Mass General Brigham University of Health Professions (formerly MGH Institute of Health Professions, renamed September 1, 2026) offers Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP preparation through its School of Nursing in four entry pathways. Each pathway comes in two versions: a standalone AGPCNP track or a dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health track.
- Direct-Entry MS (for bachelor’s graduates without a nursing degree)
- Post-BSN MS
- Post-MSN CAS (Certificate of Advanced Study, for MSN-prepared RNs who are not NPs)
- Post-NP CAS (for certified NPs adding a specialty)
All pathways are hybrid, mixing on-campus, hybrid, and online courses in Boston. Both AGPCNP versions are full-time only. The School of Nursing arranges every clinical placement.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-BSN MS – AGPCNP | $84,711 | 2 years (5 terms) | 51 |
| Post-BSN MS – Dual AGPCNP/WHNP | $101,321 | 2 years (6 terms) | 61 |
| Direct-Entry MS – AGPCNP | $167,508 | 3 years (8 terms) | 99 |
| Direct-Entry MS – Dual AGPCNP/WHNP | $184,428 | 3 years (9 terms) | 109 |
| Post-MSN CAS – AGPCNP | $42,656–$54,653 | 2 years (5 terms) | 32–41 |
| Post-MSN CAS – Dual AGPCNP/WHNP | $59,985–$71,982 | 2 years (6 terms) | 45–54 |
| Post-NP CAS – AGPCNP | $39,990–$54,653 | 2 years (5 terms) | 30–41 |
| Post-NP CAS – Dual AGPCNP/WHNP | $51,987–$63,984 | 1.5 years (Spring start) | 39–48 |
Tuition estimates multiply the university’s 2026–2027 per-credit rates (Direct-Entry $1,692; All Other Graduate Programs $1,661, applied to the Post-BSN MS; CAS Nursing $1,333) by 2026–2027 catalog credit totals. Certificate ranges reflect gap-analysis course waivers. Rates are the same for every state.
Few AGPCNP programs pair a fully school-arranged placement model with a choice between single and dual certification. MGB University states that the program provides 100% of NP preceptors across more than 800 sites, including Mass General Brigham hospitals. Dual-track graduates may sit for the AGPCNP exam (ANCC or AANP) and the NCC Women’s Health NP exam.
Location and price set the limits. Full-time classes are generally scheduled on one to two days a week, and the clinical network is centered on Boston, so the program fits nurses who live within reach of the city. At $1,661 per credit plus $125 per credit in mandatory fees, the 51-credit Post-BSN AGPCNP costs about $91,000, and neither AGPCNP version offers a part-time schedule.
MGB University removes the preceptor search and offers a two-certification option, but its Boston-based hybrid schedule, full-time-only AGPCNP tracks, and private pricing narrow who can realistically enroll.
Quick Facts
| Program Types | Direct-Entry MS, Post-BSN MS, Post-MSN CAS, Post-NP CAS |
| Specialty Options | AGPCNP or Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health in every pathway |
| Format | Hybrid; full-time classes generally 1–2 days per week |
| Enrollment | Full-time only for both AGPCNP versions |
| Clinical Placement | Arranged by the School of Nursing; 100% of preceptors provided; 800+ sites |
| Practicum Credits | 15 (AGPCNP); 21 (Dual: 12 primary care, 9 women’s health) |
| Clinical Hours | Not published for MS tracks; CAS page states a 500-hour minimum, specialty dependent |
| Population Focus | Ages 13 through adulthood |
| Certification Eligibility | AGPCNP (ANCC or AANP); Dual adds NCC WHNP |
| Start Terms | Fall (MS); Fall or Spring (CAS) |
| Tuition | $1,333–$1,692 per credit, plus $125 per credit in fees |
| Accreditation | CCNE (master’s and post-graduate APRN certificate); NECHE |
Post-BSN MS – AGPCNP and Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health NP
The Post-BSN Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing is for licensed RNs with a BSN. The AGPCNP track is 51 credits over five terms, from Fall through the second Spring, for an estimated $84,711 in tuition. The dual track is 61 credits over six terms, ending the second Summer, for an estimated $101,321. Both are full-time only. Part-time study exists only in the acute care, family, and psych tracks.
