16 Best AGNP Programs in Pennsylvania (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
When you enroll in one of the AGNP programs in Pennsylvania, you'll have two specialization choices. If you focus on acute care, you'll acquire the skills necessary to work in high-pressure settings like emergency rooms and intensive care units. If you choose to concentrate on primary care, you'll learn how to optimize wellness and preventive services for the patients under your care. In Pennsylvania, jobs for adult gerontology NPs are expected to increase by 43 percent over the next decade. Pennsylvania-based AGNPs make good money, too—$132,110 annually. Find out more in this list of the 16 best AGNP programs in Pennsylvania.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 16 BEST AGNP PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 16 best campus-based and online AGNP programs in Pennsylvania.)
1. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN and Post Graduate Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Streamlined Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: The University of Pennsylvania's two Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) tracks are widely heralded as the best AGNP programs in Pennsylvania and among the finest in the nation. Most of your coursework will be taught in classrooms at UPenn's campus in West Philadelphia, though some courses utilize a hybrid or online format. Online courses utilize the Canvas Learning Management system. Full-time students will start this program in the summer semester. Part-time students can begin in the spring, summer, or fall.
The Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) curricula both consist of 12 classes (12 course units). Core MSN classes like "Scientific Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice" and "Introduction to Research Methods and Design" are identical for each track; the clinical courses you'll begin taking in your second term are what differentiate the two concentrations. You'll complete clinical rotations at some of the most prestigious medical centers in Philadelphia, including the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC), and Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH), so you must hold RN licensure in the Keystone State.
Full-time students will be able to complete either of these two programs in just four semesters (16 months). Part-time students can graduate in seven semesters (28 months). Applicants to the AGACNP program must have at least one year of professional experience in an acute care or critical care setting.
Post Graduate Certificate Program Details: Are you an advanced practice RN with a primary care specialty looking for a way to add acute care to your portfolio of qualifications? The University of Pennsylvania's Streamlined Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner certificate was designed with you in mind. You'll take just three classes (three course units) and complete your clinical hours at the hospital or clinic where you're already employed. This program is only open to nurse practitioners who have worked with acutely ill patients every shift for at least one year.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• U.S. News & World Report rates Penn's AGACNP programs as the third-best in the nation, and its AGPCNP programs as the fifth-best.• The first-time pass rate on nurse practitioner certification exams for UPenn's AGPCNP grads is 100 percent, and for AGACNP grads is 96 percent.
• The University of Pennsylvania allows MSN students to choose a minor along with their specialty concentration major. You can pursue subspecialties in adult oncology, global health, health informatics, nursing administration, and five other fields.
2. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Programs Offered: DNP (BSN-to-DNP) and Post-Professional Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Professional Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: At the University of Pittsburgh, you can pursue a BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP degree or a BSN-to-DNP/AGPCNP degree onsite or via distance education if you live more than 50 miles from the university's Oakland campus. Like other AGNP programs in Pennsylvania that offer both acute care and primary care AGNP tracks, the two programs offer identical curricula until you begin drilling down into your clinical concentration at the beginning of your second year. The AGACNP track involves 79 credits and 1,020 clinical hours, while the AGPCNP track entails 88 credits and 1,020 clinical hours.
Among the courses you take will be "The Science of Healthcare Delivery," "Research for Evidence-Based Practice," and "Financial, Business, and Economic Drivers in Healthcare Management." You will also complete a DNP project, develop a DNP portfolio, and sit for a comprehensive clinical exam modeled after the one you'll need to take to be certified as a nurse practitioner. You'll participate in clinical rotations at outstanding medical facilities like Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, UPMC Passavant-Cranberry, and UPMC Williamsport.
The University of Pittsburgh admits new cohorts into its two BSN-to-DNP/AGNP tracks each fall. While admission requirements do not specify a Pennsylvania RN license, most clinical practicums are scheduled at healthcare facilities within the Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, so RN licensure in the Keystone State is preferred. Full-time students should be able to graduate in eight terms (32 months). The university also offers part-time enrollment in this program.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Master's-prepared RNs can also pursue AGNP certification through the university's MSN-to-DNP/AGACNP and MSN-to-DNP/AGPCNP tracks. Since it's presumed you already took core MSN and APRN coursework while pursuing your nursing master's, the curricula for these two tracks focus on DNP core classes like "Human Genetics and Clinical Applications" and "Leadership Development."
Post-Professional Certificate Program Details: Looking for a way to expand your nurse practitioner scope of practice into the provision of acute care? The University of Pittsburgh offers a post-professional AGACNP certificate for APRNs with graduate degrees. The program involves 24 credits and 540 clinical hours, but the university will perform a gap analysis once you're admitted into the program, so your actual study plan may have fewer or more credits. You'll have to identify your own preceptors and clinical sites.
