9 Fast-Track BSN to DNP Programs in California

Want to pursue a BSN to DNP program in California? You’re making a smart career move right now. California launched its first Doctor of Nursing Practice program over 15 years ago. Today, you can choose from about 14 DNP programs at universities of all sizes.

The timing couldn’t be better, especially when healthcare faces its most important staffing challenges. The HRSA expects nursing jobs to keep growing through 2030. The numbers tell the story – 43,710 nurses just needed in 2020, 52,100 by 2025, and 63,370 by 2030 . The healthcare system also just needs 34,020 practitioners by 2030. The supply might only reach 32,470 – leaving a 5% gap unfilled.

California’s BSN to DNP programs give you a chance to advance your nursing career. You can skip the master’s degree and go straight for your terminal nursing degree from your BSN. Full-time students usually finish in three to four years. Many schools let working professionals’ study part-time. The cost runs about $1000 per credit, but financial aid is accessible to more people to help with expenses.

Ready to pick your clinical focus and move up in your career? This guide walks you through nine quick BSN to DNP programs in California. You’ll learn everything about program length and what you need to get in.

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University offers one of California’s most efficient BSN to DNP programs. Students can skip the MSN degree and move directly from their bachelor’s degree to doctoral-level nursing practice.

Program overview

The BSN to DNP pathway lets you choose between two specialized tracks that match your career goals. You can pursue either the Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) track—specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)—or take the Health Systems Leadership path. The program follows the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021). Students learn to expand nursing knowledge and enhance healthcare worldwide.

The curriculum builds expertise in evidence-based clinical practices and nursing leadership within healthcare teams. You’ll become skilled at preventing, assessing, and treating complex health issues. Graduates are ready to take on roles like policy analyst, clinical operations director, chief nursing officer, or advanced practice nurse.

Program duration

Students typically complete the BSN to DNP pathway in 3-4 years. The program requires 67-71 units and has a minimum of 1,000 clinical residency hours—standard for DNP programs nationwide. Students with prior Advanced Practice RN program experience can transfer up to 500 clinical hours toward this requirement.

Admission requirements

Qualified candidates must:

• Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (provisional admission possible with lower GPA)
• Possess a current California RN license
• Have at least eight months of RN work experience (specifically for APRN track)
• Complete an undergraduate research and statistics course
• Submit two recommendations (preferably one academic, one professional)
• Provide official transcripts, curriculum vitae/résumé, and a written statement of educational objectives
• Participate in a faculty interview

Format and delivery

APU gives students flexibility with multiple learning options. You can study full-time or part-time at several locations including Azusa (main campus), Inland Empire, Monrovia, San Diego, or completely online. Working nurse leaders benefit from the low-residency option that helps balance work and academic commitments.

Tuition and financial aid

Each unit costs $1,160, bringing the total base cost between $77,720 and $82,360 depending on your track and course choices. NP students pay additional fees including a graduate nursing advanced practice lab fee ($275 per course) and clinical fees ($200 per GNRS 732 course).

APU makes this investment more manageable through various financial options. Military members and their families can get special financial assistance for tuition and other expenses since APU is a Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School. Students must pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure their spot in the program.

The investment pays off well – California DNP professionals earn an average salary of $166,630, making this program a solid choice for career advancement.

California State University – Long Beach

CSU Long Beach runs one of the best BSN to DNP programs in California. The program helps nurses become leaders in clinical practice. Students who graduate from this premier nursing program are ready to tackle complex healthcare challenges through advanced practice.

Program overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at CSU Long Beach gives advanced practice nurses everything they need for complex clinical roles and teaching positions at California’s community colleges and universities. Students learn evidence-based research, leadership skills, health policy advocacy, and advanced clinical practices.

Students can specialize in five nurse practitioner tracks:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
• Family Primary Care
• Pediatric Primary Care
• Psychiatric-Mental Health (across the lifespan)

The program prepares graduates to take national certification exams in their chosen clinical specialty. Students learn both theory and practical skills that help them improve healthcare delivery systems.

