UMass Chan AGPCNP Programs

UMass Chan Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing offers three Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:

• BSN to DNP – AGPCNP
• Direct Entry MS → DNP – AGPCNP
• Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP

The DNP tracks are available full-time, with a part-time option available during Year 1 only.

Program Tracks Overview

The AGPCNP curriculum focuses on generalist primary care for patients aged 13 through older adulthood, with a strong emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.

Clinical placements are arranged by the program across Massachusetts — students do not need to self-arrange preceptors.

BSN to DNP – AGPCNP

The BSN-DNP AGPCNP at UMass Chan totals 67+ credit hours and takes approximately 3 years full-time to complete.

A part-time option is available, but only for Year 1. The final 2 years must be completed full-time to meet clinical practicum and scholarly project requirements.

Estimated total tuition and fees over 3 years:

• In-state: ~$82K ($27,259/year × 3)
• NE regional: ~$100K ($33,199/year × 3)
• Out-of-state: ~$109K ($36,358/year × 3)

Tuition is charged per credit and fees vary by program — treat these as estimates.

DNP Curriculum

The BSN-DNP totals 67+ credits organized across three years.

Year 1 is primarily didactic, building the DNP foundation — pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, epidemiology, health policy, evidence-based practice, quality and safety, scholarly writing, and practice inquiry methods.

Year 2 is the clinical year, delivering the full AGPCNP specialty sequence through two theory courses and three clinical practicum courses, alongside the DNP project proposal and organizational systems coursework.

Year 3 focuses on the DNP scholarly project implementation and evaluation, leadership, informatics, and transition to advanced practice.

DNP Curriculum

The BSN-DNP totals 67+ credits across three years. Year 1 is entirely didactic, building the DNP foundation before any clinical exposure. Year 2 is the clinical year — AGPCNP specialty theory and practicum run concurrently, alongside the DNP project. Year 3 shifts to scholarly project implementation, leadership, and transition to practice.

Year 1 — Didactic (33 cr.)

Fall:

• N 603A – Societal Forces (3 cr.)
• N 603B.1 – IP Community Service-Learning Practicum (0.5 cr.)
• N 613H – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
• N 704 – Principles of Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• N 706 – Health Policy (3 cr.)

Spring:

• N 603B.2 – IP Community Service-Learning Practicum (0.5 cr.)
• N 614 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr.)
• N 615 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
• N 716 – EBP & Scholarly Inquiry (3 cr.)
• N 723H-1 – Quality & Safety (3 cr.)
• N 718H – Scholarly Writing (1 cr.)

Summer:

• N 715 – Analytical Foundations of Practice Inquiry (2 cr.)
• N 727 – DNP Practice Inquiry Methods (2 cr.)
• N 729 – Diagnostic Reasoning: Complexities Associated with the Care of the Older Adult (3 cr.)
• Elective (optional)

Year 2 — Clinical (23 cr.)

Year 2 is where the AGPCNP specialty sequence begins. Theory and practicum courses run concurrently across Fall, Spring, and Summer, progressing from foundational clinical reasoning to independent management of complex patients.

Fall:

• N 730A – AGPCNP Theory I (5 cr.): The first of two theory courses focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic health conditions for adolescents through older adults. Develops and refines health assessment skills and critical thinking competencies aligned with APN core domains.
• N 730B – AGPCNP Clinical Practicum I (3 cr.): The first of three clinical practicum courses. Students develop history-taking, physical exam, and clinical reasoning skills, and begin formulating management plans for patients and families from adolescence through end of life.

Spring:

• N 731A – AGPCNP Theory II (5 cr.): The second theory course, building on N730A. Deepens critical thinking and evidence-based knowledge for managing health and illness across the adult-gerontology lifespan, with continued focus on health promotion and disease management.
• N 731B – AGPCNP Clinical Practicum II (3 cr.): Shifts the focus to mastering clinical reasoning and formulating complex management plans. Students expand their application of evidence-based practice and standards of care to increasingly complex patients and families.
• N 7091 – DNP Project Proposal (1 cr.)

Summer:

• N 731C – AGPCNP Clinical Practicum III (2 cr.): The final practicum course. Students actualize the full AGPCNP role — refining diagnostic reasoning, managing complex cases with greater independence, and operationalizing evidence-based standards of care for adolescents through end-of-life patients.
• N 708 – Organizational Systems & Health Care Financing (3 cr.)
• N 709II – DNP Project Proposal (1 cr.)
• N 731DH – Advanced Nursing Science Theory III (2 cr.): The third of three advanced nursing science theory courses for AGPCNP students. Refines critical thinking competencies across APN domains, grounded in theory and evidence-based research for health promotion, disease prevention, and patient management.

Year 3 — Scholarly Project (11 cr.)

The final year shifts away from clinical coursework. Students implement and evaluate their DNP scholarly project, develop leadership and informatics skills, and complete the transition to advanced practice.

