Vanderbilt University AGPCNP Programs

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) offers four Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) entry pathways:

• Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP (BSN entry, full-time or part-time)
• BS to Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP (full-time or part-time)
• Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP (MSN-prepared nurses, gap analysis–based)
• Master of Nursing Prespecialty → Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP (for non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field)

All tracks are delivered in an online or hybrid format with a few required in-person sessions, allowing students to remain in their home communities.

Program Tracks Overview

Vanderbilt’s AGPCNP program is ranked #3 among MSN programs and #4 among DNP programs nationally, and reports a 100% first-time pass rate on the AANPCB Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP exam.

A standout feature is VUSN’s full-time clinical placement team, which partners with students and faculty to arrange clinical practicums — placing students in their preferred geographic area where possible.

Master of Science in Nursing – AGPCNP (BSN Entry)

The MSN AGPCNP program has an estimated tuition of approximately $92,565 (45 credits × $2,057/credit) and can be completed in approximately 4 semesters (1.5 years) full-time or 7 semesters (2.5 years) part-time, both with a fall start.

MSN Curriculum

The MSN totals 45 credit hours across core and specialty courses. Core graduate courses cover nursing knowledge and identity, social and structural determinants, evidence appraisal, systems analysis, leadership, and health equity.

AGPCNP specialty courses build advanced assessment, primary care, gerontological care, women’s and gender-related health, adolescent care, and essential clinical procedures.

All MSN students begin in the fall semester. Courses are online/hybrid with a few brief in-person sessions during the program.

Full-Time MSN Course Sequence (4 semesters):

Fall Year 1 (11 Credits)

6013 – Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (2 cr.)
Develops advanced health assessment, communication, and clinical reasoning skills across the lifespan. Students integrate data to form differential diagnoses and refine evidence-based practice competencies.

6022 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (4 cr.)
Explores complex physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms across the lifespan. Emphasis on linking system-level functions with disease processes for advanced clinical decision-making.

6024 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 cr.)
Covers pharmacologic principles guiding safe, evidence-based prescribing for acute and chronic conditions across diverse populations. Builds on foundational pharmacology knowledge.

8212 – Knowledge and Identity for Nursing Practice (2 cr.)
Introduces professional identity formation in nursing. Topics include ethical decision-making, informatics, leadership, and the nurse’s role as educator and interprofessional team member.

Spring Year 1 (12 Credits)

6014 – Advanced Health Assessment Lab (1 cr.)
Applies advanced assessment and communication skills in laboratory and simulation settings. Students perform histories, physical exams, and demonstrate professional clinical conduct.

6030 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care of the Adult (3 cr.)
Addresses assessment and management of common acute and chronic adult health issues with focus on comprehensive, culturally responsive care.

6205 – Advanced Health Assessment Applications for AGPCNP (1 cr.)
Enhances assessment proficiency with adult clients. Students refine physical exam and diagnostic reasoning skills through focused practice and simulations.

6236 – Advanced Concepts in Care of the Older Adult (2 cr.)
Examines physiologic aging, common geriatric conditions, and health promotion strategies. Explores family influence and managed care issues in elder health.

8214 – Social and Structural Influences on Health (3 cr.)
Analyzes social determinants, systems science, and policies impacting health equity. Students evaluate how structural factors shape outcomes across populations.

8222 – Appraisal of Evidence for Nursing Practice (2 cr.)
Introduces evidence-based practice principles, focusing on evaluating research for clinical application and improved outcomes.

Summer Year 1 (12 Credits)

6032 – Women’s & Gender-Related Health in Primary Care (1 cr.)
Covers assessment, prevention, and management of common women’s and gender-specific health issues in primary care settings.

6215 – AGPCNP Clinical I (4 cr.)
Supervised practicum emphasizing comprehensive care for adolescent through older adult populations. Focus on assessment, education, and management of common conditions.

6234 – Adult Gerontology Primary Care II (3 cr.)
Expands management knowledge for complex and less common adult and geriatric conditions, emphasizing cultural sensitivity and symptom management.

8224 – Analysis of Health and Systems Outcomes (2 cr.)
Focuses on quality improvement, health policy, and economic factors influencing equitable care delivery using data-driven approaches.

8232 – Leadership for Change (2 cr.)
Explores leadership, advocacy, and ethical principles necessary for guiding interprofessional teams through systemic and organizational change.

