Seton Hall University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
The MSN program is available online and prepares graduates to practice as nurse practitioners serving adult to elderly populations in primary care settings.
Program Track Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – AGPCNP | ≈ $75,360 plus fees | 2.5–4 years |
| Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP | ≈ $37,680–$61,230 plus fees | 1.5–3 years |
The program ranks #1 for online graduate nursing degrees in New Jersey according to U.S. News and features a 100% pass rate on certification exams.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the MSN-AGPCNP program is approximately $75,360 plus fees and takes 2.5-4 years to complete on a full-time basis.
MSN Curriculum
The MSN-AGPCNP track requires 48 credits consisting of core graduate nursing courses, didactic specialty courses, and clinical practicum experiences.
Students can take up to two courses per semester with programs typically completed in 5-8 semesters depending on full-time or part-time enrollment.
The curriculum meets AACN/CCNE/NONPF requirements for a dual ANP/GNP program.
Required Courses:
NURS 6123 – Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 Credits)
Examines key contemporary nursing and related theories that guide advanced practice. Students analyze major philosophical and theoretical perspectives that support clinical decision-making. The course also looks at how theories develop and how they connect to research.
NURS 6124 – Forces in Health Care (3 Credits)
Explores how political, social, economic, and organizational forces shape health care. Students study how health policies are created and how core issues are argued and debated. Emphasis is on understanding policy impact on providers, systems, and patients.
NURS 6221 – Health Concepts for Aging (3 Credits)
Focuses on healthy aging, chronic illness, and frailty in older adults. Biopsychosocial theories of aging and evidence-based practice guide discussion of managing chronic conditions unique to elders. The course also reviews public policy and payment systems and how they affect access to long-term and community-based care.
NURS 6223 – Health Promotion (3 Credits)
Addresses comprehensive health needs for people of all ages. Reviews current and emerging models of health promotion and disease prevention. Emphasis is on strategies that support wellness in diverse populations and care settings.
NURS 6411 – Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (3 Credits)
Covers the development and mechanisms of major diseases and their clinical signs and symptoms. Students link pathophysiologic changes to health deviations and treatment decisions. The course strengthens clinical reasoning for managing complex conditions.
NURS 6415 – Clinical Pharmacology (3 Credits)
Provides advanced knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics for ambulatory patients from childhood through older adulthood. Students study how drugs act in the body, including dosing, response, and monitoring. Focus is on safe and effective medication use in primary and specialty care.
NURS 7141 – Nursing Research I (3 Credits)
Introduces quantitative and qualitative research methods used in nursing. Students critique published studies and examine scientific inquiry, ethics, and the role of research in building knowledge and theory. The course prepares students to design practice-focused, theory-based research proposals.
NURS 7243 – Advanced Practice Nursing I: Adults (3 Credits)
Builds knowledge and skills for managing common health problems in adult patients. Students learn to initiate, manage, and evaluate culturally responsive care plans using biopsychosocial concepts. Health promotion and health maintenance are integrated throughout, alongside a linked clinical practicum.
NURS 7246 – Advanced Practice Nursing II: Adults (3 Credits)
Expands on prior content to address more complex adult primary care problems. Students refine clinical judgment, increase independence, and strengthen decision-making in managing adult health and illness. Health promotion and maintenance remain core themes across all care plans.
NURS 7333 – Graduate Practicum I: Older Years (3 Credits)
Provides 135 clinical hours to develop advanced, integrated assessment skills with emphasis on older adults. Students conduct comprehensive bio-psycho-socio-economic, developmental, and functional assessments while building cultural competence. The practicum supports early role socialization under close preceptor supervision and aligns with advanced assessment coursework.
NURS 7349 – Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Older Years (4 Credits)
Offers 160 clinical hours focused on primary care for adults and older adults. With guidance from faculty and preceptors, students apply evidence-based interventions based on thorough histories, physical exams, and developmental and behavioral assessments. Emphasis is on culturally responsive, scientifically grounded care.
NURS 7359 – Graduate Nursing Practicum III: Older Years (4 Credits)
Provides 180 clinical hours caring for adults and older adults with more complex health issues. Students further develop skills in assessment, diagnosis, and management while maintaining cultural competence. Faculty and preceptors support progressive autonomy in primary care decision-making.
NURS 7366 – Graduate Nursing Practicum IV: Older Years (4 Credits)
Adds 180 clinical hours focused on integrating data and demonstrating advanced clinical judgment for adults and older adults. Students manage larger and more complex caseloads under faculty and preceptor consultation. The practicum emphasizes expert-level, culturally sensitive primary care.
NURS 7370 – Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (3 Credits)
Strengthens advanced, comprehensive assessment skills to support accurate and timely clinical decisions. Students interpret findings in context of patients’ biological, psychological, social, economic, cultural, developmental, and functional status. The course also addresses shared decision-making, decision support, and how cognitive biases can affect clinical judgment.
