Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) work with adults across the lifespan, from adolescents to seniors, with a special focus on how aging affects the body. In Pennsylvania, AGNPs work under the direct supervision of a physician to diagnose, treat, and manage adult patients’ care in various settings. People looking for AGNP programs in Pennsylvania have various options, including programs focusing on acute or primary care or those offered doctorate degrees.
Pennsylvania RN to AGNP Programs
RN to AGNP programs allow nurses with an associate’s degree to pursue a master’s without having to first complete a BSN. This route can save both time and money. Pennsylvania offers the following option for RNs looking to pursue an AGNP degree.
Bloomsburg Commonwealth University
- Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
- Online + Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Online or hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 89
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: $516 per credit + fees for residents; $774 per credit hour + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Bloomsburg’s RN to AGNP bridge program lets RNs without a BSN complete both degrees in sequence. Core BSN and MSN coursework runs online or in person at the Bloomsburg or Dixon campuses, with clinicals required in person. Full-time students can finish in about two years, which fits RNs already working in the Northeastern PA region.
Pennsylvania BSN to AGNP Programs
The following programs are for BSN-prepared nurses who wish to pursue an AGNP degree. Students can specialize in acute or primary care, and DNP options are available.
Alvernia University
- Reading, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 47
Clinical Hours: 815
Tuition: $900 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Alvernia’s BSN to AGNP program is built for working nurses in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley, with evening classes and hybrid, online, and in-person options. Clinical rotations run through Penn State Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and other regional partners, which gives applicants access to a multi-system clinical network without relocating.
Cedar Crest College
- Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus immersions and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 46
Clinical Hours: 728
Tuition: $670 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
Cedar Crest College runs a BSN to AGNP track delivered online in an asynchronous format, with required on-campus skills demonstrations at the Nursing Simulation Center. The BSN to DNP AGNP runs 75 credits with 728 clinical hours. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP at 22 credits and 672 clinical hours. Cedar Crest is one of the few PA programs with dual ACEN + CCNE accreditation.
Bloomsburg Commonwealth University
- Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with minimal on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 520
Tuition: $516 per credit + fees for residents; $774 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
Bloomsburg’s direct BSN to AGNP program runs asynchronous online core courses so nurses can complete classwork around their schedules. Clinical courses shift to synchronous online with minimal on-campus requirements, which fits working BSN-prepared RNs who want a more flexible delivery than the RN-to-AGNP bridge track.
DeSales University
- Center Valley, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus specialty courses and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 50
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $975 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
DeSales’s BSN to AGNP program runs hybrid — core classes online, advanced and specialty coursework with on-campus components. The program includes 75 lab hours plus clinicals and gives students access to a high-tech simulation lab for skills practice. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate AGNP at 18 to 35 credits based on gap analysis, with 500 clinical hours.
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 63
Clinical Hours: 1,149
Tuition: $1,115 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Drexel’s BSN to AGNP program runs online coursework plus on-campus intensives two to three times a year (two to three days each), with additional quarterly on-campus visits possible. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Acute Care (39 credits) or Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Primary Care (34 credits). Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions is the Philadelphia hybrid-format option.
Duquesne University
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 42
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $1,765 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Duquesne’s online BSN to AGNP Acute Care program runs in cohorts of 12 to 15 students over three years, with online coursework plus three required campus visits and 75 lab hours added to clinical time. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP at 33 credits, typically completed in 2.5 years. Duquesne is the Pittsburgh Catholic-affiliated option with UPMC clinical placements.
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy offers a CCNE-accredited MSN with an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP concentration delivered in a flexible online format. The program fits working nurses in the Philadelphia suburbs who want an online program without relocating or reducing work hours.
LaSalle University
- Philadelphia, PA
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 41
Clinical Hours: 512
Tuition: $975 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
LaSalle’s BSN to AGNP program runs fully online coursework with in-person clinicals, delivered in an accelerated format aimed at working professionals. Multiple start dates per year and a possible 28-month completion make it one of the shorter PA AGNP paths. The scheduling fits RNs in Philadelphia or anywhere in PA who can’t commit to campus attendance.
Misericordia University
- Dallas, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus intensives and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 630
Tuition: $870 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Misericordia’s BSN to AGNP Primary Care program runs small-cohort online coursework with two required on-campus intensives (before first clinical and again in year two). MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care at 48 credits with 540 clinical hours. Misericordia is the Northeastern PA option with a tight-knit cohort model.
