Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in CA: Top Schools & More
Registered nurses (RNs) who want to transition to nurse practitioners (NPs) have several options when it comes to online programs in California. One of the highest-paying states for nurses, California is a popular option for nursing students who want to advance their career and earn more. In this guide, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about becoming an NP and highlighted three standout options for online NP training in California.
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Inside the Types of NP Programs in California
Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) can lead to increased job opportunities and higher earning potential. Plus, NPs are in high demand everywhere, including California, where projections show a shortage of over 8,000 primary care clinicians by 2030.
NP programs are generally for RNs who want to advance their careers or find higher paying positions. If you currently hold your nursing license, becoming an NP requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), post-master’s certificate program, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Check out the following three programs to see which level (or school) might be the right choice.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
To become a nurse practitioner, nurses must complete at least an MSN. Earning an online MSN in California can open doors to more jobs and better pay, while positively impacting patient care. Whether specializing in family practice, acute care, or another area of nursing, an MSN provides the foundation for success and advancement in the healthcare field. Online MSN programs usually have online classes with an in-person clinical internship.
California State University Dominguez Hills
- Duration: Three years
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $3,804/semester
Post-Master’s Certificate
If you hold a graduate degree and want to enhance your expertise in specialized nursing areas, enrolling in a certificate program might be the right choice. The post-master’s NP certificate is a non-degree program that prepares RNs to become NPs. This option extends your knowledge beyond what you’ve gained in your master’s nursing program, allowing you to delve into diverse clinical domains like adult care, pediatric care, geriatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, and street medicine.
Touro University California
- Duration: Two years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $1,040/credit
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A DNP program prepares nursing professionals to become NPs through advanced coursework and extensive clinical hours. Unlike a PhD which focuses on research, the DNP emphasizes advanced clinical skills, evidence-based practice, and healthcare policy. DNP graduates are prepared for roles as nurse practitioners, nurse executives, educators, and leaders in healthcare policy and advocacy. There are different programs for RNs who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an MSN.
California State University Long Beach
- Duration: Three years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $8,094.00/semester for California residents; non-residents pay an extra $420 per credit
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FAQs About Online NP Programs in California
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in California?
It will take between two to four years to become an NP in California, with most programs averaging three years to complete. Exactly how long it takes depends on the type of program you choose and how many credits you’ll transfer to the program.
There are some fast-track programs that can significantly reduce the time you spend in school, but they often have more prerequisites and more rigorous coursework.
What is the easiest NP program to get into?
If you don’t have as much experience as an RN, a bridge program may be the easiest to start. Each type of NP program will have different requirements for admission, but one of the best options for RNs is the RN to NP bridge degree program. Many of these, such as the RN to MSN bridge program, allow you to go directly from an associate degree to a master’s degree without earning your BSN first.
What is the difference between an NP and an APRN?
The main difference between an NP and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is specialization.APRN is a more general term for a nurse with an advanced level degree; an NP is considered a type of APRN. As an NP, you can specialize in a variety of areas, including acute care nursing, adult gerontology, and pediatrics. An APRN could be a NP or a clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or certified registered nurse anesthetist.
What is the quickest way to become a nurse practitioner?
The quickest way to become a nurse practitioner is with an accelerated NP program. Although the actual length of the program varies, many of these accelerated programs can be completed in two years or less. Considering how demanding it can be to start a new degree program, it’s no surprise that many students want to spend less time in school. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of choosing such a rigorous program.
Can I open my own practice as a nurse practitioner in California?
Under certain conditions, NPs in California can practice on their own. A 2023 California rule created two new categories of nurse practitioners. One of the categories is for NPs who have completed a certain number of clinical hours and are permitted to practice without physician supervision. However, they can only practice in a facility where a doctor or surgeon practices so that they still have the support they need.
Licensing and Certification for California Nurse Practitioners
To practice as an NP in California, the California Board of Registered Nursing has specific education and certification requirements you need to meet. These requirements are to ensure you have the proper skills in physical diagnosis, psycho-social assessment, and management of health-illness needs.