Fall Year 2 (10 Credits)

6031 – Primary Care Nursing of the Adolescent (1 cr.)
Covers adolescent health promotion, disease prevention, and management of common conditions, with attention to family and developmental influences.

6075 – Role Transition for Advanced Practice Nursing (1 cr.)
Prepares students for transition to the APRN role, including job search strategies, credentialing, and professional development planning.

6231 – Essential Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (2 cr.)
Provides instruction and practice in common adult care procedures using infection control and evidence-based technique.

6295 – AGPCNP Clinical II (4 cr.)
Capstone clinical integrating previous coursework for supervised practice as an adult-gerontology primary care provider.

8234 – Advocacy for Health Equity (2 cr.)
Equips students to advocate for individuals and populations through policy engagement, awareness of disparities, and interprofessional collaboration.

See the official curriculum page for more details.

MSN Clinicals

Students complete 500+ directly supervised clinical hours distributed across two dedicated AGPCNP clinical courses. VUSN’s full-time clinical placement team arranges practicums for all students; clinical rotations may be placed in the student’s preferred geographic area where possible.

Students in Middle Tennessee have access to a broader range of local placement options; out-of-area students should review the OMTA (Outside Middle Tennessee Area) clinical placement details directly with the school.

• 6215 – AGPCNP Clinical I (4 cr.) — primary care rotation, Summer Year 1
• 6295 – AGPCNP Clinical II (4 cr.) — primary care rotation, Fall Year 2
• Settings: internal medicine, ambulatory care, community clinics, assisted living/long-term care, some subspecialty areas
• Subspecialty certificates available (dermatology, cardiology) for current students and graduates

MSN Admissions Requirements

• BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program; unencumbered RN license required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA recommended (on a 4.0 scale)
• Undergraduate statistics course required (prerequisite, must be completed before term begins)
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty, professional colleagues, or supervisors — at least one must hold a master’s degree or higher
• Statement of purpose reflecting interest in the AGPCNP specialty (one application per student, per term; multiple specialty applications not accepted)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Standardized test scores (GRE, MAT) not required
• Application fee: $75
• Fall start only | Applications open in August | Priority review begins: October 15 | Early decisions sent in December; rolling review thereafter
• Out-of-state applicants should review Tennessee professional licensure and out-of-state requirements before applying
• ⚠️ Full-time study: balancing full-time work with this program is not recommended; part-time option available

Doctor of Nursing Practice – AGPCNP (BS to DNP)

The BS-DNP AGPCNP program has an estimated tuition of approximately $129,591 (63 credits × $2,057, full-time) or $131,648 (64 credits × $2,057, part-time).

It can be completed in approximately 7 semesters full-time or 11 semesters (4 years) part-time, both with a fall start.

A “Master’s Along the Way” option is not explicitly described for VUSN’s BSN-to-DNP, but students attend DNP week-long on-campus intensives each semester and specialty block sessions during clinical courses.

DNP Curriculum

The BS-DNP totals 63 credits (full-time) or 64 credits (part-time). The full-time track runs across 7 structured semesters beginning each fall.

Doctoral-level coursework includes statistics, economics, advanced quality improvement, informatics, advanced evidence-based practice, health policy, population health, advanced leadership, and Integrative Application of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) seminars. A DNP scholarly project is required.

Full-Time BS-DNP Course Sequence (selected highlights):

Fall Year 1 (9 cr.) — DNP Core:

• 8210 – Statistics for Advanced Nursing Practice (1 cr.)
• 8212 – Knowledge and Identity for Nursing Practice (2 cr.)
• 8214 – Social and Structural Influences on Health (3 cr.)
• 8224 – Analysis of Health and Systems Outcomes (2 cr.)
• 8240 – Economics and Finance (1 cr.)

Spring Year 1 (8 cr.) — DNP Core + EBP:

• 6022 – Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (4 cr.)
• 8222 – Appraisal of Evidence for Nursing Practice (2 cr.)
• 8234 – Advocacy for Health Equity (2 cr.)

Summer Year 1 (8 cr.) — DNP Core:

• 6024 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 cr.)
• 8226 – Advanced Quality Improvement and Safety (2 cr.)
• 8232 – Leadership for Change (2 cr.)
• 8238 – Advanced Informatics (1 cr.)

