Maine has 4 in-state AGACNP programs across four universities.
MSN program tuition ranges from $21,500 (UMFK) to approximately $36,702 (Husson), and completion timelines range from as few as 15 months to 4 years part-time — giving nurses at every stage a viable in-state option.
On this page you can either compare programs or click into detailed summaries for each school.
Quick Summary Table
| School | Est. Cost Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Husson University | MSN: $37K Certificate: $13K–$35K | – 100% online MSN and post-master’s AGACNP certificate options – Multiple start dates throughout the year with flexible pacing options – MSN can be completed in about 30 months – Includes 540 clinical hours with virtual clinical orientation – Reported 95% national certification exam pass rate |
| Saint Joseph’s College of Maine | MSN: $29K–$34K Certificate: $17K | – 100% online MSN and post-graduate AGACNP certificate options – One required on-campus immersive skills day – Both tracks include at least 600 supervised clinical hours – Reported 100% national certification exam pass rate – Employer partnership tuition discounts |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | MSN: $22K Certificate: $9K–$16K | – 100% online format with flexible 7-week courses – Flat $500 per credit tuition with no additional fees – MSN can be completed in as few as 15 months with a May start – Certificate track for practicing NPs and non-clinical MSN holders |
| University of Southern Maine | MS: $28K Certificate: $10K–$16K | – MS program is delivered on campus in Portland – Clinical placements span inpatient, outpatient, and specialty settings – In-state tuition is relatively competitive – Certificate program is designed for master’s-prepared nurses |
ACNP Program Summaries for Maine Schools
Husson University ACNP Programs
Bangor | $732 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Husson University offers two AGACNP pathways: a fully online MSN for BSN-prepared nurses and a Post-Master’s Certificate for nurses adding a specialty. The MSN program costs about $36,702 and takes 24–30 months, while the certificate ranges from $13,176 to $35,136 depending on prior coursework. Both tracks include 540 clinical hours, flexible start dates, and strong student support, highlighted by a 95% certification exam pass rate...read more.
Maryville University ACNP Programs
St Louis | $863 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Maine nurses can advance into Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP roles through Maryville University’s fully online MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate programs, designed for maximum flexibility. With online coursework and local clinicals, Maine RNs can balance work, life, and graduate study without relocating or visiting campus. The accredited programs focus on complex adult and older-adult care, leadership, and clinical inquiry to strengthen Maine’s acute and critical care workforce.
Purdue Global ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $420 cpc | Certificate
Purdue Global provides Maine nurses an online pathway to become adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners through a comprehensive 57-credit postgraduate certificate program. Maine-based students complete 12 core courses over 1.5 years at a total cost of $23,940, learning to manage acutely ill adult and geriatric patients in medical, surgical, and critical care settings. The program prepares Maine graduates to sit for ANCC or AACN national certification exams and pursue advanced practice registered nurse licensure upon completion.
Saint Joseph’s College ACNP Programs
Standish | $725 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine offers two AGACNP pathways: a fully online MSN and a Post-Graduate Certificate, each with one required on-campus skills day. The MSN takes about 2 years and 3 months and costs roughly $28,686–$33,792, while the certificate costs about $16,659 with flexible completion timelines. Both tracks require at least 600 clinical hours and report a 100% certification exam pass rate, with eligibility for ANCC and AACN exams...read more.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
South College provides a robust online learning platform that allows nurses in Maine to pursue an AGACNP specialization without relocating. The curriculum includes advanced research methods and healthcare informatics to ensure that Maine practitioners stay at the forefront of modern medical technology. With flexible pacing for the certificate track, students can tailor their education to fit the unique demands of their professional lives.
UMFK ACNP Programs
Fort Kent | $500 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The University of Maine at Fort Kent offers two AGACNP pathways: a fully online MSN for BSN-prepared nurses and a Post-Master’s Certificate for nurses adding or entering the specialty. The MSN program costs about $21,500 and can be completed in as little as 15 months, while the certificate ranges from $9,000 to $15,500 depending on prior coursework. Both tracks use a flexible 7-week format with no additional fees and include the same clinical course sequence for acute care training...read more.
University of Southern Maine ACNP Programs
Portland | $631 cpc | Certificate / MSN
The University of Southern Maine offers two AGACNP pathways: a Master of Science (MS) for BSN-prepared nurses and a Post-Master’s Certificate for nurses seeking a second specialty. The MS program takes about 2.5 years and costs around $28,395 in-state, while the certificate can be completed in 1–1.5 years with lower total tuition depending on prior coursework. Both tracks share the same clinical courses and require 568 practicum hours, with campus-based learning in Portland and a blended option for certificate students...read more.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
For Maine nurses, Walden University delivers three Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks that are primarily online and designed for working professionals. The DNP, MSN, and post-master’s certificate programs cover leadership, policy, and advanced clinical content along with focused practica in acute and critical care of adults and older adults. This flexibility helps nurses in Maine gain AGACNP preparation and pursue national certification without relocating.
Choosing the Best ACNP Program for You in Maine
Below is a brief comparison of the main features from each program to help you decide.
TL;DR — Quick Picks
Choose UMFK if you want the lowest tuition and fastest MSN completion in Maine.
Choose Husson or Saint Joseph’s College if you need a fully online format with multiple start dates and a strong certification exam track record.
Choose USM if you prefer in-person or blended learning with structured cohorts and NEBHE tuition discounts for New England residents.
