Nurse Practitioner Schools
Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs in California
A Nurse Practitioner, or “NP” is a registered nurse who has successfully completed specific coursework in advanced nursing education, which typically results in earning a Master’s Degree—one of the main prerequisites of becoming a licensed Nurse Practitioner. As of 2010, there are about 135,000 practicing NPs.
Types of Nurse Practitioner Programs in California
There are many types of programs for RNs to gain their NP education and certification. These include 2 year nurse practitioner programs, doctorate of Nurse practitioner program online and in traditional learning environments, Family nurse practitioner programs, and accelerated courses.
One example of a California school's NP program is at Sonoma State University.
Please see the Nurse Practitioner Resources section at the bottom of this article for more links to local NP programs.
Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
As with most other areas of the nursing profession, the demand for Nurse Practitioners is on the rise. This has, in turn, increased the demand for more convenient ways for working RNs to continue their education such as online (distance learning) programs.
Nurse Practitioners are licensed by the state in which they practice, and also hold a national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.
What area of nursing do Nurse Practitioners in California specialize in?
Nurse Practitioners are trained and certified in areas of specialization such as: Pediatric Acute/Chronic Care, Pediatric Oncology, Gerontology, Neonatology, Acute Care, Pediatric Critical Care, and general Pediatrics, Mental Health & Psychiatry, Oncology, Adult Health, Women's Health, Occupational Health, and Emergency Medicine.
Who licenses nurse practitioners in the state of California?
Since their primary focus is nursing expertise, nurse practitioners are typically licensed by the board of nursing in the state in which they practice. Visit the California Board of Nursing to find out more about how California licenses and recognizes nurse practitioners.
These specialized RNs also hold a national board certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
California Nurse Practitioner Prerequisites
As in most states, nurse practitioners in California are in most cases already registered nurses (RN's). The nurse practitioner title usually comes with the completion of a masters in nursing program at any accredited school of nursing. The end result being a Masters in Science of Nursing degree (MSN) with specialization as a nurse practitioner.
California Nurse Practitioner Resources
Online Nurse Practitioner Master’s Programs in California
Azusa Pacific University
- 901 E. Alosta Ave Azusa, CA 91702
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, Adult & Gerontology NP, FNP, Parish Nursing, Pediatric CNS, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, School Nurse
(626) 969-3434
California State University at Dominguez Hills
- 1000 E. Victoria Street Carson, CA 90747
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, Clinical Nurse Leader, FNP, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Pediatric CNS
(310) 243-3696
California State University
- 5241 N. Maple Ave. Fresno, CA 93740
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, FNP, Pediatric CNS, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, School Nurse
(559) 278-4240
California State University at Fullerton
- 800 N. State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92831
Master’s Programs: CRNA, Midwifery, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, School Nurse, Women's Health NP
(657) 278-2011
University of California – Irvine
- Campus Dr. and West Peltason Dr. Irvine, CA 92697
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology NP, FNP
(949) 824-5011
Loma Linda University
- 11370 Anderson Street Loma Linda, CA 92354
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, Adult & Gerontology NP, CRNA, FNP, Neonatal NP, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Pediatric CNS, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP
(909) 558-2850
California State University at Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90840
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology NP, Clinical Nurse Specialist, FNP, Nursing Administration, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, Public Health Nursing, School Nurse, Women's Health NP
(562) 985-4111
University of California, Los Angeles
- 405 Hilgard Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90095
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology NP, FNP, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, School Nurse
(310) 825-4321
California State University
- 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA 90032
Master’s Programs: Family & Gerontology NP, FNP, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, School Nurse
(323) 343-3000
Samuel Merritt College
- 3100 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94609
Master’s Programs: Case Management, CRNA, FNP
(510) 869-6511
Western University of Health Sciences
- 309 E Second St. Pomona, CA 91766
Master’s Programs: Ambulatory Care, Clinical Nurse Leader, FNP, Nursing Administration
(909) 623-6116
California Baptist University
- 8432 Magnolia Avenue Riverside, CA 92504
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, FNP, Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration
(877) 228-3615
Sonoma State University
- 1801 East Cotati Ave. Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Master’s Programs: FNP
(707) 664-2880
California State University at Sacramento
- 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819
Master’s Programs: FNP, Nurse Educator, School Nurse
(916) 278-6011
University of San Diego
- 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, Clinical Nurse Leader, FNP, Holistic Nursing, Nurse Educator, Nursing Informatics, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP
(619) 260-4600
University of California – San Francisco
- 55 Laguna Street San Francisco, CA 94102
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, Adult & Gerontology NP, FNP, Midwifery, Nursing Oncology, Nursing Policy, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, Public Health Nursing, Women's Health NP
(415) 252-3016
San Francisco State University
- 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology NP, Nursing Administration, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Public Health Nursing, Women's Health NP
(415) 338-1111
California State University at San Marcos
- 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road San Marcos, CA 92096
Master’s Programs: Adult & Gerontology CNS, Clinical Nurse Leader, FNP, Nurse Educator, Pediatric CNS, Psychiatric & Mental Health NP, Public Health Nursing
(760) 750-4000