Fall Year 2 (7 cr.) — DNP Core + EBP I:

• 6013 – Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (2 cr.)
• 8101 – Integrative Application of EBP I (1 cr.)
• 8216 – Professionalism, Legal and Ethics (2 cr.)
• 8236 – Advanced Evidence-Based Practice (2 cr.)

Spring Year 2 (10 cr.) — Specialty + DNP:

• 6014 – Advanced Health Assessment Lab (1 cr.)
• 6030 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care of the Adult (3 cr.)
• 6205 – Advanced Health Assessment Applications for the AGPCNP (1 cr.)
• 6236 – Advanced Concepts in the Care of the Older Adult (2 cr.)
• 8102 – Integrative Application of EBP II (1 cr.)
• 8248 – Advanced Health Policy (2 cr.)

Summer Year 2 (11 cr.) — Specialty Clinical I + DNP:

• 6032 – Advanced Practice Primary Care Nursing in Women’s & Gender-Related Health (1 cr.)
• 6215 – AGPCNP Clinical I (4 cr.)
• 6234 – Adult Gerontology Primary Care II (3 cr.)
• 8103 – Integrative Application of EBP III (1 cr.)
• 8246 – Advanced Population Health and Epidemiology (2 cr.)

Fall Year 3 (10 cr.) — Specialty Clinical II + DNP:

• 6031 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care of the Adolescent (1 cr.)
• 6075 – Role Transition for Advanced Practice Nursing (1 cr.)
• 6231 – Essential Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (2 cr.)
• 6295 – AGPCNP Clinical II (4 cr.)
• 8250 – Advanced Leadership (2 cr.)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

DNP Clinicals

The BS-DNP includes the same 500+ supervised clinical hours as the MSN track, embedded within the AGPCNP Clinical I and II courses (8 clinical credits combined).

Additionally, the Integrative Application of EBP courses carry a 1:9 credit-to-activity-hour ratio — one credit hour reflects nine hours of activity per week. VUSN’s placement team arranges all clinical practicums.

• 6215 – AGPCNP Clinical I (4 cr.) — Summer Year 2
• 6295 – AGPCNP Clinical II (4 cr.) — Fall Year 3
• 8101, 8102, 8103 – Integrative EBP I–III (1:9 credit-to-activity-hour ratio)
• Placement settings mirror the MSN track; geographic preference honored where possible

DNP Admissions Requirements

• BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program; unencumbered RN license required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA recommended
• Undergraduate statistics course required
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one must hold a master’s degree or higher)
• Statement of purpose (AGPCNP specialty only — no multiple specialty applications)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• No standardized test scores required
• Application fee: $75
• BSN-to-DNP students attend a DNP intensive every semester plus specialty block sessions during clinical courses (brief on-campus sessions)
• Fall start only | Priority review begins: October 15 | Rolling review thereafter

Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP

The Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP program is designed for MSN-prepared nurses who want to add or change their NP specialty. Estimated tuition varies based on an individual gap analysis.

The program requires a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours and is completable in approximately 3 to 5 full-time semesters. At $2,057 per credit, even a partial specialty sequence of 12–20 credits would run approximately $24,684–$41,140.

Certificate Curriculum

All PMC students have an individualized curriculum plan developed through a gap analysis completed by the AGPCNP program’s academic director.

The plan is based on evaluation of prior academic work and identifies which AGPCNP-specific courses and clinical experiences are needed for advanced practice certification.

Students complete all didactic and clinical requirements identified through this process. Students continuing from Vanderbilt’s MN Prespecialty program bypass the gap analysis and follow a pre-mapped curriculum.

See the official curriculum page for more details.

Certificate Clinicals

PMC students must complete a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in patient care. Placements are arranged by VUSN’s full-time clinical placement team, with geographic preferences honored where possible.

Settings include primary care/internal medicine, family practices, community health centers, assisted living/long-term care facilities, and some subspecialty areas.

Certificate Admissions Requirements

• Master’s degree in nursing (MN, MSN, or MS in Nursing) required; unencumbered RN license required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA recommended
• Undergraduate statistics course required
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one must hold a master’s degree or higher)
• Statement of purpose focused on AGPCNP specialty (one application per student, per term)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• No standardized test scores required
• Application fee: $75
• Gap analysis conducted by the AGPCNP program director to determine individual course requirements
• Fall start for full-time students | Priority review begins: October 15 | Rolling review thereafter
• DNP + PMC option available — completing two additional semesters of DNP coursework alongside the PMC makes students eligible for federal loans and scholarships as a doctorally prepared nurse

Master of Nursing Prespecialty → Post-Master’s Certificate AGPCNP

The MN Prespecialty pathway is a unique entry point for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing who want to become an AGPCNP.