Maine ACNP DNP Programs
None of the four in-state Maine institutions currently offer a DNP-level AGACNP pathway. All programs top out at the MSN or post-master’s certificate level. Nurses pursuing a DNP in AGACNP will need to look at out-of-state or national online options such as Purdue Global or Walden University.
Maine ACNP MSN Programs
UMFK offers the lowest-cost MSN at $21,500 with the fastest possible completion at 15 months — no other Maine program comes close on either metric.
For nurses who can’t attend any campus sessions, Husson and SJC deliver 100% online with no campus visits required (SJC requires one on-campus skills day). USM is the only in-person option, but its NEBHE rate makes it competitive for nurses across all six New England states.
| School | Est. Tuition | Duration | Format | Cert Exam Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMFK | $21,500 (no fees) | 15 mo fast-track / part-time available | 100% Online | Not published |
| Saint Joseph’s College | $28,686–$33,792* | 2 yrs 3 mo (FT) / 3.5–4 yrs (PT) | Online + 1 campus day | 100% |
| USM | $28,395 in-state / $46,350 NEBHE | 2.5 yrs (FT) | In-Person | Not published |
| Husson University | ~$36,702 (incl. fees) | 30 mo (24 mo accelerated) | 100% Online | 95% |
*SJC published range; excludes textbooks, online fees, and per-course NP clinical fees ($773/course).
Standout notes:
- UMFK — Flat $500/credit with zero additional fees; 15-month completion is only possible with a May start date.
- SJC — 100% acute care NP certification exam pass rate; employer partnership tuition discounts available; rolling admissions (Fall/Spring/Summer starts).
- USM — Only in-person MSN in Maine; NEBHE rate benefits nurses from CT, MA, NH, RI, and VT; requires a Maine RN license and ACLS certification at admission.
- Husson — Accelerated 24-month option available; 95% certification pass rate; free 24/7 tutoring and mental health support included; multiple start dates year-round.
Maine ACNP Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
All four schools offer a post-master’s AGACNP certificate for nurses who already hold an MSN. UMFK’s certificate is the most affordable starting at just $9,000 for practicing NPs, though its certificate program is still pursuing CCNE accreditation — a meaningful caveat.
SJC’s certificate carries a higher per-credit rate than its MSN but is CCNE accredited and requires the highest GPA (3.5) of any program in this group.
| School | Credits | Est. Tuition | Format | CCNE Accredited | Min. GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMFK | 18–31 credits | $9,000–$15,500 (no fees) | 100% Online | Pursuing | 3.0 |
| USM | 18–28 credits | $10,332–$16,072 in-state | Blended | Yes | 3.0 |
| Husson | 18–48 credits | $13,176–$35,136 | 100% Online | Yes | Not published |
| Saint Joseph’s College | 30 credits | ~$16,659 (incl. clinical fees) | Online + 1 campus day | Yes | 3.5 (MSN GPA) |
Standout notes:
- UMFK — Two distinct tracks: 18 credits for practicing NPs vs. 31 credits for non-clinical MSN holders; no federal financial aid available for certificate students.
- USM — Certificate students join MS cohorts for all concentration coursework; 568 clinical hours required; blended format means some in-person time required.
- Husson — The wide 18–48 credit range reflects flexibility based on prior MSN coursework; multiple year-round start dates.
- SJC — Fixed 30-credit program regardless of prior MSN coursework; most competitive admissions of the four (3.5 GPA required); per-course NP clinical fees add to the base cost.
Clinical Placements & Preceptor Support
None of the four Maine programs publish a formal guarantee of clinical placement or preceptor assignment — students should ask each program directly about placement assistance before enrolling. Here is what each school has disclosed:
| School | Clinical Hours (MSN) | Placement Support / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USM | 568 hours | Three structured practicum semesters; specialty areas include cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, orthopedics, women’s health, and more; simulation labs available on campus |
| Husson | 540 hours | Clinical intensives scheduled well in advance; virtual clinical orientation provided; placements matched to specialty area and career goals |
| SJC | 600 hours minimum | Rotations completed in student’s local geographic area; approved in 38+ states; one mandatory on-campus skills day (24 hrs); no NY clinical approvals for AGACNP |
| UMFK | Not published | Three dedicated practicum courses; total clinical hours not published — confirm directly with UMFK before enrolling |
Admissions at a Glance
| School | Min. GPA (MSN) | Min. GPA (Certificate) | RN Experience Required | GRE Required | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMFK | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1 year acute care | No | May 4, 2026 (next cohort) |
| SJC | 3.0 | 3.5 (MSN GPA) | 1 year as RN | No | Rolling — Fall, Spring, Summer |
| USM | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2 years acute care RN or NP | No (3.0+ GPA) | MS: Apr 1 (Fall) / Oct 1 (Spring) Cert: Aug 1 (Fall) / Dec 15 (Spring) |
| Husson | Not published | Not published | Not published | No | Rolling — multiple starts per year |
Notable admissions differences:
- USM requires the most clinical experience (2 years vs. 1 year at SJC and UMFK) and is the only program that requires a Maine RN license and active BLS/ACLS certifications at admission.
- SJC’s certificate has the highest GPA bar in the group at 3.5, reflecting its competitive admissions process.
- USM has the only fixed, published application deadlines — all other programs use rolling or cohort-based admissions.
- Husson publishes the fewest specific admissions criteria — contact the program directly for full requirements.