Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Program
Adult-Gerontology CNS Program Overview
Kent State's Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS) program will prepare you for a unique, multi-faceted role in advanced nursing practice.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) play an essential role in healthcare. Similar to their Nurse Practitioner (NP) colleagues, many CNSs provide specialized advanced nursing care. However, CNSs also work behind-the-scenes to ensure that patients in their units and across their organizations are receiving the highest quality care.
Every CNSs' responsibilities are unique. When they are not providing care, the CNS may be found advocating for patients and their families, leading interdisciplinary healthcare teams to promote patient and organizational outcomes, teaching and consulting nurses, conducting nursing research, and/or influencing policy both within their organization and across the healthcare system.
As the population in this country grows older, CNSs who have an adult and gerontological population-focus are increasingly called upon for their distinctive expertise in applying evidence-based practice guidelines and addressing skyrocketing health care costs.
In the CNS program, you will develop the necessary competencies to practice as a CNS for patients spanning the entire adult to older-adult spectrum. These include direct care, consultation, systems leadership, collaboration, coaching, research, ethical decision-making, moral agency, and advocacy.
Class and clinical experiences focus on providing advanced nursing care across the health continuum, from wellness to acute care. The Adult-Gerontology CNS program curriculum is verified by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for the Acute Care CNS–Adult-Gerontological certification.
Why Kent State? We offer you:
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Expert faculty. You will receive faculty mentorship and advising from nationally certified advanced practice nurses, as well as active researchers with decades of experience.
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Excellent online courses. Classes in the AGCNS program are held 100% online and delivered by expert nurses via leading edge instructional technology.
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Maximum flexibility. Choose the path that is best for you – MSN or DNP (or certificate for graduate-degree holding nurses). Start in the fall or spring semester and complete the program full or part-time.
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Affordability. The Adult-Gerontology CNS program costs only $525 per credit hour, no matter where you live.*
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Credibility. Kent State’s graduate program is recognized by employers and universities around the world for its excellence.
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Hands-on learning. You will complete 525 clinical practicum hours with qualified clinical nurse specialist preceptors in your primary state of residence. Each practicum will expose you to the variety of opportunities that you will have after graduation.
- Top-notch preparation for certification. Graduates of this program meet educational eligibility requirements to sit for ANCC Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC) certification or AACN Acute Care CNS–Adult-Gerontological (ACCNS-AG) certification. In 2021, Kent State graduates across all advanced practice programs attained a 96.3% average board certification pass rate.
Meet the Faculty
Learn more about the Adult-Gerontology CNS instructors:
Cindy Wilk
Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, CNE
Concentration Coordinator
Tina Saunders
Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, GCNS-BC
Senior Lecturer
Proudly CCNE Accredited
The MSN, DNP, and Post-graduate APRN certificates at Kent State are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education†. Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Kent State: An NLN Center of Excellence
Kent State University is a three-time designated Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (2013-2017, 2017-2022, 2022-2026). We are recognized in the "Advancing the Science of Nursing Education" category for our dedication to innovative and evidence-based nursing education.
Admission to the Adult-Gerontology CNS Program
We invite you to apply to the MSN program if you meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor's and/or graduate degree from an accredited registered nursing program.
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate/graduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale.
- The completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a minimum C grade.
- Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in Ohio
Is the GRE required? Yes for BSN-to-DNP applicants. No for MSN and Post-graduate Certificate applicants.
International applicants: Under most student visas, international applicants are not eligible to complete online-based programs. We strongly encourage international applicants to discuss their eligibility with the Office of Global Education at +1-330-672-7980 or intladm@kent.edu prior to applying.
Priority Application Deadlines
March 2023: October 1, 2022
Required Courses
Courses are 100% online – students are never required to come to campus.
See if this program is offered in your state. >>
Tuition & Aid
A top-tier education at an affordable price.
As a public institution, we see it as our duty to offer the highest-quality education at a cost that is within the reach of students from all backgrounds.
Please visit kent.edu/tuition to learn more about tuition details.
Financial Aid
At Kent State University, we try to make the financial aid process as simple as possible. Our financial aid services and scholarship programs help a wide range of students make their goals affordable. Financial aid options for Adult Gerontology CNS students include:
- Tuition Reimbursement: Many employers will pay some or all of the cost of a graduate degree program. Talk with your human resources department to find out if you qualify.
- Scholarships: Kent State University, the College of Nursing, and many nursing and health care organizations provide scholarship support for nursing students. See our Financial Aid & Scholarships page for more information.
- Federal Loans and Grants: You may be eligible for federal and/or private loans and federal/state grants. Contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000 for more information.
Payment Options
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Tuition can be paid online using a credit card or check, by mail with a check, or in-person with a check.
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Monthly payment plan options are available.* Tuition can be spread out over 3, 4, or 5 monthly payments.
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Students who are receiving tuition reimbursement through their employer can apply to defer tuition payment to after the semester ends.*
* Fall and spring semester only
Online Learning at Kent State
E-learning is unparalleled at Kent State University.
Kent State online students have access to the same resources as on-campus students, without ever stepping foot on campus. From applying to the program to applying for graduation, Kent State provides the tools to complete these tasks online.
Although there are no on-campus requirements, online students are more than welcome to visit our campus in Kent, Ohio (or take a virtual tour online). You will be invited to various events throughout your time at Kent State, including our pinning (Convocation) and graduation (Commencement) ceremonies.
Some of the benefits to earning your graduate degree online from Kent State include:
- Courses developed by expert faculty and delivered via Canvas, industry-leading learning management systems (LMSs).
- Small class sizes and individualized attention from nurse educators with decades of practical experience.
- Innovative learning activities tailored to the online environment.
- 24/7 technical support through Kent State’s TechHelp.
- Tests and exams proctored virtually – no need to go to a testing center.
- FlashLine, the university’s centralized portal system, will allow you to schedule classes, track your degree progress, schedule advising appointments, pay your tuition, and more right from your computer.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Kent State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Kent State University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) concentrations within the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and APRN Certificates, along with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP) program qualify graduates to sit for national APRN certification and APRN licensure in Ohio. States other than Ohio may have additional requirements to apply for or obtain an APRN license, including but not limited to specific state examinations, letters of recommendation, or proof of completion of an accredited nursing program. The College of Nursing is in the process of collecting information from all states and has not yet made a determination whether graduates from the Kent State University College of Nursing MSN, Certificate, and BSN-to-DNP programs meet the requirements for APRN licensure outside the state of Ohio.
Fulfill Your Purpose
Enrollment advisors can be reached at 330-672-7911.