You can enroll in this program online or at the university's Pittsburgh campus. Online students will have to visit the campus once for a three-day onsite laboratory intensive. Full-time students will graduate in three terms, and part-time students in five. This program starts in the spring and is only available to RNs with at least one year of professional experience.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• U.S. News & World Report considers the University of Pittsburgh's DNP program the 12th best in the U.S.• Are you interested in a research career associated with adult gerontology? The University of Pittsburgh offers a unique dual degree Doctor of Nursing Practice/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program.
• First-time national certification pass rates for University of Pittsburgh AGACNP grads are 100 percent.
3. Villanova University - Villanova
Programs Offered: MSN and Post Graduate Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Villanova University's MSN/AGPCNP track offers core MSN courses such as "Leadership Strategies in Nursing," "Clinical Ethics: Theory and Practice," and "Development of Nursing Science" online. However, clinical courses pertaining to the adult gerontology NP concentration itself must be completed at the university's campus in Villanova. This AGNP program in Pennsylvania involves 47 credits and 730 hours of supervised direct patient care. All clinical rotations take place at healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware.
Spring and fall terms are 16 weeks long, but the summer term is only six weeks long. New cohorts enter this program in spring, summer, and fall. You'll have up to five years to finish this program, but full-time students typically complete it in 18 to 24 months, while part-time students finish it in 30 months. Admission preference is given to applicants who have at least one year of recent professional nursing experience.
Post Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you're an MSN-educated RN who wants to add caring for patients in adult gerontology primary care settings to your clinical skill set, Villanova University's post-graduate AGPCNP certificate has a lot to offer. The exact number of credits you must take will depend upon the results of a gap analysis, but it will be somewhere between 25 and 35 credits. The course also requires 750 clinical hours. Coursework begins in the spring and fall semesters. You'll have up to five years to earn your certificate, but most students complete the program in 18 months.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Though Villanova University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic church, the school welcomes students from many different religious backgrounds, and Catholic values are not explicitly integrated into the university's MSN/AGPCNP curriculum.• The National League for Nursing (NLN) has singled out Villanova University as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education numerous times.
4. Drexel University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: RN-to-BSN-to-MSN, MSN, and Post-Master's Certificate
RN-to-BSN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN-to-MSN Program Details: Not everybody makes the right career call in college! If you want to be a nurse practitioner, but you majored in something other than nursing when you earned your bachelor's degree, Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions offers two RN-to-BSN-to-MSN/AGNP degrees that you can complete in just three years of full-time study.
The first step? Fifteen quarter-credits of classes like "Appreciative Inquiry into Nursing: Science, Theory, and Patterns of Knowing" and "Responding to the Challenges of Global and Population-based Health Needs." Once you complete this bridge program online, you can join Drexel's traditional online MSN/AGACNP or MSN/AGPCNP tracks immediately.
This AGNP program in Pennsylvania has multiple start dates throughout the year. This program is only open to applicants with an unrestricted RN license and a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major from an accredited college or university. You'll be awarded a BSN degree at the same time you're awarded your MSN degree.
MSN Program Details: Drexel University's online MSN/AGACNP and MSN/AGPCNP degrees utilize a synchronous format, facilitating real-time communication so that even though you're not sharing space with your instructors and classmates, you get a sense of collaboration and cohesiveness. Lecture classes meet once a week for a three-hour session. You'll also make two multi-day visits to the university's campus in Philadelphia for skills intensives.
The AGACNP track comprises 57 quarter-credits and 800 clinical hours, while the AGPCNP track involves 52 credits and 640 clinical hours. The two curricula share MSN core courses like "Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments," "Evaluation and Translation of Health Research," and "Quality and Safety in Healthcare." Drexel University has a longstanding relationship with Tower Health, and clinical rotations are scheduled at Reading Hospital (Tower's flagship medical center) and other affiliated healthcare facilities. Students enrolled in practicums typically spend two eight-hour days per week pursuing clinical rotations.
Applicants must hold RN licensure in Pennsylvania. Applicants to the acute care AGNP track must have one year of professional experience in a critical care setting.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: Earning a post-master's AGNP certificate from Drexel University can help you accelerate your career in a new direction. The program accepts practicing nurse practitioners as well as MSN-prepared RNs who did not pursue APRN certification. The AGACNP certificate involves 29 credits and 800 clinical hours, while the AGPCNP certificate comprises 34 credits and 640 clinical hours. The university will do a gap analysis when you first enroll to see if any of your graduate nursing credits will transfer over.
You'll be able to identify and coordinate the selection of your own clinical preceptor and site. This program has multiple start dates throughout the year, and most students finish in a single year of part-time study. This program is only open to MSN-prepared RNs whose GPA was 3.5 or higher and who are licensed in Pennsylvania.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions has a long history of excellence in nursing education. The College of Nursing and Health Professions started as a diploma nursing program affiliated with Hahnemann Hospital.• Drexel University's Center for Interprofessional Clinical Simulation and Practice is a state-of-the-art facility where AG nurse practitioners in training will learn side-by-side with student physicians and other fledgling healthcare professionals.
