Palm Beach Atlantic University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- MSN AGPCNP
- BSN-DNP AGPCNP (with a post-MSN entry option)
Both programs run in an online hybrid format with required in-person on-campus sessions. PBA’s Christ-centered mission sets it apart from secular programs — faith, science, and clinical preparation are integrated throughout.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGPCNP | $38K | 2 years |
| BSN-DNP AGPCNP | $75K | ~3 years |
The early board eligibility feature and built-in Professional Transition Mentorship Program make these tracks well suited for nurses who want structured academic and professional support alongside clinical training.
MSN AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the MSN AGPCNP at Palm Beach Atlantic University is approximately $38K (46 credits × $825/credit), and the program is designed to be completed in about 2 years across 4 semesters.
MSN Curriculum
The 46-credit MSN is built around a core of graduate nursing foundations followed by AGPCNP specialty coursework and three paired didactic/clinical course sequences in primary care and geriatrics. Foundational courses cover research, leadership, health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and healthcare technology.
Specialty sequences address acute and chronic primary care problems, geriatric health issues, and complex family health — each paired with a dedicated clinical course. A final APRN Clinical Immersion course closes the program.
A distinctive course, Faith and Science (NUR 5223), integrates Christian perspectives with advanced practice content.
Required Courses (46 credits):
NUR 5013 – Scientific and Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Practice (3 credits)
Synthesizes nursing theory, research, and philosophical/faith underpinnings to address contemporary healthcare issues identified by local leaders.
NUR 5023 – Advanced Nursing Research (3 credits)
Develops research processes for advanced practice, emphasizing analysis, ethical inquiry, and practice-focused applications.
NUR 5113 – Leadership in Organizations and Systems (3 credits)
Explores systems leadership for patient safety, health outcomes, vision alignment, innovation, team building, and communication.
NUR 5223 – Faith and Science (3 credits)
Examines Christian faith-science interplay in healthcare, including philosophical, historical, theoretical, practical, and ethical dimensions.
NUR 6003 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
Provides scientific basis of human pathophysiology, disease detection, and changes across the lifespan for advanced practice.
NUR 6013 – Healthcare Technology and Quality Improvement (3 credits)
Evaluates IT for quality outcomes, standardized nomenclature, electronic resources, and regulatory/ethical considerations.
NUR 6103 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
Foundational pharmacotherapeutics knowledge for prescribing across lifespan, including indications, effects, and clinical responsibilities.
NUR 6104 – Advanced Health Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning (4 credits)
Theoretical/clinical comprehensive assessment across lifespan with diagnostic reasoning (60 clinical hours). Prerequisites: NUR 6003, NUR 6103.
NUR 7033 – Primary Care I: Acute and Chronic Health Problems (3 credits)
First in sequence: manages acute/chronic issues across lifespan with evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and promotion. Prerequisite: NUR 6104. Corequisite: NUR 7053.
NUR 7053 – Primary Care I Clinical (3 credits)
Clinical application of primary care skills for health promotion and evidence-based practice (180 hours). Prerequisite: NUR 6104. Corequisite: NUR 7033.
NUR 7233 – Geriatric Health Issues (3 credits)
Second sequence course: expands geriatric assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, and evidence-based care coordination. Corequisite: NUR 7253.
NUR 7253 – Geriatric Health Issues Clinical (3 credits)
Geriatric clinical skills for lifestyle promotion, prevention, and systems-level evaluation (180 hours). Corequisite: NUR 7233.
NUR 8033 – Primary Care III: Complex Family Health (3 credits)
Third sequence: advanced management of complex acute/chronic family issues with pharmacotherapy. Prerequisites: NUR 7053, NUR 7153. Corequisite: NUR 8053.
NUR 8053 – Primary Care III Clinical (3 credits)
Clinical growth toward certification/independent practice with complex family care (180 hours). Prerequisites: NUR 7053, NUR 7153. Corequisite: NUR 8033.
NUR 8153 – APRN Clinical Immersion (3 credits)
Customized immersion for NP certification preparation (180 hours). Prerequisite: NUR 8033/NUR 8053 for FNP students.
View more curriculum details in the course catalog.
MSN Clinicals
The MSN requires a minimum of 780 clinical hours distributed across four specialty clinical courses and the APRN Clinical Immersion. Students attend 3 required in-person on-campus sessions per semester during the four specialty courses.
- 780 total clinical hours minimum
- Clinical hours embedded in NUR 7053, NUR 7253, NUR 8053, and NUR 8153
- 3 mandatory in-person on-campus sessions per semester during specialty courses
- Population focus: adults and older adults in primary care settings
- Settings include primary care, national health agencies, home care, and rural health contexts
- Advanced labs and simulation technology available on campus
MSN Admissions
Applicants need a BSN from a regionally accredited, nationally accredited nursing program, a 3.0 GPA, and a current RN license. No GRE is required for applicants who meet the GPA threshold.
- BSN from a regionally accredited and nationally accredited nursing program
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (both overall and nursing coursework)
- Applicants below 3.0 must submit GRE scores: 50th percentile on verbal and quantitative, 4.0 on analytical writing
- Minimum one year of RN work experience or current active RN employment
- Current and active Florida RN license, or valid out-of-state RN license with proof of Florida Board of Nursing application
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Current CV
- Three letters of recommendation (including one from a current supervisor) attesting to academic ability and leadership potential
- Personal statement addressing future goals, faith, and interest in a practice degree (500 words max)
- Personal interview with the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee
- Post-acceptance: $400 non-refundable deposit (applied to tuition); background check with fingerprints; drug screen; proof of immunizations/titers; PPD or TB test; AHA CPR certification; proof of health insurance; Florida RN license
- No GRE required for qualifying applicants
- PBA BSN graduates are eligible for seamless progression to the MSN
BSN-DNP AGPCNP
The estimated cost for the BSN-DNP AGPCNP at Palm Beach Atlantic University is approximately $75K (75 credits × $1,000/credit), and the program takes approximately 3 years to complete based on the 9-semester scholarly project timeline referenced in the curriculum.
