15 Best DNP Programs in California – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Are you a California RN who’s interested in shaping the future of nursing in the Golden State? Then you should give serious thought to one of the DNP programs in California. As a Doctor of Nursing Practice, you’ll be prepared to get involved in ways that shape and change the nursing profession. On average, DNP-prepared registered nurses earn $169,440 a year. Many DNP programs in the Golden State offer a blend of online coursework and campus intensives, which will allow you to pursue your studies while you’re also fulfilling your job and family commitments. Review this list of the 15 best DNP programs in California for 2025.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN CALIFORNIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 15 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in California (Online & Campus).
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP and
MSN to DNP
If you have decided to pursue your doctorate from one of the best DNP programs in California, then you must check out University of San Diego. Here, along with two DNP paths, you have a wide range of specialization options to choose from. Whatever your career goals may be, you will graduate with clinical expertise ready to transform health care. With a close-knit environment, the individualized attention that you receive here, helps you nurture meaningful bonds with faculty and peers.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Dual Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner, Dual Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics and Data Science, and Health Systems Leadership
This BSN to DNP track is open to RNs prepared with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. With five NP and two non-NP specialties, you can choose an area of your interest. Depending on the track you choose, graduation requires completing 78 to 83 credits which can be taken either on a full-time or part-time basis.
MSN to DNP Tracks:
MSN to DNP for APRNs, Health Systems Leadership, Nursing Informatics and Data Science, and Emergency Care for Family Nurse Practitioners
Offered in a hybrid format, this MSN to DNP path prepares you with a choice of four tracks. So, if you are an APRN who is keen on gaining the highest level of nursing education while retaining your current specialization then you can enroll in the MSN to DNP-APRN track which requires completing 34 credits over two years. The other three areas of emphasis prepare you for certification in either Health Systems Leadership, Nursing Informatics, or Emergency Care for FNPs. Depending on the track you enroll, graduation requires completing 49 to 55 credits.
Programs Offered:
DNP
The University of San Francisco offers one of the most veteran-friendly DNP programs in California that prepares you for direct and indirect patient care roles through funding support of the Yellow Ribbon Program. Here, you can either choose to pursue an NP specialty or a leadership track in conjunction with your DNP education. To prepare you for leadership roles in the complex healthcare environment the college combines courses in business, informatics, and healthcare administration with advanced nursing practice.
DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner, Executive Leadership,
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Population Health Leadership
To be considered for this DNP program, you must have completed your BSN or MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Depending on your interest and career goals, you can decide to enroll in either the direct patient care track of FNP or PMHNP, or choose indirect patient-care roles with the Executive Leadership or Population Health Leadership track. While for both the NP tracks you can enter with a BSN or MSN, the leadership tracks are open only to masters prepared nurses. Depending on the track you enroll you, credit requirements range from 42 to 59 credits. Regardless of the track, most students complete this program within two years of study.
Programs Offered:
DNP
Are you interested in completing your doctorate from one of the top Christian DNP schools in California? If so, you may want to learn about California Baptist University, a well-known private nursing school that prepares nurse leaders to serve the community. Here, you will be empowered with knowledge and skills to solve real-world challenges that are faced in the healthcare of the underserved and vulnerable populations across the nation. The DNP program is designed for working nurses with majority of the coursework being delivered online and campus visits required only 3 to 4 times during the two years of the program.
To qualify for this doctorate, you must have completed an MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.3 and carry an active RN license in CA. To graduate, you require completing 36 to 62 credits in courses, some of which include organizational systems leadership, health policy & advocacy, innovation in quality & safety, healthcare finance, transformational technology, and population health. The coursework ends with a DNP project and a clinical practicum. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to take up leadership roles in healthcare and education.
Programs Offered:
DNP
Enrolling in the DNP program offered by San Jose State University prepares you to become an agent of change in the state's diverse healthcare environment. The evidence-based doctoral education aims at producing clinical leaders, managers, and practitioners who strive to improve health and wellness. Even though majority of the coursework is offered online, you progress through it as part of a cohort, building some meaningful connections along the way. Program graduates demonstrate enhanced communication and critical thinking skills, besides a commitment to health equity and social justice.