5. Pennsylvania State University - University Park
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Graduate Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Pennsylvania State University's BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP track is a 55-credit program that requires 1,031 clinical hours, 431 of which are in conjunction with a DNP project. Penn State's BSN-to-DNP/AGPCNP program entails 53 credits and 1,031 clinical hours. Both tracks admit new cohorts in the spring, summer, and fall, and can be completed in eight semesters (32 months) of full-time study. Applicants must have at least two years of critical care experience to be accepted into the AGACNP program.
For the first four semesters, the two AGNP tracks' curricula mirror one another closely, with core DNP and APRN courses like "Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice," "Healthcare Policy," and "Ethics in Professional Nursing Practice." In the fifth semester, you'll start taking the clinical coursework and participating in practicums unique to your specific AGNP concentration.
Penn State partners with more than 700 prestigious healthcare facilities throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and other states. You'll participate in clinical rotations at leading hospitals and community centers like Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, and St. Luke's Health Network. All applicants must have a current Pennsylvania RN license.
Graduate Certificate Program Details: Looking for a way to explore new career opportunities as a graduate degree-educated RN? Pennsylvania State University offers a 22-credit (600 clinical hours) AGAGNP certificate and a 20-credit (600 clinical hours) AGPCNP certificate. Depending upon the results of the gap analysis that will be performed once you're admitted, you may need to take more credits, however. The curricula duplicate the clinical concentration-focused classes in the BSN-to-DNP/AGNP tracks.
This AGNP program in Pennsylvania admits new cohorts in the fall, spring, and summer. Most full-time students can complete this program in four semesters (16 months).
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The National League for Nursing named Penn State's Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing a Center of Excellence.• Penn State's AGPCNP grads have a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the nurse practitioner certification exam, while AGACNP grads have a 96 percent first-time pass rate.
6. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania's Breiner School of Nursing is committed to helping the Keystone State solve its severe shortage of primary healthcare providers. The university's online MSN/AGPCNP track is a 41-credit program that requires 630 supervised direct patient hours. The curriculum is divided between core MSN and APRN courses like "Theoretical Bases for Role Development in Advanced Nursing Practice," "Epidemiology Concepts in Population Health," and "Bases of Research for Advanced Nursing Practice," and clinical coursework relevant to the primary care adult gerontology NP role.
Courses are taught using an asynchronous format, which works well for RNs who plan to work while they're in school. You'll complete your clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, such as the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Geisinger Medical Center, and Penn Highlands Healthcare.
Commonwealth University has a rolling admissions policy and accepts new applicants into this program in the spring, summer, and fall. The program takes full-time students six semesters (24 months) to complete and part-time students eight semesters (32 months). You'll need at least one year of relevant professional experience to apply to this program.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• In 2023, Commonwealth University received a $5 million grant to improve its nursing program by helping students defray costs.• Commonwealth University maintains partnerships with healthcare systems such as the Guthrie Clinic and Penn Highlands Healthcare, which offset all or part of students' educational expenses in exchange for a two- or three-year work commitment following graduation.
7. DeSales University - Center Valley
Programs Offered: MSN and BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: When you enroll in DeSales University's MSN/AGACNP track, most of your coursework will be accessible online. However, you will have to visit the university's campus in Center Valley for an assessment skills workshop and training in procedures like suturing and chest tube insertion. This AGNP program in Pennsylvania comprises 50 credits and 675 clinical hours. Core MSN and APRN classes like "Health Policy, Organization and Financing," "Health Informatics, Quality and Safety," and Clinical Prevention in Population Health" will give you a solid foundation for the specialty and clinical courses that will hone your ability to deliver hands-on care to adult and older adult populations.
DeSales University's MSN/AGACNP curriculum culminates with a capstone course for which you'll develop a portfolio showcasing your academic, professional development, and volunteer service activities. You'll complete your clinical rotations at healthcare facilities within the Delaware Valley, so you'll need to be licensed as an RN in Pennsylvania and New Jersey by the time you start clinical rotations.
DeSales University accepts new cohorts into its MSN/AGACNP track in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Depending upon whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student, it will take you two or three years to graduate. Applicants must have at least 12 months of professional nursing experience within the past three years.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: DeSales University's BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP track is designed for RNs who want to take a leadership role in the clinical delivery of critical care and emergency services to adults and senior citizens. Full-time students will be able to complete this 76-credit (1,200 clinical hours) program in three to four years. Except for your clinical rotations and two campus residencies, this track can be pursued online.
