Which Nursing Schools Are in the San Francisco, CA Area?
Learn about nursing schools in San Francisco. Get information about available degree programs, tuition costs and admission requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Are you interested in studying nursing in San Francisco, California? The information below pertains to bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree programs in the area. Here you will read about specific courses at three different universities in or near San Francisco.
What You Need to Know
If you're already a registered nurse, you can earn your bachelor's in a program that takes about a year and a half of study. Otherwise, the typical bachelor's degree in nursing requires about four years of study. You can also earn a master's or doctorate in nursing, which could prepare you for practitioner roles, nursing leadership or research.
Bachelor Degree Programs in Nursing in the San Francisco Area
San Francisco State University (SFSU)
San Francisco State University has an advancement placement program for students who are already RNs. If you have an associate's degree, this program allows you to apply those credits toward the BSN. You will study nursing research, geriatric nursing theory and public health nursing. This program can be completed in just three semesters and cooperative education is also available.
- Program Name: Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- Program Length: Minimum of 40 upper division credits (About one and a half years)
- Tuition and Fees: $7,260 in-state, $19,140 out-of-state per year (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Completion of a minimum of 60 credits, including all general education requirements, RN license
- School Type: 4-year, public; 29,778 students (26,531 undergraduate)
University of San Francisco (USF)
The University of San Francisco's BSN program is open to freshmen and transfer students. This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and has been approved by the California State Board of Registered Nursing. Among the core requirements are sequences in applied pathophysiology and pharmacology and health care systems. The supporting courses for this curriculum include human anatomy, psychology, microbiology and physiology. Additionally, there are also options for RNs and licensed vocational nurses.
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Program Length: Four years, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $48,066 per year (2018-2019)
- School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; 10,713 students (6,704 undergraduate)
Master Degree Programs in Nursing in the San Francisco Area
University of California - San Francisco (UCSF)
The University of California - San Francisco's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers you more than a dozen specializations. Regardless of which one you choose, you will need to complete 30-36 credits of coursework and eight credits of professional work. As a capstone requirement, you will also need to complete either a comprehensive exam or thesis. Some master's students may be eligible to select a minor.
- Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
- Specializations: Health policy nursing, neonatal nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery/women's health nurse practitioner, mental health nursing, pediatric nurse practitioner, oncology clinical nurse specialist, occupation and environmental health specialist, advanced practice public health nursing, acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontological critical care trauma clinical nurse specialist, adult-gerontological acute care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontological clinical nurse specialist
- Program Length: 38-44 units
- Tuition and Fees: $12,933 in-state, $28,035 out-of-state per year (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
- Requirements: RN license, transcripts, references, resume, computer proficiency, one year of work experience, introductory statistics course
- School Type: 4-year, public; 3,114 students (0 undergraduate)
University of San Francisco
This MSN program focuses on clinical nursing leadership and is designed for the following student types: non-nurses, RNs with an associate degree or diploma, RNs with a BSN and RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's. Curricula focus is on pediatric nursing, financial management, nursing research, health promotion, principles of epidemiology and instructional systems design. This MSN program is also available online.
- Program Name: Master of Science in Nursing
- Specialization: Clinical nurse leader
- Program Length: Two years, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $24,990 per year (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree, prerequisite coursework for individuals with non-nursing background
- Requirements: Transcripts, two letters of recommendation, resume, personal statement
- School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; 10,713 students (6,704 undergraduate)
Doctorate Degree Programs in Nursing in the San Francisco Area
University of California - San Francisco
The initial portion of the Ph.D. in Nursing program at UCSF focuses on nursing science, theory development and research. As you advance in the program, you will get involved with independent studies and research residencies. Prior to the final segment of this program, you will complete a qualifying examination and advancement to candidacy. Finally, you will work on your dissertation. UCSF offers facilities for research such as the Center for Symptom Management and the Institute for Health and Aging.
- Program Name: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing
- Program Length: Four years, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $12,933 in-state, $?28,035? out-of-state per year (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing
- Requirements: GRE scores, transcripts, references, resume, RN license, nursing research experience
- School Type: 4-year, public; 3,114 students (0 undergraduate)
University of San Francisco
The length of the USF's DNP program is based upon whether you have a bachelor's or a master's degree. There are two different concentrations for this DNP program: healthcare systems leadership and family nurse practitioner. Regardless of which degree you have when entering the program, you must complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice. Additional requirements include a project and one or more practicum sequences.
- Program Name: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Specializations: Family nurse practitioner, healthcare systems leadership
- Program Length: Two and a half years to four and a half years, full-time
- Tuition and Fees: $24,990 per year (2018-2019)
- Prerequisites: Bachelor's or master's degree
- Requirements: RN license, resume, professional statement, 3.0 GPA, transcripts, three letters of recommendation
- School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; 10,713 students (6,704 undergraduate)
To recap the above information, San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco provide bachelor's degree programs in nursing, while the University of San Francisco and the University of California's San Francisco campus offer master's and doctorate degree programs.