To be considered for San Jose's DNP, you must have either completed your MSN or masters in a health-related field. Additionally, an active RN or APRN license is also required. Upon enrollment, most students complete this program within 23 months, taking three courses each semester, completing the 15 courses within five semesters. The program consists of 35 doctoral credits and culminates in a doctoral project.
Programs Offered:
BSN to DNP and
Post-Masters to DNP
Ever thought of taking your nursing career to the highest possible level without really visiting a campus to attend classes? Well, by enrolling in Brandman University's online DNP programs in California you can achieve this goal by combining online studies with highly immersive simulation experiences. The college's supportive environment and dedicated faculty provide students with a personalized learning experience to help them achieve their advanced practice goals.
BSN to DNP Tracks:
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and
Family/Across the Lifespan NP
This BSN to DNP track seamlessly prepares you for the advanced care of either psychiatric mental health patients or families across the lifespan, depending on the track you choose. To qualify for this program, you must have a BSN and an unencumbered RN license in CA. Regardless of the track you enter, the coursework comprises of graduate science core, DNP core, advanced practice core, and specialty-specific courses, after completion of which you will be eligible to take the certification exam within your chosen population foci. Graduation requires completing 73 credits over a span of three years of full-time study.
Post-Masters to DNP:
This DNP track builds up on your master's in nursing and emphasizes clinical leadership and evidence-based practices to transform healthcare delivery. With this track, if you wish to, you may choose to add a specialization in either the care of mental health patients, or families across the lifespan. Depending on your previous coursework, to graduate you must complete a minimum of 33 credits and 500 clinical hours.
Programs Offered:
DNP (Nurse Anesthesia) and
DNP (Post-Master's)
Counted among the well-known DNP programs in California, California State University prepares doctorate graduates for leadership roles not only in prominent practice settings but also to lead in national professional organizations. CSUF's DNP program, with a concentration in Nurse Anesthesia, is offered in partnership with the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia, a leader in nurse anesthesia education. Known for producing competent graduates, here you will go through learning experiences at community hospitals and also at other schools of anesthesia.
DNP (Nurse Anesthesia):
This is a three-year program offered to students after completing a BSN or an MSN. The program comprising of 110 credits includes courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, and advanced principles of anesthesia. Besides, critical thinking, interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and decision-making skills are enhanced through this full-time coursework. Additionally, the clinical practice includes learning experiences at Kaiser Permanente facility and other affiliated clinical sites.
DNP (Post-Master's):
To be considered for this DNP program you must have a master's degree in nursing or a health-related field. The program builds upon your MSN knowledge and takes it to the highest level of clinical excellence. This program is offered in a hybrid format and takes five semesters to complete. The practice-oriented curriculum requires completing 36 credits and a total of 1000 hours of clinical practice before you graduate. The core coursework mainly includes courses in data management, quality improvement, advanced evidence-based practice, epidemiology, healthcare informatics, in addition to courses in faculty development, management & leadership, and advanced nursing practice.
Programs Offered:
DNP
If you are searching for online DNP programs in California that can easily fit into your busy life, then you may want to consider Point Loma Nazarene University's doctorate that is offered mainly online with only once a semester campus visit required for intensives. Although the college offers a Christian environment, it welcomes students from all faiths and walks of life and strongly supports their personal as well as professional growth. The program prepares you for a broad range of career options, be it that of nursing faculty, nurse manager, nurse practitioner, or even entrepreneurship.
Here, the DNP degree can be pursued through two pathways of BSN to DNP or MSN to DNP. Entering after a BSN requires completing 81 credits within 48 months, whereas post MSN you take 24 months to complete the 42 credits of the DNP coursework. Also, if you are keen on receiving the Nurse Faculty Loan Program aid then in addition to the graduate core courses, you must complete any one course from the nursing education electives. Some of the core courses that you take include introduction to statistics & data analysis, healthcare policy & leadership, informatics, project management, evidence-based practices, and healthcare leadership.