Your curriculum will include a four-semester DNP scholarly project that integrates your didactic coursework with the development of an evidence-based solution to a clinical challenge. Clinical rotations may be scheduled at healthcare facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware, so you must have RN licensure in all three states. This program accepts new students in the fall.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: When you're accepted into DeSales University's AGACNP certificate program, the program coordinator will complete a gap analysis of your previous academic and professional experience and devise an individualized study plan based on those results. Most of the curriculum will focus on coursework related to diagnosing, treating, and managing adults and senior citizens who can benefit from critical care interventions.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• DeSales University is a Catholic institution of higher learning. Although the university accepts students from other religious backgrounds, Catholic doctrines and morality are reflected in its educational values and nursing curriculum.• AGACNPs and other nurse practitioner grads have a 99.5 percent pass rate on their certification exams the very first time they take them.
• DeSales University cannot admit students from Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, North Carolina, South Dakota, or Wyoming into its BSN-to-DNP program.
8. Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post Graduate Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Thomas Jefferson University's MSN/AGACNP and MSN/AGPCNP tracks both require 45 credits and 750 clinical hours. In addition to the clinical diagnostic and decision-making courses specific to each concentration, you'll take core MSN and APRN courses such as "Health and Social Policy," "Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse," and "Leadership and Critical Decision Making." Students attending full-time will complete the curriculum in six semesters (24 months); part-time students typically graduate in nine semesters (36 months).
Although the majority of your coursework will be delivered online, you will have to attend a one-day orientation at the university's Philadelphia campus in person, and you may have to visit the campus for intensive skills workshops. Clinical rotations will occur at the university's partner Jefferson Health affiliates, such as Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Methodist Hospital, and Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, so all applicants must be licensed as RNs in Pennsylvania. This is one of the AGNP programs in Pennsylvania that admits new students in the fall.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you're more interested in teaching, research, or leadership at an organizational or policy level, Thomas Jefferson University's BSN-to-DNP/AGNP tracks may be more useful than its MSN equivalent. The university's BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP and BSN-to-DNP/AGPCNP tracks both require 66 credits and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. Once you complete the essential core competencies for advanced practice RNs, you'll be awarded an MSN degree and continue with DNP-oriented coursework, such as "Theoretical Foundations for Organizational Change in Healthcare Systems," "Leadership and Inter-Professional Collaboration," and "Scientific Underpinnings for Nursing Practice."
You'll participate in clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities associated with Jefferson Health throughout the Philadelphia metro area. Thomas Jefferson University accepts new cohorts into its two BSN-to-DNP/AGNP tracks in the fall and spring. Depending upon whether you enroll full-time or part-time, you can expect to graduate in four to six years. If you're applying to the BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP program, you must have at least one year of professional critical care experience.
Post Graduate Certificate Program Details: The curricula for Thomas Jefferson University's AGACNP and AGPCNP certificates consist of three APRN core courses and three specialty concentration courses for a total of 18 credits. Depending upon the results of your gap analysis, however, you may end up taking more or fewer credits. You can start this program in the spring, summer, or fall. Full-time students typically complete this certificate in four semesters (16 months), and part-time students in nine semesters (36 months). Though the program is primarily taught online, you may have to visit the campus for advanced skills training and orientation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• U.S. News & World Report rates Thomas Jefferson University's online MSN the 17th best in the nation.• The American Nurses Credentialing Center has granted Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (where you may do one or more of your AGNP clinical rotations) MAGNET recognition for its commitment to the very highest quality nursing care. Jefferson University Hospital has also been ranked as the 16th-best hospital in the entire U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.
9. Moravian University - Bethlehem
Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Morovian University's MSN/AGACNP and MSN/AGPCNP tracks both comprise 44 credits and 650 clinical hours. Like other AGNP programs in Pennsylvania, the tracks' curricula are divided into core MSN and APRN courses like "Policy, Quality, and Safety in Health Care," "Nursing Role Theory and Evidence Based Practice," and "Law, Regulation, and Ethics in Health Care" and clinically oriented courses that are relevant to the nursing care of adults and aging adults. Clinical rotations are scheduled at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities throughout the Lehigh Valley and adjacent areas, so you'll need a Pennsylvania RN license to apply to this program and a New Jersey RN license by the time you begin clinicals.
Moravian University accepts new students into these two tracks each spring and fall. If you are enrolling on a full-time basis, you can expect to graduate in two years. Part-time students will take three years to graduate. MSN/AGACNP applicants must have at least one year of professional nursing experience in an acute or critical care environment.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The curricula for Morovian University's AGACNP and AGPCNP certificates both entail seven courses, but you could end up taking fewer if the gap analysis performed when you first enroll demonstrates that some of your previous academic coursework is transferable. You'll complete 650 practicum hours, too, at clinical sites throughout Bethlehem and adjacent communities. Most full-time students take no longer than two years to complete these tracks, and many take significantly less time. The university accepts new students into its post-master's certificate program in the spring and fall.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Moravian University is affiliated with the Moravian Church, but the university accepts students from diverse faith backgrounds, and its nursing curriculum does not incorporate specific Moravian precepts or values.• All nursing students at Moravian University, including graduate students in the AGNP tracks, have the opportunity to participate in electives with international clinical placements in settings like Australia and Central America.
