a student must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 may transition to the RN to BSN program to complete their BSN and then apply for the MSN program.
Course Requirements
RN to Master of Science in Nursing
Area I: General Education: 76 Credits
A transcript evaluation is completed for each student to transfer in up to 90 general education credits. For students to receive block transfer credit for General Education courses, they must meet the standard outlined in the General Education Transfer Credit policy.
Professional Development
- AHS1001 Medical Terminology 4 credit hours
- ITS1000 Computer and Internet Literacy 4 credit hours
Basic Communications
- ENG1100 Composition I 4 credit hours
- ENG1200 Composition II 4 credit hours
- ENG1300 Composition III 4 credit hours
- SPC1026 Public Speaking 4 credit hours
Mathematics and Statistics
- MAT1001 College Algebra I 4 credit hours
- MAT1500 College Mathematics 4 credit hours
- MAT2058 Statistics 4 credit hours
Natural Sciences
- BIO1011 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 credit hours
(must be taken concurrently with BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab) - BIO1012 Anatomy and Physiology I Lab 2 credit hours
- BIO1013 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 credit hours
(must be taken concurrently with BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab) - BIO1014 Anatomy and Physiology II Lab 2 credit hours
Arts and Humanities (chose two)
- ENG2002 World Literature I: From the Ancient World to the Middle Ages 4 credit hours
- ENG2003 World Literature II: From Enlightenment to Modernity 4 credit hours
- ENG2011 Introduction to American Literature: 1865 to present 4 credit hours
- HIS1101 U.S. History I: Colonial to 1865 4 credit hours
- HIS1102 U.S. History II: 1865 to Present 4 credit hours
- HUM1001 History of Art through the Middle Ages 4 credit hours
- HUM1002 History of Art from the Middle Ages to Modern Times 4 credit hours
- HUM2101 World Civilization I: Prehistory to 1500 C.E. 4 credit hours
- HUM2102 World Civilization II: 1500 to Present 4 credit hours
- PHI2301 Introduction to Philosophy 4 credit hours
- REL1001 World Religions 4 credit hours
Social and Behavioral Sciences
- PSY1001 General Psychology 4 credit hours
- PSY2022 Human Growth and Development 4 credit hours
- SOC1001 Introduction to Sociology 4 credit hours
General Education Elective (Choose Two)
- BIO1020 Biology I 4 credit hours
- BIO1021 Biology II 4 credit hours
- ECO2071 Principles of Microeconomics 4 credit hours
- ECO2072 Principles of Macroeconomics 4 credit hours
- ENG2002 World Literature I: From the Ancient World to the Middle Ages 4 credit hours
- ENG2003 World Literature II: From Enlightenment to Modernity 4 credit hours
- ENG2011 Introduction to American Literature: 1865 to present 4 credit hours
- HIS1101 U.S. History I: Colonial to 1865 4 credit hours
- HIS1102 U.S. History II: 1865 to Present 4 credit hours
- HUM1001 History of Art through the Middle Ages 4 credit hours
- HUM1002 History of Art from the Middle Ages to Modern Times 4 credit hours
- HUM2101 World Civilization I: Prehistory to 1500 C.E. 4 credit hours
- HUM2102 World Civilization II: 1500 to Present 4 credit hours
- MAT1500 College Mathematics 4 credit hours
- PHI2301 Introduction to Philosophy 4 credit hours
- POL2076 American Government 4 credit hours
- REL1001 World Religions 4 credit hours
- SOC1001 Introduction to Sociology 4 credit hours
- UVC1000 Strategies for Success 4 credit hours
Area II Foundation Requirements: 14 Credits
- BIO2070 Microbiology 4 credit hours
(must be taken concurrently with BIO2071 or BIO2073) - BIO2071 Microbiology Lab 2 credit hours (online)
OR - BIO2073 Microbiology Laboratory 2 credit hours (campuses)
(required for BSN; RN to BSN students ONLY can take either) - CHM1010 General Chemistry 4 credit hours
- NTR2050 Nutrition 4 credit hours
Undergraduate Nursing (45 transfer credits + 36 credits from South University)
- NSG3007 Foundations for Professional Nursing 4 credit hours
- NSG3029 Foundations of Nursing Research 4 credit hours
- NSG3039 Information Management and Technology 4 credit hours
- NSG4028 Concepts of Teaching and Learning 4 credit hours
- NSG4029 Leadership in a Diverse Society 4 credit hours
- NSG4055 Illness and Disease Management Across the Life Span 4 credit hours
- NSG4067 Gerontological Nursing 4 credit hours
- NSG4068 Trends in Healthcare Policy 4 credit hours
- NSG4074 Health Promotion and Clinical Prevention 4 credit hours
Graduate Nursing (Students must complete core credits and one specialization)
MSN Core: 20 Credits
- NSG5000 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse: Transformational Leadership in Advanced Practice 4 credit hours
- NSG5002 Advanced Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing 4 credit hours
- NSG5003 Advanced Pathophysiology 4 credit hours
- NSG6002 Health Policy and Health Promotion in Advanced Nursing Practice 4 credit hours
- NSG6101 Nursing Research Methods 4 credit hours
Specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 36 Credits for Specialization, 227 Total Credits for Program
Offered at South University, Online Programs.
