UC Irvine BSN Programs

Did you know that nursing is America’s largest healthcare profession? Almost 4.7 million registered nurses work nationwide. UC Irvine’s BSN Programs can help you join this growing field and stand out from other candidates.

The next decade looks promising for nurses. Government projections show over 203,000 new registered nurse positions will open yearly from 2021-2031. Most employers prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees – 72% favor this qualification, while 28% make it mandatory for new hires. This makes UC Irvine’s nursing program a valuable stepping stone for your career.

Getting into UC Irvine’s School of Nursing isn’t easy. The school keeps classes small because clinical placement spots are limited. The nursing science curriculum teaches theory and research-based clinical practice. Students learn critical thinking, human caring, and clinical knowledge. You’ll prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and learn to work together with healthcare providers in different settings.

Types of Programs Offered

UC Irvine provides multiple nursing education pathways that align with your career goals. These programs range from undergraduate to doctoral levels and prepare students for healthcare roles of all types.

The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is the core of UC Irvine’s nursing education. Students must complete 120 credits in this four-year program with an in-state tuition of $52,560. General education requirements and science prerequisites fill the first two years. The junior and senior years focus on upper-division nursing courses. Graduates become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain registered nurse licensure.

The Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) serves students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. This full-time graduate program spans two years and provides comprehensive education, training, and clinical hours needed to become a Registered Nurse. UCI stands apart from other institutions as it doesn’t offer a second baccalaureate/accelerated BSN option or an RN to BSN program.

UCI’s doctoral level education offers two distinct paths:

• The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program creates leaders in administration, healthcare delivery, and policy (Post-Master’s track) or independent family practice (DNP-FNP track)
• The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Science program shapes nurse scientists who excel in clinical-translational research methods

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program provides specialized training through a hybrid format. This BSN to DNP pathway requires 105 credits over 36 months with 1020 clinical hours. Students should expect an investment of $116,760 for in-state tuition.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate program helps address California’s mental health professional shortage. Students complete this online and on-campus post-graduate certificate in 12 months. The program requires 48 credits with in-state tuition of $44,112.

UCI’s journey in educating nurse practitioners began in 1996 through a post-master’s certificate program in the Department of Family Medicine. The university expanded its scope in 2009 by welcoming its first master’s-level nurse practitioner students.

Program faculty lead the way in research, education, and clinical practice. The curriculum blends interdisciplinary sciences smoothly, enabling graduates to meet diverse healthcare needs. As a result, UCI’s nursing programs maintain their position among the top 6% ranked by US News & World Report.

Online and Hybrid Options

Nursing education at University of California, Irvine combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional nursing excellence. UCI’s flexible approach helps students balance their work and personal lives through online and hybrid learning options. These programs uphold high educational standards without requiring students to attend campus full-time.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program shows UCI’s commitment to making education available through its online format. This two-year program blends self-paced coursework with meaningful faculty interaction and peer involvement. Students complete most work online and attend three strategic on-campus intensives at the start, middle, and end of the program. These sessions provide hands-on experience while keeping the program flexible.

The Family Nurse Practitioner path offers a hybrid BSN to DNP program that mixes online learning with campus elements. Students need 105 credits and 1,020 clinical hours over 36 months to prepare for advanced practice across the lifespan. You can keep working while advancing your education, though in-state tuition costs $116,760.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) certificate is another flexible choice that takes 12 months to complete. This hybrid program combines online classes with three immersion sessions and clinical training across California. UC Davis delivers core courses online during summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters. Virtual classes run Monday through Friday, and some quarters need evening and weekend time for courses and clinical work.

UCI’s online nursing education brings several benefits:

• A learning pace that fits working professionals’ schedules
• Virtual simulations and interactive platforms as good as traditional classrooms
• Extra support through optional virtual office hours during your educational trip
• The chance to gain practical experience in local healthcare settings while you study

The only difference between UCI’s online and on-campus nursing programs is how they’re delivered. Both paths create well-prepared graduates who strengthen California’s healthcare community. Think about your learning style, schedule, and career goals when choosing – graduates from both formats enter the nursing workforce with similar skills and knowledge.

Whatever format you choose, all University of California, Irvine nursing programs keep the same high standards. The faculty who design these programs are leaders in research, education, and clinical practice.

Admission Requirements

The University of California, Irvine BSN Programs accept only a limited number of students due to clinical placement constraints. Each entry pathway comes with its own set of admission criteria.

Freshman applicants must submit their UC Application by November 30. They need to meet these simple requirements:

• A cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Two years of high school laboratory science (biology and chemistry) with minimum C grades

Transfer students compete for spots based on their grades and completed prerequisites. The school gives preference to students who:

• Complete specific prerequisite courses with B or better grades. These courses include general chemistry, genetics, biology, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, human anatomy with lab, philosophy, psychology, public health, sociology, and statistics
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Current UCI students who want to switch their major to Nursing Science must meet these criteria:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Complete Chemistry 1A-1B-1C OR Chemistry H2A-H2B-H2C with C or better in all courses
• Complete Bio Sci 93 with C or better
• Complete the Psychology requirement
• Complete at least two additional courses from Lower Division Non-Science Nursing Requirements
• Maintain a 2.75 average in all Nursing Science major requirement courses

Students must take all Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences prerequisites at UCI. Any lower-division non-science nursing requirements from other institutions need a B or better grade.

The school doesn’t allow incoming freshmen to change their major to Nursing Science before starting coursework. Transfer students admitted in non-nursing majors cannot apply to switch to Nursing Science.

The change of major application asks students to submit transcripts from all institutions, highlight academic honors, leadership roles, volunteer and work experiences, and answer short essay prompts. Students should provide details about their healthcare-related and non-healthcare-related volunteer work lasting at least three months.

Students must receive letter grades for all prerequisite courses, even during COVID-19 affected terms, unless their institution required Pass/Not Pass grading.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at UC Irvine

The Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing at University of California, Irvine has several unique features that make it stand out from other nursing programs. The school keeps class sizes small, which lets faculty provide tailored attention and mentorship to each student.

UC Irvine’s nursing program is no match for other institutions with its innovative blend of theory and research-based clinical practice. Students learn to think critically while embracing human caring principles—a combination that prepares them to excel in complex healthcare environments.

The program’s connection with UCI’s academic health center gives students a chance to join groundbreaking research and gain clinical experience in a variety of settings. This integration helps future nurses understand healthcare delivery systems and work effectively with other disciplines.

Cultural competence sets this program apart. California’s diverse population needs nurses who understand different cultures, so the program builds cultural sensitivity training into every part of the curriculum. This approach helps graduates provide appropriate care to people of all backgrounds.

The program stands out because its professors work as educators, researchers, and clinical practitioners. This three-pronged approach means students learn current best practices and emerging healthcare trends directly from experts in the field.

Orange County’s location gives students access to many prestigious clinical partners, including Southern California’s top-rated healthcare facilities. These mutually beneficial alliances create excellent learning environments where students apply their knowledge in ground settings.

UCI nursing graduates achieve high NCLEX-RN pass rates and find great jobs quickly. The program’s integrated approach to nursing education—combining scientific rigor with compassionate care—creates graduates who are in high demand throughout California and beyond.

The University of California, Irvine BSN Programs show their steadfast dedication to advancing nursing science through research. They prepare practice-ready professionals who make an immediate impact on patient outcomes.