35+ California Nurse Practitioner Programs (BSN & RN to NP)

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Individuals in the respectable nursing profession who would like to expand their career opportunities, take on a leadership role, or have the chance to increase their income potential can do so by earning a California master’s of science degree in nursing. One way to do this is to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Those who choose this path will select a specialty area of where they will become expertly trained. Nurse Practitioners have a higher level of training than a Registered Nurse although both are highly skilled and important careers. Becoming a Nurse Practitioner is one of the highest levels that one can reach in their nursing career.

The list below includes the California universities that offer CA Nurse Practitioner Programs. Click here if you are looking for a list of California Family Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Azusa Pacific University
California Baptist University
California State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, San Marcos
California State University, Stanislaus
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Fresno Pacific University
Holy Names University
Loma Linda University
National University
Pacific College
Samuel Merritt University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San Jose State University
Sonoma State University
Touro University California
United States University
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Francisco
University of Massachusetts Global
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
West Coast University – Orange County
Western University of Health Sciences

This article reviews those schools that offer Nurse Practitioner programs in California, as well as the concentrations that students in the programs can choose. These schools have been approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses. These nursing programs have also received accreditation, which is an important factor to consider when looking at what schools you want to attend. Accreditation ensures that you will receive a quality education that will prepare you for your career. The two most common accrediting agencies are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

The article will first review Masters of Science in Nursing programs that have multiple specializations under their Nurse Practitioner concentration, then it will go over the universities that feature only the Family Nurse Practitioner specialization.

California Nurse Practitioner Programs

1. Azusa Pacific University

In order to become a nurse practitioner through the programs at Azusa Pacific University, one must first earn their Master’s of Science degree in Nursing. There are several options available to become a Nurse Practitioner at this university. One involves earning the MSN degree and later earning a NP certificate. The other options involve earning the MSN degree along with your Nurse Practitioner Certificate at the same time and choosing your specialization. The specializations offered at APU are listed below:

Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric and Adult Primary Nurse Practitioner

2. California Baptist University

California Baptist University offers the ability to become a Nurse Practitioner through their BSN to MSN program. This program is for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as an active California Registered Nurse license. The program is 42-60 units and lasts 6-8 units. The options include:

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
These concentrations are also available as certificates that registered nurses who already have a MSN degree can earn.

3. California State University, Channel Islands

The nursing program at CSU Channel Islands is offered in a hybrid format. There are two concentrations offered under the Master of Science in Nursing program, with one of them being the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. In this concentration, students will take core coursework in the theoretical foundation of nursing, policy, advocacy, pharmacology, and more. They will also take coursework that is specific to the FNP concentration that will prepare them to provide services in their career. This concentration requires students to complete 540 practica hours.

4. California State University, Dominguez Hills

CSU Dominguez Hills offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. This program is intended for individuals who are already Registered Nurses with a bachelor’s degree and work in a primary care setting. Some courses in the program are completed online. Students are required to complete 576 hours of clinical practica in local outpatient settings (144 hours per semester). 48 semester units should be completed over the course of 3-4 years.

5. California State University, Fresno

There are two concentrations offered under the Master of Science in Nursing degree program at CSU Fresno. These include:

Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. This program will train students to provide general care to families, children, elderly individuals, and adults throughout their life. Students will partake in classroom and clinical experiences that will focus on how to conduct health assessments, promote health, and how to educate on how to manage health problems. This program emphasizes nursing practice in rural settings.
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This is a certificate program that one can earn after they have graduated from their master’s degree program. It takes a year of study to complete. It educates participants on how to provide psychiatric services to patients throughout their life.

6. California State University, Fullerton

California State University at Fullerton

CSU Fullerton’s offers a Women’s Health Care concentration within their Master of Science in Nursing degree program. This advanced practice option provides education on research, proposal writing, how to test, apply, and refine theory, and how to make ethical and legal decisions within a complex healthcare system. Students will learn critical thinking skills within this program as well as how to advocate for vulnerable populations. There are two emphases offered in this concentration, which include:

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education

7. California State University, Long Beach

CSU Long Beach is currently transitioning away from their Master of Science in Nursing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice program. This program focuses on the following five specialty areas:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
This program lasts approximately three years of full-time study and takes 72 units to complete. Students also take part in completing 1,000 clinical hours of practicum experience.