- NSG6001 Advanced Nursing Practice I 4 credit hours
- NSG6005 Advanced Pharmacology 4 credit hours
- NSG6006 Pre-Specialty Evaluation 0 credit hours
- NSG6020 Advanced Health and Physical Assessment 6 credit hours
- NSG6021 Pre-Clinical Evaluation 0 credit hours *
- NSG6320 Practicum I: Adult Health - Adults and Gerontology 6 credit hours
- NSG6330 Practicum II Adult Health: Women’s Health 6 credit hours
- NSG6340 Practicum III: Adult Health - Primary Care 6 credit hours
- NSG6999 Graduate Project in Nursing 4 credit hours
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*If the student receives a failing grade in NSG6021, the student must enroll in and pass the following four (4)-credit hour course: NSG6023 Nurse Practitioner Enhancement.
For the most up to date information on course requirements, please visit the academic catalog.
Outcomes
Offered at Savannah, Online Programs, and Tampa.
Note: Not all Online Program offerings are available to residents of all U.S. states. Please contact an admissions representative for further information.
The RN to Master of Science in Nursing program allows students with strong academic backgrounds to reduce the number of courses required in the undergraduate component of the program. Students substitute certain graduate courses for undergraduate nursing courses. The program includes integrated practica experience, didactic instruction, and a summative project to assess individual student learning outcomes.
Students who successfully complete all requirements of RN to Master of Science in Nursing program will be awarded the Master of Science in Nursing degree.*
* Note: Students interested in a BSN should confer with their Academic Counselor or Program Director.
Online Classroom
Haven’t experienced online learning before or wondering what it’s like to earn your degree online at South University? While the mode of learning is different from the traditional classroom experience with added convenience and flexibility, we hold the same high standards of academic excellence in the online classroom.
South University’s online programs combine a curriculum designed for student outcomes and a classroom designed for flexibility and engagement. Our online classroom learning platform, Brightspace, provides you with a host of features to enhance your learning experience, including:
- Advanced media content
- Personalized navigation
- Simplified online learning atmosphere
- Access to digital books
- Emailing and instant messaging options
We provide more than just an online classroom, bringing a range of campus experiences and services online. In addition, the online classroom is accessible on the go via mobile devices and with tools like the Pulse App. Pulse helps you stay connected and on track with your course by providing a number of features such as course calendars, readings and assignments, feedback and grades, and announcements.
Read more about online requirements here.
Comments and Concerns
All Fields Are Required
The purpose of this form is to provide a process for the general public to submit comments, concerns, or complaints regarding their interaction with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Post Graduate Certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice program. A record of all complaints will be maintained and secured by campus administration. If you are a South University student, please submit your comments, concerns, or complaints according to the process outlined in the University Catalog or programmatic handbook. Please contact your Program Director or Academic Counselor if you need additional guidance.
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Campuses offer flexible learning formats including:
on-campus, virtual instructions and online courses.
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Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).