University of Massachusetts Boston Online Nurse Practitioner Programs – FNP, AGPCNP

What to Expect from the University of Massachusetts Boston Online FNP and AGPCNP Programs

Admission Requirements: Post-Master’s Certificate students must hold a master’s degree in nursing (MSN) with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate work and 3.0 in graduate work. As well, applicants must have an unencumbered RN license in Massachusetts or in the state where clinicals will be completed. Those who already hold APRN status in adult, pediatric, or gerontology fields and are applying for the 12-credit option of study must provide evidence of said licensure. Applicants to the 12-credit plan may be required to complete a phone interview.

Prerequisites include graduate-level advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and role of the advanced practice nurse with a grade of B or better. Applicants who have not completed these courses will need to add them to the program plan. Each course is offered online through UMass Boston. Application materials include an application and fee, official transcripts, two letters of reference, a written essay, and a current resume or CV. No GRE is required.

State Restrictions: While UMass Boston accepts students from many states, applicants outside of Massachusetts should check with the admissions department to make sure they are eligible for the nurse practitioner programs. Students from the following states are not eligible to enroll in the NP programs at this time: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Students from Texas are considered on a case-by-case basis due to additional requirements. Interested students should also contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.

Study Plan: The UMass Boston certificate program may begin in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The 21-credit plan can be completed in three semesters. This plan is designed for nurses who do not hold APRN certification or are certified in the following areas: AGACNP, WHNP, PMHNP, CRNA, CNM, and CNS. The 12-credit plan, which is designed for those with PNP, ANP and GNP licensure, can be completed in one to three semesters. Students typically take one to two courses per semester.

Note that the program director works with students to develop an individual study plan, which students are asked to follow to complete their program. Prerequisites courses include graduate-level advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and role of the advanced practice nurse.

Nurses who have not completed these courses, or completed them more than five years ago, will need to add them to the program plan. Each course is offered online through UMass Boston and must be taken before moving into the required courses. Clinical preceptorships are completed in approved states. 21-credit plan students must complete 600 clinical hours, while 12-credit students complete 300 clinical hours.

FNP and AGPCNP Curriculum: The FNP and AGPCNP 21-credit plan is designed for those with no APRN certification or those certified in the following areas: AGACNP, WHNP, PMHNP, CRNA, CNM, and CNS. Both tracks complete 300 clinical hours. Core courses for both tracks include Primary Care of the Adult; Primary Care of the Family: Practicum II; and Mental Health Problems of the Urban Family. The students then take the following courses:

• FNP Courses: Primary Care of the Childbearing Family; Primary Care of the Family: Practicum III
• AGPCNP Courses: Primary Care of Older Adults; Primary care of the Adults/Older Adults: Practicum III and Capstone

Those in the 12-credit plans take Mental Health Problems of the Urban Family plus one additional didactic course and one practicum course, depending on the original NP certification earned.

Online Experience: The UMass system utilizes Blackboard Learn as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Post-Master’s Certificate students begin with an online orientation. Some lectures may be delivered through Macromedia Breeze, while live sessions may also be scheduled with the faculty. Discussions may take place via discussion boards and other discussion tools. Grades, student records, class management tools, and other student information may be accessed through WISER, the UMass Boston student information system. Online students may obtain a code to have access to the UMass library system. In addition, online students have access to university resources such as admissions counseling, academic counseling, faculty office hours, career counseling, and 24/7 technical support.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements as the coursework is completely online. Students must also complete local clinical preceptorships.