7 Best Direct Entry MSN Programs in California for 2026

Do you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to switch to nursing? California’s direct entry MSN programs let you become a registered nurse and earn your master’s degree at the same time through an accelerated path.

These programs are perfect for career-changers like you. You’ll find impressive results whether you’re looking at direct entry NP programs or taking a closer look at MSN programs in California. Elmhurst University’s graduates achieved a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024. Programs like Western University help you get both an MSN and RN license in just 2 years. These programs build strong healthcare knowledge and clinical skills that prepare you to shape healthcare equity.

The admission standards help maintain high-quality candidates. California Baptist University’s Summer 2023 accepted students showed strong academic performance. They had an average cumulative GPA of 3.17, a science GPA of 3.5, and a TEAS score of 82%. Students complete a full-time course load over 6 semesters with clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings.

Want to revolutionize your career with top direct entry MSN programs? Let’s take a closer look at the 7 best options in California for 2026.

1. California Baptist University – Entry-Level MSN

California Baptist University excels among direct entry MSN programs in California through its faith-based approach to nursing education. The program creates a structured path to enter the nursing profession at an advanced level for students who have non-nursing bachelor’s degrees.

Program overview

Career-changers with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees can find a complete transition path through the Entry-Level MSN program at California Baptist University. Students first complete pre-licensure nursing courses to prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and become licensed registered nurses. They then move on to post-licensure coursework to earn their Master of Science in Nursing degree.

The program takes an all-encompassing approach guided by nursing theory and CBU’s faith-based mission. Students learn to assess clinical prevention interventions, implement evidence-based practice, and use information technology effectively through a curriculum that combines theory-guided practice with a biblical worldview.

Graduates can work in various nursing roles such as registered nurses, nurse leaders, nurse educators, and nurse informaticists. Both the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredit the program, which ensures high-quality education standards.

Curriculum highlights

The curriculum combines pre-licensure and post-licensure components. Pre-licensure courses include:

• Theoretical Foundations and Ethics in Nursing
• Fundamental Nursing Skills
• Adult Health I and II
• Mental Health Nursing
• Physical Assessment
• Older Adult and Family Nursing

After getting their license, students complete MSN core requirements such as Nursing Science, Research and Scholarship, Health Policy and Bioethics, and Healthcare Informatics. They must also choose one of three concentrations:

• Nurse Educator
• Nursing Informatics
• Nursing Organizational Leadership

Each concentration lines up with nationally recognized guidelines and competencies to prepare students for specialized nursing roles.

Clinical experience

The California Board of Registered Nursing requires mandatory clinical practicum hours for all pre-licensure and MSN specialty courses. CBU meets or exceeds these requirements to ensure students get enough hands-on experience.

Students rotate through hospitals, healthcare facilities, and community settings to gain varied experiences. CBU’s state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Lab and Resource Center adds to traditional clinical placements. Students use both low-fidelity and high-fidelity simulation equipment, human-computer interaction programs, and advanced practice task trainers for customized learning.

Admission requirements

The Nursing Admissions Committee takes an all-encompassing approach to review applications. Basic requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or last 60 semester units GPA)
• Minimum science GPA of 2.8 (based on prerequisite science courses)
• Minimum TEAS score of 64%
• Completion of prerequisites with a grade of C or higher
• Submission of application documents including transcripts, prerequisite self-evaluation, resume, and personal statement

Summer 2023 statistics show accepted students had an average cumulative GPA of 3.17, last 60 semester unit GPA of 3.5, science GPA of 3.5, and TEAS score of 82%. About 45% of accepted students came with additional certification or licensure.

Tuition and duration

Students typically complete the program in 3.5 years, with accelerated pre-licensure courses followed by normal-paced MSN coursework. The program runs through three semesters yearly (fall, spring, and summer).

Graduate tuition costs $815 per credit. Students need to complete 106-108 units across 10-11 semesters, which requires a substantial investment. In spite of that, getting both RN licensure and a master’s degree in one program could save money compared to separate programs.

Unique features

Faith-based principles run throughout the curriculum, making this program special. Students develop technical skills and ethical frameworks for healthcare decision-making through an all-encompassing approach that uses nursing theory guided by a biblical worldview.

