Master of Science in Nursing and Post-Graduate
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner option prepares graduates to care for adults from adolescence throughout the lifespan. A holistic and multidisciplinary approach to care focuses on health promotion, disease prevention, and illness management. A systems approach also is used to assess, diagnose, and manage common episodic and chronic health problems in young, middle and older adults.

Graduates of the advanced practice degrees are eligible to take national certification exams and eligible for licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse in Texas.  Requirements for other states vary and graduates should check individual state requirements prior to applying for an advanced practice status or license. 

Cizik School of Nursing is one of the highest ranking graduate nursing program in Texas according to US News and World Report.

The Curriculum

The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care track offers courses online and in the classroom to provide students with a flexible schedule. This hybrid format allows students to work and go to school. It also provides critical in-classroom experiences that provide networking time with colleagues, as well as access to notable speakers and leaders located within and around the Texas Medical Center.

The Adult/Gerontology Primary Care MSN consists of 41 credits and includes 660 precepted clinical hours. Clinical hours are co-managed and arranged between the faculty and student. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification examination offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).

The program can be completed in as few as five (5) semesters (full-time), or up to eight (8) semesters as a part-time student. Students seeking the five semester option should apply for summer entry. Additionally starting Fall 2020, the School will offer the BSN to DNP - Nurse Practitioner program with an option to specialize as an Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. More information about this option is available on the BSN to DNP website. 

Student Support

Each student will be assigned an academic advisor at the time of admission to the program. The student and the academic advisor will complete a degree plan to specify which courses will be taken to complete the degree requirements. Degree plan policy and procedures may be found in MSN Program Policy G5320 (pdf).

Additional details on preceptorships are available for review in the Preceptor Guidelines. This webpage provides an outline of criteria for selection of preceptors and clinical sites, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the student, preceptor, faculty, and clinical site in the precepted clinical experience.

Tuition and Financial Assistance 

Cizik School of Nursing is proud of its commitment to graduate education through the offering of merit and need-based scholarships and grants. The application process is competitive and begins during the application review cycle. To be considered for a Cizik SON award, please submit the School of Nursing Scholarship Application after applying for admission. To receive the greatest amount of consideration, interested students are encouraged to apply by the MSN priority application deadline date. 

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program, doctor of nursing practice program, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at the Cizik School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Track Directors

LaDawna Goering, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, ADM

Coordinator, Adult/Gero Primary Care Track (Email)