Boston College Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Boston College Connell School of Nursing offers the MSNP Pediatric Primary Care specialty through four entry pathways:

  • BSN to MSNP – Pediatric Primary Care
  • MSN to MSNP – Pediatric Primary Care
  • Direct Entry (non-nursing bachelor’s) to MSNP – Pediatric Primary Care
  • RN/ADN to MSNP – Pediatric Primary Care

All pathways share the same 48-credit MSNP curriculum once pre-licensure or bridge requirements are met. The program is delivered on-ground in Chestnut Hill, MA, with students rotating across 3 to 6 clinical sites per program.

Program Tracks Overview

ProgramEst. TuitionEst. Duration
MSNP PNP – BSN Entry$90,0482 years FT / 4 years PT
MSNP PNP – MSN Entry$90,0482 years FT / 4 years PT
MSNP PNP – Direct Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)$180,096~3 years (pre-licensure + NP portion)
MSNP PNP – RN/ADN Entry$90,048Varies; bridge credits required before NP curriculum

A part-time, four-year plan of study is available for BSN and MSN entry students. The program has a strong social justice lens — a course on Just and Equitable Care of the Whole Person opens the curriculum — and clinical sites include programs serving homeless populations, underserved communities, and refugee health.

MSNP PNP – BSN Entry

The estimated cost for the MSNP PNP BSN entry at Boston College is approximately $90,048 (48 credits × $1,876/credit), and the program would take approximately 2 years full-time (4 semesters) or 4 years part-time to complete.

A Graduate Activity Fee of $116 per semester (for 7+ credits) also applies.

MSNP BSN Curriculum

The MSNP totals 48 semester credit hours organized across two years of four semesters.

Year 1 builds the graduate foundation — advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, nursing inquiry, pharmacology, foundations of primary care, APN role, and nursing ethics.

Year 2 delivers the pediatric primary care specialty sequence through four specialty courses per semester including two clinical courses, two theory or elective courses, and concentrated specialty theory.

Specific PNP pediatric course titles are not published at the program level — course numbers are identified as specialty placeholders (NURSXXXX) in published plans. The program embeds a values-based thread across all coursework through the Just and Equitable Care of the Whole Person course in Year 1.

Fall Semester 1 (12 cr.):

  • Just and Equitable Care of the Whole Person (3 cr.)
  • Advanced Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
  • Nursing Inquiry (3 cr.)
  • Advanced Health/Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)

Spring Semester 1 (12 cr.):

  • Pharmacology (3 cr.)
  • Foundations of Primary Care Across the Lifespan (3 cr.)
  • Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 cr.)
  • Nursing Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Advanced Practice (3 cr.)

Fall Semester 2 (12 cr.):

  • Specialty Primary Care I (3 cr.)
  • Specialty Clinical I (3 cr.)
  • Specialty Theory (3 cr.)
  • Specialty Course or Elective (3 cr.)

Spring Semester 2 (12 cr.):

  • Specialty Primary Care II (3 cr.)
  • Specialty Clinical II (3 cr.)
  • Specialty Course or Elective (3 cr.)
  • Specialty Course or Elective (3 cr.)

⚠️ Specific PNP pediatric course titles within the specialty sequence are not published on the program page.

See the official curriculum page for more details.

MSNP BSN Clinicals

Students rotate across 3 to 6 clinical sites throughout the program, with clinical hours embedded in the two specialty clinical courses in Years 2. BC’s established clinical partnerships span a broad range of Boston-area settings.

Total clinical hours are not explicitly published on the program page — contact the CSON Graduate Office for specific hour requirements by specialty.

Published clinical partner sites include:

  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Franciscan Children’s
  • Shriners Children’s Boston
  • Boston Medical Center
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Beth Israel Lahey Health
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
  • Fenway Health
  • South Boston Community Health Center
  • Dimock Center
  • Cristo Rey Boston High School
  • And others

MSNP BSN Admissions

Admission is selective; essays are described as “very important to the Admission Committee’s deliberations.” No GRE is required for the BSN entry pathway.

  • BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of B or better
  • Current RN license to practice nursing
  • Completed college-level statistics course (AP credits not accepted)
  • Résumé or CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • Goal Statement (two prompts, 1.5 pages each, double-spaced) — assessed heavily by Admissions Committee
  • Two letters of recommendation: one from a recent employer/supervisor attesting to professional practice; one from a professor or instructor attesting to graduate study potential
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended (official preferred but not required at application; required if admitted)
  • Copy of RN license
  • $75 non-refundable application fee
  • Early deadline: December 15 | Regular deadline: March 15 | Spring deadline: October 1
  • Pediatric specialty admits for both fall and spring; Family specialty is fall only

MSNP PNP – MSN Entry

The estimated cost for the MSNP PNP MSN entry at Boston College is approximately $90,048 (48 credits × $1,876/credit), and the program would take approximately 2 years full-time (4 semesters) or 4 years part-time to complete.

The MSN entry pathway is designed for MSN-prepared nurses who are not currently APRNs and wish to become advanced practice clinicians.

MSNP MSN Curriculum, Clinicals, and Admissions

The curriculum, clinical structure, and program format are identical to the BSN entry MSNP — the same 48-credit, 4-semester sequence applies.

Admissions requirements are the same as BSN entry, substituting an MSN from a nationally accredited nursing program in place of a BSN. See BSN entry section above for full curriculum and clinical details.

