Massachusetts nurses can choose from 5 in-state Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP tracks across 3 universities.
Estimated program costs ranging from about $16,500 to $190,000. These options span MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate pathways, giving applicants flexibility based on their prior education and long-term career goals.
Depending on the route, most students can expect to finish in roughly 1 to 4 years of full-time or part-time study.
Quick Summary Table for ACNP Programs
| School | Est. Cost Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University | MSN: $84K CAGS: $47K | Boston hospital-based training and on-campus learning |
| Regis College | MSN: $40–65K Cert: $22K–43K | Fully online AGACNP with strong NP exam pass rates |
| UMass Chan Medical School | GEP DNP: $170K–190K BSN-DNP: $75K–85K Cert: $17K–23K | Public DNP with structured AGACNP training in MA hospitals |
ACNP Schools List for Mass Nurses
This group includes additional national online programs for options with rolling start dates.
Chamberlain University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $760 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Chamberlain University’s 100% online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) programs, including the MSN and Graduate Certificate tracks, prepare Massachusetts registered nurses to deliver high-acuity care to adults and older adults in critical settings across the Commonwealth. With dedicated Practicum Commitment® support for securing clinical placements throughout Massachusetts and two required on-ground immersion events, students gain 700 hands-on clinical hours under doctorally prepared, board-certified faculty. Graduates are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for AGACNPs in Boston’s renowned academic medical centers, community hospitals, and trauma centers statewide.
Northeastern University ACNP Programs
Boston | $1,946 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Northeastern University offers two on-ground AGACNP options in Boston, including an MSN and a post-master’s CAGS certificate. The programs use more than 100 clinical affiliates in Greater Boston and New England, plus simulation training in the Arnold S. Goldstein Simulation Lab. Both tracks include advanced acute-care coursework and a minimum of 600 precepted clinical hours across three practicum courses...read more.
Regis College ACNP Programs
Weston | $1025 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Regis College offers two 100% online AGACNP tracks, including an MSN and a Post-Master’s Certificate, and both paths do not require the GRE. The MSN runs 26–38 months and the certificate runs 14–22 months, with tuition based on $1,025 per credit and multiple entry options for different nursing backgrounds. Both tracks include 800 clinical hours across acute and critical care experiences, including two 300-hour clinical seminars and a 200-hour final immersion...read more.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
South College offers online Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs for Massachusetts nurses seeking advanced practice credentials, with both BSN-MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate options available. The BSN-MSN AGACNP program costs approximately $51,450-$53,695 and can be completed in 21 months, while the Post-Graduate Certificate costs $34,450-$35,930 with flexible pacing for working professionals. Massachusetts-licensed RNs can complete their supervised clinical practicums at approved healthcare settings, preparing them to care for acutely ill adults and older adults in intensive care units, emergency departments, and specialty clinics throughout the state.
UMass Medical ACNP Programs
Worcester | $917 cpc | Certificate / DNP
UMass Chan Medical School Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing offers three AGACNP pathways that match different entry points, including a non-nurse route, a BSN route, and a post-master’s certificate route. All tracks use hybrid online and in-person learning and provide clinical placements across Massachusetts with access to iCELS simulation resources. The DNP routes emphasize acute and critical care training, and the certificate route includes 540 acute care clinical hours but is not accepting AGACNP certificate students for Fall 2025 admission...read more.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Walden University offers Massachusetts RNs three online AGACNP pathways: a DNP ($65,350–$76,730), MSN ($40,650–$58,570), and post-master's certificate ($15,150–$31,170). All tracks feature CCNE-accredited curricula with 500–1,000 practicum hours in acute and critical care settings, supported by Walden's virtual skills lab and Practicum Pledge® for field placement. Massachusetts nurses can choose course-based or Tempo Learning® competency-based formats to fit their schedules while preparing for national AGACNP certification.
Choosing the Best Massachusetts ACNP Program
TLDR: Quick Program Selection Guide
Choose Regis College if you want the most affordable option ($39,975–$64,575 MSN, $21,525–$43,050 certificate) delivered 100% online with three entry points (ADN to MSN, Non-Nursing Bachelor’s to MSN, BSN to MSN), completing in 26-38 months with NP exam pass rates exceeding national average.
Choose UMass Chan Medical School if you want DNP-only pathways ($75,000–$85,000 BSN-DNP) ranked as Massachusetts’ top Doctor of Nursing Practice Program with access to world-class simulation facilities at iCELS and clinical placements coordinated across Massachusetts.
Choose Northeastern University if you want on-ground education in Boston with access to over 100 clinical affiliations including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s, and Beth Israel Deaconess, plus hands-on training in the Arnold S. Goldstein Simulation Lab.