10. Temple University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Temple University's BSN-to-DNP/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track is one of the best AGNP programs in Pennsylvania for working RNs because many of its courses offer a mix of online and classroom components. When in-person classes take place, they are scheduled at Temple’s Health Sciences Center in Philadelphia one day a week, typically on a weekday evening. If you enroll full-time, you can expect to complete this program in nine semesters (36 months). Part-time students will graduate in 12 semesters (48 months).
The curriculum consists of 68 credits and 1,000 practicum hours—843 hours of supervised patient care and 168 hours associated with your DNP project. You'll work on your DNP project for three semesters in your second and third years, implementing an evidence-based solution to a clinical challenge that affects healthcare delivery to the adult gerontological population. You'll also complete DNP core classes like "Translation of Evidence in Healthcare" and "Nursing Leadership for Systems and Communities," as well as courses designed to impart the knowledge and hands-on skills you'll need for a successful career as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP.
Temple University welcomes new students into its BSN-to-DNP/AGPCNP track each fall and spring. You'll utilize preceptors and clinical sites at Temple University Hospital and other healthcare facilities associated with the Temple University Health System, so you must have a Pennsylvania RN license when you apply.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Temple University Department of Nursing is a division of its College of Public Health, reflecting the university's commitment to working with medically underserved populations that struggle with significant health disparities.• BSN-to-DNP/AGPCNP students may be eligible to participate in the Temple Health Nursing Scholars Program, which will repay your educational loans in exchange for a three-year commitment to work for one of the Temple University Health System's affiliate healthcare facilities following graduation.
11. Neumann University - Aston
Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Neumann University offers its MSN/AGACNP and MSN/AGPCNP tracks online using an asynchronous format that's ideal for working RNs who need to integrate their educational goals with existing personal and professional commitments. Both tracks involve 45 credits, and 22 of those credits are MSN and APRN core classes like "Conceptual Models and Theories of Advanced Practice Nursing," "Nursing Research: Linking Evidence to Practice," and "Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning." The remaining credits are clinical specialty courses relevant to either acute or primary nursing care of adults.
Both tracks also entail 784 hours of supervised hands-on practice. You'll pursue practicums at healthcare facilities throughout the Delaware Valley, so students will need to have RN licensure in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware by the time they begin doing clinical rotations. New cohorts are admitted into this program three times a year in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. You can enroll in this AGNP program in Pennsylvania and graduate in two years or enroll part-time and graduate in three years. If you want to attend Neumann University's MN/AGACNP track, you'll need to be ACLS-certified and have one year or more of professional experience in acute nursing.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Looking for a way to add adult-gerontology to your repertoire of nurse practice skills? Neumann University offers a 32-credit AGACNP certificate and a 31-credit AGPCNP track. Since the university does a gap analysis of all students enrolled in this program, you may receive credit for prior education and experience and end up graduating with fewer credits!
You'll also complete 672 clinical hours at various hospitals and clinics throughout the Delaware Valley. Full-time students typically complete the necessary coursework and clinical hours in a single year; part-time students complete the program in two years. New classes begin at the start of the fall and spring semesters.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Neumann University is a private Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. While you don't have to be Catholic to attend the university, its curriculum—including its nursing curriculum—does reflect Catholic social teachings.• Neumann University AGNP graduates score 100 percent on their national nurse practitioner certification exams the very first time they take them.
12. La Salle University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: La Salle University's MSN/AGPCNP track admits BSN-prepared RNs with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.2 or higher who have at least one year of relevant professional nursing experience. This AGNP program in Pennsylvania admits new cohorts in the fall and spring. Full-time students typically complete this program within six semesters, or 24 months, while part-time students generally finish in nine semesters, or 36 months. Except for clinical rotations, this program is offered via distance learning technology.
To earn your degree, you must complete 43 credits, including core MSN courses like “Nursing Research for Evidence-Based Practice” and “Advanced Nursing Practice for Population-Based Care" as well as classes that support your new expanded role as an APRN specializing in the primary care of adults and senior citizens. You'll also complete 512 practicum hours, working with a La Salle University program administrator to secure preceptors and clinical sites in the state where you reside.
Post-Master Certificate Program Details: Looking for a convenient online program that will enhance your clinical skill set with training in adult primary care diagnosis, treatment, and management? La Salle University offers a 26-credit (512 clinical hours) AGPCNP certificate that mirrors the clinically oriented components of its MSN/AGPCNP track, and the university will perform a gap analysis to see if any of your previous graduate nursing credits can be transferred. You can complete this program in a single year if you attend full-time.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Even though La Salle University is a Catholic university, it accepts applicants from a variety of religious backgrounds, and its Catholic identity is not reflected in its NP nursing education.• 100 percent of La Salle University's MSN/AGPCNP grads find employment in their chosen field within one year of completing the program.
