Massachusetts is projected to be short 725 primary care providers by 2030. There are shortages today, disproportionately affecting low-income areas. In some places, there are more than 3,500 patients for every one provider. In this state, nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to fill these important primary care roles.
In Massachusetts, nurse practitioners (NPs) have full practice authority, which allows them to practice independently in their careers and make a real difference in providing care to people in the Bay State.
If you’re interested in pursuing a nurse practitioner degree in Massachusetts, here are some of the programs available, including FNP programs, AGNP programs, and PNP programs.
Massachusetts NP Programs: Key Facts for 2026
| Accredited NP programs in MA | 14 institutions on this page (multiple offer 2-5 NP specialty tracks each) |
| NP practice authority | Full practice authority — MA grants NPs independent practice and prescriptive authority after a 2-year (or 1,600-hour) collaborative period (MA Board of Registration in Nursing) |
| NP mean annual wage (MA) | Approximately $144,000 per BLS OEWS Massachusetts — among the top 5 states nationally |
| National NP job outlook | 46% growth 2023-2033 per BLS OOH |
| Boston AMC clinical anchors | Boston College (Connell), Northeastern (Bouvé), MGH Institute, Simmons — Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s, Beth Israel networks |
| Public-system option | UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, UMass Lowell — lowest per-credit rates for MA residents |
Massachusetts NP Program Comparison
The 14 schools below all hold CCNE accreditation and offer at least one named NP specialty track. The table compares specialty coverage and delivery format at a glance — see each program card further down for credit hours, clinical hours, and detailed track descriptions.
| School | NP Specialties | Delivery | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| American International College | FNP | Online + 3-day residency | Springfield (Western MA) |
| Bay Path University | FNP (BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP) | Online | Longmeadow (Western MA) |
| Boston College | FNP, AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, WHNP — RN-DNP, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Direct Entry | Campus | Chestnut Hill (Boston) |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | FNP, AGNP Acute, Health Systems Innovation | Hybrid | Chicopee (Western MA) |
| Endicott College | FNP (BSN-FNP, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP, Pre-Master) | Hybrid + evening | Beverly (North Shore) |
| MCPHS University | FNP (RN-FNP, BSN-FNP, MSN-DNP) | Online + on-campus residencies | Boston / Worcester |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | FNP, AGNP Acute/Primary, PNP, PMHNP — BSN entry + Direct Entry + DNP | Campus + hybrid | Boston (Charlestown) |
| Northeastern University | FNP, AGNP Acute/Primary, PNP (dual specialty option), PMHNP | Campus + online | Boston |
| Regis College | FNP, AGNP Acute/Primary, PNP, PMHNP — RN-MSN, BSN-MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP | Online | Weston (Greater Boston) |
| Salem State University | AGNP Primary | Hybrid | Salem (North Shore) |
| Simmons University | FNP, AGNP, PMHNP — BSN-MSN, MSN-DNP | Online + Boston immersion | Boston |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | FNP, AGNP Primary — MSN, BSN-DNP, MSN-DNP | Hybrid | Boston (Public) |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | AGNP Primary (BSN-DNP) | Online + 1 campus day per semester | Dartmouth (Public) |
| University of Massachusetts Lowell | FNP, AGNP Primary | Hybrid + OSCE sessions | Lowell (Public) |
Program Overview:
American International College was founded in 1885 and chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to educate immigrants coming into the country through New York. The college grew significantly, with the nursing program being established and evolving throughout the 1980s and 1990s. There are two NP programs available here.
Program Overview:
Bay Path opened in downtown Springfield in 1897, offering some of the most tech-savvy NP degrees available in the state. The university offers two FNP programs at the doctorate level with 100% online classes. The following programs are available.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit university that has grown into an internationally respected research university. The William F. Connell School of Nursing was established in 1947; the DNP programs were established in 2019. Graduates of DNP programs at the university have impressive exam pass rates of 100% for those taking the FNP, AGNP, or PNP exams in 2023. Boston College offers a wide range of NP programs, including the following:
Program Overview:
College of Our Lady of the Elms, or the Elms, was founded in 1928 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The university has been educating nurses for more than 40 years. Today, students enjoy state-of-the-art simulation labs and a unique range of clinical settings. Graduates of this nursing program have a 100% pass rate for the FNP exam and a 94% for the AGNP exam.
