Tennessee AGPCNP Programs

Tennessee AGPCNP Programs at a Glance

TN AGPCNP Program Summaries List

Chamberlain University AGPCNP Programs

Fully Online | 760 cpc | Certificate / MSN

Tennessee residents can enroll in Chamberlain University's online AGPCNP MSN or Graduate Certificate programs, with local clinical placements supported through the Practicum Commitment® for primary care settings. The curriculum emphasizes advanced assessment, pharmacology, differential diagnosis, and management of conditions in adolescents, adults, and older adults, completed in 2.5 years (MSN) or 1.67 years (Certificate) full-time. Students complete 625 practicum hours and attend two required in-person events in the Chicago area for skills lab and intensive board review, preparing for national certification.

ETSU AGPCNP Programs

Johnson City | 659 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

East Tennessee State University’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs prepare nurses to provide primary care for adolescents, adults, and older adults through BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and Post-DNP certificate pathways. The curriculum combines online/blended coursework, required intensive sessions, and supervised clinical experiences with a strong focus on rural, underserved, and Appalachian populations. Graduates are prepared for national AGPCNP certification and advanced practice roles in primary care and related settings...read more.

Vanderbilt University AGPCNP Programs

Nashville | 2059 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

At $2,057 per credit hour, Vanderbilt is a premium investment — but one backed by elite national rankings, a 100% board certification pass rate, a managed clinical placement team, and actively practicing faculty. The BSN-to-MSN full-time track is among the fastest AGPCNP pathways in the country at just four semesters. The MN Prespecialty pathway is uniquely suited for career changers without a nursing background who want a continuous path from RN licensure to advanced practice — all within the Vanderbilt ecosystem...read more.

Walden University AGPCNP Programs

Fully Online | 788 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP

Walden University’s AGPCNP programs empower Tennessee nurses to elevate their careers through flexible MSN, DNP, and certificate options. The curriculum is tailored to modern healthcare needs, covering advanced pharmacology, health assessment, and interprofessional leadership. Professionals in the Volunteer State benefit from the Practicum Pledge®, which provides vital support in identifying clinical preceptors and sites.

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.

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