Accredited Nurse Practitioner Schools in California
California nurse practitioners take home the nation’s highest average salary at $173,190 per year. The state offers amazing career opportunities for aspiring nurse practitioners. Job openings are expected to surge by 55.5% from 2020 to 2030.
California has many accredited programs that will prepare you for this rewarding healthcare career. The best schools show remarkable results. Take CSU Fullerton’s NP program – their graduates achieve a perfect 100% pass rate on the national certification exam. Schools in California let you choose specialized tracks and flexible learning options. You can shape your education around your career goals. The career outlook remains strong, with the U.S. Department of Labor predicting 12% job growth between 2023-2025.
This guide covers everything about California’s accredited nurse practitioner programs. We cover admission requirements, specializations, costs, and career outcomes. The guide will help you make smart choices about your professional future, whether you’re new to nursing or ready to advance your career.
Why Accreditation Matters for NP Schools in California
Picking the right nurse practitioner school means you need to look at their accreditation status first. Accreditation works as a quality check that verifies educational standards of nursing programs. Your future career as a nurse practitioner in California depends on it.
CCNE vs. ACEN Accreditation Standards
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the two main organizations that accredit nurse practitioner schools in California. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes both as specialized accrediting agencies.
Here’s what makes these accrediting bodies different:
- Program Coverage: CCNE sticks to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs, focusing on higher-level education. ACEN covers all nursing education levels from practical nursing to doctorate degrees.
- Institutional Focus: You’ll find CCNE working mainly with universities and colleges. ACEN spreads wider, covering nursing programs at community colleges, technical schools, universities, and hospital-based nursing schools.
- Geographical Scope: ACEN works both in the U.S. and internationally. CCNE stays within U.S. borders.
Both organizations keep their standards equally high. CCNE likes schools to regulate themselves through reflection and assessment, while ACEN follows a more defined set of rules. Both make sure NP programs meet specific standards for curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and clinical practicum requirements.
Impact of Accreditation on Licensure and Certification
Choosing an accredited nurse practitioner school makes all the difference. You’ll need a degree from an accredited program to:
- Get your state license as a Nurse Practitioner
- Take national certification exams
- Qualify for federal financial aid
A degree from an unaccredited NP program can create real problems. You might not be able to transfer your nursing credits, take certification exams, or get hired. Most states now want NPs to have degrees from programs with specialized accreditation that the U.S. Department of Education recognizes.
Getting certified as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) also requires graduation from an accredited program. This tells employers and the public that graduates meet national professional standards.
How to Verify a School’s Accreditation Status
Make sure you check a school’s accreditation status before you commit. Here’s how you can do it:
- Check the CCNE (aacnnursing.org/CCNE) or ACEN (www.acenursing.org) websites – they have searchable databases of accredited programs.
- Look through the nursing program’s course catalog, website, or nursing brochure where they usually show accreditation details.
- Ask the school directly about their current accreditation status.
- Look up the school in the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
The best nurse practitioner schools in California maintain high educational standards because of accreditation. They prepare students for successful careers and keep improving their programs through regular evaluations. This helps protect both students investing in their education and their future patients.
Top Accredited Nurse Practitioner Schools in California (2025)
California’s nurse practitioner programs excel at blending academic rigor with hands-on training. These institutions lead the way in NP education through their dual certification paths, specialized tracks and scholarship programs.
University of California, San Francisco – Dual Certification Options
UCSF stands among the nation’s best nurse practitioner schools. Students can choose from six NP specialties at both master’s and doctoral levels. The MSN-NP program lets students earn dual certifications. They can combine Family/Adult-Gerontology NP or Pediatric/Family NP tracks, along with a Psychiatric Mental Health NP option. Students pay $12,570 yearly for in-state tuition and $24,815 for out-of-state. The school’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing helps students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees earn both RN and MSN degrees. Working professionals can choose between full-time or part-time study plans.