CBU accepts 40 students each year, starting in early May (summer semester). This cohort model builds a supportive learning community. The program’s intensity, particularly during pre-licensure courses, means students should avoid outside work.

On top of that, CBU’s College of Nursing faculty who share the faith-based mission and all-encompassing approach supervise all practicum hours. This ensures students receive consistent educational philosophy throughout their training.

2. Western University of Health Sciences – MSN Entry

Western University of Health Sciences runs California’s first direct entry MSN program, which started in 2004. The Pomona campus program helps non-nursing graduates start nursing careers through a focused, campus-based curriculum.

Program overview

WesternU’s Master of Science in Nursing-Entry (MSN-E) program gives students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees a path to both an MSN degree and RN license in just 2 years. Students complete six back-to-back semesters on campus and can take the NCLEX licensing examination after graduation.

The program follows nursing education standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s Essentials and Quality and Safety in Nursing Education. Students learn to lead patient quality and safety initiatives, use evidence-based practice with teams, and manage care delivery systems.

Curriculum highlights

Students must complete 94 program units over six semesters. The program combines basic nursing fundamentals with graduate-level courses in a planned sequence.

First-year courses include:

• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
• Physical Assessment & Health Promotion
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
• Obstetric and Pediatric Nursing

Second-year studies focus on advanced practice with:

• Leadership and Management in Clinical Settings
• Public Health and Population Based Nursing
• Improvement Science for Quality and Safety
• Health System Leadership
• Master’s Project series

The program’s substance is a three-course Clinical Project series that brings together Master’s-level nursing skills. Students create quality improvement projects to boost patient care, outcomes, or work design.

Clinical experience

The curriculum packs 1395 clinical hours. Students complete 990 hours in the pre-licensure portion—20% above California Board of Registered Nursing requirements. This hands-on training leads to high RN licensure exam pass rates.

Clinical rotations start in semester one and happen in various settings. Students work in:

• Acute-care hospitals
• Behavioral health facilities
• Community health clinics
• Public health organizations
• Sub-acute nursing care facilities

The College of Graduate Nursing works with top clinical partners. These include Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (one of the nation’s largest county hospitals), Huntington Hospital, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Students can request placements near them in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties.

Admission requirements

The MSN-E program has selective admission standards. You don’t need healthcare experience, but you must:

• Have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree (can be in progress when applying but must finish before starting)
• Maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher in overall, prerequisite, and science courses
• Pass all prerequisite courses with C grades or better
• Show community service/involvement (needed to apply)

Applications start June 1 and end December 1 for fall entry. You’ll need to submit transcripts, a resume/CV, and meet personal admission standards.

Tuition and duration

The program costs $1,394 per credit hour plus $829 in clinical fees each applicable term. Total costs break down as:

First year (48 units): $66,912 tuition + $2,487 clinical fees + extra fees reaching about $69,932Second year (39 units): $54,366 tuition + $2,487 clinical fees + extra fees reaching about $57,603

Recent WesternU MSN-E graduates had debt ranging from $136,124 (2022 graduates) to $163,492 (projected 2025 graduates).

Unique features

The program shines with its perfect NCLEX pass rate—100% of MSN-E students pass the RN licensing exam. This shows both student drive and faculty excellence.

Students work with peers from eight other healthcare fields. These connections help build professional networks early and prepare graduates for team-based practice.

WesternU gives students strong support through a high-tech simulation lab where they practice on simulated patients. The Learning Enhancement & Academic Development Office helps with study skills, test strategies, and writing.

WesternU is known among California’s direct entry MSN programs because of its proven results, extensive clinical practice, and strong student support systems.

3. Samuel Merritt University – ELMSN Program

Samuel Merritt University helps career-changers become nurses through its Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program. The university’s Oakland and Sacramento campuses offer two specialized tracks. These tracks cater to students who already have bachelor’s degrees in other fields but want to pursue advanced nursing credentials.