NURS 7470 – Advanced Professional Role Enactment (3 Credits)
Explores the evolving role of the advanced practice nurse in modern health care. Students examine social, economic, and legal factors that influence how nurse practitioners are used and perceived. Topics include role development, leadership, and case management for diverse patient populations.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN-AGPCNP program requires 600 total clinical hours distributed across four practicum courses following a preceptorship model.
- Practicum I requires 120 clinical hours
- Practica II, III, and IV each require 160 clinical hours
Students complete preceptor-supervised clinical practice with adults and the aged at agency sites.
Clinical instruction is carried out by nurse practitioners and/or physicians who model collaborative practice behaviors.
Students are assessed for cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains in clinical practice settings and during on-campus immersion experiences.
MSN Prerequisites & Admissions
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from NLNAC, ACEN, or CCNE accredited program
- For recent BSN graduates: acceptance granted post-NCLEX passing by August 15; proof of one year full-time (direct patient care) employment required prior to start of practicum courses (year 2)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Statement of professional goals
- Registered professional nurse licensure in U.S. state of practice and in New Jersey if clinical performed in New Jersey
- Letters of reference (one professional, one academic; two professional letters may be used if applicant is out of school over 5 years)
- TOEFL scores and WES reports for nurses educated outside U.S. or in language other than English (minimum scores: 22 reading, 22 listening, 26 speaking, 24 writing)
- $75 application fee
- Personal interview for selected students
- Academic prerequisites: Statistics, Nursing Research, and Undergraduate Physical Assessment course (not credited toward graduate degree)
- Basic physical assessment refresher course required prior to enrolling in Practicum I
- Prior to enrollment: Joint Commission and OSHA requirements for immunization, medical history, liability insurance, criminal background check, and BLS for Healthcare Professionals certification
Post-Master’s Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP program is approximately $37,680-$61,230 plus fees and takes 1.5-3 years to complete depending on gap analysis results.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Master’s Certificate requires 18-39 credits with exact credit requirements determined through individualized gap analysis.
The certificate prepares nurse practitioners with master’s degrees to attain additional AGPCNP certification through both didactic and clinical courses.
Required Courses for All Post-Master’s Certificates:
- NURS 6223: Health Promotion (3 credits)
- NURS 6411: Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NURS 6415: Clinical Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NURS 7370: Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Decision Making (3 credits)
- NURS 7470: Advanced Professional Role Enactment (3 credits)
AGPCNP-Specific Courses (24 credits):
- NURS 6221: Health Concepts for Aging (3 credits)
- NURS 7243: Advanced Practice Nursing I – Adults (3 credits)
- NURS 7246: Advanced Practice Nursing II: Adults (3 credits)
- NURS 7333: Graduate Practicum I: Older Years (3 credits)
- NURS 7349: Graduate Nursing Practicum II: Older Years (4 credits)
- NURS 7359: Graduate Nursing Practicum III: Older Years (4 credits)
- NURS 7366: Graduate Nursing Practicum IV: Older Years (4 credits)
More curriculum details are available here.
Certificate Clinicals
Clinical placements are individualized and congruent with AGPCNP certification requirements following the preceptorship model. Placement is made with certified, experienced advanced nurse practitioners and/or physicians.
Clinical hours are distributed across four practicum courses totaling 600 hours (120 hours in Practicum I, 160 hours each in Practica II, III, and IV).
Students complete preceptor-supervised clinical practice with adults and the aged, guided by onsite preceptors who help identify learning opportunities within institutions.
Certificate Prerequisites & Admissions
- Master’s degree in nursing from accredited program
- Gap analysis conducted to determine specific credit requirements (18-39 credits)
- Current nurse practitioner licensure
- Clinical experience as NP preferred
- Completion of prerequisite courses as determined by gap analysis
- All standard graduate nursing admission requirements apply
- Upon completion, graduates eligible to sit for AANP or ANCC Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner certification examinations
Tuition
Graduate nursing tuition is $1,570 per credit.
Full-time students (9+ credits) pay a $300 Graduate Nursing Fee per semester, $495 Technology Fee per semester, and $215 University Fee per semester.
Part-time students pay $160 Technology Fee per semester and $145 University Fee per semester.
Additional course-specific fees may include graphics lab fees ($25-$100), lab supply fees ($55-$105), Nursing EHR Go ($50-$100), and Nursing vSims ($40-$150). A one-time Nursing Review Course Fee of $350 applies.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Seton Hall University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Seton Hall University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner certification examinations.
More AGPCNP Programs in New Jersey
- Felician University - Rutherford
- The College of New Jersey - Ewing
- William Paterson University - Wayne