Top Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs near Boston, MA

Boston's Longwood Medical and Innovation District hums around the clock—Mass General handles some of the country's most complex heart-failure cases, Brigham and Women's has doubled its ICU beds since 2020, and Beth Israel Deaconess now runs one of New England's busiest ECMO programs. Add an aging Commonwealth—more than 17 percent of Massachusetts residents are 65 or older—and the metro's academic hospitals face an urgent need for doctorally prepared Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) who can lead rapid-response teams, design quality-improvement protocols, and mentor bedside staff.

For RNs (or master's prepared APRNs) who want maximum clinical authority without leaving New England, an online or hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice Acute Care NP program delivers executive-level leadership courses, Boston-based practicums, and the credential employers increasingly require for APRN advancement—all in three calendar years or less.

2025 Top DNP Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs near Boston, MA

#1

Regis College

Weston, MA - Private 4-year - regiscollege.edu

Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Concentration: Adult Gerontology – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website

Regis College offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a concentration in Adult Gerontology – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, tailored for baccalaureate-prepared RNs seeking to enhance their clinical and leadership skills in acute care settings. This 100% online program, which can be completed in 40 months, emphasizes advanced clinical expertise and research methodologies to improve healthcare outcomes. Notably, the program does not require GRE/GMAT scores, making it more accessible. With a preference for a 3.0 GPA, acceptance of transfer credits, and tuition discounts available, it's designed for ambitious nursing professionals. A current RN license is required for admission.

• 100% online program
• 40-month completion time
• Six concentration options
• No GRE/GMAT required
• 3.0 GPA preferred
• Transfer credits accepted
• First DNP program Boston area
• Active RN license needed
• Tuition discounts available

#2

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Worcester, MA - Public 4-Year - umassmed.edu

Doctorate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School offers a hybrid Doctorate of Nursing Practice program specializing in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. Designed for advanced nursing professionals, this program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to manage complex health issues in adult and elderly patients within acute and critical care settings. With a curriculum that blends online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences, graduates are prepared to take on leadership roles in healthcare. The program emphasizes advanced clinical skills, diagnostic expertise, and comprehensive patient care strategies. No entrance exam is required for admission, making it accessible to qualified candidates seeking to advance their nursing careers.

• Hybrid Doctorate of Nursing Practice
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Focus
• Advanced Clinical Preparation
• Specialized Nurse Practitioner Track
• Complex Patient Care Training

*Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2023, National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education.

Why Pursue a DNP-Level ACNP in Boston?

• High-acuity learning labs. Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's, and Lahey Hospital operate more than 270 adult critical-care beds, offering unparalleled exposure to cardiac devices, transplant medicine, and neuro-ICU protocols.
  
• Premier clinical faculty. Harvard-affiliated hospitals attract AGACNP preceptors who publish in Critical Care Medicine and sit on AACN boards.
  
• Earning power. Nurse practitioners in the Boston–Cambridge–Nashua metro area average $66.62 per hour ($138,570 annually), the second-highest NP mean wage in the Northeast.
  
• Expanded scope. Massachusetts allows experienced NPs to practice without physician supervision after two years; DNP leadership coursework accelerates readiness for that independence.
  

Explore related content through Online Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Boston-Centric Curriculum & Clinical Expectations

All programs align with NONPF competencies and require 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours; documented MSN practicum hours usually reduce that total to 500–600 hours.

Admission Requirements

Boston cohorts are competitive—most schools set December priority deadlines for fall entry.

• CCNE- or ACEN-accredited BSN or non-NP MSN
  
• Active Massachusetts RN license (eNLC not accepted)
  
• GPA ≥ 3.0 (GRE waived for GPAs ≥ 3.2)
  
• Two professional references (one ICU supervisor preferred)
  
• Résumé and 500-word goal statement citing Boston's critical-care needs
  
• For post-master's entry: AGACNP-BC or ACNPC-AG certification
  
• Minimum one year adult ICU or step-down RN/NP experience
  
• Virtual or on-campus interview
  

Need licensure details? Our Nurse Practitioner Certification Guide breaks down every step.

