Tennessee AGPCNP Programs

Tennessee AGPCNP Programs at a Glance

TN AGPCNP Program Summaries List

Chamberlain University AGPCNP Programs

Fully Online | 760 cpc | Certificate / MSN

ETSU AGPCNP Programs

Johnson City | 659 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

Vanderbilt University AGPCNP Programs

Nashville | 2059 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

Walden University AGPCNP Programs

Fully Online | 788 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

Choosing the Best AGPCNP Program for You in Tennessee

TL;DR — Which Program Is Right for You?

Choose ETSU if minimizing cost is your top priority — the in-state MSN-to-DNP and post-DNP certificate both run ~$21K, the lowest AGPCNP price point of any Tennessee program.

Choose Vanderbilt if you want school-arranged clinical placements, a nationally ranked credential, and a 100% first-time board pass rate — and your budget supports $92K–$130K.

Choose ETSU’s BSN-DNP if you’re a BSN-prepared RN focused on rural or underserved primary care and want a terminal degree at roughly half the cost of Vanderbilt’s equivalent track.

Choose Vanderbilt’s MSN if fastest MSN completion matters — the full-time track finishes in 1.5 years, comparable to ETSU’s post-DNP certificate timeline but at the master’s rather than doctoral level.

Choose Vanderbilt’s MN Prespecialty pathway if you hold a bachelor’s degree in any field other than nursing and want a direct, no-second-application route to AGPCNP practice.

MSN Programs

The MSN suits BSN-prepared RNs who want NP credentials without a doctoral commitment. Among Tennessee’s in-state programs, only Vanderbilt offers a standalone MSN AGPCNP — ETSU’s tracks are DNP-only at the degree level.

Only in-state MSN option: Vanderbilt at ~$92,565 | 45 credits | 500+ clinical hours | 1.5 years FT / 2.5 years PT | School-arranged placements | Ranked #3 nationally.
Standout: Vanderbilt’s full-time placement team is the strongest clinical support model among Tennessee programs — students specify a geographic preference and the school handles the rest.

• Fall-only start for both full-time and part-time options
• Full-time study alongside full-time employment is not recommended by the program
• Part-time option available across 7 semesters (2.5 years) for working nurses

Tennessee nurses who need a lower-cost MSN-level pathway may also consider national programs such as Chamberlain University (~$34,200 | 45 credits | 625 clinical hours | 2.5 years | 100% online with Practicum Commitment®) or Walden University (~$41,185–$59,330 | 58 quarter credits | 640 clinical hours | ~2 years | fully online with Practicum Pledge®).

DNP Programs

Both in-state Tennessee programs lead with the DNP. ETSU offers BSN-entry and MSN-entry DNP tracks; Vanderbilt offers a BS-to-DNP. For MSN-prepared nurses already certified in AGPCNP, ETSU’s MSN-to-DNP is the most efficient and affordable route to a terminal degree in the state.

Lowest cost: ETSU MSN-to-DNP at ~$21,024 in-state — the most affordable DNP option in Tennessee by a wide margin.
Standout for BSN-entry: ETSU BSN-DNP at ~$57,816 in-state includes 1,000 clinical hours and a mandatory interprofessional component unique among Tennessee AGPCNP programs.
Standout for prestige + support: Vanderbilt BS-DNP at ~$129,591 is ranked #4 nationally and includes full placement team support — but costs more than double ETSU’s equivalent track.

Tennessee nurses seeking a fully online BSN-DNP at lower cost may also consider Walden University (~$86,400 | 90 quarter credits | 1,000 clinical hours) as an additional option.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s certificates suit MSN- or DNP-prepared nurses who are already board-certified and need to add AGPCNP to their scope. Tennessee offers two certificate options, though they serve very different entry points: ETSU’s post-DNP certificate is exclusively for DNP-holders, while Vanderbilt’s PMC is open to MSN-prepared APRNs.

Lowest cost: ETSU post-DNP certificate at ~$21,024 in-state — but only available to nurses who already hold a DNP.
Most accessible: Vanderbilt’s PMC accepts MSN-prepared APRNs, uses an individualized gap analysis, and includes placement team support — but cost varies and can reach $40K+ depending on credits required.
Unique pathway: Vanderbilt’s DNP + PMC combo option lets certificate students complete two additional DNP semesters alongside their PMC coursework, making them eligible for federal loans and scholarships as doctoral students.

• ETSU Post-DNP Certificate: ~$21,024 | 32 credits | ~1.5–2 yrs | DNP-holders only | Students self-source preceptors | TN/compact state licensure required
• Vanderbilt PMC: Varies (gap analysis) | 500+ clinical hours | 3–5 semesters | MSN-prepared APRNs | Placement team arranges clinicals | DNP+PMC combo option available

MSN-prepared nurses who want a fixed-cost, fully online certificate option beyond Tennessee’s two programs may consider Chamberlain (~$25,080 | 33 credits | 625 hours) or Walden (~$31,580 | 38 quarter credits | 640 hours) as additional alternatives.

Clinical Placement & Preceptor Support

Tennessee’s two in-state programs sit at opposite ends of the placement support spectrum.

Full placement team support:

• Vanderbilt University — A dedicated full-time clinical placement team arranges practicums for all students. Geographic preferences are honored where possible. Students in Middle Tennessee have access to the broadest local placement pool; out-of-area students should confirm OMTA placement policies directly. This is the strongest placement support model of any Tennessee AGPCNP program.

Students must self-source preceptors:

• ETSU — Students arrange their own clinical sites and provide their own transportation. All clinical rotations must occur in Tennessee or a compact state. ETSU does not offer a placement guarantee or coordinator service.

Nurses who want additional placement support options beyond Tennessee’s in-state programs can consider Chamberlain’s Practicum Commitment® (assistance triggered after three documented denials) or Walden’s Practicum Pledge® (dedicated Field Placement Team support) — both national online programs that enroll Tennessee residents.

Admissions Comparison