Azusa Pacific University – Four MSN Specializations
This ranked institution delivers four complete MSN-NP tracks: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health. APU charges $895 per unit, with programs needing 44-56 units ($39,380-$50,120). The School of Nursing maintains a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The Nurse Faculty Loan Program helps graduates by forgiving up to 85% of loans when they take full-time faculty positions at nursing schools. WASC and CCNE accredit APU’s programs, including direct BSN-to-DNP paths.
University of San Diego – BSN to DNP and Dual Tracks
USD’s BSN to DNP program spans 78-83 units with flexible full-time and part-time options. Seven specialized tracks await students. These include unique paths like Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care and dual certifications combining Adult-Gerontology/Family NP or Pediatric/Family NP. Students learn clinical practice leadership at the doctoral level and develop skills to apply science in practice. USD ranks #52 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice and costs $1,800 per credit.
California State University, Long Beach – Post-Master’s Certificates
CSULB moves from traditional MSN programs toward a BSN-to-DNP model. Students specialize in five nurse practitioner areas: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Family Primary Care, Pediatric Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health across the lifespan. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education plans an accreditation visit for October 6-8, 2025. Post-MSN graduate certificates remain unavailable while the school develops its advanced practice nursing program.
Samuel Merritt University – Online MSN-FNP with Scholarships
Samuel Merritt’s online MSN-FNP program requires 48 units. Students complete it in 30 months full-time or 36 months part-time. Full-time students receive a $10,000 Advance Your Practice Scholarship. The program costs $1,560 per credit and focuses on helping underserved populations. Graduates earn median salaries of $139,136 two years after finishing. Expert faculty guide students through clinical experiences in their local communities.
Program Types and Specializations Offered
California nursing programs are going through a substantial change. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) has become the preferred degree for nurse practitioners throughout the state. This change will affect your educational trip through different program pathways and specializations.
MSN vs. DNP vs. Post-Master’s Certificate Pathways
Educational pathways differ mainly in their depth and focus. MSN programs prepare you for clinical specialization and need about 36 credit hours. DNP programs give you extra training in policy, ethics, interprofessional collaboration, and evidence-based practice. UC Schools of Nursing and other California universities now phase out NP master’s programs to make way for DNP pathways. Research suggests DNP-prepared NPs get substantially higher certification exam pass rates.
Nurses with MSN degrees can get additional specialization through post-master’s certificates. California State University Dominguez Hills and similar programs need around 48 semester units that students complete over 3-4 years.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
FNP programs top the list of specializations at California’s NP schools. Students learn to provide primary care for patients of all ages. The coursework has advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and requires 576-720 clinical hours. UC Davis FNP graduates help rural and underserved communities. They can diagnose and treat common acute and chronic problems while prescribing medications and therapies.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
UC Davis, UCI, UCSF, and UCLA work together to offer the UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program. This 12-month hybrid program helps address California’s shortage of mental health professionals. Students complete 48 units through online education, three immersion sessions, and clinical training across California. Graduates can take the ANCC’s PMHNP-BC examination.
Adult-Gerontology and Pediatric NP Tracks
Adult-Gerontology tracks teach you to manage primary healthcare for patients 18 and older, focusing on preventive care. Azusa Pacific’s AGPCNP Certificate graduates work in community health centers and long-term care facilities.
Pediatric NP programs specialize in treating children from birth through adolescence. California’s PNP options include primary care, acute care, and dual specialty tracks. UCLA offers a unique BSN to PNP Dual Specialty Acute/Primary track. Students complete 79 units and 840 clinical hours to work in any pediatric care setting.
Admission Requirements for NP Schools in California
Getting into nurse practitioner schools in California means meeting specific criteria that differ slightly between schools. You should know these requirements to prepare a strong application.
Minimum GPA and RN License Criteria
Nurse practitioner schools in California just need you to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program. The minimum GPA requirement stands at 3.0 on a four-point scale for your overall grades or last 60 semester units of upper division coursework. Top nurse practitioner schools often set their standards higher.
You must have an active California RN license without restrictions throughout your program. Schools might accept licenses from other states if you plan to do your DNP project work there. On top of that, schools will get into your background to check for any disciplinary actions that could affect clinical placements.
