Academic Programs
Bachelor of Science (freshman and transfer)
The BS Prelicensure program is designed to prepare students for a career in professional nursing practice. This is a traditional, four-year program beginning in the freshman year. A limited number of transfer students are accepted annually. Graduates of the BS program are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to be licensed as a registered nurse (R.N.) and may apply for the Public Health Nursing Certificate from the California Board of Registered Nursing. The BS program is a UCLA-certified capstone major. During the last clinical course in the fourth year, each student plans and implements a clinically-based Scholarly Project designed to improve the system of care provided to patients and their families.
Students successfully completing the BS degree also acquire an educational foundation for entry into the master's program that prepares nurses for advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and administrators in primary and acute care.
Master of Science in Nursing - Master's Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN)
The UCLA School of Nursing has an option within the Master of Science in Nursing degree program that is designed to prepare individuals with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline for a career in nursing. This two-year pre-licensure program includes summer enrollment between the first and second years. Those who complete the program are granted the Master in Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination(NCLEX) to be licensed as registered nurses (RN). They are then prepared to practice nursing at the bedside in a hospital setting.
Graduates of the program may also apply for a Public Health Nursing Certificate from the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Post BS (Nursing) - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
Become a leader in healthcare with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. This new three-year, Post Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post BS-DNP) Program is designed to prepare registered nurses to become experts and leaders in advanced practice while completing a doctoral degree in nursing.
The Post BS-DNP Program provides a pathway for post-baccalaureate nurses who desire the role of a nurse practitioner (NP) with doctoral-level knowledge and skills in advanced nursing practice, organizational and systems leadership, quality improvement and evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, population health, ethics, interprofessional collaboration, and quality and safety of patient care.
Students may choose from four specialities – Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – with the option of adding an Occupational and Environmental Health certificate to two of the tracks.
The UCLA School of Nursing Post BS-DNP Program will welcome its inaugural cohort in Fall 2025.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The UCLA School of Nursing (SON) offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree program with the goal in developing the foundation of knowledge upon which the practice of the profession is based. The UCLA SON PhD program aims to develop nurse scientists who can conduct research and generate theory that incorporate the influence of the biologic, psychosocial and physical environments on health and healthcare. Areas of focus and interest include, but are not limited to: health of diverse and vulnerable populations, older adults and persons with chronic and communicable diseases.
Doctoral graduates serve as leaders who educate, influence practice, advance science, optimize healthcare delivery and influence healthcare policy worldwide.
PhD students are guaranteed full in-state tuition support funding for the first four years of their program. A non-resident supplemental tuition (NRST) fee grant is offered to non-resident students in the first year only. Additionally, there are funding opportunities that can provide up to $30,000 in annual financial support to be allocated towards room, board, and ordinary living expenses, in addition to full tuition and fee coverage. Nursing PhD students are prioritized for graduate housing at UCLA
UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program
The UC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program curriculum is competency-based and aligned with the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) core and population specific competencies which include: scientific foundations, leadership, quality, practice inquiry, technology and information literacy, policy, health delivery system and ethics. The curriculum is built upon a framework which supports trainee knowledge, skills and attitude for development of the PMHNP role. This is supported through didactic content and a workplace-based clinical internship. The curricular framework and descriptions are:
- PMHNP role development: To build excellence in practice as a PMHNP
- Interprofessional collaboration: To support communication and collaboration across professions
- Structural competency: To create healthcare professionals who understand the effect of social inequity, racism and limited access to mental healthcare on individuals and communities
- Self-reflective practice: To gain awareness of self, others and situation in the context of professional identity and role development
If you are interested in receiving more information, please fill out the Prospective Applicant Interest Form or use the QR Code.
The MSN-APRN and self-supporting Doctor of Nursing Practice program are no longer accepting applicants. If you are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing, please visit our PhD Program page or the new Post BS-DNP Program page. - September 2024
Unsure about which Program is appropriate for you?
See the School of Nursing Programs Pathways map.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the UCLA School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
All programs of study are approved by the Academic Senate of the University of California and the California Board of Registered Nursing. Curricular oversight and periodic reviews are conducted by the UCLA Academic Senate's Undergraduate and Graduate Councils. UCLA holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).