Fall:

• N 772 – DNP Scholarly Project: Implementation (2 cr.)
• N 776 – Leadership for Advanced Practice (3 cr.)
• N 707 – Biomedical Informatics (3 cr.)

Spring:

• N 773 – DNP Scholarly Project: Evaluation (2 cr.)
• N 778 – Transition to Advanced Practice (1 cr.)

View more curriculum details in the course catalog. (PDF)

DNP Clinicals

Clinical training is concentrated in Year 2 and delivered across three progressive AGPCNP practicum courses, totaling 8 dedicated clinical practicum credits alongside theory courses. All clinical placements are arranged by the program across Massachusetts — no self-arranging required.

• N 730B – AGPCNP Clinical Practicum I (3 cr.) — history taking, physical exam, clinical reasoning, management plans for adolescents through older adults
• N 731B – AGPCNP Clinical Practicum II (3 cr.) — mastering clinical reasoning, complex management plans for adolescents through end of life
• N 731C – AGPCNP Clinical Practicum III (2 cr.) — actualization of the AGPCNP role; managing complex patients with greater independence
• Clinical placements arranged by the program across Massachusetts
• Access to the Interprofessional Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation (iCELS) on campus

DNP Admissions

Admission is competitive and based on experience and passion for nursing. Applications are submitted through NursingCAS. A supplemental application with additional fees is required after the NursingCAS application is submitted.

• BSN from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred for all degrees
• Unrestricted Massachusetts RN license
• Statistics course (no time limit) with B- or higher preferred
• Personal statement — two prompts (300 words each): (1) what led you to nursing and why you are a good fit for a rigorous doctoral program; (2) your understanding of the AGPCNP role and how the DNP will enhance your advanced practice
• Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional, within last 5 years) — one professional supervisor, one academic faculty/advisor
• CV/resume
• Video essay — 3 questions, up to 2 minutes each, completed in the supplemental application
• NursingCAS application ($80 fee) + supplemental application ($117 fee, non-refundable)
• Residency validation form and criminal background check authorization (via supplemental application)
• Priority deadline: February 1, 2026 | Final deadline: April 30, 2026 | Fall start only

Direct Entry MS → DNP – AGPCNP

The Direct Entry MS at UMass Chan is a two-phase pathway for non-nurses.

Phase 1 — MS in Nursing (~2 years, 4 semesters):

• In-state: $132,526 ($66,263/yr × 2)
• NE regional: $149,244 ($74,622/yr × 2)
• Out-of-state: $164,572 ($82,286/yr × 2)

Phase 2 — DNP completion: After earning the MS and passing the NCLEX-RN, students can progress to the DNP through a streamlined admission process. Nine credits from the Direct Entry MS apply toward DNP completion.

DNP phase tuition is not published in the available source materials — contact gsnadmissions@umassmed.edu for current rates.

Total program length from non-nurse to DNP is approximately 5+ years.

DE-DNP Curriculum

The Direct Entry MS → DNP pathway has two distinct phases. The MS phase prepares non-nurses to become registered nurses and sit for the NCLEX-RN. The DNP phase adds the full AGPCNP specialty sequence including didactic coursework, three clinical practicums, and a scholarly project.

MS Phase (4 semesters, ~2 years) — Generalist nursing preparation: Prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Course content covers foundational nursing science across all major clinical areas. After completing the MS and passing the NCLEX, students enter the DNP phase. 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% hire rate as an RN reported.

DNP Phase — NP Year 1 Didactic (27+ cr.):

Fall:

• N 603A – Societal Forces (3 cr.)
• N 603B.1 – IP Community Service-Learning Practicum (0.5 cr.)
• N 613H – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
• N 704 – Principles of Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• N 706 – Health Policy (3 cr.)

Spring:

• N 603B.2 – IP Community Service-Learning Practicum (0.5 cr.)
• N 614 – Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr.)
• N 615 – Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)
• N 718H – Scholarly Writing (1 cr.)

Summer:

• N 715 – Analytical Foundations of Practice Inquiry (2 cr.)
• N 727 – DNP Practice Inquiry Methods (2 cr.)
• N 729 – Diagnostic Reasoning: Complexities Associated with the Care of the Older Adult (3 cr.)
• Elective (optional)

DNP Phase — Year 2 Clinical (23 cr.) and Year 3 Scholarly Project (8 cr.): Identical to the BSN-DNP Years 2 and 3. See BSN-DNP curriculum above for full course listing.

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

DE-DNP Clinicals

Clinical training begins in the MS phase and continues through the full DNP clinical practicum sequence. All placements across both phases are arranged by the program across Massachusetts.

• MS phase: clinical experiences embedded across generalist nursing coursework
• DNP phase: N 730B, N 731B, N 731C – AGPCNP Clinical Practicums I, II, and III (8 clinical practicum credits)
• All placements arranged by the program — no self-arranging required
• Access to iCELS simulation center on campus

DE-DNP Admissions

Admission to the Direct Entry MS requires a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and completion of prerequisite science courses. No prior nursing experience or license is required.

• Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
• Minimum 3.0 GPA for all previously earned degrees
• Statistics course completed (no time limit)
• The following courses completed within 5 years with grade of B- or higher (courses taken 5–7 years prior may be accepted with condition to complete N590H Human Physiology online prior to matriculation):
  • Anatomy & Physiology 1 with lab
  • Anatomy & Physiology 2 with lab
  • Microbiology with lab
• The following courses completed within 7 years with grade of B- or higher:
  • Nutrition
  • Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan
• Up to 2 prerequisites may be in progress at time of application
• Personal statement — three prompts (up to 500 words total): (1) what motivated you to pursue nursing and your short/long-term goals; (2) what makes you a good fit for Tan Chingfen GSN; (3) strategies for meeting the demands of a full-time, fast-paced program
• Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional, within last 5 years)
• CV/resume
• Video essay — 3 questions, up to 2 minutes each (supplemental application)
• NursingCAS application ($80 fee) + supplemental application ($117 fee, non-refundable)
• Residency validation form and criminal background check authorization
• Early deadline: November 2, 2025 | Final deadline: April 30, 2026 | Fall start only

Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP

The Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP at UMass Chan totals 18 credit hours and can typically be completed in approximately 1 year (2 semesters).

This track is designed for practicing NPs who want to refocus their specialization into adult-gerontology primary care.

Estimated tuition and fees over 2 semesters (Fall and Spring only):

• In-state: ~$18K
• NE regional: ~$22K
• Out-of-state: ~$24K

Certificate Curriculum

The Post-Graduate Certificate totals 18 credit hours delivered over two semesters. The curriculum is organized around two levels of AGPCNP theory and two levels of clinical practicum, each running concurrently. Prerequisites must be completed before enrollment — pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment with evidence of head-to-toe competency.

Prerequisites (not counted toward 18 credits — must be completed before enrollment):

• Advanced Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurse — completed within 5 years (B or higher; transcripts and course syllabi required if taken at another institution)
• Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurse — completed within 5 years (B or higher)
• Advanced Health Assessment for the Advanced Practice Nurse — must demonstrate head-to-toe competency via clinical performance exam or enrollment in N615 in the spring prior to matriculation

Fall (9 cr.):

• Advanced Nursing Science: AGPCNP Theory I (6 cr.)
• Advanced Nursing Science: AGPCNP Clinical Practicum I (3 cr.)

Spring (9 cr.):

• Advanced Nursing Science: AGPCNP Theory II (6 cr.)
• Advanced Nursing Science: AGPCNP Clinical Practicum II (3 cr.)

View more curriculum details in the course catalog.

Certificate Clinicals

Clinical hours are embedded within two practicum courses across the two-semester program. All clinical placements are arranged by the program across Massachusetts — no self-arranging required.

• AGPCNP Clinical Practicum I (3 cr.) — Fall
• AGPCNP Clinical Practicum II (3 cr.) — Spring
• Clinical placements arranged by the program across Massachusetts

Certificate Admissions

Admission requires a master’s degree in nursing and completion of the three prerequisite APRN courses. Applications are submitted through NursingCAS with a required supplemental application.

• Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution
• Current, active NP license or RN license (confirm with program)
• Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics completed within 5 years (B or higher; transcripts and syllabi required if completed elsewhere)
• Advanced Health Assessment with demonstrated head-to-toe competency, or enrollment in N615 the spring prior to matriculation
• NursingCAS application ($80 fee) + supplemental application ($117 fee, non-refundable)
• Residency validation form and criminal background check authorization
• Program available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only
• Priority deadline: February 1, 2026 | Final deadline: May 3, 2026 | Fall start

Tuition

Published tuition rates for the UMass Chan Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing vary by program. The only rate explicitly published in available source materials is for the Direct Entry MS:

• Massachusetts residents: ~$66,263 per academic year
• New England regional students: ~$74,622 per academic year
• Out-of-state students: ~$82,286 per academic year

Tuition for the BSN-DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate programs is not published in available source materials. Applications require an $80 NursingCAS fee plus a $117 supplemental application fee (both non-refundable). Fee waivers may be available on a case-by-case basis — email gsnadmissions@umassmed.edu to inquire.

See the official tuition page for more details.

Accreditation

The Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing pre-licensure program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. The DNP program is ranked #1 in Massachusetts by Nursing Schools Almanac.

Graduates of the AGPCNP tracks are eligible to sit for the AGPCNP certification examination administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

The Post-Graduate Certificate program prepares graduates to meet competencies from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Core Competencies for Nurse Practitioners.

Specific programmatic nursing accreditation body (CCNE or ACEN) is not explicitly stated in the available source materials — contact the program directly to confirm accreditation status before applying.

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