Nurse Practitioner Programs at UCLA
The UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing has become the core of nursing education in California after alumnus Joe C. Wen and his family made a historic $30 million commitment in 2022. The school made history as UCLA’s first to be named for an Asian American, building a rich legacy over 76 years. The institution broke ground by launching the first undergraduate nursing program west of the Mississippi. It also became California’s first to award a Master of Science in Nursing degree, growing into one of the nation’s leading centers for nursing education and research.
The NP school keeps its learning environment intimate with about 600 students enrolled each year, despite its prominent position in nursing education. The student population has roughly 200 undergraduate and 400 graduate students, which allows for close faculty interaction. Students learn from more than 30 tenured faculty, research professors, and instructors. They also work with over 40 adjunct faculty and lecturers, giving them customized attention while benefiting from a major research university’s resources.
Students can choose from several educational paths and specializations. The four-year undergraduate program prepares future nurses to pass the Registered Nurse licensing exam. Students with degrees in other fields can complete the two-year Master of Science in Nursing program to become Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurse Leaders, or Public Health Nurses.
The school helps address California’s psychiatrist shortage through a one-year certification program that trains nurses in mental health care, delivered mostly online. Research-minded students take the four-year PhD program to gain expertise in scientific research, nursing education, and healthcare policy improvement. The school launched a three-year Post-Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice Program that lets registered nurses pursue advanced practice with doctoral studies.
UCLA Health employs nearly 6,000 nurses across California, creating a strong partnership with the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing. This connection gives students great clinical experience opportunities while building a resilient healthcare system throughout the state. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the school’s degree programs among the nation’s top 10, confirming its excellence in nursing education and research.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs Available
UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing helps aspiring nurse practitioners choose from several pathways that match their career goals and educational backgrounds. The Post-Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post BS-DNP) Program stands at the vanguard of nursing education. This three-year curriculum gives registered nurses doctoral-level expertise in advanced nursing practice, organizational leadership, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice.
The Post BS-DNP program lets students specialize in four distinct tracks: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care. Some tracks also offer an optional Occupational and Environmental Health certificate that provides additional specialization opportunities.
Registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees can choose the two-year Master of Science in Nursing (APRN) program to specialize in Adult/Gerontology, Family, or Pediatric nursing. Graduates become nurse practitioners who assess, diagnose, and manage health needs in primary healthcare settings.
The UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Program is a great way to get specialized training. This 12-month hybrid graduate certificate enables advanced practice registered nurses to provide psychiatric and mental health care throughout a patient’s life. Students learn through online education combined with three immersion sessions and regional clinical training across California. Licensed NPs who complete this 48-unit program qualify to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s certification examination.
UCLA’s partnership with the Anderson Graduate School of Management created a concurrent MBA/MSN program. Students interested in management positions can work in hospitals, corporate healthcare headquarters, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities after completing this program.
UCLA Health System’s team includes over 150 nurse practitioners who provide complete care using standardized procedures defined in the California Nursing Practice Act. These healthcare professionals conduct health histories, physical examinations, develop medical diagnoses, plan care, furnish medications, and work with other healthcare professionals.
UCLA meets California’s growing need for advanced practice nurses in a variety of specialties through these comprehensive programs.
Flexible Learning Formats
UCLA’s Joe C. Wen School of Nursing offers diverse learning formats that fit different student needs and program requirements. The school blends traditional and modern educational approaches to prepare nurse practitioners for their careers.
Some specialized programs at UCLA run mostly through remote learning. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate Program runs as a 12-month hybrid curriculum that combines online classes with three immersion sessions in summer, fall, and winter quarters. Students work with course materials online and take part in clinical training across California.
Students attend virtual class sessions on Wednesdays for clinical case conferences while completing most core courses online throughout the year. This setup creates regular interaction with faculty and classmates. Some programs still run exclusively on campus. The Master of Science Entry program runs full-time at the UCLA campus.
Clinical experiences come with varying schedules. You’ll spend four to five days weekly in either class or clinical settings, which might include evenings and Saturdays. Your clinical instructor’s schedule and site availability determine rotation timing. These rotations become your top priority once they start.
UCLA Extension provides four ways to learn: In Person (classroom-based), Live Online (real-time Zoom sessions), Online (platform-based learning with regular assignments), and Hybrid (mix of in-person, online, and live-online instruction). These options make professional development available to students whatever their situation.
Your learning experience includes one-on-one academic counseling and various interactive formats tailored to help you achieve program requirements and personal goals. This approach is a cornerstone of nurse practitioner education at University of California, Los Angeles.
Admissions & Prerequisites
UCLA’s nurse practitioner programs have strict admission standards. The Post BS-DNP program requires a California RN license, minimum 3.0 GPA in all master’s coursework. Students must document at least 500 clinical hours from their previous nursing education. The program requires completion of an undergraduate, graduate, or equivalent statistics course within five years before starting.
The application process goes beyond academic credentials. Students must submit a goal statement up to 1000 words that explains their professional goals and reasons to apply. The process starts with the UC Application, and a supplemental application follows. These applications have deadlines in December and January.
Students entering the Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse program should complete several prerequisites. These include chemistry, epidemiology, human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, statistics, and English composition. Time limits apply to some courses. Human physiology and nutrition coursework must be completed within five years of starting the program.
International students must meet extra requirements. They should prove their English proficiency through TOEFL with a minimum score of 87 on the internet-based test or IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 7.0. Students should start preparing their applications early to meet all academic prerequisites and documentation requirements before deadlines.
What Sets the NP Programs Apart at University of California, Los Angeles
The Joe C. Wen School of Nursing stands out with its academic excellence and real-life benefits.
The school’s reputation goes beyond rankings. Students learn from over 30 tenured faculty members who bring rich clinical and research experience. These leading healthcare experts serve as mentors to shape future practitioners.
Los Angeles gives students a prime advantage. They gain hands-on experience through UCLA Health’s network of hospitals and clinics. With nearly 6,000 nurses across California, UCLA Health’s system gives students exceptional clinical exposure.
Joe C. Wen’s $30 million endowment shows the school’s drive to advance nursing education. This funding helps develop innovative curricula and expand resources to keep programs state-of-the-art.
The school maintains an intimate learning atmosphere with just 600 students enrolled each year. This smaller size means better student-to-faculty ratios. Students also get full access to research university resources. This perfect balance of personal attention and institutional benefits makes UCLA different from other nursing programs.