13. Cedar Crest College - Allentown
Programs Offered: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Graduate Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Graduate Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: While Cedar Crest College's MSN/AGACNP track is mostly taught online, you will have to attend one 2-day skills workshop at the college's campus in Allentown and participate in clinical rotations in person. The 46-credit (672 clinical hours) program features core MSN and APRN courses such as "Issues and Trends Relevant to Nursing," "Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice," and "Vulnerable Populations: Nursing Perspectives," in addition to coursework that focuses on imparting the skills and knowledge you'll need to be a successful AGAC nurse practitioner.
You'll complete your clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities throughout central Pennsylvania, so all applicants must have RN licensure in the Keystone State. Coursework begins in the fall and is designed to be completed by full-time students in three years. While professional nursing experience is not required for admission, it is preferred. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you're interested in improving health outcomes for populations as well as individual patients, Cedar Crest College's BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP track may be a better fit than the college's MSN program. This 73-credit AGNP program in Pennsylvania includes a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours and will take full-time students 15 semesters (spread out over seven years) to complete. You'll spend your final four semesters working on a DNP project during which you will research and implement a solution to a common challenge in the nursing care of acutely ill adults and senior citizens.
While Cedar Crest College's BSN-to-DNP/AGACNP track is primarily delivered online, the program does require several campus residencies for simulation activities and advanced skills workshops. Clinical rotations will be scheduled throughout Allentown and adjacent communities, so applicants must be licensed as RNs in Pennsylvania.
Graduate Certificate Program Details: Cedar Crest College's AGACNP certificate requires 22 credits for completion, but if you haven't already taken graduate-level courses in advanced physical assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology, you'll have to add those courses to your study plan. You'll also need to complete 672 clinical hours at a healthcare facility in central Pennsylvania. Most students are able to complete this program in four semesters (16 months). You must have an MSN from an accredited nursing program to apply; previous professional nursing experience is not required, but it is preferred.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Cedar Crest College is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, a liberal Protestant denomination. The college is supportive of students of all faiths, and religious doctrines are not reflected in its nursing education.• Though Cedar Crest College is an all-women's school at the undergraduate level, it does admit men as well as women into its graduate nursing programs.
14. Wilkes University - Wilkes-Barre
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, and Post Graduate/APRN Certificate
RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post Graduate/APRN Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Wilkes University's RN-to-MSN/AGPPCNP track is a completely online program that involves 17 courses and takes just 36 months to complete. It's one of the best AGNP programs in Pennsylvania for RNs with an associate nursing degree or hospital diploma who are determined to become nurse practitioners. You'll complete three bridge courses before joining the university's traditional MSN cohort for a total of 53 credits. This program does not award a separate BSN.
This program starts in the summer semester. To apply, you must have at least one year of professional RN patient care experience.
MSN Program Details: Wilkes University's 40-credit MSN/AGPCNP track includes core MSN courses like "Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science," "Advanced Role Development in Nursing," and "Scholarly Review." You'll also complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours, and Wilkes University will help you identify and secure preceptors and clinical sites at a healthcare facility in your own community. Courses are all online and taught over 12-week terms, utilizing asynchronous technology.
Wilkes University's MSN/AGPCNP program offers start dates in the spring, summer, and fall and can be completed in two years by full-time students. This program may accept applicants whose BSNs are not from an accredited nursing program on a case-by-case basis.
Post Graduate/APRN Certificate Program Details: RNs who've completed an MSN or a DNP and are looking to expand their scope of practice further may want to check out Wilkes University's post-graduate AGPCNP certificate. When you are accepted into the program, the university will perform a gap analysis to determine the exact number of credits you will need to take. The program includes a minimum of 500 hours of supervised patient care. Most full-time students are able to complete this program in 16 months, and excluding clinical rotations, all coursework is offered online in an asynchronous format.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The national certification exam first-time pass rate for Wilkes University's AGPCNP grads is 92 percent.• Tuition at Wilkes University is significantly less than tuition at many other schools offering similar nursing programs.
15. Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: Saint Joseph's University offers its 52-credit (720 clinical hours) MSN/AGACNP track online, allowing you to maintain your current employment and family commitments. Foundational courses such as "Nurse Practitioner Role Development," "Epidemiology and Population Health," and "Leadership and Ethics" lay solid groundwork for the degree's AGACNP population focus. You'll complete your practicums at Saint Joseph University's clinical partners, some of the finest medical centers in the Keystone State, which include healthcare facilities like Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Lehigh Valley Hospital.
