UCSF School of Nursing
San Francisco, CA
Quick Facts
1907
Founded
500+
Enrollment
15%
Acceptance Rate
97%
NCLEX Pass Rate
About UCSF School of Nursing
The UCSF School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top five nursing schools in the nation. As part of the University of California, San Francisco, a health sciences-only university, the school operates within an environment entirely devoted to healthcare education, research, and patient care. Students learn alongside medical, pharmacy, and dental students in a truly interprofessional setting, with clinical rotations at UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and the San Francisco VA Medical Center.
UCSF's nursing programs are exclusively at the graduate level, making it a destination for nurses who want to advance their education and specialize. The school's research portfolio is among the most productive in the country, with particular strengths in health equity, symptom science, precision health, HIV/AIDS care, and community-based participatory research. Faculty members are leaders in shaping national health policy and nursing practice standards.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Advanced practice programs with specializations including Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Family NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, and Health Policy. Includes the Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) for career changers.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A practice-focused doctoral program for advanced practice nurses seeking to lead evidence-based change in clinical settings and health systems. The program emphasizes quality improvement, leadership, and health policy.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
A research-focused doctoral program that prepares nurse scientists to conduct original research that advances the science of nursing and improves patient outcomes.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). UCSF School of Nursing maintains full CCNE accreditation for its MSN, DNP, and PhD programs, reflecting its position as one of the top graduate nursing programs in the United States.
Campus & Online Options
UCSF School of Nursing is primarily an on-campus program located at the UCSF Parnassus Heights campus in San Francisco. Clinical rotations take place at UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, the San Francisco VA Medical Center, and community health sites throughout the Bay Area. The DNP program incorporates some hybrid elements with online coursework and on-campus intensive sessions.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition
For California residents, graduate tuition and fees are approximately $16,500 per year. Out-of-state students pay approximately $31,800 per year. PhD students often receive full funding through research assistantships and training grants.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
UCSF offers a range of financial support including institutional scholarships, endowed awards, federal loans, and traineeships funded by HRSA and NIH. Many PhD students receive full tuition coverage plus a stipend. The school also connects students with external scholarship programs including the Nurse Corps Scholarship and California state nursing workforce grants.
Admissions Overview
Admission to UCSF School of Nursing is highly competitive. The MEPN pathway requires a bachelor's degree in any field plus prerequisite courses, while the DNP and PhD programs require an MSN or equivalent. Applicants are evaluated on academic achievement, clinical experience, research potential, and alignment with faculty expertise.
Application Deadline
November 1 for fall admission
Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite or prior graduate coursework
- Completed prerequisite courses (varies by program)
- Personal statement on research or clinical interests
- Three letters of recommendation from academic or clinical references
- Current RN license (for DNP and post-MSN applicants)
- GRE scores (recommended but not required for all programs)
Student Life
UCSF is located in San Francisco, one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the country. The Parnassus campus sits near Golden Gate Park, and students have access to housing, recreation, and wellness services. Nursing students engage in student government, professional organizations, community health outreach, and interprofessional education events. San Francisco's healthcare industry provides extensive networking and career opportunities, and the city's cultural richness, outdoor recreation, and progressive community make it an exceptional place to study.
Great for Future Travel Nurses
UCSF School of Nursing graduates are among the most sought-after advanced practice nurses in the country, and those who choose travel nursing bring an elite level of preparation to every assignment. The school's graduate-level focus means that alumni often pursue travel NP roles or travel nursing positions in specialty and critical care units where advanced clinical judgment is essential. Training at UCSF Medical Center, a nationally ranked academic medical center, and at San Francisco General, one of the busiest urban trauma centers in the West, equips graduates with the high-acuity experience that travel nurse agencies prioritize. The school's emphasis on health equity and cultural competency also prepares nurses to work effectively with diverse patient populations in any region of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
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