St. Joseph’s University AGPCNP Programs

St. Joseph’s University offers a Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration.

The program prepares graduates to deliver quality primary health care for adults across the age continuum: post-adolescent, adult, older adult, and frail elderly.

The focus is on high-quality, patient-centered primary care through both didactic and clinical experiences that prepare nurse practitioners to care holistically for diverse individuals and populations in the context of families and communities.

Program Track Overview

Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP Concentration

The estimated cost for the MS-AGPCNP program is approximately $49,530 plus fees and takes a minimum of 7 semesters to complete.

Estimate based on 39 credit hours at $1,270 per credit hour.

MS Curriculum

The curriculum requires a minimum of 39 credits including 600 clinical hours. Students must complete the program with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Core Degree Requirements (22 credits):

NU 500 – Theoretical Bases for Advanced Practice Nursing (4 credits)
This course reviews nursing and related science theories that guide advanced practice nursing. Students critique selected models and apply theory to patient care, organizations, and population-focused practice. The course includes focused application of the Roy Adaptation Model.

NU 530 – Ethics and Public Policy in the Health Care Delivery System (3 credits)
This course explains how the U.S. health care system is organized, regulated, and funded. Students analyze ethical issues and evaluate how policy is developed and implemented. Students practice using the APN role to support quality improvement and system change.

NU 531 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Life Span (3 credits)
This course examines advanced physiologic and disease processes across the lifespan. Students connect common pathophysiologic patterns to clinical problems seen in advanced practice. The course uses current research and case-based problem solving.

NU 540 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
This course covers pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for major drug classes used in clinical care. Students select and monitor drug therapy for common conditions across the lifespan, including special populations. The course emphasizes safe prescribing, legal requirements, ethics, and patient teaching.

NU 550 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)
This course builds advanced assessment skills for clients across the lifespan using a holistic framework. Students practice interviewing, history taking, physical exam skills, documentation, and differential diagnosis. The course includes a lab component and uses the Roy Adaptation Model to guide clinical judgment.

NU 620 – Advanced Statistics in Nursing Research (3 credits)
This course teaches statistical concepts used in nursing and health research. Students select, run, and interpret common statistical tests and critique statistics used in published studies. Students use statistical software and review how findings support evidence-based practice, including basic qualitative analysis.

NU 660 – Advanced Nursing Research (3 credits)
This course examines how research supports advanced practice nursing. Students compare qualitative and quantitative methods, address research ethics, and apply steps of the research process. Students develop a focused research topic that leads to a proposal and use technology to support scholarship.

Concentration Requirements (17 credits):

NU 680 – Foundations of the APN (3 credits)
This course introduces AGPCNP students to the history and scope of nurse practitioner practice. Students analyze NONPF domains, NP core competencies, and AGPCNP competencies. The course emphasizes translation of knowledge into practice in changing care settings.

NU 685 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits)
This course develops primary care planning for adults and older adults across the lifespan. Students evaluate population health needs, wellness strategies, risk reduction, and prevention. The course emphasizes interprofessional teamwork, patient education, and evidence-based health promotion.

NU 686 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical I (1 credit; 175 hours)
This clinical experience applies health promotion and wellness care in adult and older adult primary care. Students work with preceptors to perform advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management in practice settings. The course emphasizes epidemiology, evidence-based decisions, and team-based care.

NU 690 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner II (3 credits)
This course focuses on diagnosing and managing common acute and chronic conditions in young adult, adult, and older adult patients. Students use clinical practice guidelines to support safe, evidence-based care. The course strengthens diagnostic reasoning and consultation skills.

NU 691 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical II (1 credit; 175 hours)
This clinical experience builds skills in managing acute and chronic adult-gerontology problems. Students apply guidelines, refine diagnostic reasoning, and practice clinical inquiry under supervision. The course includes interdisciplinary consultation to support coordinated care.

NU 695 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner III (3 credits)
This course addresses complex acute and chronic conditions in adult and older adult primary care, including frail older adults. Students integrate epidemiology, case management, and evidence to create and evaluate care plans. The course emphasizes advanced diagnostic reasoning and guideline-based management.

NU 696 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Clinical III (1 credit; 175 hours)
This clinical experience focuses on complex adult-gerontology care in primary care settings. Students deliver advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management for patients with multi-condition needs and functional limits. The course emphasizes case management, consultation, and evidence-based decision making.

NU 697 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Capstone Project Development (1 credit)
This course guides students in creating a practice innovation proposal for an AGPCNP population need. Students synthesize didactic and clinical learning to show competency achievement. Faculty mentoring and seminars support proposal development and completion.

NU 698 – Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Capstone Project II: Implementation (1 credit)
This course supports implementation and evaluation of the approved capstone project. Students measure outcomes, refine the intervention, and connect results to AGPCNP competencies. The course ends with a formal presentation in a faculty-approved setting.

More curriculum details are available here.

MS Clinicals

Clinical requirements total 600 hours completed on a pass basis across three clinical practicum courses (NU 686, NU 691, NU 696). Students complete preceptorships in various healthcare settings serving adult-gerontology populations. Clinical training opportunities are offered at nearly 50 different agencies, clinics, and hospitals.

Prior to enrolling in clinical courses, students must submit health clearance documentation and proof of liability/malpractice insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000/$6,000,000. Clinical/lab courses are assessed additional fees.

MS Admissions Requirements

  • Bachelor of Science with major in nursing from nationally accredited program (ACEN, NLNAC, CNEA, or CCNE)
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale (preference given to applicants with 3.3 or above)
  • Completed one year of professional clinical practice prior to admission
  • Proof of New York State RN license and current professional registration
  • Current curriculum vitae and personal statement
  • Two letters of reference (at least one from clinical supervisor who can address clinical competence)
  • Official undergraduate transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
  • Pre-admission interview required
  • Proof of certificate of basic life support (BLS) prior to entering clinical practicums
  • Proof of malpractice insurance
  • Health clearance and documentation meeting all current college and program health requirements
  • Personal health insurance (all students and faculty required to maintain)
  • $25 non-refundable application fee (waived for St. Joseph’s University alumni)
  • Minimum grade of B (3.0) on comprehensive examination required for graduation
  • Application for graduation form submitted to registrar’s office in expected graduation semester

Tuition

Graduate tuition is $1,270 per credit hour.

Additional fees include University Fee ($13 per credit for 1-7 credits, $96 per semester for 8-11 credits, $125 per semester for 12+ credits) and Technology Fee ($60 per semester for 1-7 credits, $113 per semester for 8+ credits).

Laboratory fees range from $20-$150 per course, and a $200 graduation fee applies. Clinical/lab courses are assessed additional fees.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

St. Joseph’s University Master’s nursing programs on the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) with continuing accreditation status. The Department of Nursing is also accredited by the New York State Education Department.

Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification exams and are eligible for New York State NP certification. The program maintains a 92% completion rate for graduate programs and 100% employment rate for graduates, with students maintaining employment throughout the program.

St. Joseph’s University was awarded a grant through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) to support graduate education in nursing.

Additional AGPCNP Programs for New York Students

View all New York AGPCNP programs