Post-BSN MS Curriculum
Year 1 Fall covers advanced pathophysiology and advanced health assessment. Pharmacology and the first of three 4-credit adult-gerontology primary care theory courses follow in Spring. Practicum starts in the first Summer and peaks in the final two terms, when each theory course runs beside a 6-credit practicum.
The MS adds courses the certificates omit: health policy, nursing research and quality improvement, a 1-credit scholarly project, and (AGPCNP only) a 3-credit elective. NP 758, Transitions in Life and Health, appears in every pathway.
The dual track replaces the elective with women’s health content: a clinical seminar, two theory courses, and three practicums. It also restructures primary care practicum from 15 credits (NP 861A–C) to 12 credits (NP 862A–C). The second Fall carries 17 credits, the heaviest term in any pathway.
AGPCNP (51 credits)
- Year 1 Fall (6): NP 715N Advanced Pathophysiology (3); NP 762N Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning Across the Lifespan (3); HP 001 health equity (0)
- Year 1 Spring (10): NP 701 Adult/Gero PCNP Theory I (4); NP 739 Advanced Pharmacology (3); NP 758 Transitions in Life and Health (3)
- Year 1 Summer (12): NH 602 Health Care Policy & Politics (3); NH 720 Nursing Research and Quality Improvement Science (3); NP 861A Adult/Gero Primary Care Practicum (3); Elective (3)
- Year 2 Fall (11): NP 801 Adult/Gero PCNP Theory 2 (4); NP 861B Practicum (6); NS 891N Scholarly Project (1)
- Year 2 Spring (12): NP 802 Adult/Gero PCNP Theory 3 (4); NP 839 Professional Issues (2); NP 861C Practicum (6)
Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health (61 credits)
- Year 1 Fall (9): NP 715N (3); NP 762N (3); NH 602 (3); HP 001 (0)
- Year 1 Spring (11): NP 701 (4); NP 739 (3); NP 762 Women’s Health Clinical Seminar (1); NP 758 (3)
- Year 1 Summer (8): NH 720 (3); NP 839 (2); NP 862A Dual Primary Care Practicum (3)
- Year 2 Fall (17): NP 752 Women’s Health Theory I (3); NP 801 (4); NP 862B (6); NP 863A Dual Women’s Health Practicum (3); NS 891N (1)
- Year 2 Spring (13): NP 802 (4); NP 853 Women’s Health Theory II (3); NP 862C (3); NP 863B (3)
- Year 2 Summer (3): NP 863C (3)
View the catalog plans for the Post-BSN AGPCNP and the Post-BSN Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health.
Post-BSN MS Clinical Requirements
- Practicum credits: 15 for AGPCNP (NP 861A 3, 861B 6, 861C 6); 21 for the dual track (NP 862A–C 12, NP 863A–C 9)
- Total clinical clock hours: not published on the program page or catalog plan
- Practicum begins in the first Summer term
- Placement: arranged by the School of Nursing at no additional cost; 100% of preceptors provided by the program
- Sites: more than 800, including Mass General Brigham hospitals and affiliates
- Clinical fee: $1,900 each Fall term
Students never search for a preceptor, which removes the most common cause of delayed NP graduation. The trade-off is that sites come from the university’s Boston-area network. MGB University does not describe a home-state placement option, so applicants outside Massachusetts should plan to relocate.
Dual-track students complete more total practicum (21 credits) but less adult-gerontology primary care practicum (12 credits) than standalone AGPCNP students (15 credits).