New cohorts can begin this program at the start of the fall and spring semesters. Full-time students can complete this AGNP program in Pennsylvania in six semesters (24 months), and part-time students can complete it in nine semesters (36 months). This program is only open to Pennsylvania residents with RN licensure in the Keystone State and at least two years (3,000 clinical hours) of experience as a professional nurse.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: Are you an RN with a graduate degree who's looking for a program that will enhance your clinical skills in the care and management of acutely ill adult and geriatric patients? Saint Joseph's University offers an AGACNP certificate. Your actual study plan may vary pending the results of a gap analysis, but typically, students who are already nurse practitioners complete 24 to 27 credits, while students who are taking an APRN program for the first time complete 34 to 37 credits. Similarly, NPs enrolled in this track must complete 540 hours of practicum, while non-APRNs must complete 720 clinical hours.
Students who are certified NPs will take 12 months to earn their AGACNP certificate from Saint Joseph's University, and non-NPs 18 months. This program is open to MSN-prepared Pennsylvania residents who are licensed as RNs in the Empire State.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Saint Joseph's University is a Jesuit university that celebrates its Roman Catholic heritage. Nursing students are taught to embrace a holistic understanding of healthcare that includes a spiritual dimension. The school, however, is open to students from all faith backgrounds.• Saint Joseph's University graduates have a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP exams administered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
16. York College of Pennsylvania - York
Programs Offered: MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN Program Details: York College of Pennsylvania's 46-credit (784 clinical hours) MSN/AGPCNP can be completed in 24 to 36 months, depending upon whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student. This AGNP program in Pennsylvania begins with a solid theoretical foundation of courses like "Theory and Roles," "Research," and "Health Policy" before proceeding to population-specific courses and clinical experiences in a variety of practice settings. Didactic courses are offered online, but you'll complete your clinical rotations in person at healthcare facilities in southern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, so all applicants must have RN licensure in those two states.
York College's MSN/AGPCNP has start dates in February, March, April, May, June, and July. All applicants must have at least one year of relevant RN experience.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: When you enroll in York College's AGPCNP certificate program, a personalized study plan will be developed for you based on a gap analysis. Most students are able to complete this program in 12 months.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• York College of Pennsylvania keeps class sizes small to facilitate close ties between students and instructors. The clinical student-to-instructor ratio is 8:1.• York College records and archives all graduate-level, online nursing classes so that students can access them conveniently and learn at their own pace.
HOW MUCH DO AGNP GRADUATES MAKE IN PENNSYLVANIA?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF AGNP PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA EXPECT?
| Hourly | $46.73 |
| Weekly | $1,869 |
| Monthly | $8,100 |
| Annual | $97,190 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF AGNP PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $46.73 | $1,869 | $8,100 | $97,190 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.87 | $2,115 | $9,160 | $109,970 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $62.41 | $2,497 | $10,820 | $129,820 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $69.50 | $2,780 | $12,050 | $144,570 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $83.06 | $3,322 | $14,400 | $172,760 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGNP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA?
| Hourly | $63.51 |
| Weekly | $2,541 |
| Monthly | $11,010 |
| Annual | $132,110 |
HOW MUCH DO AGNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF PENNSYLVANIA?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $63.58 | $2,543 | $11,020 | $132,250 |
| Altoona | $59.36 | $2,374 | $10,290 | $123,470 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick | $57.64 | $2,306 | $9,990 | $119,900 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro | $63.47 | $2,539 | $11,000 | $132,010 |
| East Stroudsburg | $63.68 | $2,547 | $11,040 | $132,450 |
| Erie | $58.39 | $2,336 | $10,120 | $121,450 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $65.47 | $2,619 | $11,350 | $136,180 |
| Johnstown | $52.91 | $2,116 | $9,170 | $110,050 |
| Lancaster | $61.96 | $2,478 | $10,740 | $128,880 |
| Lebanon | $60.04 | $2,402 | $10,410 | $124,880 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $65.63 | $2,625 | $11,380 | $136,500 |
| Pittsburgh | $64.15 | $2,566 | $11,120 | $133,440 |
