8 Best BSN to DNP Programs in California – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
BSN to DNP programs in California are growing in popularity. They’re the quickest way to earn the Doctor of Nursing Science degree that will enable you to become one of the leaders of your profession. Many of these programs are offered online, which means you don’t have to interrupt your family and job obligations. On average, DNP-prepared RNs in the Golden State earn $169,440 a year. Interested in learning more about this DNP route? Keep reading to learn about the 8 best BSN to DNP programs in California for 2025.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN TO DNP PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our
ranking methodology, the following are the 8 Best BSN to DNP Programs in California (Online & Campus).)
Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care, Dual Adult-Gerontology/Family Nurse Practitioner, Dual Pediatric/Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Leadership, and Nursing Informatics & Data Science
Whether you are keen on advancing your nursing career or intending to gain specialized skills in a specific area of emphasis, at the University of San Diego you will be prepared to lead and improve healthcare, locally as well as globally. Counted among the best BSN to DNP programs in California, the nursing school offers a broad range of concentrations in direct and indirect patient care which aim towards clinical expertise, leadership, and a commitment to human connection. With a faculty of scholars, clinicians, and leaders, here you will be mentored in a nurturing and serene academic environment.
This BSN to DNP program is open to BSN graduates with an unencumbered license in California. Also, at least one year of relevant work experience is required as a registered nurse. While on a part-time basis you can complete this program within four to five years, if you enroll for a full-time schedule you can earn your DNP degree in three years. Depending on the track you enroll in, to graduate you must complete credits ranging from 67 to 83, with the Health Systems Leadership track requiring the least and the dual specialization requiring the most number of credits.
Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner and
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Among the well-known BSN to DNP programs in California, the University of San Francisco offers BSN-prepared registered nurses the opportunity to seamlessly pursue doctorate education through a combination of online and on-campus classes. The college’s focus on interprofessional collaborations goes a long way in preparing you for leadership roles in any type of healthcare environment. The degree is offered in conjunction with two advanced practice tracks; Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health.
This BSN to DNP program prepares you for advanced patient care roles in either family health or mental health of patients across the lifespan. To be considered for admission you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and documentation of an active RN license. The core courses common to both the programs integrate nursing with business, information technology, and healthcare administration to equip you with vital skills required to transform healthcare. While the part-time track takes around 4 to 5 years, if you enroll for the full-time schedule you can complete the program in three years.
Concentrations: Clinical Nurse Specialist,
Nurse Practitioner(Adult/Gerontology (AGNP),
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP),
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), &
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Psych NP) ) and
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Loma Linda University designs its BSN to DNP program keeping the working nurse in mind. With flexible schedules, this BSN to DNP program in California prepares you for the role of a nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, or advanced nurse practitioner depending on whether you enroll in the CNS, CRNA, or any of NP specialties. As a graduate of this program, you will demonstrate enhanced clinical judgment and evidence-based knowledge to plan and implement change in healthcare.
The program is open to registered nurses with an active RN license. The nurse anesthesia track requires 148 credits which most students complete within four years. On the other hand, the clinical nurse specialist track which takes three years is offered with a specialization in adult/gerontology. The CNS-Adult/Gerontology curriculum comprising of 73-semester units includes courses that teach you evidence-based practice to improve health outcomes for adults and the elderly populations. If you choose to specialize in any of the NP specialties, such as the AGNP, FNP, PNP, and Psych NP tracks, upon completion of the program you will be eligible to take the certification within your population foci.
![]()
If you are shortlisting online BSN to DNP programs in California that combine the benefits of a few face-to-face classes, then you may want to consider Point Loma Nazarene University. Its online Doctorate, designed for BSN graduates prepares you for leadership roles within the complex healthcare field. Equipped with future-ready skills and knowledge, graduates of this program are known to be in demand among employers of the region.
After the BSN degree, you can complete the 81-credit coursework within 48 months of study. To be considered for the program, you must have worked as a registered nurse for at least one year. The curriculum mainly teaches you healthcare policy & leadership, informatics, project management, evidence-based practice management, and translating research into practice. Also, if you intend to receive funding through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program you must complete one course in graduation education from a choice of electives.
Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner
University of California-Irvine has produced many nurse leaders that have made an impact in the field of advanced practice and nursing education. The college is known for excellence in scholarship, its focus on community health, and innovative research in the field of oncology, mental health, and women’s health. This California BSN to DNP program is offered through convenient synchronous and asynchronous online classes and takes around three years to complete.
As a BSN graduate with an active RN license, you will be eligible to apply for this terminal nursing degree. Offered in conjunction with the FNP specialty, the program makes you eligible for the FNP certification exam. Apart from the core graduate and FNP specific courses, the college also offers two education-based elective courses that you can opt for should you plan to teach in the future. Along with the didactic courses the curriculum also includes 1,020 hours of clinical practice at varied primary care settings.
Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner
Are you checking out online BSN to DNP programs in California that can easily fit into your part-time or full-time work schedule? If so, you can consider enrolling in Samuel Merritt University’s DNP that is designed for working registered nurses. Providing you a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and patient-centric care, upon graduation, you will be able to explore various leadership positions such as that of a clinician, chief nursing officer, nurse researcher, or director of nursing.
Offered in conjunction with the FNP specialty, this program is open to BSN graduates. While most of the courses are offered online, the program also entails attending a few on-campus residencies. By completing the 65 credits of this BSN to DNP path you can take your calling to improve health to the highest level. Additionally, to graduate you must also complete 525 FNP practice hours and 475 DNP hours of clinical practice.
Concentrations: Nurse Anesthesia
If you are looking at enrolling in a BSN to DNP program in California that is known for academic excellence and quality patient-care training, then you may want to consider California State University’s doctorate education. The DNP degree is offered in conjunction with the nurse anesthesia specialty in partnership with the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia. The three-year program has been leading the way for graduate nurse anesthesia education, offering this path to BSN graduates since 1972.
To graduate from this BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia program you are required to complete 110 units of full-time coursework. Apart from the core graduate courses, the curriculum also includes all anesthesia techniques. Here, the didactic courses are complemented by clinical training at the college’s state-of-art simulation lab, followed by practical experiences at various clinical sites. Upon completion of the program, you will graduate with enhanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Concentrations: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and
Family/Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
Brandman University prepares you with a DNP degree in two specialties - psychiatric mental health or family health. The hybrid format of the program allows you to work while pursuing the highest degree in nursing. The patient-centric and culturally relevant training prepares you to provide advanced care to a diverse patient population. With this BSN to DNP degree, you not will not only be able to propel your career, but you will also play a significant role in improving healthcare across the state.
If you are interested in working in primary care settings, caring for individuals and families across the lifespan, then you must enroll in the FNP track, whereas if you find your calling in serving mental health patients, you must take the psychiatric mental health track. Regardless of the track, to qualify for admission you must be a BSN graduate and carry an unencumbered RN license in the state you plan to complete your clinical practicum. To graduate, you must complete 73 credits in graduate science core, DNP core, advanced core, and specialty-specific courses.
VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY
Nearby States
Popular Related Articles