  • MSN from a nationally accredited nursing program required (this pathway is not for current APRNs)
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of B or better
  • Current RN license to practice nursing
  • All other requirements identical to BSN entry
  • Early deadline: December 15 | Regular deadline: March 15 | Spring deadline: October 1

MSNP PNP – Direct Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)

The estimated cost for the Direct Entry MSNP PNP at Boston College is approximately $180,096 (96 total credits × $1,876/credit), and the program would take approximately 3 years to complete.

This pathway begins with a July start and consists of two separate but sequential degrees: 48 pre-licensure credits leading to an MS in Nursing (conferred upon NCLEX eligibility) followed by 48 MSNP credits in the chosen NP specialty, including Pediatric Primary Care.

Direct Entry Pre-Licensure Curriculum (48 cr., MS in Nursing)

The first portion of the Direct Entry program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX and earn an MS in Nursing across 4 semesters starting in summer.

Coursework covers foundations of nursing, direct entry pathophysiology, pharmacology, adult health nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, child health nursing, childbearing nursing, population health, diversity in healthcare, and a synthesis practicum.

Summer 1 (6 cr.):

  • NURS 7002 – Direct Entry Pathophysiology (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7001 – Foundations of Nursing Practice (3 cr.)

Fall (16 cr. ):

  • NURS 7004 – Direct Entry Clinical Pharmacology (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7007 – Direct Entry Adult Health Nursing Clinical (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7008 – Direct Entry Adult Health Nursing Theory (4 cr.)
  • NURS 7009 – Direct Entry Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Clinical (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7010 – Direct Entry Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Theory (3 cr.)

Spring (14 cr.):

  • NURS 7012 – Direct Entry Population Health Nursing Theory (2 cr.)
  • NURS 7013 – Direct Entry Child Health Nursing Clinical (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7014 – Direct Entry Child Health Nursing Theory (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7015 – Direct Entry Childbearing Nursing Clinical (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7016 – Direct Entry Childbearing Nursing Theory (3 cr.)

Summer 2 (12 cr.):

  • NURS 7006 – Role of the Professional Nurse in Diverse Healthcare Environments (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7011 – Direct Entry Population Health Nursing Clinical (~80 clinical hrs) (2 cr.)
  • HLTH 8000 – Examining Diversity in Nursing and Health Care (3 cr.)
  • NURS 7017 – Nursing Care Across Settings: Synthesis Practicum (~160 clinical hrs) (4 cr.)

MS degree awarded August 30; students are then eligible to sit for the NCLEX before advancing to the MSNP portion.

Direct Entry NP Curriculum (48 cr., MSNP)

Following the MS in Nursing and NCLEX passage, students complete the standard 48-credit MSNP curriculum across 4 additional semesters — identical to the BSN/MSN entry curriculum. See BSN entry section for full details.

Direct Entry Clinicals

Clinical hours are embedded in both the pre-licensure portion (~240+ hours in the MS in Nursing phase) and the MSNP specialty clinical courses. The same clinical partner network applies across both portions of the program.

Direct Entry Admissions

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university (any field)
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (combined undergraduate and graduate GPA if applicable)
  • GRE preferred but not required
  • All prerequisite courses completed before matriculation (grade of B- or better in each; AP credits not accepted)
  • Prerequisites: Nutrition; Human Development/Lifespan Development; Statistics; Anatomy & Physiology I and II with lab (completed within 5 years); General Chemistry I with lab (within 5 years); Microbiology with lab (within 5 years)
  • At least 3 science prerequisites completed or in process at time of application preferred
  • All other standard application materials (résumé, goal statement, two letters, transcripts, $75 fee)
  • July start only; fall/spring deadlines do not apply to Direct Entry
  • No RN license required at application; license must be obtained after completing the pre-licensure MS portion

MSNP PNP – RN/ADN Entry

The estimated cost for the RN/ADN entry MSNP PNP at Boston College is approximately $90,048+ (48 NP credits × $1,876/credit), with additional bridge credit costs depending on prior academic background.

Duration varies based on bridge credit requirements determined through an individual portfolio review. The 48-credit MSNP curriculum and clinical structure are identical to the BSN/MSN entry pathways once bridge requirements are satisfied.

RN/ADN Bridge Requirements

ASN-prepared RNs must complete Boston College nursing bridge course credits before beginning the MS curriculum. The program requires approximately 112 earned credits total — 42 in general education and 70 in specialty nursing knowledge.

A portfolio review is required to determine which general education bridge course requirements have been fulfilled. Contact the graduate office at csongrad@bc.edu before applying to assess your individual bridge credit needs.

RN/ADN Admissions

  • Associate’s degree from a nationally accredited nursing program
  • Approximately 112 total course credits (42 general education + 70 nursing specialty) — portfolio review determines which bridge courses are needed
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of B or better
  • Current RN license to practice nursing
  • Completed college-level statistics course (AP credits not accepted)
  • All other standard application materials (résumé, goal statement, two letters, transcripts, $75 fee)
  • ⚠️ Contact csongrad@bc.edu before applying to confirm bridge credit requirements
  • Early deadline: December 15 | Regular deadline: March 15 | Spring deadline: October 1

Tuition

Graduate tuition at Boston College Connell School of Nursing is $1,876 per credit hour for the 2025–2026 academic year.

A Graduate Activity Fee of $116 per semester (for students taking 7 or more credits) or $80 per semester (6 or fewer credits) applies each term. Indirect costs include books and supplies ($1,300), housing and food ($21,275 estimated for off-campus), transportation ($1,800), and miscellaneous/personal expenses ($2,651).

Health insurance of $4,403 annually is charged and may be waived with proof of comparable coverage.

Notably, 72% of master’s and DNP students receive financial aid, including scholarships, fellowships, grants, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition remission.

See the official tuition page for more details.

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