| Reading | $64.15 | $2,566 | $11,120 | $133,430 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre—Hazleton | $61.59 | $2,463 | $10,680 | $128,100 |
| State College | $59.79 | $2,392 | $10,360 | $124,370 |
| Williamsport | $59.46 | $2,378 | $10,310 | $123,670 |
| York-Hanover | $62.25 | $2,490 | $10,790 | $129,490 |
AGNP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA VS. OTHER SALARIES
AGNP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA VS. AGNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Pennsylvania AGNP Annual Salary | Average National AGNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $132,110 | $133,190 | -$1,080 | -0.81% |
AGNP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA VS. AGNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $167,450 | -$35,340 | -21.10% |
| Nevada | $154,110 | -$22,000 | -14.28% |
| Washington | $150,720 | -$18,610 | -12.35% |
| New Jersey | $150,340 | -$18,230 | -12.13% |
| Oregon | $150,250 | -$18,140 | -12.07% |
| Massachusetts | $149,280 | -$17,170 | -11.50% |
| New York | $148,050 | -$15,940 | -10.77% |
| Connecticut | $141,990 | -$9,880 | -6.96% |
| New Mexico | $141,770 | -$9,660 | -6.81% |
| Minnesota | $139,950 | -$7,840 | -5.60% |
| District of Columbia | $139,780 | -$7,670 | -5.49% |
| Rhode Island | $138,340 | -$6,230 | -4.50% |
| Hawaii | $137,460 | -$5,350 | -3.89% |
| Arizona | $137,410 | -$5,300 | -3.86% |
| Delaware | $135,910 | -$3,800 | -2.80% |
| Iowa | $135,610 | -$3,500 | -2.58% |
| New Hampshire | $135,520 | -$3,410 | -2.52% |
| Texas | $134,770 | -$2,660 | -1.97% |
| Wisconsin | $133,020 | -$910 | -0.68% |
| Maryland | $132,670 | -$560 | -0.42% |
| Utah | $132,500 | -$390 | -0.29% |
| North Dakota | $132,430 | -$320 | -0.24% |
| Pennsylvania | $132,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Illinois | $131,540 | +$570 | +0.43% |
| Alaska | $130,790 | +$1,320 | +1.01% |
| Vermont | $130,710 | +$1,400 | +1.07% |
| Montana | $129,200 | +$2,910 | +2.25% |
| Idaho | $129,110 | +$3,000 | +2.32% |
| Oklahoma | $128,880 | +$3,230 | +2.51% |
| Wyoming | $128,080 | +$4,030 | +3.15% |
| Indiana | $127,830 | +$4,280 | +3.35% |
| Maine | $127,440 | +$4,670 | +3.66% |
| Ohio | $127,360 | +$4,750 | +3.73% |
| Colorado | $126,450 | +$5,660 | +4.48% |
| Nebraska | $126,130 | +$5,980 | +4.74% |
| North Carolina | $126,040 | +$6,070 | +4.82% |
| Georgia | $125,580 | +$6,530 | +5.20% |
| South Dakota | $125,410 | +$6,700 | +5.34% |
| Virginia | $125,290 | +$6,820 | +5.44% |
| Michigan | $125,090 | +$7,020 | +5.61% |
| Florida | $124,090 | +$8,020 | +6.46% |
| Kansas | $123,630 | +$8,480 | +6.86% |
| Louisiana | $123,010 | +$9,100 | +7.40% |
| Mississippi | $121,790 | +$10,320 | +8.47% |
| South Carolina | $121,220 | +$10,890 | +8.98% |
| Missouri | $120,950 | +$11,160 | +9.23% |
| West Virginia | $117,600 | +$14,510 | +12.34% |
| Arkansas | $117,560 | +$14,550 | +12.38% |
| Kentucky | $114,410 | +$17,700 | +15.47% |
| Alabama | $114,040 | +$18,070 | +15.85% |
| Tennessee | $107,510 | +$24,600 | +22.88% |
AGNP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN PENNSYLVANIA
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $209,890 | -$77,780 | -37.06% |
| Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $132,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $121,410 | +$10,700 | +8.81% |
| Registered Nurse | $87,530 | +$44,580 | +50.93% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $85,540 | +$46,570 | +54.44% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $58,800 | +$73,310 | +124.68% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,780 | +$92,330 | +232.10% |
AGNP SALARY IN PENNSYLVANIA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $187,850 | -$55,740 | -29.67% |
| Podiatrist | $171,730 | -$39,620 | -23.07% |
| Optometrist | $147,280 | -$15,170 | -10.30% |
| Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner | $132,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Pharmacist | $131,200 | $910 | +0.69% |
| Veterinarian | $123,000 | $9,110 | +7.41% |
| Physician Assistant | $119,760 | $12,350 | +10.31% |
| Physical Therapist | $98,970 | $33,140 | +33.48% |
| Radiation Therapist | $98,230 | $33,880 | +34.49% |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,870 | $39,240 | +42.25% |
| Audiologist | $91,330 | $40,780 | +44.65% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $88,790 | $43,320 | +48.79% |
| Chiropractor | $86,590 | $45,520 | +52.57% |
| Dental Hygienist | $77,010 | $55,100 | +71.55% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits AGNP Programs In Pennsylvania?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited AGNP Schools Are There In Pennsylvania?
| 16 |
3. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Hour In Pennsylvania?
| $63.51 |
4. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Week In Pennsylvania?
| $2,541 |
5. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Month In Pennsylvania?
| $11,010 |
6. On Average, How Much Does An Adult-Gerontology NP Make Per Year In Pennsylvania?
| $132,110 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For AGNPs In Pennsylvania?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +42.70% |
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPHPattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
Best AGNP Programs in Other States