Top Family Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Boston, MA

Simmons University's online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program is tailored for licensed RNs holding a BSN who are ready to advance into APRN roles. Structured with flexibility in mind, the program offers rolling admissions and three annual start dates, allowing nurses to begin their education at a time that fits their schedules. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for FNP board certification, covering the clinical competencies and advanced practice knowledge essential for primary care. Financial aid options are accessible to eligible students, and no GRE is required for admission.

• Online MSN-FNP program
• Three annual start dates
• Rolling admissions process
• Prepares for FNP certification
• Financial aid available

Simmons University's hybrid Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner is built for career changers without a prior nursing degree, offering a comprehensive pathway from foundational nursing through doctoral-level practice. Students first complete pre-licensure coursework and earn their MSN before sitting for the NCLEX-RN, then advance into DNP-level FNP training. Core content spans advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and evidence-based practice, alongside healthcare leadership, policy, and ethics. The program includes over 1,400 clinical hours across 17,000+ affiliated sites, with access to Boston-area hospitals such as Massachusetts General and Boston Children's. A DNP capstone project is required for graduation, and the program boasts a 97% licensure pass rate.

• 3-Year program
• 104 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 97% licensure pass rate
• 1400 clinical hours
• Capstone required
• Prepares for FNP certification exam
• Over 850 clinical training sites
• Access to world-class Boston hospitals
• Post-licensure online or on-campus flexibility

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a CCNE-accredited online Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner program completable in 27 months. Designed for working RNs, the curriculum blends asynchronous online coursework with two required on-campus residencies, ensuring hands-on clinical preparation. Students accumulate 750 precepted clinical hours, gaining proficiency in diagnosis, treatment planning, and case management across all age groups in primary care settings. Multiple cohort start dates—fall, spring, and summer—offer scheduling flexibility. Graduates boast impressive first-time national certification pass rates of 91–92% through both ANCC and AANPCB. Tuition is assessed on a per-credit basis.

• 27-month online program
• 750 clinical hours required
• Two on-campus residencies
• Fall, spring, summer starts
• Eligible for FNP certification
• Per-credit tuition rate
• Online and campus components
• Clinical hours in community
• CCNE accreditation
• 91-92% first-time pass rates

Built specifically for associate-degree-prepared RNs, MCPHS's online RN-to-MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Bridge Program begins with a foundational bridge year that establishes baccalaureate-level competencies before transitioning into graduate-level study. Core graduate content spans advanced health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, and population health. The 750 precepted clinical hours prepare graduates to manage acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan in clinics, private practices, and community health centers. Two mandatory on-campus residencies foster hands-on skill refinement and peer collaboration. The CCNE-accredited program launches each fall, and graduates report first-attempt certification pass rates of 91.3% (ANCC) and 92% (AANPCB).

• CCNE accredited
• Starts fall
• 750 clinical hours
• Two on-campus residencies required
• 91.3% ANCC first-attempt pass rate
• 92% AANPCB first-attempt pass rate
• Bridge year of coursework before MSN
• Designed for associate degree nurses
• Top 10% of nursing schools

UMass Lowell's online Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Health Nurse Practitioner track is a 45-credit, 15-course program designed to transition registered nurses into advanced practice roles. Students complete 750 clinical hours and attend four on-campus days for practical skill development. Notably, no GRE is required for admission, though applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a $50 application fee. Tuition is $610 per credit for most online courses, with select nursing courses at $750 per credit. Financial aid and scholarships are available. The program holds CCNE accreditation and boasts a 100% certification pass rate.

• 45 credits required
• Online program format
• Four on-campus days
• $610 per credit tuition
• No GRE required
• Two letters of recommendation
• $50 application fee
• 750 clinical hours
• Prepares for FNP certification
• Financial aid available

UMass Lowell's hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration equips RNs for advanced clinical leadership through a 60-credit curriculum blending online coursework with on-campus intensives. Core areas include evidence-based practice, health policy, informatics, and organizational leadership, culminating in a DNP Scholarly Project centered on real-world quality improvement. A BS-DNP pathway and a Fast Track option—with a waived application fee—are available for UMass Lowell bachelor's graduates. Admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, at least two letters of recommendation, a Massachusetts RN license, prerequisite coursework, and an interview. No GRE is required. Graduates are prepared for national APRN certification.