Moravian University
- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 44
Clinical Hours: 650
Tuition: $999 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Moravian runs the broadest AGNP menu among PA’s smaller Catholic-affiliated schools. The BSN to AGNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP Primary Care tracks each run 44 credits with 650 clinical hours. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Acute Care or Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Primary Care, with credit load set by gap analysis.
Neumann University
- Aston, Pennsylvania
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $860 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Neumann offers matched acute and primary care AGNP tracks delivered fully online except for clinicals. The BSN to AGNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP Primary Care share a common advanced practice core with 22 and 21 specialty credits respectively. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through 31-credit Post-Graduate Certificate tracks in either specialty. The fully-online classroom delivery makes Neumann one of the most flexible AGNP options in PA.
Pennsylvania State University
- State College, Pennsylvania
- Various
Modality: Various
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
Penn State uses its multi-campus footprint to split AGNP delivery. The BSN to AGNP Primary Care runs from the Scranton campus. Penn State World (the online campus) delivers two post-master’s options: the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Acute Care and the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Primary Care. Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing positions primary-care-focused applicants at Scranton and online cross-trainers via World.
Saint Joseph’s University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 52
Clinical Hours: 720
Tuition: $954 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Saint Joseph’s runs a flexible BSN to AGNP Primary Care program with online coursework and in-person clinicals at locations of the student’s choosing. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care, delivered hybrid at the Lancaster campus. Saint Joseph’s reports a 100% pass rate on the AACN/ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP exam, which is a standout signal for applicants targeting acute care certification.
Temple University
Temple University’s Barnett College of Public Health offers a BSN-to-DNP program with an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGPC) concentration. The program prepares graduates to provide preventive care, diagnosis, and management of primary care and non-life-threatening acute conditions across the adult-gerontology spectrum. The 68-credit curriculum includes 1,000 clinical hours and can be completed in three to four years. Graduates are eligible for AGPCNP certification through ANCC or AANP.
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $1,298 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Thomas Jefferson runs both specialty tracks at the master’s and post-master’s levels. The BSN to AGNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP Primary Care mix online and in-person courses with required on-campus orientation. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care or Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care, both 18 credits with online and hybrid components.
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 14
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $6,392 per course unit
Program Overview:
Penn’s School of Nursing runs both specialty tracks at the master’s level. The BSN to AGNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP Primary Care are primarily in-person, with select hybrid or online courses to accommodate working schedules. Clinical experiences run on Penn’s campus or at Penn Medicine affiliated sites, which positions Penn as the Philadelphia academic medical center AGNP pick.
University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,231 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Pitt runs the deepest AGNP doctoral catalog in PA. The BSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care is 79 credits; the BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care is 88 credits. MSN-prepared APRNs can continue through the 32-35-credit MSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care or 41-credit MSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care. The 24-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN/DNP to AGNP Acute Care lets certified NPs cross-train into acute care. UPMC clinical placements are available across western PA.
Villanova University
- Villanova, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 47
Clinical Hours: 730
Tuition: $1,050 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Villanova’s BSN to AGNP Primary Care offers asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid classes, with all clinicals completed in person. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the 32-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP in Acute Care with 730 clinical hours. Support classes are offered online or on-campus with clinicals on-site, making Villanova the flexible Catholic liberal-arts pick in the Philadelphia metro.
Widener University
- Chester, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: Varies
Program Overview:
Widener runs acute-care-focused AGNP tracks at the master’s and doctoral levels. The BSN to AGNP Acute Care master’s is 45 credits with 750 clinical hours. The BSN to DNP AGNP Acute Care doctoral track is 73 credits with 1,310 clinical hours. MSN-prepared nurses in other specialties can cross-train through the 30-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care option. Widener’s hybrid delivery and Philadelphia-area location fit working RNs targeting acute care certification.
Wilkes University
- Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 14 classes
Clinical Hours: 500
Tuition: $729 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Wilkes’s BSN to AGNP Primary Care finishes in two years with online classes and one required residency visit. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the 27-credit Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care with 600 clinical hours. Multiple entrance dates per year fit applicants who need to start outside the typical fall-spring cycle.
York College of Pennsylvania
- York, Pennsylvania
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 64
Clinical Hours: 784
Tuition: $695 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
York College of Pennsylvania runs a primarily-online BSN to AGNP Primary Care program with possible on-campus visits. MSN-prepared nurses can cross-train through the Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Primary Care. Six start dates per year and flexible class scheduling make York an accessible entry-point option for working RNs in south-central PA.
