Tennessee has two in-state AGPCNP schools, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Vanderbilt University, offering seven tracks across MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, and certificate pathways. Both deliver coursework mostly online with required intensives or campus sessions.
Estimated resident tuition runs from about $22,000 to $136,000 for nurse-entry tracks and reaches $199,000 for Vanderbilt’s route for non-nurses. Programs take roughly 1.3 to 5 years.
Highlights include:
- ETSU lets students attend each semester’s 2–5 day intensive in person or by Zoom
- ETSU adds dedicated courses in older-adult pharmacology and long-term care
- Vanderbilt arranges clinical sites for students within 150 miles of Nashville
- Vanderbilt reports a 100% average first-time pass rate on the AANPCB A-GNP exam
Compare Tennessee AGPCNP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee State University | Mostly Online | 2–5 days each semester | $692 | BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, post-DNP certificate | Low-cost DNP for residents |
| Vanderbilt University | Mostly Online | Several sessions; DNP semester intensives | $2,119 | MSN, BSN-DNP, PMC, MN + PMC | Placement-supported MSN |
CPC is derived and inclusive of mandatory per-credit fees at Tennessee resident rates, rounded to the nearest dollar; Vanderbilt charges one rate regardless of residency, and full rate breakdowns are on each school profile.
What’s the Best AGPCNP Program for You?
Best Doctoral Value
ETSU’s BSN-DNP runs an estimated $61K for Tennessee residents, less than half the $133K–$136K for Vanderbilt’s BSN-DNP.
Best for Certified AGPCNPs Seeking a DNP
ETSU’s 32-credit MSN-DNP, about $22K for residents, is the only Tennessee doctorate built for nurses who already hold AGPCNP certification.
Best Placement Support
Vanderbilt arranges clinical sites for students within 150 miles of Nashville, while ETSU students lead their own preceptor search.
Best for Career Changers
Vanderbilt’s MN Prespecialty route takes bachelor’s graduates from outside nursing through RN preparation and into its AGPCNP certificate without a second application.
Tennessee DNP AGPCNP Programs
Both schools offer a BSN-entry DNP, built in different ways. ETSU’s 88-credit plan places all AGPCNP training inside the doctorate and requires 1,000 clinical hours. Vanderbilt’s 63–64 credit plan uses the same two AGPCNP clinicals as its MSN, then adds 18 credits of doctoral coursework and an on-campus intensive each semester.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETSU (BSN-DNP) | $61K | 3–5 years | 1,000 hrs |
| ETSU (MSN-DNP) | $22K | 1.3–2.3 years | 500+ hrs |
| Vanderbilt (BSN-DNP) | $133K–$136K | 2.3+ years | 500+ hrs |
ETSU’s MSN-DNP hours are tied to the DNP Project, and Vanderbilt does not publish separate DNP practice or project hours.
- Most clinical hours: ETSU (BSN-DNP) — 1,000 hours, double Vanderbilt’s 500-hour minimum
- Shortest BSN-DNP: Vanderbilt — seven full-time semesters versus nine at ETSU
- Entry limit: ETSU (MSN-DNP) — requires current AGPCNP certification
- No exit degree: ETSU — AGPCNP students earn no MSN along the way
Compare more BSN-to-DNP programs and MSN-to-DNP programs.
Tennessee MSN AGPCNP Programs
Vanderbilt is the only Tennessee school with an MSN AGPCNP; ETSU’s AGPCNP pathways are doctoral only. The 45-credit MSN finishes in four full-time semesters, about 16 months, and a part-time plan runs 7 to 9 semesters. All supervised clinical hours fall in the final two semesters.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt (MSN) | $95K | 1.3–3 years | 500+ hrs |
- Fastest route to practice: Vanderbilt — about 16 months full-time from a fall start
- Back-to-back clinicals: Vanderbilt — both AGPCNP clinical courses run in consecutive semesters
- One specialty per application: Vanderbilt — applicants commit to AGPCNP before applying
Compare more BSN-to-MSN programs.
Tennessee Post-Graduate Certificate AGPCNP Programs
Each school offers an AGPCNP certificate for a different audience. ETSU’s 32-credit post-DNP certificate is limited to DNP holders and current ETSU DNP students. Vanderbilt’s post-master’s certificate accepts nurses with an MN, MSN, or MS in Nursing and sets credits by gap analysis. Vanderbilt also offers an MN Prespecialty route that feeds directly into its certificate.
| School | Estimated Tuition (resident) | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETSU (Post-DNP) | $22K+ | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated |
| Vanderbilt (PMC) | Varies | 1.3–2.7 years | 500+ hrs |
| Vanderbilt (MN + PMC) | $193K–$199K | 2.3–2.7 years | 500+ hrs |
- Lowest certificate cost: ETSU — $22K resident, higher if prerequisite gaps add credits
- Only option for MSN-prepared nurses: Vanderbilt — ETSU’s certificate requires a DNP
- Federal aid option: Vanderbilt — DNP + PMC adds about two semesters and improves loan and scholarship eligibility
- In-person start: Vanderbilt (MN + PMC) — four full-time MN semesters within commuting distance of Nashville
Compare more certificate programs.
National Online AGPCNP Options
Tennessee’s two schools leave clear gaps. Neither is classified as fully online, ETSU leaves the preceptor search to students, and Vanderbilt charges more than $2,000 per credit. BSN nurses who want an MSN and MSN-prepared nurses who want a certificate each have one in-state choice, both at Vanderbilt. Walden University and Purdue Global run national online AGPCNP programs that may fill some of these gaps. Confirm Tennessee enrollment, clinical placement terms, and licensure fit with each school before applying.
FAQ
How many AGPCNP programs are in Tennessee?
Two schools: ETSU in Johnson City and Vanderbilt in Nashville. Together they offer seven AGPCNP tracks.
Are there fully online AGPCNP programs in Tennessee?
No. Both schools are classified as mostly online. ETSU says its semester intensives can be attended in person or by Zoom.
Which Tennessee AGPCNP program has the lowest tuition?
ETSU. Its MSN-DNP and post-DNP certificate each cost about $22K for residents at $692 per credit. Vanderbilt’s lowest fixed-price track, the MSN, costs about $95K.
Which Tennessee schools offer an AGPCNP DNP?
Both. ETSU offers BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP entry; Vanderbilt offers BSN-DNP entry.
Do Tennessee AGPCNP programs require campus visits?
Yes. ETSU holds a 2–5 day intensive at the start of each semester. Vanderbilt requires several in-person sessions in Nashville, adds an on-campus intensive each semester for BSN-DNP students, and runs the MN phase of its prespecialty route fully on campus.
Can I complete clinicals near home?
ETSU allows home-community sites when approved, but placements outside Tennessee need regulatory approval reviewed after admission. Vanderbilt places students within 150 miles of Nashville, who may not arrange their own sites. Students farther away build a site list with faculty support.
Do Tennessee residents pay less?
At ETSU, yes: $692 per credit for residents versus $1,533 for non-residents, with an $856.50 eRate for some out-of-state students. Vanderbilt charges $2,119 per credit to all students.