• 2 concentration options
• 4-Year program
• 60 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• Hybrid delivery with on-campus intensives
• Application fee waived for Fast Track

UMass Boston's hybrid MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration equips registered nurses to provide comprehensive, evidence-based primary care across the lifespan. Spanning 48 credits across 13–15 courses, the curriculum blends online coursework with hands-on clinical training, addressing both core nursing competencies and FNP-specific content. Admission requirements include a bachelor's in nursing, an active Massachusetts RN license, a minimum of one year of clinical experience, a recommended 3.0 GPA, two professional references, a personal statement, and a current resume. The program accepts fall and spring cohorts, with application deadlines of April 1 and November 1 respectively. A $75 application fee applies, and no grade below a B is accepted. Students must complete a capstone project and finish the program within five years. F-1 visa holders are not eligible.

• 48 total credits required
• 13-15 total courses required
• Fall and spring start terms
• $75 application fee
• 3.0 GPA recommended
• Two professional references
• One year clinical experience
• Massachusetts RN license
• Bachelor's in nursing required
• Capstone project required

UMass Boston's campus-based Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is designed for experienced nurses seeking advanced clinical leadership in primary care settings. The rigorous 73-credit, 23-course curriculum covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health policy, informatics, and quality improvement, culminating in a capstone quality improvement project completed in a clinical environment. Both BS-to-DNP and MS-to-DNP pathways are available, with clinical hours ranging from 400 to 1,065 depending on entry point. Applicants must hold an active Massachusetts RN license, have at least one year of clinical experience, and submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation. A $75 application fee is required, though UMass Boston alumni may qualify for a waiver. The program admits students each fall, and no course grade below a B is accepted. The FNP concentration emphasizes care for diverse, underserved populations, leveraging the university's urban Boston location for rich interprofessional opportunities.

• 2 concentration options
• 73 total credit hours
• 23 total courses
• Starts fall
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• 1065 clinical hours
• Work experience required
• Capstone required
• $75 application fee
• Financial aid available

Endicott College in Beverly, MA delivers a 47-credit hybrid M.S. in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, purposefully structured for working registered nurses seeking advanced practice credentials. The curriculum blends asynchronous online coursework with on-campus sessions, culminating in a minimum of 750 faculty-supervised clinical hours across primary care settings. Completion is achievable in approximately 27 months, and notably, no GRE is required for admission. The program is accredited by ACEN, and graduates qualify to sit for FNP board certification through both the ANCC and AANP. The 2024 first-attempt certification exam pass rate stood at an impressive 94%.

• 47 credit hours required.
• 27-month completion timeline.
• Hybrid online and on-campus format.
• No GRE required.
• 750 supervised clinical hours required.
• 94% first-attempt certification exam pass rate.
• ACEN accredited program.
• Eligible for ANCC and AANP certification.
• Designed for working registered nurses.
• Focus on evidence-based practice.

Northeastern University's hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program equips registered nurses for advanced primary care practice through a blend of online coursework and hands-on clinical training. Requiring 47 credits and 750 clinical hours, the curriculum includes two on-campus intensives and prepares graduates for national certification exams. Applicants must hold a BSN, maintain a 3.0 GPA, possess an active RN license, and bring at least one year of nursing experience. Notably, no GRE is required for admission. Students are responsible for securing preceptors within 100 miles of their location, with fall and spring enrollment available in full-time or part-time formats.