Program Overview:
Endicott College started as a women’s college in 1939 and evolved into a tight-knit community of 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students today. The Cummings School of Nursing and Health Sciences features small classes, a wide range of clinical experiences, and degrees for all levels of nursing. It offers the following three FNP pathways:
Program Overview:
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences was founded in 1823 and aimed to improve the quality of medicines for the public by developing standard practices and training. The university’s School of Nursing programs offer many ways for professionals to enter the industry, including two options for those seeking an education as an FNP.
Program Overview:
The School of Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions is the successor institution to the Massachusetts General Hospital diploma nursing school. It has a history of educating nurses for over 100 years. Advanced NP tracks were added to the curriculum in 1994, with the first DNP program starting in 2007. Today, this school offers the following 12 NP tracks:
Program Overview:
Northeastern University was founded in 1898 and has campuses across the country, from the East Coast to the West Coast and into Canada. The School of Nursing in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences has a long history of educating nurses and offers many programs, including the 11 listed below.
Program Overview:
The Richard and Sheila Young School of Nursing at Regis College offers multiple programs for people wanting to enter the profession. Students get hands-on experience in state-of-the-art simulation labs and unique in-person clinical experiences, and some programs offer online classes. There is truly something for everyone here. Students can choose from the following 23 NP programs:
- RN to BSN to FNP
- BSN to DNP FNP
- BSN to FNP online
- MSN to DNP FNP
- RN to BSN to AGNP Acute
- RN to BSN to AGNP Primary
- BSN to DNP AGNP Acute
- BSN to DNP AGNP Primary
- BSN to AGNP Acute
- BSN to AGNP Primary
- MSN to DNP AGNP Acute
- MSN to DNP AGNP Primary
- RN to BSN to PNP
- BSN to DNP PNP online
- BSN to PNP online
- MSN to DNP PNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate FNP
- Post-Graduate NP to FNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate AGNP Acute
- Post-Graduate Certificate AGNP Primary
- Post-Graduate NP to AGNP
- Post-Graduate Certificate PNP
- Post-Graduate NP to PNP
Program Overview:
What is unique about the AGNP program at Salem State is that there are entry points for nurses at any point in their careers. Students can start the program listed below whether they have a BSN, an associate’s degree with a nursing diploma, or a bachelor’s in another field.
Program Overview:
Simmons was founded as a women’s university in 1899, called Simmons Female College at the time. Today, it consistently ranks among the nation’s top schools in its category in the U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Forbes. It boasts an NP board passing rate of 96%.
Program Overview:
UMass Boston opened its doors in 1965 as the second university in the state system. The Manning College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers hands-on learning experiences, including clinical placements at nearby Boston hospitals, high-fidelity manikins in the simulation lab, and interactions with live actors to get face-to-face experience examining and diagnosing patients before practicing independently. UMass Boston offers the following four NP programs:
Program Overview:
Starting as the New Bedford Textile School in 1895, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has evolved drastically over the years. The College of Nursing was established in 1970, and master’ s-level programs began in 1987. There are two options for people wishing to pursue an AGNP degree:
Program Overview:
This university became part of the University of Massachusetts system in 1991. The Solomont School of Nursing in the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences features the oldest Family Health Nursing Program in New England and established the first MS Degree in Gerontological Nursing in the U.S. Today, it offers the following two programs:
Massachusetts NP Salary and Career Outlook
Massachusetts ranks among the top five US states for NP compensation. The mean annual wage for nurse practitioners in MA is approximately $144,000 per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Massachusetts, with Boston metro pay typically running above the state mean. Nationally, NP employment is projected to grow 46% from 2023 to 2033 per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — the second-fastest-growing occupation after wind turbine technicians and faster than nearly any healthcare role tracked. MA’s 725-primary-care-provider shortage projection by 2030 reinforces sustained demand, particularly in the underserved Western MA and South Shore regions.