DNP Curriculum
The 75-credit BSN-DNP expands on the MSN curriculum by adding DNP core coursework in health policy, healthcare economics, legal and ethical aspects of healthcare, biostatistics, translational evidence-based practice, and a three-course DNP Scholarly Project sequence.
The specialty content mirrors the MSN’s primary care and geriatric clinical sequences, with two additional advanced nursing practicum courses (NUR 6053, NUR 6153) and a biostatistics course (HSC 5053).
The DNP Scholarly Project spans a minimum of 2 consecutive semesters (3 recommended), with at least 1 credit required in semester 9. Students are eligible to sit for national board certification before graduation.
Required Courses (75 credits):
- NUR 5003 – Introduction to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 5013 – Scientific and Philosophical Foundations of Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 5023 – Advanced Nursing Research (3 credits)
- NUR 5103 – Healthcare Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)
- NUR 5113 – Leadership in Organizations and Systems (3 credits)
- NUR 5223 – Faith and Science (3 credits)
- NUR 6003 – Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- NUR 6013 – Healthcare Technology and Quality Improvement (3 credits)
- NUR 6053 – Advanced Nursing Practicum I (3 credits)
- NUR 6103 – Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
- NUR 6104 – Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (4 credits)
- NUR 6153 – Advanced Nursing Practicum II (3 credits)
- NUR 7003 – Translational Evidence Based Practice (3 credits)
- NUR 7033 – Primary Care I: Acute and Chronic Health Problems (3 credits)
- NUR 7053 – Primary Care I: Acute and Chronic Health Problems: Clinical (3 credits)
- NUR 7103 – Healthcare Economics and Finance (3 credits)
- NUR 7233 – Geriatric Health Issues (3 credits)
- NUR 7253 – Geriatric Health Issues: Clinical (3 credits)
- NUR 8033 – Primary Care III: Complex Family Health (3 credits)
- NUR 8053 – Primary Care III: Complex Family Health: Clinical (3 credits)
- NUR 8103 – Legal and Ethical Aspects in Healthcare (3 credits)
- NUR 8153 – APRN Clinical Immersion (3 credits)
- NUR 8501 – DNP Scholarly Project I (1 credit)
- NUR 8512 – DNP Scholarly Project II (2 credits)
- NUR 8522 – DNP Scholarly Project III (2 credits)
- HSC 5053 – Biostatistics and Research Methodology (3 credits)
View more curriculum details in the course catalog.
DNP Clinicals
Clinical hours for the DNP are distributed across multiple practicum and clinical courses. The total clinical hour requirement is not clearly stated on the official program page, though the curriculum includes six courses with dedicated clinical components plus two advanced practicum courses.
- Total clinical hours not clearly stated on the official program page
- Clinical courses include: NUR 6053, NUR 6153, NUR 7053, NUR 7253, NUR 8053, and NUR 8153
- Population focus: adults and older adults across primary care settings
- Settings range from primary care clinics to home care, rural health, and faith-based healthcare organizations
- Advanced simulation labs available on the West Palm Beach campus
- Faculty remain clinically active and are involved at local, state, and national levels
DNP Admissions
BSN-entry applicants follow the same requirements as the MSN. Post-MSN DNP applicants must additionally hold an MSN from a regionally and nationally accredited program. PBA BSN and MSN graduates are eligible for seamless progression into the DNP.
BSN-entry requirements:
- BSN from a regionally accredited and nationally accredited nursing program
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (overall and nursing coursework)
- Applicants below 3.0 must submit GRE scores: 50th percentile verbal and quantitative, 4.0 analytical writing
- Minimum one year of RN work experience or current active RN employment
- Current and active Florida RN license, or valid out-of-state license with Florida Board of Nursing application
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Current CV
- Three letters of recommendation (including one from a current supervisor)
- Personal statement addressing future goals, faith, and interest in a practice doctorate (500 words max)
- Personal interview with the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee
- Post-acceptance: $400 non-refundable deposit; background check with fingerprints; drug screen; immunizations/titers; PPD or TB test; AHA CPR certification; proof of health insurance; Florida RN license
Post-MSN DNP entry — additional requirement:
- MSN from a regionally accredited and nationally accredited nursing program
Tuition
PBA charges $825 per credit hour for both the on-campus and online MSN in Nursing. The online DNP is priced at $1,000 per credit hour. At those rates, the MSN AGPCNP (46 credits) totals approximately $38K and the BSN-DNP (75 credits) totals approximately $75K. Course fees vary and can range from $25 to $500 per course.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Accreditation details for PBA’s nursing programs are not clearly stated in the available source material. The source references SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) in the context of program learning outcomes language, suggesting institutional accreditation through SACSCOC, but nursing-specific accreditation such as CCNE or ACEN is not explicitly confirmed. Prospective students should contact PBA’s School of Nursing directly to verify current nursing accreditation status.
More AGPCNP Programs in Florida
- Florida A&M University - Tallahassee
- Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton
- Florida Southern College - Lakeland
- University of Central Florida - Orlando
- University of Miami - Miami
- University of South Florida - Tampa
Compare tuition, clinicals, admissions for all Florida AGPCNP programs