Pennsylvania Online AGNP Programs
All PA AGNP programs require in-person clinical hours because the specialty depends on supervised adult-gerontology encounters. Classroom delivery varies. The programs with fully-online coursework (no mandatory campus visits outside clinicals) are LaSalle University and Neumann University. Several more — Bloomsburg Commonwealth, Wilkes, York College of Pennsylvania, and Misericordia — run mostly-online with occasional on-campus intensives. Applicants should plan for preceptor placement in their local area regardless of where the school is based.
AGNP Salary in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590, with the national median at $129,210. AGNPs specializing in adult-gerontology care are in high demand as Pennsylvania’s aging population continues to grow. Salaries vary by setting and region, with hospital-based AGNPs and those in the Philadelphia metro area typically earning more. Pennsylvania is now a Full Practice Authority state, which may further expand AGNP job opportunities.
Best AGNP Programs in Pennsylvania
Best fit depends on specialty focus and delivery preference. For fully-online coursework, LaSalle University and Neumann University offer the most scheduling flexibility. Saint Joseph’s University reports strong AGACNP board pass rates, which matters for applicants targeting acute care practice. DeSales University and Cedar Crest College invest in simulation labs, which gives hands-on practice weight in the hybrid format. The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh remain the academic-medical-center picks for students who want training tied to a major clinical network — Penn Medicine in Philadelphia or UPMC in Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania’s Most Affordable AGNP Programs
Total cost varies widely across PA’s 20+ AGNP options because each school layers its own fees and rates differ for residents and non-residents at public-adjacent schools. By published per-credit rate, the most affordable options are Bloomsburg Commonwealth University, Misericordia University, Wilkes University, and York College of Pennsylvania — all in the lower tier among the private-institution-heavy PA landscape. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania offers the lowest overall per-credit rate at $593 for residents. Per-credit cost alone doesn’t tell the full story; applicants should also weigh fees, completion pace, and clinical placement assistance.
Compare AGNP Programs in Pennsylvania
| School | Degree Type | Online Option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvernia University | MSN | Hybrid | |
| Bloomsburg Commonwealth University | MSN | Yes | |
| Cedar Crest College | DNP | Yes | |
| DeSales University | MSN | Hybrid | |
| Drexel University | MSN, DNP | Yes | |
| Duquesne University | MSN | Yes | |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | MSN | Online | ~2 Years |
| LaSalle University | MSN | Yes | |
| Misericordia University | MSN, DNP | Yes | |
| Moravian University | MSN | Hybrid | |
| Neumann University | MSN | Yes | |
| Pennsylvania State University | MSN, DNP | Yes | |
| Saint Joseph’s University | MSN | Yes | |
| Temple University | BSN-to-DNP | Hybrid | 3–4 Years |
| Thomas Jefferson University | MSN, DNP | Yes | |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN, DNP | Hybrid | |
| University of Pittsburgh | MSN, DNP | Yes | |
| Villanova University | MSN | Yes | |
| Widener University | MSN, DNP | Yes | |
| Wilkes University | MSN | Yes | |
| York College of Pennsylvania | MSN | Yes |
Looking at other NP specializations in Pennsylvania? Explore FNP programs, PNP programs, and DNP programs in the state, or visit our Pennsylvania nurse practitioner programs page for a full list of schools.
Frequently Asked Questions About AGNP Programs in Pennsylvania
How many AGNP programs are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has 19 accredited universities offering AGNP programs. Most offer MSN-level tracks, and several also provide DNP pathways. Many programs are available online or in hybrid format.
What is the average salary for an AGNP in Pennsylvania?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590. AGNPs working in hospital settings or metropolitan areas like Philadelphia tend to earn above the state average.
What is the difference between AGNP-PC and AGNP-AC?
AGNP-PC (Primary Care) focuses on managing chronic conditions and preventive care for adults and older adults in outpatient settings. AGNP-AC (Acute Care) prepares nurses to treat acutely ill patients in hospitals and emergency departments. Some Pennsylvania programs offer both tracks.
Can AGNPs practice independently in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state under Act 68 of 2022, effective in 2025. After completing a three-year collaborative agreement period, AGNPs can practice independently without physician oversight.
What certification exams do AGNP graduates need to pass?
AGNP graduates typically take the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP-BC) or the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP-BC) certification exam, depending on their track. AANP also offers an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care certification.