Massachusetts NP Licensure Requirements
NP licensure in Massachusetts is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Candidates must complete a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited graduate NP program, pass a national certification exam (AANP or ANCC depending on specialty), and apply for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) authorization. MA grants NPs full practice authority — independent practice and prescriptive authority — after completing 2 years (or 1,600 hours) in a collaborative practice agreement with a physician or another APRN. After this initial period, NPs can practice and prescribe without ongoing collaboration. NPs prescribing controlled substances also need MA Controlled Substance and DEA registration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts NP Programs
Can Massachusetts NPs practice independently?
Yes, after an initial collaborative period. MA grants full practice authority once an NP completes 2 years or 1,600 hours of supervised collaborative practice. After that, NPs can practice and prescribe independently. This puts MA in the full-practice-authority tier alongside states like New York and California.
How much do NPs earn in Massachusetts?
The mean annual wage for NPs in MA is approximately $144,000 per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Boston metro pay typically runs above the state mean. MA ranks among the top five US states for NP compensation, reflecting the cost-of-living premium and concentration of major academic medical centers.
How long does it take to become an NP in Massachusetts?
A BSN-to-MSN NP track typically takes 2 to 3 years full-time. A BSN-to-DNP takes 3 to 4.5 years. Direct Entry programs for non-nursing-bachelor’s applicants run 3 to 4 years full-time and include NCLEX preparation. RN-to-MSN bridges from associate-degree RNs run 4 to 6 years total. Part-time pacing adds 1-2 years across these pathways.
What is the difference between an MSN and a DNP in Massachusetts?
An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is the minimum graduate credential for NP certification in MA. A DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) is the terminal clinical doctorate, adding 1-2 years of advanced clinical, leadership, and quality improvement coursework plus a doctoral practice-change project. Both qualify graduates for NP certification; many MA programs now run BSN-to-DNP as the default pathway, reflecting the national push toward DNP entry.
Which Massachusetts NP programs offer dual specialty training?
Northeastern University’s PNP track lets students dual-specialize in Pediatric Primary Care + Pediatric Acute Care for both certifications. MGH Institute and Northeastern both run matched AGNP Acute and Primary tracks at master’s and direct-entry levels. Boston College’s catalog spans the broadest list of specialty options. Dual-specialty preparation typically adds 6-12 months and 200-400 clinical hours to the program length.
Which Massachusetts NP programs are most affordable?
The UMass campuses (Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell) carry the lowest per-credit tuition for MA residents under public-system rates. Among private programs, American International College, MCPHS, Bay Path, and Elms sit at the lower end of the private tier. The premier Boston privates (Boston College, Northeastern, MGH Institute, Simmons) carry the highest per-credit rates but include access to Mass General Brigham and other top-tier clinical networks.
Massachusetts NP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Massachusetts NP Schools | 14 institutions (full directory below) |
| NP Specialty Tracks Covered | FNP, AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, and DNP entry (varies by school) |
| Practice Authority | Reduced — Massachusetts NPs need a written practice agreement and prescriptive authority via a supervising physician; NPs with two years post-licensure gain autonomous prescriptive authority |
| Licensing Board | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing |
| Typical Program Length | 2–3 years MSN-NP; 3–4 years BSN-to-DNP; 12–24 months post-master’s certificate |
| Required Clinical Hours | 500–750 (MSN); 1,000+ (DNP) — AACN Essentials |
| Massachusetts NP Mean Annual Wage | $142,700 (BLS OES, May 2024) — among the highest in the U.S. |
| National NP Growth (2023–33) | +46% — BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Certifying Bodies | AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB |
2026 Updates — What Changed for Massachusetts NPs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Massachusetts NP mean annual wage rose to $142,700. Boston metro leads the state; MA is a top-tier NP wage market.
- AACN 2025 DNP Position Statement — CCNE-accredited programs continue to align curricula with the 2025 Essentials; DNP-level entry expands.
