Northeastern University offers 2 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MS) – AGACNP
- Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) – AGACNP
Program Tracks Overview
| Program Name | Est. Tuition | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MSN AGACNP | $83,678 | 2 years |
| Certificate AGACNP (CAGS) | $46,704 | About 1–2 years |
Both programs are offered on-ground in Boston with full-time and part-time enrollment options. The program features access to over 100 clinical affiliations throughout Greater Boston, including prestigious institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, along with the Arnold S. Goldstein Simulation Lab for hands-on skills training.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
The estimated cost for the MS in Nursing – AGACNP program is $83,678 based on 43 credits at $1,946 per credit hour, and would take 2 years to complete on a full-time basis or 3 years part-time.
MSN Curriculum
The curriculum provides advanced study in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment with specialized focus on acute, chronic, and critically ill patients.
Core Requirements (16 credits):
NRSG 5118. Healthcare System and Professional Role Development (3 Hours)
This course explains the advanced practice nurse role in today’s healthcare system. Students study collaboration, consultation, leadership, diversity, and accountability for quality care. The course reviews system forces such as social, political, economic, ethical, legal, and regulatory trends. Students evaluate how system issues shape daily advanced practice responsibilities.
NRSG 5121. Epidemiology and Population Health (3 Hours)
This course teaches how health problems spread and change across populations. Students analyze determinants of health at community, national, and global levels, including health disparities. The course covers epidemiologic measures, study designs, and practical use of epidemiology tools in team settings. Students learn to critique epidemiology research and use findings to monitor population health and guide prevention strategies.
NRSG 5117. Advanced Pharmacology (2 Hours)
This course covers pharmacology principles and major drug classes across the life span. Students link medication effects to pathophysiology and psychopathology. The course emphasizes dosing, expected responses, side effects, interactions, routes, and safe use in practice. Students also evaluate where each medication fits in clinical treatment plans.
NRSG 5126. Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3 Hours)
This course reviews major disease processes across the life span using an advanced practice lens. Students build on core science foundations to analyze dysfunction and adaptation at cellular, organ, and system levels. The course explains feedback mechanisms that affect illness progression and clinical presentation. Content includes common and serious disorders in cardiovascular, endocrine, GI, hematologic, immune, nervous, pulmonary, and renal systems.
NRSG 7105. Translating Research Evidence into Practice (3 Hours)
This course trains students to find, appraise, and apply evidence to improve care quality and outcomes. Students use systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, case studies, and quality improvement methods. The course includes program evaluation, key biostatistics for practice decisions, and effective use of health IT. Students also build communication skills that support leadership and professional influence.
NRSG 7110. Evidence-Based Practice Research Application (2 Hours)
This course places students on an active research project with an experienced researcher. Students work alone or in pairs, and they contribute based on the project stage and team plan. Students learn research workflow through direct participation, collaboration, and reflection on their role as a research assistant. Evaluation focuses on effort, teamwork, and the student’s appraisal of the research experience.
AGACNP Concentration Requirements (27 credits)
NRSG 6115. Health Assessment (3 Hours)
This course builds advanced health assessment skills across the life span. Students perform regional and full exams, conduct focused interviews, and document findings using a systematic approach. The course stresses cultural factors, data analysis, and the difference between normal and abnormal results. Students also practice diagnostic reasoning within the advanced practice nursing role.
NRSG 6222. Pharmacology of Adults and Older Adults (2 Hours)
This course covers medication use for adults, with strong focus on older adults. Students study age-related changes in drug action, safe prescribing, monitoring, and toxicity signs. The course addresses polypharmacy, drug interactions, over-the-counter use, and strategies that support adherence. Students also examine how race and ethnicity can affect prescribing decisions.
NRSG 6220. Nursing Management: Acute Episodic Illness (3 Hours)
This course prepares students to assess and manage common acute and episodic illnesses. Students apply prevention and health maintenance concepts to guide early evaluation and initial treatment plans. The course uses current research to support clinical decisions and diagnostic reasoning. Students use the nursing process and life span concepts to organize care.
NRSG 6221. Nursing Management: Critical and Chronic Illness (3 Hours)
This course develops advanced decision making for life-threatening and long-term conditions. Students study pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and care needs for critically and chronically ill patients and families. The course emphasizes advanced management skills, critical thinking, and diagnostic reasoning grounded in evidence. Students use the nursing process and life span frameworks to guide care planning.
