Specialty Tracks

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) care for patients ages 13 and older adults with acute, critical, and complex health needs. They often work in hospital-based settings where clinical judgment, collaboration, and the ability to respond to change are essential.

While primary care roles often focus on prevention and ongoing health management, acute care roles center on patients who are hospitalized, unstable, or recovering from serious illness or injury.

The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner path may be a strong fit if you are interested in hospital-based/inpatient care, adolescent and adult populations, and complex clinical decision-making. It may also appeal to those who like fast-paced environments, diagnostic reasoning, interprofessional teamwork, and the challenge of caring for patients with serious illnesses.

Program graduates are eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner exam from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

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The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPC) specialty is designed for students who want to provide primary care to patients ages 13 through adulthood. This can be in a primary care setting, but also long term care, college health services, urgent care, and specialty practices including cardiology, dermatology, and neurology. 

The role combines diagnosis and treatment with prevention, health education, and chronic disease management. AGPCNPs assess, diagnose, and plan for the health needs of people across this broad age range, but differs from an FNP specialization in that this role does not focus on young children.

This career may suit someone who values continuity, enjoys working with teens and adult patients, and wants to combine preventive care with condition management. It also calls for comfort with uncertainty, collaboration, and complex health needs.

Program graduates are eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner exam from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

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The Dual Adult-Gerontology Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specialty is designed for students who want to provide primary care to patients from adolescence through the adult years, with a particular focus on gender-related aspects of health and wellness.

As a graduate of this track, you will be prepared to work in primary care settings and in women's and reproductive health specialty settings (e.g. OB-GYN, infertility, family planning). Your unique skill set will allow you to bring both breadth and depth to the clinical care of patients, especially those who identify as female or present for care related to their sexual and reproductive health needs.

Combining these two specialties broadens your clinical expertise and career flexibility, but it also requires commitment. Students take on rigorous academic and clinical preparation across two specialty areas. They must build knowledge, skills, and confidence in more than one advanced practice role. 

Program graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Corporation's Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner examination and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner exam from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

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The Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) specialty is ideal for students interested in providing primary reproductive health and/or specialty care to female patients ranging from young adults to seniors. Graduates are also prepared to provide sexual and reproductive care to men, and others across the non-binary gender identity continuum.

Women's Health Nurse Practitioners diagnose, treat, and manage conditions related to reproductive, gynecologic, sexual, and hormone health. They perform comprehensive assessments, order and interpret diagnostic testing, prescribe medications, develop treatment plans, provide education, and coordinate care with other healthcare professionals.

This specialty may be an excellent fit if you are passionate about reproductive health, pregnancy, gynecology, postpartum care, hormone health, sexual wellness, preventive medicine, and patient advocacy. It also appeals to nurses who value long-term relationships with patients and enjoy helping individuals navigate important health transitions throughout adulthood.

Program graduates are eligible to take the NCC Board Certification - Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner exam.

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Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) care for infants, children, adolescents, and sometimes young adults through many stages of growth and development. 

Their work often includes preventive care, illness management, developmental guidance, and family education.

Working with children in healthcare can be deeply rewarding, as PNPs often have the privilege of watching children grow over time. You'll have an opportunity to make a lasting impact by blending clinical care with education, prevention, advocacy, and compassion. A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner must often communicate with children and adults during the same visit; and some conversations can be sensitive, requiring honesty, empathy and skill. 

Program graduates are eligible to take the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board's Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care examination. 

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A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) focuses on providing comprehensive primary care for patients across the lifespan and is one of the broadest advanced practice pathways. FNPs assess patients, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests, and create treatment plans that support both immediate and long-term health needs.

Unlike some advanced practice nursing specialties that focus on one patient population, FNPs work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. This broad clinical scope appeals to students who enjoy variety and want to develop skills across many areas of healthcare.

The role offers flexibility, strong career demand, and the opportunity to build meaningful long-term relationships with patients and families.

Program graduates are eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner exam from either the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 

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Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) Nurse Practitioners are mental health clinicians who help diagnose, treat, and support people with mental and behavioral health needs across the lifespan. They provide care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, depending on their setting and scope of practice.

This role may include caring for people with mood disorders, trauma-related conditions, substance use concerns, psychotic disorders, cognitive disorders, and other behavioral health needs.

This career may be a strong fit if you are interested in mental health, comfortable with complex conversations, and motivated to support people over time. It may also appeal to you if you value both independent clinical decision-making and team-based care.

Program graduates are eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification examination. 

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