Programs Offered:
DNP
By completing your DNP in California from Azusa Pacific University, you can deepen your nursing knowledge and graduate with advanced practice skills grounded in Christ-centered values of compassion and service. Also, if you come from the military, Azusa being a Yellow Ribbon University supports your transition and helps to achieve your terminal degree in nursing through a smooth and affordable experience. DNP education here is strongly based on a scientific foundation, emphasizing evidence-based practices, nursing leadership, and organizational analysis.
This program is meant for advanced practice nurses prepared in direct and indirect patient care roles. It is offered as an online program with a minimal residency requirement at the Monrovia campus. As an MSN graduate, this program not only expands your practice knowledge but also prepares you to transform healthcare, both locally and globally. To graduate, depending on your previous coursework, you require completing 39 to 54 credits which also include the DNP scholarly project. Also, as a nurse practitioner, if you want to gain specialized skills in oncology, you can do so by co-enrolling into the oncology certificate. The good news is should you choose to complete the additional 12 oncology credits, you will be able to apply them towards your DNP degree.
Programs Offered:
DNP
Whether you have family commitments or are a full-time working nurse, or even for that matter are on active military duty, with Western University you can pursue a DNP program in California through flexible web-based programs. The coursework is offered through synchronous and asynchronous learning activities which are well complemented by weekend seminars and intensives. As a DNP graduate of this program, you will be able to explore diverse roles in healthcare, be it administration, management, education, or practice. Here, you will be mentored by an accomplished faculty, many of whom have earned recognition, both at the state and national levels. Furthermore, if you intend to take up teaching after completing your DNP, you can gain eligibility for loan forgiveness of up to 85% through the National Faculty Loan Program.
As an MSN graduate, you can complete this DNP program within two years of full-time study. Graduation requires completing 33 to 39 credits in courses which include epidemiological principles for population health, population-based prevention in vulnerable populations, quality & leadership, social justice, healthcare advocacy, and transformational information systems for healthcare. As an elective, the college also offers two courses in nursing education which you must take if you intend to receive the NFLP aid.
Programs Offered:
DNP (DNP-FNP) and
DNP (Post-Master's)
University of California, known for its excellence in scholarship and innovation in practice, receives generous funding for research in oncology, HIV/AIDS, pediatrics, women's health, nursing education, and mental health. If you find your calling in any of these areas of research, you can consider enrolling in either of these California DNP programs that offer a community-based curriculum.
DNP (DNP-FNP):
This DNP-FNP program is meant for BSN or MSN graduates aspiring to provide autonomous family practice in diverse types of primary care settings. The coursework takes you through rigorous training, preparing you for the FNP certification within three years of graduation. The highlight of this program is the interprofessional learning environment it provides in collaboration with the School of Medicine, Public Health, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
DNP (Post-Master's):
This post-master's DNP path is meant for advanced practice nurses prepared at the master's level. The coursework is offered in a hybrid format with synchronous and asynchronous classes and takes around two years to complete. With a focus on leadership, the flexibility of coursework allows you to continue with your current work commitments. The 52-credit curriculum mainly trains you in quality improvement, research & analytical methods, evidence-based practice, population health, and organizational and systems leadership.
Programs Offered:
DNPNurse Anesthesia and
Post-Master's DNP
California State University, Long Beach offers DNP aspirants the unique opportunity of completing their DNP core courses through the consortium of three large CSU campuses - Fullerton, Long Beach, and Los Angeles. As a result of which, with this practice-focused DNP, you are trained under the able mentorship of faculty across these three universities, giving you a much broader learning experience. The college offers this California Doctor of Nursing degree through two programs, a DNP in conjunction with a CRNA specialty and a DNP designed for advanced practice nurses. Enrollment into both these programs is offered through CSU Fullerton.
DNP (Nurse Anesthesia):
To be eligible for the Nurse Anesthesia track you must have either a BSN or an MSN, whereas for the post-masters track you must have a master's degree. The anesthesia track is offered in partnership with the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia and takes around three years to complete, on a full-time basis. To graduate, you must earn a total of 110 credits in evidence-based courses that include data management, basic & advanced principles of anesthesia, and systems leadership for quality improvement & systems thinking. Upon completion of this coursework, you will stand eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.
DNP (Post-Master's):
The post-masters, meant for advanced practice nurses prepares you for leadership roles within your current specialty. Graduation requires completing 36 to 39 credits and a total of 1000 hours of clinical practice.