Program overview

Samuel Merritt University’s ELMSN program welcomes students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees who want to enter nursing with advanced qualifications. Students can choose between two career paths:

• ELMSN-Case Management (ELMSN-CM): Students learn problem-solving and decision-making skills to coordinate resources, assess patients, and deliver care effectively
• ELMSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (ELMSN-FNP): Students prepare to specialize in family-centered care as advanced practice nurses

Students can take the RN licensure examination (NCLEX) after their first four semesters in both tracks. The Master of Science in Nursing degree comes after completing all coursework. Students can get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing equivalency letter after finishing the prelicensure portion, though they don’t receive an actual BSN degree.

The program builds strong healthcare knowledge and clinical skills. Students learn to interpret information and make patient-centered decisions in clinical settings of all types.

Curriculum highlights

Each track has a slightly different curriculum:

• ELMSN-CM: 93 total units completed in 2 years and one semester
• ELMSN-FNP: 109 total units with a longer duration

Both programs bring students from different health professions together through interprofessional education (IPE). SMU uses a “passport” model where students earn “stamps” toward a Certificate of Achievement in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice.

The curriculum takes an all-encompassing approach to healthcare. Core coursework includes:

• Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment
• Health promotion and illness prevention
• Healthcare policy and advocacy
• Information systems and technology
• Professional role development, ethics, and leadership

Clinical experience

Clinical experience forms the foundation of SMU’s education philosophy. Students start gaining practical experience in their first months. The university partners with over 2,000 agencies nationwide, mainly in California’s Bay Area and Central Valley.

Clinical placements include:

• Kaiser Permanente Hospitals
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
• Stanford Hospital
• John Muir Medical Center
• Private medical groups
• Community health agencies

FNP track students complete three semesters of precepted clinical practicum. This adds up to 630 hours, with 210 hours each semester. The university’s Health Sciences Simulation Center lets students practice in challenging scenarios safely.

Admission requirements

The ELMSN program sets high standards for admission. You’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
• A recommended minimum 3.0 GPA (overall and science prerequisites)
• All prerequisite courses completed with grade C or better
• HESI A2 examination scores
• Two letters of reference (healthcare professionals preferred)
• Simple computer skills

Prerequisites cover English, sociology, statistics, psychology, nutrition, and sciences (anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology with labs).

Applications go through the Centralized Application Service for Nursing Programs (NursingCAS) with an $80 fee. Final admission depends on your interview, criminal background check, and drug screening results.

Tuition and duration

The program needs significant investment:

A non-refundable $350 tuition deposit secures your spot. SMU helps with various financial aid options, including need-based scholarships. The university’s graduates have a loan default rate below 1%, which suggests strong job prospects.

Scholarship opportunities include the Advance Your Practice Scholarship ($10,000 for FNP students) and named scholarships like Sharon Clark Diaz, Marshall Steele Jr., and William Breslin.

Unique features

Samuel Merritt University is prominent among California’s direct entry MSN programs through:

• Top Employment Outcomes: Ranks #1 in California for post-graduate employment. The New York Times places it among the nation’s top two universities for 10-year median income
• Rich Clinical Settings: Students work in urban and rural settings with patients from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Technical Standards: Students learn health assessments, emergency treatment, and professional skills through different teaching methods
• Campus Choices: Programs run at Oakland and Sacramento campuses, giving students location flexibility

The university aims to create skilled and compassionate nursing professionals. These graduates can interpret information well and make patient-centered decisions in clinical settings of all types.

4. University of San Francisco – MSN for Non-Nurses

The University of San Francisco is notable among California’s top direct entry nursing programs. Their Master’s Entry MSN program helps you switch careers into nursing if you have a degree in another field.

Program overview

USF’s Master’s Entry MSN, Clinical Nurse Leader (ME-MSN) program welcomes students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees who want to start a nursing career. Students can become registered nurses while learning advanced leadership skills through graduate-level courses. The program runs at both the San Francisco Hilltop campus and Orange County location. Graduates learn to drive change, boost health outcomes, and lift healthcare quality.

The program takes a different approach than traditional nursing education. USF focuses on developing leaders who can navigate complex healthcare systems. Students learn to deliver care to patients from different backgrounds in various settings, with emphasis on health promotion and reducing risks.