Required Coursework: Statistics and Anatomy
You should complete several prerequisite courses before applying. Statistics stands out as the most important prerequisite, and most schools want you to complete it within five years of starting the program. This course should cover probability and inferential components.
A solid foundation in human anatomy and physiology is vital for science prerequisites. Most programs require:
- Two-semester sequence of anatomy and physiology or two separate courses
- Microbiology or other science coursework
- Some programs want an undergraduate nursing research course
Clinical Experience and Letters of Recommendation
Your practical experience sets you apart from other applicants. California’s NP schools typically want one to two years of recent clinical experience as an RN. This experience will give a strong foundation for advanced practice roles.
The application process requires three letters of recommendation. Nursing supervisors, colleagues, and academic references should write these letters to highlight your clinical abilities and leadership potential. A personal statement that outlines your career goals completes your application.
GRE and TOEFL Requirements (if applicable)
Most nurse practitioner programs in California don’t require GRE scores, unlike medical schools. This makes a big difference in how you apply.
International students have extra requirements. Students with degrees from outside the United States should submit certified English translations of all academic records. They also must show English proficiency through standardized testing, with minimum TOEFL scores around 550 (paper), 80 (internet), or 213 (computer).
Cost, Financial Aid, and Program Length
Nurse practitioner education costs vary widely at different California schools.
Tuition Range: $30,000 to $120,000+
MSN-level NP programs cost around $20,000 at budget-friendly schools and can reach $60,000 at premium institutions. Private universities charge even more, with some programs exceeding $100,000. The DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program at UC Davis has a first-year cost of $86,163.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Completion Timelines
Students complete MSN programs in 2 years full-time, while DNP degrees need 4+ years. BSN-to-MSN students who study part-time take 3-4 years to graduate, compared to 2-3 years for full-time students. BSN-to-DNP programs take 3-4 years full-time and 5-6 years for part-time students.
Scholarships and Loan Repayment Programs
The California State Loan Repayment Program has set aside $6,228,000 for 2024-25 awards. Many universities provide scholarship opportunities – UCLA gives out over 600 scholarships to more than 250 students each year. The NURSE Corps program helps even more by forgiving up to 85% of nursing education debt.
Online vs. On-Campus Cost Differences
Online NP programs cost between $400-800 per credit hour, which is less than on-campus options. California State University Dominguez Hills offers online programs for $18,000-$20,000 total, which costs much less than traditional formats. Students also save money on living expenses with online programs.
Accredited Nurse Practitioner Program List
| 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, Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing |
| Fresno Pacific University |
| Loma Linda University |
| National University |
| Pacific College |
| Point Loma Nazarene University |
| 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 San Diego |
| University of San Francisco |
| University of Southern California |
| West Coast University – Orange County |
| Western University of Health Sciences |
Next Steps
Selecting the right accredited nurse practitioner program in California is a vital step toward a rewarding healthcare career with exceptional earning potential. You now understand that accreditation serves as a quality marker for your education and affects your licensure eligibility and future job prospects.
Nurse practitioner education keeps changing faster than ever. Many California institutions have switched from MSN to DNP pathways and now offer both traditional and innovative program options. California provides world-class options for your professional growth. You can choose UCSF’s dual certification opportunities, Azusa Pacific’s specialized MSN tracks, or Samuel Merritt’s flexible online program with generous scholarships.
Your education can be tailored to specific career goals through program specializations. The Family Nurse Practitioner track remains accessible to more people, while specialized options like Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology, and Pediatric NP paths prepare you for specific patient populations.
A competitive application needs several key elements. You should meet the minimum requirements for GPA (typically 3.0), RN licensure status, prerequisite coursework, and clinical experience.
Program costs vary by a lot, ranging from $30,000 to over $120,000, based on the institution and program length. This will without doubt affect your decision. The good news is that many scholarships and loan forgiveness programs exist just for nurse practitioners, especially when you have plans to serve underrepresented communities.
California’s healthcare demands continue to grow, and nurse practitioners are ready to fill critical roles in a variety of settings. Today’s educational investment will likely bring substantial returns in both money and career satisfaction. This detailed guide gives you the knowledge to pick an accredited program that matches your professional goals and personal situation.