Post-BSN MS Admissions
- BSN from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- RN license (the program is designed for licensed RNs)
- Statistics course, graduate or undergraduate, with a C+ or better before matriculation
- Personal statement, about three double-spaced pages
- Two letters of recommendation, one academic and one professional (no more than three reviewed)
- Current resume or CV
- Official transcripts from every institution, sent to NursingCAS
- GRE not required; minimum GPA not published
- TOEFL iBT 89 or IELTS 6.5 for non-native English speakers
- Fall 2027 entry: NursingCAS opens in August; final deadline March 1, 2027
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the class fills, so early applicants have more seats to compete for. The program page banner still shows a March 3, 2026 deadline from the prior cycle; the Application Process section lists March 1, 2027 for Fall 2027 entry.
Direct-Entry MS – AGPCNP and Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health NP
The Direct-Entry MS in Nursing is for bachelor’s graduates in any field. The AGPCNP track is 99 credits over eight terms, for an estimated $167,508. The dual track is 109 credits over nine terms, for an estimated $184,428. Both take about three years. The first three terms prepare students for the NCLEX-RN; the rest is the same advanced coursework as the Post-BSN MS.
Direct-Entry MS Curriculum
The generalist phase packs 48 credits into three terms (19.5, 18.5, and 10 credits), using half-term courses and an interprofessional IMPACT series. It covers foundations, pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, mental health, adult and population health, childbearing families, children, and complex adult conditions.
The advanced phase starts in Year 2 Fall and matches the Post-BSN plan credit for credit: 51 credits for AGPCNP and 61 for the dual track. Sequencing shifts slightly. Health policy moves into the first advanced term, and a 0-credit interprofessional seminar (HP 999) is added. The catalog says practicum requirements begin in Year 2 Spring.
The catalog also describes a Summer-start variant that adds one semester. The program page lists Fall as the start term.
Generalist phase (48 credits, both tracks)
- Term I (19.5): HP 818 IMPACT 1 (1); NS 500G Foundations of Nursing Practice (4); NS 501G Pathophysiology (3); NS 502G Health Assessment (3); NS 503AG Pharmacology I (1.5); NS 504G Mental Health Nursing (4); NS 510G Adult and Population Health I (3)
- Term II (18.5): HP 819 IMPACT II (1); NS 503BG Pharmacology II (1.5); NS 520G Adult and Population Health II (5); NS 521G Childbearing Families (3); NS 522G Children and Families (3); NS 530G Adult and Population Health III (5)
- Term III (10): NS 540G Complex Adult Health Conditions (5); NS 550G Transition to Nursing Practice (4); HP 821 IMPACT 3 (1)
AGPCNP advanced phase (51 credits)
- Year 2 Fall (9): NH 602 (3); NP 715N (3); NP 762N (3)
- Year 2 Spring (10): NP 701 (4); NP 739 (3); NP 758 (3); HP 999 Interprofessional Seminar (0)
- Year 2 Summer (9): NH 720 (3); NP 861A (3); Elective (3)
- Year 3 Fall (11): NP 801 (4); NP 861B (6); NS 891N (1)
- Year 3 Spring (12): NP 802 (4); NP 839 (2); NP 861C (6)
The dual advanced phase follows the Post-BSN dual sequence above, adding NP 762 in Year 2 Spring and ending with NP 863C in Year 3 Summer. View the catalog plans for the Direct-Entry AGPCNP and the Direct-Entry Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health.
Direct-Entry MS Clinical Requirements
- Prelicensure clinicals begin early in the first semester, at a 1:6 faculty-to-student ratio
- Advanced practice uses 1:1 preceptorships
- Advanced practicum credits: 15 (AGPCNP) or 21 (dual), as in the Post-BSN MS
- Total clinical clock hours: not published
- Placement: arranged by the school at no additional cost; named sites include Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital, plus community and rural sites
- Reported outcomes: 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (class of 87); 88% first-time ANCC NP board pass rate; 94% of surveyed 2025 graduates employed within 12 months
The published NP board rate covers Direct-Entry graduates broadly and is not broken out for AGPCNP.
