Nurse Practitioner Schools in California
Earning a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) can lead ambitious California nurses to a rewarding career as a nurse practitioner (NP). This advanced practice nursing role allows nurses to take on leadership duties within their scope of practice, which can include specialties such as pediatrics, women's health, and more. With online and campus-based program options, entering this in-demand career pathway is a very real possibility.
Choosing a Nurse Practitioner Program
Keeping the following key items in mind when researching nurse practitioner programs can help prospective students find the right fit:
- Accreditation- Good nurse practitioner programs will be accredited by well-respected organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Proper accreditations show that these programs are held to rigorous academic standards.
- Program Cost- MSN and DNP nurse practitioner programs in California run approximately $600-$800 per credit hour, on average. This number can fluctuate based on location, school, specialty, and more. Aside from tuition, students will also need to factor in additional costs for things like textbooks, program fees, and other mandatory expenses.
- Program Length- As most NP programs require students to have already completed a BSN, master's level degrees can take roughly 2-3 years to complete. DNP programs will take closer to 4 years, though part-time or full-time attendance can significantly affect the total program length for both degree types.
- Internship/Externship Opportunities- Nurse practitioner programs require that students complete a minimum number of clinical hours. Many schools help students secure the internship/externships needed to fulfill this requirement, and can provide students with a pre-approved list of area hospitals and facilities.
- Online/Campus Options- Online advanced nursing programs have been steadily rising in popularity due to the busy schedules of today's nurses. Traditional, campus-based programs are also available, as are ‘hybrid' programs which allow students to take a select portion of the coursework online.
Admission and Certification Requirements
Students will typically find the following admissions requirements in California:
- BSN degree from an accredited college/university
- Official copies of all undergrad transcripts
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Copy of active RN license
- Current resume
- A written statement of educational and professional goals
- Three professional letters of recommendation
Licensing/Certification
Certification for most of the nurse practitioner specialty areas can be obtained through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Generally, applicants must hold an active RN license and have completed a graduate-level nursing program in an applicable specialty.
The California Board of Registered Nursing certifies advanced practice nurses, to include nurse practitioners. Eligibility requirements include:
- Hold a current California RN license
- Have graduated from an accredited nurse practitioner program
California Nurse Practitioner Agencies and Organizations
- California Association for Nurse Practitioners
- California Nurses Association
- American Nurses Association - California
California NP Programs by Specialty
While you can find a complete list of California NP programs below some folks would find it useful to search by specialty. Please consider the following California NP program specialties:
- California Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs
- California Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
- California Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
- California Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
- California Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
- California Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
Schools That Offer Nurse Practitioner Programs in California
California is an excellent state to enter an advanced nurse practitioner program, as it has numerous options for both MSN and DNP pathways. With the profession expected to grow by 31% through 2024, gaining a graduate-level nursing education is a great way for nurses to fulfill the demand for highly skilled nurse practitioners.
Find Nurse Practitioner Programs By City:
- San Diego Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Sacramento Nurse Practitioner Programs
- San Francisco Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Fresno Nurse Practitioner Programs
- San Jose Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Oakland Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Pasadena Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Los Angeles Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Bakersfield Nurse Practitioner Programs
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Azusa Pacific University MSN Programs | 901 E. Alosta Ave. Azusa, CA 91702 (626) 969-3434 |
Brandman University DNP ProgramsGraduate Certificate Programs | 16355 Laguna Canyon Road Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 341-9800 |
Cal State LA Graduate Certificate Programs
| 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 343-3000 |
California Baptist University MSN Programs | 8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504 (877) 228-3615 |
California State University Bakersfield MSN Programs | 9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, CA 93311 (661) 654-2782 |
California State University Dominguez Hills MSN Programs | 1000 E. Victoria Street Carson, CA 90747 (310) 243-3696 |
California State University Fullerton MSN Programs
| 800 N. State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831 (657) 278-2011 |
California State University Long Beach Graduate Certificate ProgramsMSN Programs | 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840 (562) 985-4111 |
California State University San Marcos Graduate Certificate ProgramsMSN Programs | 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd San Marcos, CA 92096 (760) 750-4000 |
Fresno State University MSN Programs
| 2345 E. San Ramon Fresno, CA 93740 (559) 278-2041 |
Loma Linda University | 11262 Campus St. Loma Linda, CA 92350 (909) 558-4923 |
Mount Saint Mary's University- Los Angeles MSN Programs | 10 Chester Place Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 477-2500 |
National University Graduate Certificate Programs | 9388 Lightwave Ave San Diego, CA 92123 (800) 628-8648 |
Samuel Merritt University MSN Programs
| 3100 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94609 (180) 060-7637 x7 |
San Diego State University | 5500 Campanile Dr San Diego, CA 92182 (619) 594-5200 |
San Francisco State University Graduate Certificate ProgramsMSN Programs | 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 338-1111 |
San Jose State University MSN Programs | One Washington Square San Jose, CA 95192 (408) 924-1000 |
Sonoma State University Graduate Certificate ProgramsMSN Programs
| 1801 East Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (707) 664-2466 |
Touro University California DNP Programs | 1310 Club Drive Vallejo, CA 94592 (707) 638-5200 |
UC Davis MSN Programs | 4610 X Street Suite 4202 Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 734-2145 |
United States University MSN Programs | 7675 Mission Valley Road San Diego, CA 92108 (619) 876-4250 |
University of California San Francisco MSN Programs
| UCSF Box 0602 San Francisco, CA 94143 (415) 476-1435 |
University of California, Irvine DNP Programs | 106 Berk Hall Irvine, CA 92697 (949) 824-1514 |
University of San Diego | 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 260-4600 |
University of San Francisco DNP Programs | 2130 Fulton Street San Francisco, CA 94117 (415) 422-6681 |
University of Southern California MSN Programs | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90007 |
Western University Graduate Certificate ProgramsMSN Programs | 309 E. Second St. Pomona, CA 91766 (909) 623-6116 |
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