In the same way you had to pass the NCLEX exam to become an RN, to become an NP, you’ll have to pass certain certification exams according to your specialization. Each specialization has different requirements, but to obtain any NP license in California, you’ll have to apply to the California Board of Nursing. Your application must include proof you completed an approved NP program in California or that you hold a national certification.
Keeping your license up-to-date also requires participation in 30 hours of continuing education courses. NP licenses must be renewed every two years in California, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to complete your nursing courses.
Career Outlook for California Nurse Practitioners
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| California | 21,500 | 34,100 | 12,600 | 58.60% | 2,500 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| California | $124,330 | $166,610 | $234,800 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $129,890 | $165,460 | $209,170 |
| Chico, CA | $127,900 | $159,400 | $196,250 |
| El Centro, CA | $95,980 | $166,090 | $205,460 |
| Fresno, CA | $126,050 | $161,550 | $204,230 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $106,540 | $158,400 | $178,450 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,710 | $164,510 | $212,380 |
| Merced, CA | $92,010 | $153,100 | $176,310 |
| Modesto, CA | $105,890 | $164,790 | $209,930 |
| Napa, CA | $166,400 | $216,380 | $217,440 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,590 | $155,440 | $200,430 |
| Redding, CA | $127,190 | $154,370 | $180,130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $99,990 | $162,470 | $207,990 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $100,660 | $164,520 | $231,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $127,020 | $168,270 | $216,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $104,150 | $162,030 | $229,850 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $140,910 | $220,330 | $239,200+ |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,020 | $225,730 | $239,200+ |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $127,970 | $156,840 | $204,050 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $121,990 | $159,090 | $204,280 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $129,030 | $171,150 | $203,790 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $104,400 | $164,630 | $228,850 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $124,450 | $161,010 | $213,870 |
| Vallejo, CA | $129,210 | $169,990 | $239,200+ |
| Visalia, CA | $100,640 | $156,740 | $202,140 |
| Yuba City, CA | $110,620 | $158,280 | $219,910 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Ranking the Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs in California
Finding the right online NP program isn’t always easy, especially when there are several types of programs to choose from. We’ve ranked some of the best NP programs in California based on factors such as their accreditation, online components, and availability of student resources. While most NP programs require some type of clinical training, we’ve prioritized schools that have a greater number of online programs and a high percentage of students in online education.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Why We Selected University of San Francisco:
- The program offers a hybrid learning model, combining online and in-person courses for flexible study.
- The curriculum emphasizes social justice and ethical responsibility, aligning with the Jesuit mission.
- Students can earn a Master of Public Health concurrently, saving time and enhancing career prospects.
Program Details
- AccreditationWSCUC
- Average In-State Tuition$52,920
- Average Institutional Aid$27,100
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course69%
- % of Students Receiving an Award74%
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Why We Selected University of Southern California:
- The USC Chan Entry-Level OTD program offers a Doctoral Capstone Experience allowing specialization in clinical practice or research.
- The program includes four practice immersions in diverse areas like pediatrics and mental health, enhancing clinical skills.
- The curriculum emphasizes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, preparing students for culturally responsive care.
Program Details
- AccreditationWASC
- Average In-State Tuition$60,446
- Average Institutional Aid$36,359
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course27%
- % of Students Receiving an Award91%
- Student/Faculty Ratio9/1
Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, California
Why We Selected Samuel Merritt University:
- The program offers personalized support with dedicated 1:1 mentorship throughout the DNP journey.
- It provides a blend of online and on-campus learning, offering flexibility for working RNs.
- The curriculum includes a minimum of 1,000 clinical and DNP-FNP project hours for comprehensive experience.
Program Details
- AccreditationWASC
- Average In-State Tuition$48,270
- Average Institutional AidN/A
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course3%
- % of Students Receiving an AwardN/A
- Student/Faculty Ratio7/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
