Duke University School of Nursing offers two Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN – AGPCNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP
Both programs are delivered in a distance-based format combining asynchronous online coursework with required on-campus Nurse Practitioner Intensive (NPI) sessions.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $98,490 | 2.5 years |
| Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP | $2,345/credit — total credits not published; | Not clearly stated |
Clinical placements are arranged through Duke’s network of 2,000+ worldwide partner sites, with program staff working with each student to find a suitable site.
These programs are best suited for experienced nurses who want the most credentialed AGPCNP preparation available — backed by Duke’s #1 national ranking and strong employer recognition.
Program Tracks Overview
MSN – AGPCNP
The MSN AGPCNP at Duke University School of Nursing is estimated at approximately ~$98,490 in tuition. The program runs for 7 semesters from either a fall or spring entry point, taking approximately 2.5 years to complete full-time.
Estimate based on 42 credits at $2,345/credit (2026–2027 rate).
MSN Curriculum
The MSN AGPCNP totals 42 credit hours across three required components:
- MSN Core (12 cr.): Covers nursing scholarship, statistics, evidence-based practice, population health, and professional transitions in advanced practice.
- MSN Four Ps (11 cr.): Delivers advanced physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan, physical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, and clinical pharmacology — required of all APRN majors.
- AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Sequence (19 cr.): Builds through primary care of adolescents and adults, care of older adult patients, and a synthesis practicum, with 728 total clinical hours embedded across three clinical courses.
MSN Core Courses (12 cr.):
- N580 – Nurse as Scholar I: Science Development, Study Design & Statistics (3 cr.)
- N581 – Nurse as Scholar II: Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr.)
- N582 – Population Health in a Global Society (3 cr.)
- N583 – Professional Transitions: Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr.)
MSN Four Ps (11 cr.):
- N589 – Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan: A Conceptual Approach (4 cr.)
- N595 – Physical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning in Advanced Practice Nursing (4 cr.)
- N596 – Clinical Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 cr.)
AGPCNP Primary Care Clinical Courses (19 cr.):
- N620 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care Adolescents and Adult Patients (4 cr.)
- N622 – Advanced Practice Nursing in Primary Care Adolescents, Adults and Older Adult Patients I: Clinical (3 cr. / 168 clinical hours)
- N624 – Advanced Practice Nursing Care in Older Adult Patients (2 cr.)
- N626 – Advanced Practice Nursing Care in Adolescents, Adults, and Older Adult Patients II: Clinical (4 cr. / 224 clinical hours)
- N694A – Advanced Practice Nursing in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Patients Synthesis (6 cr. / 336 clinical hours)
Nurse Practitioner Intensive (NPI) Courses — Required, 0 credits:
- N617 – NP Intensive I: Collaboration, Care Management and Identity Formation
- N618 – NP Intensive II: Care Management, Information Management, Collaboration and Contextual Relevance
- N619 – NP Intensive III: Collaboration, Leadership, and Scholarship
NPI courses carry 0 credit hours but are required for all APRN majors. These are on-campus intensive sessions and require travel to Durham, NC.
View more curriculum details on the official program page.
MSN Clinicals
MSN students complete a minimum of 728 total clinical hours embedded across three clinical courses. Duke’s program staff work with each student to identify a suitable site from a network of 2,000+ worldwide clinical partner sites. In rare cases, students may be required to relocate to North Carolina to complete clinical requirements.
- N622 – AGPCNP Clinical I (168 hours)
- N626 – AGPCNP Clinical II (224 hours)
- N694A – AGPCNP Synthesis (336 hours)
- Total: 728 minimum clinical hours
- Clinical placements available at 2,000+ worldwide partner sites
- Program staff work with students to identify appropriate sites
- Simulation lab at Duke used to prepare students before real-world placements
- VA Nursing Academic Partnership program available for students interested in veteran care
- Students may be required to travel up to 120 miles within their resident state or to another state for suitable sites
- In rare instances, students may need to relocate to North Carolina to complete clinical requirements
MSN Admissions
Admission is holistic and competitive. GRE is not required. Rolling admissions with fall and spring entry — applying early is strongly encouraged. Three separate personal statement essays are required.
- BSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program, or ADN from an accredited school plus a bachelor’s degree in any field
- Preferred 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (holistic review — all applications considered)
- Current RN license in the state where you plan to practice
- Statistics course (grade of C or better; 3 credits required; AP Statistics with score of 3+ accepted)
- Three professional letters of recommendation — at least one from a provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA) in the major you are applying for; references must be from within the last 5 years; at least one from a current work supervisor recommended
- Three personal statement essays (2,000 character limit each) — submitted via the online application
- Resume or CV
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- GRE not required
- Interview by invitation only
- One year of nursing experience recommended (not required for AGPCNP; required for some other specialties)
- Fall priority: applications completed by December 1 | Spring priority: applications completed by May 1
- Rolling admissions — apply early for best consideration
Post-Graduate Certificate – AGPCNP
The Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP at Duke University School of Nursing is available to MSN-prepared nurses who want to add AGPCNP specialization. Tuition is $2,345/credit (2026–2027 rate).
Total credits required for the AGPCNP certificate are not explicitly stated — the number of credits varies by major and is determined on an individual basis.
Program duration is not clearly stated.
Certificate Curriculum
The Post-Graduate Certificate curriculum is individualized. Here is how it works:
- The specific courses and credit count are determined based on your prior education and background.
- A gap analysis of prior coursework determines whether any prerequisite courses are needed before beginning the AGPCNP sequence.
- Board-certified NPs who are actively practicing outside their area of certification may qualify for the Certification Alignment Postgraduate Certificate — a competency-based track that recognizes existing expertise and adjusts the course of study accordingly. Email SONAdmissions@dm.duke.edu to confirm eligibility.
View more program details on the official certificate page.
Certificate Clinicals
Certificate students complete the clinical requirements associated with the AGPCNP major. Specific clinical hour totals and course requirements are determined based on the individual plan of study. The same 2,000+ worldwide clinical partner network is available to certificate students.
- Clinical hours and course requirements determined individually
- Clinical placements supported through Duke’s 2,000+ worldwide partner site network
- Students may be required to travel up to 120 miles or relocate to North Carolina in rare circumstances
Certificate Admissions
Admission requires an MSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program. The same state authorization restrictions as the MSN apply. Spring and fall applications are open.
- MSN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school, or master’s degree in another discipline acceptable to specialty faculty
- Board-certified NPs actively practicing outside their area of certification are also eligible
- RN license or eligibility for licensure in North Carolina or compact state primary state of residence
- Statistics course (grade of C or better, 3 credits) completed at bachelor’s or post-bachelor’s level
- Minimum 1 year of nursing experience recommended
- Three letters of academic and/or professional reference
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
- Personal interview (alternative arrangements made for distance students)
- Physical and mental ability to successfully complete program technical standards
- Applications open for spring and fall 2026 — contact SONAdmissions@dm.duke.edu for current deadlines
Tuition
Duke University School of Nursing charges $2,345 per credit hour for the 2026–2027 academic year (up from $2,250 in 2025–2026). For the 42-credit MSN, estimated tuition totals approximately ~$98,490. The average fully enrolled tuition is approximately $16,415 per semester in 2026–2027.
One-time fees at enrollment:
- Matriculation fee: $500
- Clinical placement fee: $1,500
- Clinical readiness fee: $650
- Transcript fee: $120 (first semester only)
- Clinical lab fee: $125 (for N595 — once)
Per-semester fees:
- Technology fee: $200/semester
- Health fee: $523.50/fall and spring; $374/summer
- Graduate Student Activity Fee: $20/fall and spring
- Graduate Student Services Fee: $14/fall and spring
Additional variable costs:
- Drug screening: ~$100–$200/year (varies by clinical site requirements)
- Travel to on-campus NPI intensives in Durham, NC (varies by student)
- Health insurance: available through Duke Student Medical Insurance Plan (optional)
See the official program page for more tuition details.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing, Post-Graduate APRN Certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Duke University School of Nursing are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The MSN AGPCNP program is ranked #1 in the U.S. for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs by U.S. News & World Report (2025).
Duke University School of Nursing’s MSN curriculum meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification as a nurse practitioner in all U.S. states and territories and the District of Columbia. Graduates are eligible to sit for national AGPCNP certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Compare Other AGPCNP Programs in North Carolina
- East Carolina University - Greenville
- UNC Greensboro - Greensboro
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - Wilmington