Direct-Entry MS Admissions
- Bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
- Prerequisites with a C+ or better, completed within seven years: chemistry (no lab), anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, microbiology, human nutrition, statistics (including inferential statistics)
- At application: at least three prerequisites complete and no more than four outstanding; no more than two outstanding at matriculation, and all finished before the program starts
- Personal statement, two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional), and official transcripts via NursingCAS
- GRE not required; TOEFL iBT 89 or IELTS 6.5 for non-native English speakers
- Deferral not permitted except for military deployment
- Fall 2027 entry: priority deadline January 15, 2027; final deadline March 1, 2027
The no-deferral rule means an admitted applicant who cannot start that Fall must reapply.
Post-MSN CAS – AGPCNP and Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health NP
The Certificate of Advanced Study in Nursing Post-MSN option is for RNs with an MSN who are not certified NPs. The AGPCNP plan is 41 credits, or as few as 32 after gap analysis, for an estimated $42,656–$54,653 over about two years. The dual plan is 54 credits, or as few as 45, for $59,985–$71,982 over about two years.
A published conflict worth knowing about. The CAS program page lists six specialty tracks, including the dual track, but not standalone AGPCNP. The Specialty Tracks page and the 2026–2027 catalog both publish a Post-MSN/Post-NP AGPCNP plan. This page follows the catalog, which governs degree requirements. The CAS page also notes that track availability depends on current enrollment.
Post-MSN CAS Curriculum
A gap analysis at matriculation decides whether NP 715N, NP 762N, and NP 739 are required, so prior graduate coursework can cut up to 9 credits. The certificate drops the MS research, policy, elective, and scholarly project courses. What remains is the advanced practice core, the theory sequence, NP 758, NP 839, and practicum.
AGPCNP (41 credits)
- Year 1 Fall (6): NP 715N (3); NP 762N (3); HP 001 (0)
- Year 1 Spring (7): NP 701 (4); NP 739 (3)
- Year 1 Summer (8): NP 758 (3); NP 839 (2); NP 861A (3)
- Year 2 Fall (10): NP 801 (4); NP 861B (6)
- Year 2 Spring (10): NP 802 (4); NP 861C (6)
Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health (54 credits)
- Year 1 Fall (6): NP 715N (3); NP 762N (3); HP 001 (0)
- Year 1 Spring (8): NP 701 (4); NP 739 (3); NP 762 (1)
- Year 1 Summer (6): NP 758 (3, may move to Year 2 Spring); NP 862A (3)
- Year 2 Fall (16): NP 752 (3); NP 801 (4); NP 862B (6); NP 863A (3)
- Year 2 Spring (15): NP 802 (4); NP 839 (2); NP 853 (3); NP 862C (3); NP 863B (3)
- Final term (3): NP 863C (3)
View the catalog plans for the Post-MSN/Post-NP AGPCNP and the Post-MSN Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health.
Post-MSN CAS Clinical Requirements
- Minimum 500 hours of supervised clinical practicum, specialty dependent (CAS program page)
- Practicum credits: 15 (AGPCNP) or 21 (dual), matching the MS tracks
- Placement: arranged by the School of Nursing at no additional cost; 100% of preceptors provided; more than 800 sites
- Clinical fee: $1,900 each Fall term
Gap analysis reduces didactic credits only. Every practicum course stays in the plan, so certificate students complete the same practicum load as MS students.
Post-MSN CAS Admissions
- MSN or higher and an RN license; RNs with a master’s in a related field need pre-application advisement and additional courses
- No APRN certification (certified NPs apply to the Post-NP option)
- Statistics course with a C+ or better before matriculation
- Personal statement on the most pressing issue in health care and how advanced practice nursing would address it
- Two letters of recommendation, resume or CV, and official transcripts via NursingCAS
- GRE not required; TOEFL iBT 89 or IELTS 6.5 for non-native English speakers
- Gap analysis at matriculation sets the final credit load
- Fall 2027 entry: final deadline March 1, 2027
The CAS page header still shows a May 1, 2026 deadline from the prior cycle, while its Dates & Deadlines section lists March 1, 2027 for Fall 2027. The page states the CAS admits in Fall or Spring and allows full- or part-time study, but the Specialty Tracks page lists no part-time option for either AGPCNP version.