• Hybrid format with online coursework
• In-person clinical experience required
• Full-time or part-time study options
• 47 total credits required
• 750 clinical hours required
• Fall and spring start terms
• No GRE required for admission
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Two letters of recommendation required
• Current RN license required

Regis College's online BSN to DNP program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration equips RNs to provide comprehensive, lifespan-spanning care across family practice settings. The FNP track covers advanced pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, and advanced health assessment, complemented by dedicated Primary Care of the Family I and II courses that sharpen diagnostic and clinical management skills. Students accumulate 600+ supervised clinical hours, culminating in an immersive NP practicum. The program spans 73–76 credits, costs $1,025 per credit hour, and can be completed in as few as 40 months — entirely online with no campus visits. Notably, no GRE or GMAT is required for admission. ACEN-accredited and recognized as Boston's first DNP program, Regis graduates pursue roles as FNPs, nurse administrators, and clinical educators, with nurse practitioners earning a median wage of $111,680.

• ACEN accredited
• 6 concentration options
• No entrance exam required
• Exams: GRE, GMAT
• Test optional
• $1,025 per credit
• Complete in as few as 40 months
• 73 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-04-06
• 3 start dates per year

Northeastern University's hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner Master's program is designed for working nurses seeking advanced practice credentials without relocating. The program blends online coursework with two annual on-campus practice intensives, allowing students to complete clinical rotations within their local communities. Offered in both full-time and part-time formats, the curriculum spans 29–47 credits and includes 750 required clinical hours. Applicants must hold current RN licensure, a 3.0 GPA, and at least one year of nursing experience. Notably, no GRE is required for admission, with fall and spring application deadlines available.

• Hybrid online/in-person format
• Full-time or part-time options
• No GRE required
• Two on-campus practice intensives
• Fall/Spring application deadlines
• 29-47 total program credits
• 750 total clinical hours
• 3.0 minimum GPA required
• Current RN licensure mandatory
• One year nursing experience

Northeastern University's CCNE-accredited BSN-DNP program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration bridges bedside nursing and advanced practice leadership in a full-time hybrid format. The curriculum integrates advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, health policy, and systems leadership, culminating in a DNP scholarly project completed across three semesters. Students gain hands-on clinical expertise while developing competencies for primary care across the lifespan. Admission requirements include a BSN, active U.S. RN licensure, a minimum 3.0 GPA, one year of clinical experience, and a statistics prerequisite with a grade of B or better. No entrance exam is required; TOEFL or IELTS is needed for non-native English speakers.

• CCNE accredited
• 7 concentration options
• No entrance exam required
• Full-time enrollment
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Work experience required
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• NP employment projected to grow 38%

MGH Institute of Health Professions offers a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track designed to equip advanced practice nurses with the skills to deliver comprehensive care—spanning wellness, acute, episodic, and chronic conditions—across the full lifespan. Graduates qualify to sit for FNP certification through either the ANCC or AANP. Flexible curriculum pathways accommodate Direct-Entry, Post-BSN (full- and part-time), and Post-MSN/Post-NP candidates, all applying via NursingCAS. Clinical rotations span primary care clinics, community health centers, and specialty practices. The FNP track is one of six available specialty tracks, with a strong emphasis on cultivating leadership roles within today's evolving healthcare environments.

• Family NP track offered
• Eligible for FNP certification
• Multiple curriculum options available
• Application via NursingCAS required
• Six specialty tracks total
• Clinical rotations in diverse settings
• Prepares for leadership roles
• Comprehensive lifespan care focus

UMass Chan Medical School's DNP Family Nurse Practitioner track offers a hybrid format designed to develop advanced practice nurses capable of delivering comprehensive primary care across the full lifespan. Two distinct entry pathways accommodate different professional backgrounds: a Graduate Entry Pathway for individuals without a nursing degree and a BSN to DNP route for practicing nurses. Clinical placements are coordinated throughout Massachusetts, providing hands-on experience in diverse care settings. The curriculum integrates health equity principles, evidence-based practice, and leadership development in clinical, educational, and health policy arenas. Graduates are fully prepared to sit for FNP board certification. No GRE requirement is explicitly promoted for admission.

• Clinical placements across Massachusetts
• Prepares for FNP board certification
• Practice scope across the lifespan
• Graduate Entry Pathway for non-nurses
• BSN to DNP pathway