Students first complete the 4-semester Master of Nursing (MN) program — earning RN licensure — then seamlessly continue into 3 additional semesters of AGPCNP specialty coursework via a Post-Master’s Certificate, with no second application required.

The PMC specialty portion totals 28 credits with an estimated tuition of approximately $57,596. Total MN + PMC program cost will be significantly higher based on MN program credit hours (66 credits at the MN level).

MN Prespecialty → AGPCNP PMC Curriculum

The 28-credit AGPCNP specialty component (PMC portion) is completed across 3 semesters after finishing the MN degree. The specific start timing depends on whether the student began MN classes in fall or spring. Students who begin the MN in fall can start the AGPCNP PMC the following spring with no gap semester.

Students who begin in spring start the AGPCNP PMC the following fall (one-semester gap). An MN-to-DNP + PMC option adds 47 credits of doctoral coursework for students seeking a terminal degree.

AGPCNP PMC Specialty Courses (28 cr., Spring MN Start / Fall PMC Start):

Spring Year 1 (12 cr.):

• 6013 – Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (2 cr.)
• 6014 – Advanced Health Assessment Lab (1 cr.)
• 6024 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 cr.)
• 6030 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care of the Adult (3 cr.)
• 6205 – Advanced Health Assessment Applications for the AGPCNP (1 cr.)
• 6236 – Advanced Concepts in the Care of the Older Adult (2 cr.)

Summer Year 1 (8 cr.):

• 6032 – Advanced Practice Primary Care Nursing in Women’s & Gender-Related Health (1 cr.)
• 6215 – AGPCNP Clinical I (4 cr.)
• 6234 – Adult Gerontology Primary Care II (3 cr.)

Fall Year 1 (8 cr.):

• 6031 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care of the Adolescent (1 cr.)
• 6075 – Role Transition for Advanced Practice Nursing (1 cr.)
• 6231 – Essential Procedures for the Primary Care Provider (2 cr.)
• 6295 – AGPCNP Clinical II (4 cr.)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

MN Prespecialty Clinicals

MN Prespecialty students complete the same minimum 500 supervised clinical hours during the AGPCNP PMC specialty phase as all other PMC students. Clinical placements are arranged by VUSN’s placement team. MN Prespecialty students bypass the gap analysis and follow the pre-mapped specialty curriculum directly.

MN Prespecialty Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution — a nursing background is not required
• For non-nurses: additional prerequisites include human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology (all within 5 years), lifespan development/developmental psychology, and nutrition
• Statistics prerequisite required for all applicants
• Must meet Tennessee professional practice of nursing eligibility requirements for RN licensure
• Minimum 3.0 GPA recommended
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one must hold a master’s degree or higher)
• Statement of purpose specifying AGPCNP as the chosen specialty
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• No standardized test scores required
• Application fee: $75
• MN program is full-time, in-person, on-campus — students must live within daily commuting distance of Vanderbilt’s Nashville campus during the MN phase
• AGPCNP PMC specialty phase transitions to online/hybrid format
• MN Prespecialty starts in August (fall) | Priority review begins: October 15

Tuition

Vanderbilt School of Nursing charges $2,057 per credit hour for all nursing graduate programs (MSN, DNP, PMC) for the 2025–2026 academic year, set annually by the Vanderbilt Board of Trust.

In addition to per-credit tuition, students should budget for annual fees: Student Service Fees (~$791/year), Student Health Fee (~$1,012/year), health insurance ($4,074/year if not waived with proof of other coverage), and a one-time $100 transcript fee.

Books are estimated at approximately $2,500/year. Most VUSN students receive some form of financial aid.

More tuition details are available here.

Accreditation

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s MSN, DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate programs are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). They meet the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).

Graduates of all AGPCNP tracks are eligible to sit for national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB). The program maintains a 100% average first-time pass rate on the AANPCB A-GNP exam.

More AGPCNP Programs in Tennessee

• East Tennessee State University - Johnson City