Post-NP CAS – AGPCNP and Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health NP
The CAS Post-NP option is for certified NPs adding adult-gerontology primary care. The AGPCNP version uses the same 41-credit catalog plan as the Post-MSN option, for an estimated $39,990–$54,653 over about two years. The dual version uses its own 48-credit plan that starts in Spring and runs about 1.5 years, for an estimated $51,987–$63,984.
A published conflict worth knowing about. The catalog’s Post-NP dual plan states 48 credits, and its printed term totals (11, 6, 13, 15, 3) sum to 48. The individual courses listed sum to 59, partly because NP 881A appears in both Summer and Fall. This page uses the stated 48 credits because the program total and term totals agree. At 59 credits, tuition would be $78,647. The plan’s gap-analysis note also cites NP 760N, a course not listed in the plan.
Post-NP CAS Curriculum
For the standalone AGPCNP, the catalog notes that NP 839 Professional Issues is required for MSN holders who are not NPs. This suggests certified NPs skip it, which would bring the plan to 39 credits, or 30 after gap-analysis waivers. That reading is an interpretation, not a published Post-NP total.
The dual Post-NP plan front-loads clinical work. Advanced health assessment, pharmacology, Adult/Gero Theory I, and NP 861A practicum all fall in the first Spring term. Women’s health practicum uses a separate NP 881 series in place of the NP 863 series. Primary care practicum lists NP 861A and NP 861C, with no NP 861B.
Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health (48 credits as stated)
- Year 1 Spring (stated 11): NP 701 (4); NP 739 (3); NP 762N (3); NP 861A (3); HP 001 (0)
- Year 1 Summer (stated 6): NP 758 (3); NP 881A Women’s Health Practicum (6)
- Year 2 Fall (stated 13): NP 752 (3); NP 801 (4); NP 861C (6); NP 881A (6)
- Year 2 Spring (stated 15): NP 802 (4); NP 839 (2); NP 853 (3); NP 881B (6)
- Final term (stated 3): NP 881C (3)
View the catalog plans for the Post-MSN/Post-NP AGPCNP and the Post-NP Dual AGPCNP/Women’s Health.
Post-NP CAS Clinical Requirements
- Minimum 500 hours of supervised clinical practicum, specialty dependent
- Whether hours from a prior NP program count toward the new specialty: not published
- Placement: arranged by the School of Nursing; 100% of preceptors provided
- Clinical fee: $1,900 each Fall term
Post-NP CAS Admissions
- MSN, RN license, and current NP certification
- All other requirements match the Post-MSN option above
- Dual plan starts in Spring; the standalone AGPCNP plan starts in Fall
- Gap analysis at matriculation sets the final credit load
Tuition
MGB University sets tuition by program type, not by residency. The 2026–2027 per-credit rates are $1,692 for Direct-Entry Nursing, $1,333 for CAS Nursing, and $1,661 for All Other Graduate Programs. The tuition schedule has no separate Post-BSN MS line, so this page applies the All Other Graduate Programs rate to the Post-BSN MS.
Every credit also carries a $75 general student fee and a $50 technology fee, adding $125 per credit.
| Pathway | Est. Tuition | Tuition + Per-Credit Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Post-BSN MS – AGPCNP (51) | $84,711 | $91,086 |
| Post-BSN MS – Dual (61) | $101,321 | $108,946 |
| Direct-Entry MS – AGPCNP (99) | $167,508 | $179,883 |
| Direct-Entry MS – Dual (109) | $184,428 | $198,053 |
| Post-MSN CAS – AGPCNP (32–41) | $42,656–$54,653 | $46,656–$59,778 |
| Post-MSN CAS – Dual (45–54) | $59,985–$71,982 | $65,610–$78,732 |
| Post-NP CAS – AGPCNP (30–41) | $39,990–$54,653 | $43,740–$59,778 |
| Post-NP CAS – Dual (39–48) | $51,987–$63,984 | $56,862–$69,984 |
Figures are calculated from published 2026–2027 rates and catalog credit totals; the university does not publish program totals.