Curriculum highlights

The program needs 93 credits over two years of full-time study through fall, spring, and summer terms. Here’s how it works:

• Classes run three days each week
• Clinical practice takes two days weekly
• Leadership and management training in nursing
• Healthcare information systems and policy education
• Quality improvement, cost control, and patient satisfaction training

Students complete an internship in their final semester. They design, coordinate, and manage healthcare through team-based projects. This hands-on experience lets them test and improve care delivery models.

Clinical experience

Clinical placements play a vital role in the ME-MSN program. The School of Nursing and Health Professions works with healthcare facilities throughout California. The clinical training:

• Changes each semester based on required skills
• Builds specific nursing competencies
• Takes place in over 200 leading healthcare facilities like Kaiser Permanente, Stanford University Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center, and San Francisco General Hospital

Students blend classroom theory with practical skills through this hands-on approach.

Admission requirements

Competition runs high with only 36 spots in San Francisco and 26 in Orange County from 250-400 applications each semester. You’ll need:

• A bachelor’s degree outside nursing
• 0 GPA or higher preferred
• C or better in prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology)
• Personal statement plus two short responses
• Two recommendation letters
• Resume

Online lab science courses count toward prerequisites, including virtual labs. You won’t need GRE or TEAS scores.

Tuition and duration

The program runs for exactly two years through six back-to-back semesters (fall, spring, summer). Students must finish all nursing courses at their chosen campus.

USF provides institutional financial aid mostly through loans. Starting Fall 2026, U.S. citizens and permanent residents can get federal loans up to $20,500 yearly for graduate studies.

Unique features

The program different from other California direct entry MSN programs because it:

• Uses Jesuit principles to teach nursing with a global view on healthcare decisions
• Has a modern Nursing Simulation Lab where students learn from practice scenarios
• Lets graduates earn California Public Health Nursing Certificates
• Maintains small classes with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio for better mentoring
• Holds accreditation from both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and California Board of Registered Nursing

Students can choose between San Francisco and Orange County locations, with program starts in spring and fall.

5. Azusa Pacific University – Entry-Level Master’s in Nursing

Azusa Pacific University’s Entry-Level Master’s program offers a faith-based education with strong clinical foundations to nurses who want to fast-track their leadership journey. This Christian university runs one of California’s eastern Los Angeles region’s most respected direct entry MSN programs.

Program overview

APU’s Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELM) program helps bachelor’s degree holders from non-nursing backgrounds become qualified nursing professionals. Students first prepare for RN licensure and then advance to master’s level education. The curriculum blends Christian viewpoints with evidence-based nursing practice to emphasize whole-person care. Students graduate ready to take the NCLEX-RN examination and pursue various nursing careers, including clinical leadership positions.

Curriculum highlights

Students move through courses together in a cohort model. The first year focuses on pre-licensure content such as fundamental nursing skills, health assessment, and medical-surgical nursing. Advanced practice topics like healthcare policy, nursing research, and leadership development shape the second year. Theory-guided practice with strong scientific foundations forms the core learning approach. Each student completes a capstone project that shows their mastery of research and clinical practice integration.

Clinical experience

Students start their clinical rotations early and work in healthcare environments throughout Southern California. APU’s partnerships with major healthcare systems create placement opportunities in:

• Acute care hospitals
• Community clinics
• Public health agencies
• Long-term care facilities

Students practice critical skills in the university’s simulation center before working with actual patients. The center features high-fidelity mannequins and realistic clinical scenarios.

Admission requirements

The program looks for candidates with:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA (typically 3.0)
• Completed prerequisite coursework in sciences and humanities
• Personal statement and professional references
• Background check and health requirements

Tuition and duration

Full-time students complete the program in about 24 months across multiple terms. The intensive curriculum means students should limit outside work, especially during pre-licensure studies. Tuition rates change yearly. Students can access financial aid through federal loans, scholarships, and graduate assistantships.

Unique features

APU stands out from other direct entry MSN programs by weaving faith principles into nursing education. The program teaches servant leadership and ethical decision-making based on Christian values. Small class sizes create meaningful mentoring relationships between faculty and students. The university supports student success through academic coaching, spiritual guidance, and career development resources during the program and after graduation.