8. California State University, Los Angeles

CSU Los Angeles offers the following nurse practitioner options for individuals who want to enter a master’s degree program to further their education. For those who may already have their Master’s of Science in Nursing degree, these options are also available as a certificate program. The traditional MSN program takes approximately two years, while the certificate program takes about one year:

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

9. California State University, San Marcos

The School of Nursing at CSU San Marcos offers an Advanced Practice Nursing Concentration within their MSN degree program. This concentration features the Nurse Practitioner track with two specializations. The specializations include:

Family Nurse Practitioner. This specialization is part-time at CSU San Marcos and takes about eight semesters (or three years) to complete. There are about 52 units involved, and students choose between a graduate project or thesis at the end.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This program similarly takes about eight semesters (or three years) to complete. Students in this program learn to diagnose and help manage the mental health problems and psychiatric disorders of their patients across their lifetimes. Students will be eligible to sit for the ANCC PMHNP certificate exam after they complete the program, and once they pass, they can apply for the Nurse Practitioner exam.

10. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

At Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, there are two Nurse Practitioner degrees offered:

Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The theoretical content of this program is provided Saturday through Tuesday once per month each semester. The rest of the semester uses both face-to-face and web-enhanced formats for the chance for collaboration and faculty presentation to provide the opportunity to clarify content. This degree involves learning about how to provide primary care and general health education and prevention services for individuals and families across their lifetime. This degree is intended for nurses who already have a bachelor’s degree.
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The content in this program emphasizes meeting the needs of populations who tend to be underserved. The theoretical portion of this program is taught Saturday-Tuesday once per semester. Clinical courses immerse students in in-person settings. Students in this program will learn mental health promotion and how to assist in patient management of mental health conditions.

11. Holy Names University

Holy Names university offers a number of nursing degree programs, including a masters degree. This advanced degree program is one of the highest achievements a nurse can earn. Students at Holy Names University can earn the Nurse Practitioner credential as either a degree concentration when they earn their Master’s of Science in Nursing degree, or, if they already have an MSN degree, they can take the post-master’s certificate program:

Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. This degree is for those who want to focus on family centered care for their lifespan.
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This degree is for those who want to help patients manage their mental health conditions.

12. Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University’s Master of Science in Nursing degree program offers many concentrations for those who want to become a Nurse Practitioner. Students in these programs will be able to learn from the fully-equipped skills lab and complete their clinical training at the Loma Linda University Medical Center. The concentrations in the MSN degree program include:

Family Nurse Practitioner
Primary Care Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Acute Care Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

13. National University

At National University, those who enroll in the MSN program will be prepared to become leaders in the specialization of their choice. To receive a degree in this program, students will be required to complete 87-89 quarter units. When the program is completed, graduates will be able to implement the theories and concepts of the nursing concentration they chose. They will understand and be able to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social forces that impact their practice and healthcare as a whole. They will also be committed to lifelong learning for the sake of their community and themselves. The specializations that students can choose at National University include:

Family Nurse Practitioner
FNP certificate
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

14. San Diego State University

San Diego State’s nursing program offers an Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner specialization under their MSN degree program. This specialization offers a two and three year curriculum plan and involves 50 units. It is ideal for Registered Nurses who have two or three years of experience in acute care. This type of nurse practitioner cares for adults and elders throughout their life, providing referrals, general healthcare, and health education.

15. University of California, Irvine

The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration through the Doctor of Nursing Practice at University of California, Irvine, was the first one offered by a UC campus. The program is intended for nurses prepared with a Bachelors of Science and Master’s of Science who want to earn a doctoral degree as a Nurse Practitioner. This rigorous program is three years long and prepares students for nursing at the highest level that a nurse can achieve. Students will participate in this program in a hybrid format, as the class sessions are asynchronous and synchronous online. Only one on-campus session is required each quarter along with attendance at the beginning, middle, and end of the program. Another part of the program is the completion of 1,020 clinical practicum hours.

16. University of California, Los Angeles

UC Los Angeles offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree program with many options for those who want to pursue becoming a Nurse Practitioner. The courses in these concentrations are taught by faculty who are nationally recognized. Students have the opportunity to complete their clinical placements at the nationally top-ranked hospital, UCLA. The Nurse Practitioner concentrations that students can choose from include:

Adult/Gerontology Primary And Acute Nurse Practitioner
Dual Adult And Gero Nurse Practitioner
Adult/Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult/Gero Occupational And Environmental Health Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Dual Primary And Acute Care
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DUAL Acute Care And CNS

17. University of California, San Francisco

The Master of Science in Nursing degree programs at UC San Francisco are designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to treat diverse populations and challenge inequities in healthcare while educating their patients on prevention methods and wellness strategies. The Nurse Practitioner concentration has many specialities for RNs who already have their BSN degree, or certificates for those with an MSN and want to earn an additional credential:

Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: Occupational & Environmental Health Nursing No post-MS specialty
Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Certified Nurse Midwife/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Acute Care
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Primary Care
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

18. University of Massachusetts Global

There are a couple of Nurse Practitioner options through the Master of Science in Nursing degree program at University of Massachusetts Global. These include:

Nurse Practitioner – BSN to DNP Online Program – Family Across the Lifespan. This 36+ month program is online and gets students involved in numerous settings including primary care clinics, urgent care, outpatient facilities, and more. Students will learn the ethics of nursing and how to apply leadership skills and evidence based practice to their workplace. They will ultimately learn how to address medical problems ranging from common to complex and acute in individuals and families lifetimes.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (post-doctoral certificate). This post-doctoral certificate program is for Registered Nurses who already have a doctorate in nursing and want to add on a new credential. Students will learn the skills of how to manage patients experiencing mental health conditions and work in a variety of environments. There are two areas of focus in this program: psychopharmacology and psychotherapeutic treatment. This program can be completed in as little as six months.

19. University of San Diego

University of San Diego features a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program. It is designed to prepare students to become leaders and positively influence change in healthcare in the country. A DNP degree program teaches students to translate scientific knowledge and research into clinical practice. Some of the programs teach future nurses to care for students over a lifetime, while other programs teach them to be able to manage organizations through administration. This is the highest level of nursing that a nurse can achieve, and USD offers several paths for students wanting to earn this degree. These include:

Family Nurse Practitioner
Dual Pediatric/Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master’s Certificate in Emergency Care for Family Nurse Practitioner

20. University of San Francisco

The nursing program University of San Francisco features two concentrations for those who are looking to become Nurse Practitioners. The DNP program is intended for RNs who already have a bachelor’s degree and experience in the field. The Nurse Practitioner concentration has two emphases, which include:

Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Students in this emphasis will learn to conduct health assessments, manage acute illness via referral, and provide primary care for many individuals and families throughout their life. These kinds of nurses work in many different settings and are responsible for working with and managing the needs of their diverse patients.
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. This program will train students who will learn to conduct therapy, diagnose mental health conditions, and prescribe medications for those experiencing mental health conditions. This type of Nurse Practitioner is licensed to provide a number of emergency services in the realm of psychiatry such as assessments and treatment plans.

21. West Coast University – Orange County

West Coast University offers convenient MSN degree programs for those who work full-time and want to earn a degree, as most of their programs have a Working Professional option. There are multiple tracks under the online Family Nurse Practitioner option, which include:

Family Nurse Practitioner
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Adult Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
These programs help students gain skills that prepare them to work in a variety of environments such as private practice, individual and specific care units, or other clinical environments. The training students receive is up-to-date and matches current trends in healthcare. Students can access learning online, on-campus, and even through their mobile phones.

22. Western University of Health Sciences

Western University’s Master of Science in Nursing degree program offers a nurse practitioner concentration for those who are first earning their master’s degrees and certificates for those who have already earned their master’s degrees and want to expand their education and credentials. There are both online/hybrid and in-person program options at Western, aimed at students who live in rural areas or small communities. The Nurse Practitioner options include:

Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

California Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

These universities offer a Masters or Doctor Of Science in Nursing degree with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. Review this page for a full list of all FNP programs in California. This specialization is intended for registered nurses who already have a bachelor’s degree and have one year’s worth of clinical experience. This specialization is also offered as a certificate program for nursing students who have their master’s degree and want to gain this specialization. This is one of the most common specializations in high-level nursing, and involves providing care for families and individuals throughout their life. In the program, students learn to educate patients on disease prevention, the promotion of health, and how to manage health conditions. It usually takes about two years to complete the program, although some are offered part-time and may take longer. Students will also complete a clinical placement to gain hands-on experience.

1. San Francisco State University

The FP certificate is 31 units at SFSU and takes about 12-14 months. The degree option takes about six semesters.

2. San Jose State University

The 39-unit DNP program at SJSU is five semesters of full-time study, which equates to about 23 months.

3. Sonoma State University

The Family Nurse Practitioner Program at SSU is 46 semester units and lasts two years. There is also a part-time, six semester, three year option that is also 46 units.

4. Touro University California

The NP post-master’s certificate program is 38 credits and requires the participation of 585 clinical hours.The FNP master’s degree will take 12-18 months.

5. United States University

The Family Nurse Practitioner program is designed to be completed in 24 months. There is also a program that can be completed in 12 months. The program requires the completion of 48 credits.