The dual track adds 10 credits in the Post-BSN MS, about $16,610 in tuition or $17,860 with per-credit fees.
Fees Beyond Tuition
- Clinical fee: $1,900 each Fall term for programs with clinical placements
- Advanced practice review course and diagnostic readiness test fee, charged in the second-year Fall: $339 (AGPCNP) or $678 (Dual)
- Health service fee: $139 per semester for on-campus and clinical programs (2026–2027 schedule; the tuition web page still shows the earlier $71 and $68 fees)
- Matriculation fee: $720, one time
- Deposit: $500, non-refundable, credited to tuition
- UWorld and NCLEX prep course: $762, first term (Direct-Entry only)
- Continuing enrollment fee: $1,650 for students who extend enrollment to finish clinical or project work
Tuition reductions are available to Mass General Brigham employees and affiliates, employees and preceptors at more than 600 clinical affiliation sites, alumni, and veterans. The university’s tuition calculators exclude these discounts. See the official tuition and fees page for current rates.
Why Choose This AGPCNP Program?
Best suited for: Boston-area nurses, or career changers willing to move to Boston, who want guaranteed school-arranged placements and can commit to full-time study, especially those who want dual AGPCNP and WHNP certification.
Placement Is Handled, Inside a Boston Network
The program provides 100% of NP preceptors across more than 800 sites at no added cost. Many AGPCNP programs require students to find their own. That certainty depends on living near Boston: the sites are Mass General Brigham hospitals and affiliates, and classes meet in person on a weekly cadence.
Two Certifications for 10 More Credits
The dual track adds one term and about $16,600 in tuition in the Post-BSN MS, and qualifies graduates for the NCC Women’s Health NP exam along with the AGPCNP exam. For a nurse aiming at gynecology, menopause, or women’s primary care, that is a second credential at a fraction of a second program’s cost. The cost is less adult-gerontology primary care practicum (12 credits versus 15) and a 17-credit second Fall.
Four Ways In, Including One for Non-Nurses
The Direct-Entry MS lets a bachelor’s graduate in another field become an RN and an AGPCNP in about three years, though tuition alone runs $167,508 to $184,428. At the other end, the CAS gap analysis can drop up to 9 credits for MSN holders, and the Post-NP plans serve certified NPs adding a population.
Private Pricing With No Part-Time Option
At $1,661 per credit, the Post-BSN AGPCNP costs about $91,000 with per-credit fees. Neither AGPCNP version offers part-time study. Full-time classes concentrated on one to two days a week may leave room for some work, but the schedule does not allow extending the plan.
The Verdict
MGB University makes the most sense for nurses who live in or will move to the Boston area, can study full time, and value a guaranteed placement over price. Applicants weighing dual AGPCNP/WHNP certification have a particularly strong reason to apply. Nurses who need a fully online program, a part-time schedule, clinical placements in another state, or a lower total cost should compare other options.
Accreditation
CCNE accredits the university’s master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs, and NECHE accredits the institution. The university states that its September 2026 name change does not restart accreditation. AGPCNP graduates are eligible for the ANCC or AANP AGPCNP exam; dual graduates may also take the NCC Women’s Health NP exam.
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approves the university’s degree programs. The catalog’s accreditation page makes no NC-SARA statement, and clinical placements run through the Boston-area network, so out-of-state distance study is not a practical option.
Other AGPCNP Programs in Massachusetts
- Northeastern University - Boston
- Regis College - Weston
- UMass Chan - Worcester
- UMass Dartmouth - Dartmouth