William Paterson University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP
Both programs are available 100% online with flexible scheduling and six start dates per year.
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGNP | $29,601 | 16–24 months |
| Post-Master’s Certificate AGNP | $16,740 | 12–18 months |
The programs emphasize evidence-based primary care for young adults, adults, and older adults across diverse healthcare settings.
Master of Science in Nursing – AGNP
The estimated cost for the MSN – AGNP program is $29,601 and would take 16-24 months to complete on a full-time basis (39 credits).
MSN Curriculum
The 39-credit MSN program combines core nursing courses with specialized nurse practitioner training delivered in 7-week accelerated format.
MSN Core Courses (20 credits):
NUR 5001 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing (3 credits)
This course reviews how nursing theories form, change, and get tested. Students compare nursing and related field theories and apply them to clinical and community practice. The course links theory use to research and practice decisions.
NUR 5081 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 credits)
This course explains APN leadership roles in health care systems. Students review ethical, legal, and cultural issues that shape advanced practice. Students also practice team collaboration to support quality care.
NUR 5701 Population Health, Legislation and Social Policy (3 credits)
This course examines social factors that affect health and access to care. Students study how policy forms and how laws shape health care delivery. Students also review evidence-based population interventions and outcomes.
NUR 6021 Nursing Research Strategies: Translational Science (3 credits)
This course teaches students how to read, judge, and use nursing research in practice. Students study qualitative and quantitative designs and link theory, research, and clinical decisions. Each student builds a thesis proposal tied to a clinical interest and a quality improvement approach.
NUR 6041 Advanced Nursing Practicum I (4 credits)
This course gives students supervised practice to show role skills in advanced nursing tracks. Students apply theory and research to patient care, leadership, or teaching outcomes. The practicum includes at least 170 supervised hours plus seminar meetings every other week.
Choose One Course by Track (4 credits)
NUR 7252 Advanced Nursing Role Practice for Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (4 credits)
This practicum builds AGNP role skills for primary care of young adults, adults, and older adults. Students practice clinical work in varied settings with diverse patients. The practicum includes 170 supervised hours and an every-other-week seminar.
NUR 7253 Advanced Role Practicum for Family Nurse Practitioner (4 credits)
This practicum builds FNP role skills across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults. Students manage care in diverse settings and patient groups, including prenatal and postnatal care. The practicum includes 170 supervised hours and an every-other-week seminar.
NUR 7254 Advanced Role Practicum for Nurse Educators (4 credits)
This practicum prepares students for the nurse educator role through supervised field experience. Students apply teaching and evaluation skills in real practice or academic settings. The practicum includes 170 supervised hours and an every-other-week seminar.
NUR 7255 Advanced Nursing Role Practicum for the Nurse Administrator (4 credits)
This practicum prepares students for nurse administrator responsibilities in health care organizations. Students apply leadership, operations, and decision-making skills in real work settings. The practicum includes 170 supervised hours and an every-other-week seminar.
AGNP Track Courses (19 credits)
NUR 5461 Advanced Pathophysiology (3 credits)
This course explains disease causes and progression across the lifespan. Students analyze complex cases using lab and diagnostic data. Students connect pathophysiology findings to nursing management decisions.
NUR 6001 Advanced Health Assessment of the Adult Client (3 credits)
This course teaches advanced history taking and physical exam skills for adult and older adult patients. Students also use lab and diagnostic tools to support assessment and diagnosis. The course builds hands-on skills for common primary care problems.
NUR 6011 Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
This course teaches clinical drug therapy for advanced practice care. Students study new and standard medications, delivery systems, and interactions with food and other drugs. The course also covers prescribing rules and regulatory requirements for APNs.
NUR 6111 Advanced Practice Nursing I (3 credits)
This course focuses on screening, prevention, and management for adult and older adult health problems. Students study common conditions across major body systems and build care plans using evidence and ethics. Students also use technology and team planning to support care decisions.
NUR 6121 Advanced Practice Nursing II (3 credits)
This course expands diagnosis and management topics for adult and older adult patients. Students cover issues such as skin, mental health, women’s health, genitourinary conditions, immune problems, and urgent care needs. Students also assess complementary therapies and build evidence-based care plans.
NUR 7011 Advanced Nursing Practicum II (4 credits)
This practicum places NP students in primary care settings for supervised clinical practice. Students assess patients, make care decisions, and manage treatment with preceptor guidance and provider consultation. The practicum includes 170 supervised hours and an every-other-week seminar.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete 510 supervised clinical hours across three practicum courses in primary care settings. Clinical experiences focus on health screening, health maintenance, health promotion, and management of acute/chronic conditions in young adults, adults, and older adults across diverse populations.
- 170 hours in Advanced Nursing Practicum I
- 170 hours in Advanced Nursing Practicum II
- 170 hours in Advanced Nursing Role Practicum for AGNP
MSN Admissions Requirements
- BSN from CCNE-, NLN (CNEA)-, or ACEN-accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA minimum (applicants below 3.0 may contact program director)
- Active RN license (NJ license for on-campus; US state license for online)
- Undergraduate prerequisites: statistics, health assessment, nursing research**
- Current resume with two references (former faculty and current manager/supervisor)
- Currently employed as an RN
- Online application and fee
**Admitted students missing prerequisites must complete them within first academic year before continuing.
Post-Master’s Certificate – AGNP
The estimated cost for the Post-Master’s Certificate program is $16,740 and would take 12-18 months to complete on a full-time basis (27 credits*).
Certificate Curriculum
The 27-credit certificate program provides specialized AGNP training for nurses with MSN degrees, delivered in accelerated 7-week courses.
Certificate Courses (27 credits):
- NUR 5461: Advanced Pathophysiology (3cr)
- NUR 6001: Advanced Health Assessment of the Adult Client (3cr)
- NUR 6011: Advanced Pharmacology (3cr)
- NUR 6111: Advanced Nursing Practice I (3cr)
- NUR 6121: Advanced Nursing Practice II (3cr)
- NUR 6041: Advanced Nursing Practicum I (4cr)
- NUR 7011: Advanced Nursing Practicum II (4cr)
- NUR 7252: Advanced Nursing Role Practicum for AGNP (4cr)
*Credit hours and completion time may vary based on prior master’s coursework, evaluated individually during admission.
Certificate Clinicals
Students complete 510 supervised clinical hours in primary care settings focusing on adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations. Clinical rotations emphasize designing care plans, promoting healthy changes, and managing chronic illnesses across internal medicine clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities, and specialty clinics.
- 170 hours in Advanced Nursing Practicum I
- 170 hours in Advanced Nursing Practicum II
- 170 hours in Advanced Nursing Role Practicum for AGNP
Certificate Admissions Requirements
- MSN from CCNE-, NLN (CNEA)-, or ACEN-accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Active, unencumbered RN license in practice state
- Currently employed as an RN
- Current resume
- Official graduate nursing transcripts
- $50 application fee
Tuition
MSN program tuition is $759 per credit hour with total program cost of $29,601 for 39 credits.
Post-Master’s Certificate tuition is $620 per credit hour with total program cost of $16,740 for 27 credits.
Tuition includes nursing course fees providing access to UpToDate for Nursing and other software, reducing overall course material costs.
Accreditation
William Paterson University’s baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, post-master’s degree certification in adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through June 30, 2030.
Graduates are eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification examination through AANP or ANCC.
More AGPCNP Programs in New Jersey
- Felician University - Rutherford
- Seton Hall University - South Orange
- The College of New Jersey - Ewing