ACNP Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Regis College offers the only affordable online MSN option at $39,975–$64,575, while Northeastern provides on-ground Boston education.
| School | Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regis | $40K–$65K | 26-38 months FT | 800 hrs | 100% online |
| Northeastern | $84K | 2 years FT / 3 years PT | 600 hrs | On-ground Boston |
Key Distinctions:
Regis offers three entry points: ADN to MSN, Non-Nursing Bachelor’s to MSN, and BSN to MSN
Regis ranked #16 in 50 Best Online Master of Science in Nursing Programs by Master’s Programs Guide
Regis requires one year critical care work experience for all entry tracks
Regis charges $1,025/credit with no GRE requirement
Northeastern provides access to 100+ clinical affiliations throughout Greater Boston
Northeastern features Arnold S. Goldstein Simulation Lab for hands-on skills training
Northeastern requires minimum 2 years full-time acute care RN experience in United States
Northeastern charges $1,946/credit with full-time and part-time enrollment options
ACNP Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
UMass Chan Medical School offers the only DNP pathways in Massachusetts, including a unique Graduate Entry option for non-nurses.
| School | Program Type | Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass Chan (BSN-DNP) | BSN-DNP | $75K–$85K | 3 years FT | 540 AGACNP clinical |
| UMass Chan (GEP-DNP) | Graduate Entry (non-nurses) | $170K–$190K | 4 years FT | 540 AGACNP clinical |
Standout Features:
UMass Chan ranked as top Doctor of Nursing Practice Program in Massachusetts by Nursing Schools Almanac
UMass Chan part of commonwealth’s only public academic health sciences center
UMass Chan BSN-DNP completes in 3 years full-time with Year 1 didactic, Year 2 clinical, Year 3 scholarly project
UMass Chan GEP accepts non-nurses: 16 months MS phase (100% NCLEX pass rate) + 3 years DNP phase
Access to world-class Interprofessional Center for Experiential Learning and Simulation (iCELS)
Clinical placements coordinated across Massachusetts including ICUs, step-down units, emergency departments
Optional concentration coursework available to all DNP students
Hybrid online/in-person coursework format
Program-specific fees include DNP Clinical Year Fee ($6,830)
ACNP Certificate Programs
Regis College offers the most affordable certificate at $21,525–$43,050 with two entry tracks, while UMass Chan provides the fastest completion.
| School | Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regis | $22K–$44K | 14-22 months | 800 hrs | 100% online, two entry tracks |
| Northeastern | $47K | 1-2 years | 600 hrs | CAGS degree, on-ground Boston |
| UMass Chan | $17–$23K | 1 year FT | 540 hrs | NOT accepting Fall 2025 students |
Important Considerations:
Regis Entry One (MSN Non-NP): 18-22 months, includes core courses plus AGACNP specialization
Regis Entry Two (MSN NP to additional specialty): 14-22 months, requires NP board certificate, DEA, APRN licensure, prescriptive authority
Regis students eligible to transfer maximum credit hours from prior MSN education
Northeastern CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies) designed for nurses with existing MS in Nursing
Northeastern includes 5 semester hours of NRSG electives
UMass Chan requires current NP certification (Adult, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, or Family NP)
UMass Chan requires successful completion of head-to-toe physical examination
UMass Chan NOT currently accepting students for Fall 2025 admission
All programs require one year critical care experience (Regis), 2 years acute care (Northeastern), or current NP certification (UMass Chan)
ACNP Admissions Requirements in MA
| School | Minimum GPA | Application Deadline | Critical Care/Acute Care Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regis | 3.0 preferred | Not specified | 1 year critical care work experience |
| Northeastern | 3.0, B or better in clinical courses | Not specified | 2 years FT acute care RN (in United States) |
| UMass Chan | 3.0+ preferred | Not specified | Not specified for BSN-DNP |
Additional Admission Notes:
UMass Chan: Clinical placement coordination support provided across Massachusetts facilities
Prerequisites:
Regis: College-level statistics prior to start
Northeastern: Statistics including probability theory and hypothesis testing (within 5 years)
UMass Chan: Statistics (B- or higher preferred); GEP requires A&P I & II with lab, Microbiology with lab (within 5 years, B- or higher), Nutrition, Human Growth & Development (within 7 years, B- or higher)
RN License:
Regis: Active unencumbered
Northeastern: Current US RN licensure (before clinical courses)
UMass Chan: Unrestricted Massachusetts RN licensure
Letters of Recommendation: Regis (2), Northeastern (3 academic and professional), UMass Chan (2 academic or professional, within 5 years preferred)
Personal Statements:
Regis: Statement of purpose
Northeastern: Letter of intent (minimum 500 words)
UMass Chan BSN-DNP: 600-word personal statement (two 300-word sections)
UMass Chan GEP: 500-word personal statement addressing three prompts
Video Essays: UMass Chan requires three 2-minute video essay responses
Application Fees: Regis ($75), Northeastern (standard), UMass Chan (standard)
GRE: Not required at any Massachusetts program
Background Checks: Required at all programs
Special Requirements:
Regis ADN/Non-Nursing Bachelor’s: Complete 15 bridge credit hours with B or better; general education courses may be required for ADN holders
Northeastern: Minimum 2 years acute care experience required before enrolling in clinical courses
UMass Chan Certificate: Current NP certification, completed prerequisites (Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Health Assessment), successful completion of head-to-toe physical exam
Clinical Placement Support:
Regis: Not specified
Northeastern: Arranged through consultation with faculty advisors at 100+ affiliated institutions