Program duration

Students complete the BSN-to-DNP Program at CSU Long Beach through a 72 semester-unit curriculum in three years of full-time study. The program splits into three main parts: 39 units (54.67%) of core courses, 24 units (33.33%) of clinical specialty courses, and 9 units (12.5%) for the doctoral project.

Students must complete 1,000 clinical hours in practicum experiences. These hands-on clinical placements let them practice in their chosen specialty area. CSU Long Beach only accepts full-time students in the BSN to DNP program.

Admission requirements

CSU Long Beach’s BSN to DNP program has specific admission requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited program
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Possess an active, unencumbered, unrestricted current RN license in California
• Complete an undergraduate statistics course
• Submit three letters of professional reference (dated and signed within the past year)
• Provide official transcripts from all previous institutions
• Submit a statement of purpose (maximum one page, single-spaced)
• Verify current employment as a Registered Nurse
• Have at least one year of clinical experience as an RN
• Complete an interview and on-site (or monitored online) essay assessment

International students need to prove their English skills through test scores like IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL iBT (80).

CSU Long Beach format and delivery

CSU Long Beach uses a hybrid format that blends classroom learning with online courses. This gives students the best of both worlds – personal interaction and flexibility. Core courses mix face-to-face classes with online learning.

Students need to commit significant time to campus classes and 1,000 hours of in-person clinical work. This setup works best for students who live within driving distance of the Long Beach campus.

Tuition and financial aid

California residents pay around $8,902 yearly for the CSU Long Beach BSN to DNP program. This makes it one of California’s most affordable doctoral nursing programs. The total program cost comes to about $28,416.

Out-of-state students pay more, with an extra $444 per unit on top of base tuition. Full-time students taking 12 units might pay around $9,499 per semester.

Students can get help paying for school through scholarships, federal grants, state grants, CSULB grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs. The university sends refunds two weeks after census, which happens about six weeks into each semester.

Fresno State University

Nurses who want to fast-track their doctoral education can now get an excellent opportunity at Fresno State University through its Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The program gives you online flexibility and high academic standards that create a perfect learning environment for professionals who want to advance their careers.

Program overview

California State University, Fresno’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is a hands-on doctoral degree that’s similar to other professional doctorates like PharmD or DPT. This program differs from research-focused PhD programs. Students learn advanced skills they need for complex practice, teaching, and leadership roles in nursing.

The program goes beyond the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice. Students also learn teaching strategies and develop curriculum. They can choose to do a nursing education practicum that prepares them for faculty positions.

The program has full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. After graduation, students become nursing faculty and healthcare leaders who cooperate with other disciplines to make healthcare systems better.

Program duration

Fresno State’s DNP program uses a cohort model that takes two years to complete with full-time study. Students start in Fall and graduate in Spring after five semesters (21 months).

The curriculum takes 37 doctoral units and ends with a doctoral project. You must study full-time, but the class schedule lets you keep working while you earn your degree. This mix of academic excellence and job flexibility makes the program perfect for working nurses.

Admission requirements

You’ll need to meet these criteria to join the program:

• Meet California State University, Fresno admission requirements
• Have a master’s degree from an accredited institution (if your master’s is in a health-related field other than nursing, you need a bachelor’s in nursing and extra coursework)
• Have at least a 3.0 GPA in an acceptable master’s program
• Hold a current, unrestricted California RN license
• Be a U.S citizen or permanent resident
• Have National Certification in nursing specialty or get it before the fifth semester
• Show enough preparation and experience as an APN, nurse manager/administrator/executive/educator or experienced nurse

You need to submit three recommendation letters (one from your current supervisor) and write a statement explaining how the DNP program will help your nursing career. The program reviews applications from October 1st until May 1st of the admission year. Early applications get priority.

Format and delivery

The DNP program at Fresno State runs mostly online with few campus visits required. You can take virtual classes from anywhere. You’ll need to visit campus twice: a two-day session in your first semester and a one-day session in your fourth semester. Both visits happen when fall terms begin.