NRSG 6241. Acute-Care Concepts in Nursing Practice (3 Hours)
This course applies key concepts that shape care for acute and critically ill patients. Students analyze physiologic, psychosocial, and environmental factors that affect patients and families in acute-care settings. The course covers monitoring technology, stress responses, grief, coping, and trauma care principles. Students also explore specialty-focused concepts connected to their acute-care concentration.
NRSG 6420. Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nursing Practicum 1 (2 Hours)
This practicum builds clinical skills for acute and episodic care of adults, including older adults. Students apply assessment and health maintenance concepts while working with a clinical preceptor. Weekly seminars address role development and practice issues for the advanced practice nurse. Students complete at least eight clinical hours each week.
NRSG 6421. Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nursing Practicum 2 (4 Hours)
This practicum expands skills in complex acute, critical, and chronic care for adults and older adults. Students work with a preceptor to strengthen practice as a clinician, educator, and manager. Students focus on assessment, diagnosis, and management across acute-care, chronic-care, and rehabilitation settings. Students complete at least twenty clinical hours each week and attend weekly seminars.
NRSG 6422. Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nursing Practicum 3 (4 Hours)
This practicum supports synthesis of advanced practice knowledge in acute-care settings. Students plan, deliver, and evaluate care for patients with complex health problems while refining management skills. Weekly seminars examine role impact on long-term outcomes, team relationships, and health policy. Students complete at least twenty clinical hours each week.
More curriculum details are available here.
MSN Clinicals
Students complete a minimum of 600 hours of precepted clinical experience across three practicum courses.
Clinical placements are arranged through consultation with faculty advisors and are available at over 100 affiliated healthcare institutions throughout New England, with intensive faculty supervision and expert preceptor guidance to develop advanced nursing management skills across the wellness-illness continuum.
MSN Admissions Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program (alternative bachelor’s degrees considered at program director’s discretion)
- Current US RN licensure
- Minimum 2 years full-time acute care RN experience in the United States (required before enrolling in clinical courses)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA with grades of B or better in all undergraduate clinical courses
- Statistics course including probability theory and hypothesis testing completed within last 5 years
- Three letters of recommendation (academic and professional)
- Letter of intent (minimum 500 words)
- Curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from baccalaureate program and all college coursework
- GRE not required
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies – AGACNP
The estimated cost for the CAGS – AGACNP program is $46,704 based on 24 credits at $1,946 per credit hour, and would take approximately 1-2 years to complete depending on enrollment status.
CAGS Curriculum
The certificate program is designed for nurses who already possess an MS degree in Nursing and focuses exclusively on acute care specialty coursework and clinical experiences.
Required Courses (19 credits):
- NRSG 6220: Nursing Management: Acute Episodic Illness (3 credits)
- NRSG 6221: Nursing Management: Critical and Chronic Illness (3 credits)
- NRSG 6241: Acute-Care Concepts in Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- NRSG 6420: Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nursing Practicum 1 (2 credits)
- NRSG 6421: Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nursing Practicum 2 (4 credits)
- NRSG 6422: Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care Nursing Practicum 3 (4 credits)
Electives:
- 5 semester hours of NRSG electives
More curriculum details are available here.
CAGS Clinicals
Certificate students complete the same 600 hours of precepted clinical practice as MS students across three intensive practicum courses.
Clinical experiences emphasize diagnostic reasoning, advanced nursing management, and technology skills for caring for acute, chronic, and critically ill patients in diverse healthcare settings throughout New England.
CAGS Admissions Requirements
- Master of Science degree in Nursing
- Current US RN licensure
- Minimum 2 years acute care RN experience
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- GRE not required
Tuition
Graduate programs in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences are charged at $1,946 per credit hour.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The Master’s degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Northeastern University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Upon completion of either the MS or CAGS program, graduates are eligible to sit for all national certification exams in their specialty area and are prepared to practice in any state based on state nursing licensure requirements.
Other ACNP Programs for Massachusetts Nurses
- Elms College - Chicopee
- Regis College - Weston
- UMass Chan Medical School - Worcester