Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are advanced practice nurses who provide a range of services to patients in various in-patient and out-patient facilities. The scope of practice for FNPs is dictated by state law. In Massachusetts, FNPs can practice with full authority, giving these nurses a chance to practice independently and truly make a difference in providing health care to the people of Massachusetts.
Nurses who wish to pursue an FNP degree in Massachusetts have multiple options for a nurse at any stage of their career.
Table of Contents
RN to FNP Programs
RN to FNP programs are specially designed for nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma. They allow these professionals to pursue an NP degree without completing a BSN program first.
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 112
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,804 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Boston College offers a unique RN to DNP FNP, allowing nurses with an associate’s degree and an RN license to enter the program and graduate with a DNP without completing a BSN or MSN. The program is in-person, and when on campus, students can take advantage of the clinical and simulation labs, getting hands-on experience with high-fidelity manikins and live actors to hone their skills.
Endicott College
- Beverly, Massachusetts
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 58
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $896 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The Pre-Master’s Pathway FNP is specially designed for RNs with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field other than nursing. This program requires 13 undergraduate credits in nursing leadership, research, community health, and applied statistics before entering the MSN program. Once these courses are completed, students follow the MSN coursework.
MCPHS University
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus meetings and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 62
Clinical Hours: 630
Tuition: $1,440 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
At the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, nurses can complete the RN to FNP in three years. All coursework is entirely online, and students can complete clinical assignments close to home, enabling them to work throughout the program. The program has four on-campus meetings, including new student orientation and MSN orientation before beginning master’s level classes.
Regis College
- Weston, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Unspecified
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $995 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Regis College offers an RN to BSN to FNP track, which awards students a BSN and an MSN degree. The track has 60 credits in total, plus 40 credits in prerequisites. RNs with bachelor’s in another area may meet some of the prerequisite requirements, depending on their previous coursework. This program is unique as many RN-to-FNP programs do not offer students the opportunity to be awarded a BSN.
BSN to FNP Programs
Nurses with a BSN degree have several options to pursue an FNP degree in Massachusetts, including MSN and DNP tracks.
American International College
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 46
Clinical Hours: 665
Tuition: $850 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN to FNP at American International College offers online coursework with a single three-day in-person on-campus residency. This program offers free clinical placement services, where a placement coordinator will help students find preceptors and clinical sites in their communities or within a reasonable driving distance. Students can complete the full-time program in just over 2.5 years. AIC also offers a Post-Graduate Certificate FNP program for those with an MSN in another specialty. This program has 28 credits with 665 clinical hours. Full-time students can complete this track in six semesters.
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, Massachusetts
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $995 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Bay Path University offers two DNP paths: a BSN to DNP FNP and an MSN to DNP FNP option. Those who start with a BSN will take 19 courses for 70 credits; those who begin with an MSN will take 12 courses for 36 credits. Both programs require 1,000 supervised clinical hours. These programs are designed to be completed part-time. All classes are online, but students can access library resources, tutoring, mentoring, academic resources, and career services.
Boston College
- Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,804 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Boston College offers multiple DNP pathways, including a BSN to DNP FNP, Direct Entry DNP FNP, and an MSN to DNP DNP. The Direct Entry DNP FNP is designed for people with a bachelor’s in fields other than nursing. The first five semesters are an intensive program to prepare students for the NCLEX exam before beginning FNP courses. All classes are on campus, and students gain hands-on experience working in clinical and simulation labs to prepare them for clinical and future careers.
College of Our Lady of the Elms
- Chicopee, Massachusetts
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $1,010 per credit + fees for DNP courses; $938 per credit + fees for core courses for those starting with a BSN
Program Overview:
The BSN/MSN to DNP FNP program at College of Our Lady of the Elms is 70 credits for those entering the program with an MSN with an additional ten credits of core classes for those entering with a BSN. Classes are hybrid, with on-campus face-to-face learning or Zoom meetings throughout the program. Elms also offers a 59-credit Post-Graduate Certificate FNP.
Endicott College
- Beverly, Massachusetts
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $896 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN to FNP program at Endicott College is a hybrid program with online and evening courses. It takes two years to complete, with fifteen credits being common core classes and 27 credits of FNP specialty courses. Endicott also has a Post-Graduate Certificate FNP program that is 27 credits.
MCPHS University
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus meetings and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: 630
Tuition: $1,440 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ two-year BSN to FNP program offers online classes and allows students to fulfill clinical requirements close to home. Generally, students will have to attend three on-campus residencies throughout the program: a new student orientation, a second-year residency before entering clinical, and a final residency at graduation. Each one to three days in length.