The program requires 1,000 practicum hours, with 270 hours tied to your doctoral projects. These clinical hours must be done in person at a clinic you choose. You’ll also need to defend your doctoral project on campus in the fifth semester.

Tuition and financial aid

In-state tuition costs $16,112 per year. The five-semester program is a valuable investment in your future career.

Qualified students can get scholarships, grants, and loans. You’ll need to fill out either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by April 2, 2025. If you’re eligible, you might automatically get the Federal Pell Grant and State University Grant.

Summer courses need a FAFSA on file. You must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and complete all financial aid paperwork by the deadlines. If you want student loans for summer terms, you can fill out a Summer Loan Interest Form that becomes available in April.

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University offers faith-based BSN to DNP programs in California that focus on whole-person care through mind, body, and spirit. Students from more than 80 countries and 65 religions create a rich learning environment that enhances everyone’s educational experience.

Program overview

The BSN to DNP program at Loma Linda University helps nurses become leaders and advanced practitioners in healthcare systems. BSN-prepared nurses can choose from several specialization tracks:

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Adult/Gerontology
• Leadership
• Acute Care-Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (ACAGNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Several other nurse practitioner specializations

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) have accredited all programs. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs separately accredits the CRNA program.

Program duration

Each concentration has different completion times. The CRNA track takes 3 years and 3 months (39 months), while the Family Nurse Practitioner track typically needs 3 years and 9 months for full-time students. Most students complete their BSN to DNP in about 3 years. Working professionals can opt for part-time options that extend to 5 years in specific concentrations.

Admission requirements

Students must meet these admission criteria:

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited program
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Current U.S. RN license (California RN license required before classes start)
• One year of RN experience in the desired clinical area (strongly recommended)
• Three electronic recommendations from appropriate sources
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Personal statement
• Faculty interview

Some specializations need additional qualifications. The CRNA program requires at least one year of full-time adult critical care RN experience and current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications.

Format and delivery

Students experience a hybrid format that blends online learning with on-campus sessions. Core courses require 4-8 hours of on-campus participation during Seminar Week each quarter. Clinical courses meet face-to-face at least four times per quarter, and students take all exams on campus. Students must complete about 1,000 clinical hours through clinician hours and DNP project work.

Tuition and financial aid

The tuition rate is $947 per credit for 2025-2026. Program costs vary by year and track. First-year costs reach around $28,727 and increase to approximately $44,247 by the fourth year. Students should also plan for books, supplies, living expenses, and transportation costs.

About 70-75% of LLU nursing students receive some form of financial aid. Students should start their financial aid process early, even before program acceptance.

Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University ranks among California’s Christian institutions that provide advanced nursing education. Students from all faith backgrounds will find a welcoming environment here. The BSN to DNP pathway focuses on specialized training with a steadfast dedication to clinical excellence.

Program overview

Point Loma Nazarene University runs two distinct BSN to DNP tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). The CNS program gives you three specialization options: Adult-Gerontology CNS, Pediatric CNS, and a unique Adult-Gerontology CNS track with women’s health specialty—the only one of its kind in California. The FNP program prepares graduates to provide primary care to patients of all ages and backgrounds. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has fully accredited both programs that match the AACN Essentials for Advanced Level Nursing Practice.

Program duration

The BSN-to-DNP with FNP track and MSN-to-DNP track take 10 semesters, about 3.3 years. Students in the BSN-to-DNP pathway complete 76 units and end up needing 1,000 clinical hours—750 hours in direct patient care and 250 hours on the DNP project.

Admission requirements

You’ll need:

• Current RN license
• At least one year of full-time nursing practice within the last five years
• Minimum 3.2 GPA for MSN holders (3.0-3.19 considered under exception policy)
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Two professional recommendation letters
• 250-word personal statement outlining professional goals
• USD 50 application fee (waived for alumni, military, and employees)

Format and delivery

The program runs in a fully online asynchronous format with optional synchronous sessions that give you maximum flexibility. FNP students need to attend two on-campus intensive weekends during the program. Students can complete clinical requirements at their chosen locations, and those based in San Diego receive placement assistance.