- Massachusetts-specific update — Massachusetts anchors New England academic-medical-center DNP preparation via UMass Chan (Worcester), Boston College, Northeastern, and MGH Institute of Health Professions. Simmons and Regis serve the Boston market with hybrid delivery.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 14 Massachusetts schools tracked — current CCNE/ACEN NP-track institutions verified.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Massachusetts
Five distinct routes appear across Massachusetts’s NP schools. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs with a BSN. Length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time; 500 to 750 clinical hours. Massachusetts MSN-NP options are anchored by UMass campuses (Boston / Dartmouth / Lowell), Boston College, Northeastern, and MGH Institute. Simmons (Boston), Regis (Weston), and Endicott (Beverly) serve the Boston metro; Elms (Chicopee), Bay Path (Longmeadow), and MCPHS anchor Western/Central MA.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge
For ADN-prepared RNs. Adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s begins. In Massachusetts, Simmons, Elms, and Bay Path all offer RN-to-MSN bridge pathways into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically 3 to 4 years.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP specialty training with doctoral coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 10 Massachusetts schools offer a DNP program — see the Massachusetts DNP programs guide.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate
For nurses who already hold an MSN-NP and want to add a specialty. Length: 12 to 24 months and roughly 500 clinical hours. Massachusetts post-master’s certificate options include Boston College, Northeastern, MGH Institute, and UMass.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry
For career changers with a non-nursing bachelor’s. Accelerated BSN (12 to 16 months) then NP master’s or DNP track. Massachusetts’s flagship direct-entry options include MGH Institute’s Direct Entry Master’s and Simmons’ Nursing@Simmons entry track. Total time-to-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years.
Fast & Affordable Massachusetts NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All are CCNE or ACEN accredited and currently enrolling Massachusetts residents.
Fastest Massachusetts NP Programs
- Simmons University — Online MSN-FNP: Boston hybrid delivery; year-round enrollment and 24-month accelerated path.
- Regis College — MSN-FNP: Weston hybrid delivery; 5-semester full-time cohort.
- Bay Path University — MSN-FNP: Longmeadow-based hybrid; accelerated track for working RNs.
- Northeastern University — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders.
Most Affordable Massachusetts NP Programs
- University of Massachusetts Boston — MSN-NP: Public UMass tuition with the broadest specialty footprint in Boston.
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth — MSN-NP: Public UMass South Coast tuition; strong regional clinical placements.
- University of Massachusetts Lowell — MSN-NP: Public UMass tuition in the Merrimack Valley.
- Salem State University — MSN-NP: Public MassState tuition; competitive North Shore option.
- College of Our Lady of the Elms — MSN-FNP: Private Catholic Chicopee tuition with competitive total cost.
Massachusetts Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Massachusetts NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths — FNP and DNP entry.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Massachusetts. All 14 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track.
- American International College
- Bay Path University
- Boston College
- College of Our Lady of the Elms
- Endicott College
- MCPHS University
- MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Northeastern University
- Regis College
- Salem State University
- Simmons University
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Massachusetts
10 Massachusetts schools offer a DNP program. See the dedicated Massachusetts DNP programs guide.
- Endicott College
- Boston College
- College of Our Lady of the Elms
- Northeastern University
- Regis College
- University of Massachusetts
- Bay Path University
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Simmons University
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Massachusetts by City & Region
Massachusetts’s 14 featured NP schools cluster across three regions: Greater Boston (10 schools), Central/Western Massachusetts (Chicopee/Longmeadow/Springfield), and the South Coast (UMass Dartmouth). North Shore is served by Endicott (Beverly).
Greater Boston
- Boston College — Chestnut Hill
- Northeastern University — Boston
- Simmons University — Boston
- Regis College — Weston
- MGH Institute of Health Professions — Charlestown
- MCPHS University — Boston
- University of Massachusetts Boston — Boston
North Shore
- Endicott College — Beverly
- Salem State University — Salem
Central Massachusetts
- College of Our Lady of the Elms — Chicopee
- American International College — Springfield
Western Massachusetts (Pioneer Valley)
- Bay Path University — Longmeadow
Merrimack Valley
- University of Massachusetts Lowell — Lowell
South Coast
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth — North Dartmouth