MGH Institute of Health Professions
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinicals
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1620 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MGH Institute of Health Professions offers multiple FNP pathways. The Direct Entry FNP option is specially designed for people with a bachelor’s in a field other than nursing. This 93-credit program takes three years to complete, in addition to prerequisite courses that must be completed before entry into the program. The BSN to FNP track is 50 credits and takes two years to complete full-time. A part-time option is also available for this program. There are also two post-master’s program options: a Post-Graduate Certificate FNP for nurses who have a master’s in another specialty and a Post NP Certificate FNP option for nurse practitioners who are certified in other specialties.
Northeastern University
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: 47
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: $975 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN to FNP on-campus program at Northeastern has 16 general MSN credits and 31 credits of FNP-specific courses. Students also have the BSN to FNP Online option, in which most classes are completed online and include a mix of instructional methods, including live presentations. Students in the online program are required to come to the Boston campus twice a semester. There is also a Direct Entry FNP option for nurses with a bachelor’s in another field. For those who already have an MSN in another specialty, the university has a Post-Graduate Certificate FNP. This program is offered online with some on-campus requirements and 750 in-person clinical hours.
Regis College
- Weston, Massachusetts
- Various
Modality: Various
Credit Hours: Various
Clinical Hours: Various
Tuition: $995 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Regis College offers multiple FNP options for anyone with a BSN degree. The BSN to FNP online program consists of 13 core classes, four FNP specialty courses, and about 720 clinical hours. Those wishing to pursue a DNP can pursue the BSN to DNP FNP or MSN to DNP FNP tracks. In the BSN to DNP program, students first compete for MSN-level courses, then transition into doctorate-level classes during the summer of the second year of the four-year program. These options are available on-campus or online, but some in-person requirements are required. There is also a Post-Graduate Certificate FNP track, preparing those with an MSN in another nursing specialty for the NP certification exam, and a Post-Graduate NP to FNP option for those practicing as an NP in another specialty.
Simmons University
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with some on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 48
Clinical Hours: 672
Tuition: $1,235 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Simmons offers a very flexible BSN to FNP option, allowing students to attend full-time or part-time, and extended options are available, completing the program in six, seven, or eight terms, respectively. Course schedules are predictable, with live courses held on the same day of the week throughout the program. Many classes also offer flexible attendance, where the student can either attend the live online lecture or view the recording at a more convenient time. There is also a 22-credit Post-Graduate Certificate FNP that can be completed in as little as a year. This track requires one on-campus immersion at the end of the first term and a virtual head-to-toe assessment before starting clinical courses.
University of Massachusetts Boston
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $806.92 per credit + fees for residents, $1,575.05 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Massachusetts Boston has options for those who wish to pursue either an MSN or a DNP as an FNP. The BSN to FNP program consists of 27 core credits and 21 FNP credits. There is also a BSN/MSN to DNP FNP track for those wishing to pursue a doctorate. The BSN to DNP option is 53 credits, nine concentration credits, and three nursing elective credits. Students will complete 1065 clinical hours and receive an MSN after completing 665 clinical hours and 48 credits. The MSN to DNP option is 21 core credits, seven credits, a nursing elective, and 400 clinical hours.
University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Lowell, Massachusetts
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 750
Clinical Hours: 45
Tuition: $600 to $750 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The BSN to FNP program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell offers online classes with four on-campus visits. These on-campus days occur during specific courses throughout the program; each visit is four hours long. UMass Lowell’s program uses Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) sessions, featuring Standardized Patients (SPs), highly trained actors trained to simulate the concerns of and interactions with real patients to give students face-to-face training and experiencing diagnosing and creating treatment plans for patients.
Online FNP Programs
Because of the nature of the profession, all FNP programs have some in-person requirements. In-person clinical experiences are a feature of every program, but most other programs have some type of on-campus requirement, whether it’s in-person intensives or residencies. The only program that offers classes online and does not require any campus visits is the program offered at Bay Path University.
Best FNP Programs in Massachusetts
The best FNP programs in the state highly depend on what you are looking for. Boston College’s RN to BSN to DNP program is unique in that it enables students to secure a BSN degree throughout the program. Endicott College’s Pre-Master’s Pathway program is a great option for RNs with bachelor’s degrees in other fields.
Boston College, Bay Path University, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Regis College, and University of Massachusetts Boston are all schools that offer pathways to a DNP for nurses at various places in their careers.
Massachusetts Most Affordable FNP Programs
University of Massachusetts Lowell is the most affordable option per credit, with American International College and Endicott College close behind. Please note that this is based on the per credit cost. Every school has its own fee structure that may change the final cost.