Program & Tuition Snapshot

Boston's private universities charge higher per-credit rates, but merit aid and hospital tuition benefits can narrow the gap with public options such as UMass.

*Tuition excludes university fees, textbooks, and Boston housing or commuting costs.

Funding & Cost-Saving Strategies

• Hospital tuition assistance. Mass General Brigham reimburses up to $4,500 per year; Beth Israel offers $5,000 for APRN degrees.
  
• HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment forgives 60–85 percent of debt for NPs practicing at Boston FQHCs such as Fenway Health.
  
• Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program awards up to $25,000 for APRNs serving in shortage sites—eligible roles include critical-care outreach.
  
• Graduate assistantships at UMass Boston waive 6–9 credits each term for teaching in the Center for Clinical Education.
  

See other options on our page for CCNE Accredited Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Salary Expectations for Boston AGACNPs

DNP preparation usually commands a 5–10 percent premium on these figures.

Work-Life-Study Balance Tips in Boston

1. Take the MBTA Green Line—it stops near MGH IHP and Northeastern, sparing $40/day parking fees in Longwood.
   
2. Self-schedule 3 × 12-hour shifts Friday–Sunday to reserve weekdays for synchronous seminars.
   
3. Stream lectures on the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail to free up after-work evenings.
   
4. Ask faculty if your paid ICU shifts can satisfy select practicum objectives.
   

Accreditation & Certification

Every program is CCNE-accredited and meets AACN/NONPF AGACNP competencies, preparing graduates for ANCC AGACNP-BC or AACN ACNPC-AG boards—both recognized by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Networking & Professional Development

• Boston Chapter, AACN: quarterly CE dinners in Waltham.
  
• Sigma Theta Tau – Epsilon Epsilon (Boston College): annual critical-care research symposium.
  
• Northeastern DNP Rounds: open virtual forums showcasing Mass General quality-improvement projects.
  
• Massachusetts Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (MCNP): legislative advocacy days at the State House.
  

Local Employers Recruiting DNP-Prepared AGACNPs

LinkedIn has listed 190-plus acute-care NP roles across Greater Boston in the past 60 days, many noting "DNP preferred."

Choosing Your Best Boston-Area DNP ACNP Program

1. Compare credit loads. Northeastern trims its post-MSN plan to 36 credits/18 months; Boston College extends to 38/20 months with extra leadership electives.
   
2. Assess campus demands. MGH IHP holds three skills boot camps annually; UMass Boston limits on-site time to two weekend residencies.
   
3. Check preceptor guarantees. Private universities often secure Harvard-affiliated rotations; public schools may expect partial self-placement.
   
4. Review scholarship renewal rules. Boston College merit funding requires a 3.4 GPA each term.
   
5. Align with long-term goals. If academic teaching interests you, choose programs offering educator cognates—both Northeastern and MGH IHP offer them.
   

Visit Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs for more comparisons.

Ready to Elevate Critical Care Across Boston?

Boston's academic hospitals need nurse-leaders who translate evidence into bedside practice. A DNP-level Acute Care NP credential is the fastest route to that impact. Review the programs above, connect with admissions teams, and start charting your path to ICU leadership in one of the world's premier medical hubs.

Sources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics – Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA–NH (May 2024)
  
• Northeastern University Graduate Tuition & Fees 2025-26
  
• MGH Institute of Health Professions Tuition PDF 2025-26
  
• Boston College Connell School of Nursing DNP Tuition
  
• UMass Boston Special-Price Program List AY 2024-25
  
• Massachusetts General Brigham Newsroom, ICU Expansion Report, April 2025
  
• Harvard Gazette, Brigham ECMO Program Milestone, January 2025

• Author
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Fran Fasching, DNP, RN, FNP-BC

Fran Fasching is the owner of Nurse Practitioner Professional Medical Writing (NP2 Medical Writing). She is an assistant professor of nursing at DeSales University, PA and a practicing emergency nurse practitioner. She is passionate about continuing education and advocacy in nursing.

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