Programs Offered:
DNP
California State University prepares you to lead and transform healthcare in the nation's complex healthcare environment. This practice-based California Doctor of Nursing Practice program has produced nurse leaders who have contributed to the state's increasing healthcare needs. The college's coursework offered through the distance learning format provides you the flexibility to pursue this terminal degree without putting your current job on hold. With three start dates in fall, spring, and summer, you can enroll when you are ready.
To qualify for this DNP, you must have completed a master's in a health-related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The 37-credit curriculum educates you on societal issues in healthcare, application of biostatics to populations, healthcare leadership, data management, health policy & economics, curriculum development, evaluation in nursing education, and evidence-based teaching in nursing. Towards the end of the program, you complete a doctoral project which entails an oral defense and submitting an article to a peer-reviewed journal. Furthermore, included in the coursework are a total of 1000 hours of clinical practice, out of which practicum hours completed in your MSN and BSN are also accounted for.
Programs Offered:
BS to DNP and
MS to DNP
Offering faith-based nursing education, Loma Linda University trains you to care for the person as a whole. The university's state-of-art facility and acclaimed faculty provide a conducive learning environment for DNP students to gain the highest level of skills and knowledge. Whether you are prepared at the baccalaureate or master's level, here you can seamlessly complete your doctorate in conjunction with either an NP or CNS specialty.
BS to DNP Tracks:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS),
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Nurse Practitioner (NP) (
Adult/Gerontology (AGNP),
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP),
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), and
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (Psych NP))
The BSN to DNP track is designed for full-time working RNs, keen on obtaining the terminal nursing degree. This 3-year program which is open to BSN graduates does not offer an exit option after an MSN. If you aspire to get certified as an NP, you can choose from the adult-gerontology, family nurse practitioner, pediatrics, or psychiatric nurse practitioner tracks. Alternatively, the college also offers CNS and CRNA tracks, so depending on your interest you can enroll. To graduate you are required to complete credits ranging from 73 to 148, depending on your chosen area of emphasis.
MS to DNP:
This MSN to DNP program builds upon your previous nursing degree and trains you for healthcare leadership rooted in Christian values. The 45-credit coursework educates you in healthcare systems leadership, social determinants of health, health systems finance, intermediate statistics, ethics & health disparities, and theology of human suffering.
Programs Offered:
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
National University is a veteran-friendly school that offers a supportive learning environment and accessible advanced practice education to military and non-military students. As a Yellow Ribbon school, NU offers discounted tuition rate if you are a service member or a dependent. The university has also earned the distinction of being the only school in the world to be recognized by the Planetree Initiative for training its graduates to offer the highest level of patient-centered healthcare. Here, you will go through rigorous didactic learning in addition to extensive on-site and simulation clinical experiences.
The DNP program is meant for candidates who have completed their BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and hold an active RN license. The curriculum comprises 34 courses, some of which include advanced pharmacology, nurse anesthesia physiology, principles of anesthesia, anesthesia physical assessment, health policy & advocacy, epidemiology, healthcare economics, and systems analysis. The program is systematically divided into two portions, the first being didactic courses and simulation learning, and the second potion mainly centered on varied clinical experiences at an affiliated hospital. Towards the end of your coursework, you complete a DNP project emphasizing your role in influencing healthcare.
Programs Offered:
DNP
Touro University California must be on your list if you are passionate about providing evidence-based care to a diverse patient population across the lifespan. It offers one of the few DNP programs in California that prepare you for the highest care of communities with the convenience of an online coursework. Here, education is grounded in values of leadership, diversity, collaboration, and life-long learning. As a DNP graduate, you will demonstrate excellent professional skills in critical thinking, political policy, and decision making.
DNP Tracks:
Family Nurse Practitioner
This DNP track designed to build up on your MSN prepares you for certification as an FNP. The 46 to 52 credit coursework comprises 20 credits in foundational courses and 26 credits in advanced practice courses. Also included are 1000 hours of clinical practice at various primary care settings across the region. As such, you can complete these experiences within your geographical location, however for experiences in rural healthcare you may require to travel.
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