6. University of California, Irvine – MEPN Program

UC Irvine’s Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) ranks as a leading direct entry MSN program in California. This program welcomes non-nursing degree holders who want advanced nursing education with a community focus.

Program overview

Students at UC Irvine’s MEPN program prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) through a comprehensive two-year curriculum. The program awards a Master of Science in Nursing with a Community and Population Health Nursing Concentration. Students learn about organization systems leadership, quality improvement, safety, and how to apply scholarship to practice.

Curriculum highlights

The program runs through Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters for two consecutive years without summer sessions. Students learn health policy advocacy and strategies for health promotion and disease prevention to improve outcomes for patients and populations. A MEPN Leadership Project that affects nursing’s role in communities must be completed before graduation.

Clinical experience

UCI’s clinical partners determine the rotation schedule each quarter. Students need their own transportation to reach hospitals, clinics, and community sites. Clinical assignments require availability during evenings and weekends.

Admission requirements

A non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Students must complete all prerequisite courses with a “C” grade or higher by December 31st before the program begins. Prerequisites include statistics, psychology, sociology/cultural anthropology, anatomy with lab, physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and chemistry. Fall 2025 applicants must submit both a NursingCAS application and a UC Irvine Graduate Application by November 30th.

Tuition and duration

The program spans six academic quarters over two years. UCI Registrar’s website lists current tuition and fees under “Master of Science in Nursing”.

Unique features

The program started in 2017 and accepts international students who can get a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer ID Number for NCLEX eligibility. Space remains limited in this competitive program. UCI’s steadfast dedication to diversity, representation, and tackling healthcare inequities attracts many students to this program.

7. Mount Saint Mary’s University – Accelerated MSN

Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles completes our list of top direct entry MSN programs in California. The university provides a simplified pathway for non-nursing graduates who want to become nursing leaders.

Program overview

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s Accelerated MSN program helps students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees become registered nurses with graduate-level expertise. This accelerated format combines BSN and MSN education into one program that prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN licensure and advanced nursing roles.

Curriculum highlights

Students advance through a comprehensive sequence of nursing fundamentals, advanced theory courses, and specialized content. The curriculum blends evidence-based practice with critical thinking skills. Clinical coursework focuses on direct patient care and population health concepts.

Clinical experience

Students complete clinical rotations in a variety of healthcare settings across Los Angeles. The city’s exceptional healthcare diversity lets students work with different patient populations and clinical scenarios.

Admission requirements

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
• Minimum GPA requirements
• Completion of prerequisite science courses
• Personal statement and references
• Interview for selected candidates

Tuition and duration

Students typically complete this intensive program in two years. Tuition rates change by academic year, and qualifying students can access financial aid options.

Unique features

The program’s Los Angeles location leverages the university’s strong healthcare connections. The university maintains a steadfast dedication to serving diverse communities.

Make Your Choice Today

You should think over your career goals, financial resources, and priorities when choosing a direct entry MSN program. In this piece, you’ll find seven outstanding California programs that offer fast-track paths to nursing licensure and advanced education. Each program is special in its own way. California Baptist University offers a faith-based approach. WesternU boasts impressive NCLEX pass rates. Samuel Merritt delivers exceptional employment outcomes.

These programs cost between $70,000 and $193,500, which is a big investment. However, you’ll save time by completing your undergraduate and graduate nursing education together. Most programs take 2-3.5 years of intensive, full-time study. Students complete many clinical hours in a variety of healthcare settings.

You’ll need to meet competitive admission standards. A minimum 3.0 GPA is typical, along with prerequisite science courses. Many programs also require entrance exams or interviews. Start planning your application strategy several months ahead to secure a spot in these limited-enrollment cohorts.

Your program choice might depend on your preferred specialty. Options include Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Nursing Leadership. Location matters too. California’s programs stretch from the Bay Area to Southern California, with flexible start dates and campus experiences.

These direct entry MSN programs help you leverage your bachelor’s degree into an advanced nursing career. You’ll be ready for RN licensure and leadership roles that shape healthcare delivery, education, and policy. This accelerated path lets you make a real difference in nursing and patient care, regardless of which program you choose.