University of California, Los Angeles Nursing School Review

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has 27,000 undergraduate students and 13,000 graduate students, and is a magnet for the entire Southern California area. One of the world’s most respected research universities, it is also a hub for cultural experiences and world class sports.

Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing

The BS pre-licensure program in nursing was developed to get students ready for their nursing career. This is a four year program. Students will be allowed after graduation to take the state licensing exam for Registered Nurses (RNs).

Students are admitted as freshmen once a year into the School of Nursing at UCLA, and a limited number of transfer students are admitted at the junior level of the course. Freshmen should complete the UC Application of Admission first to be admitted to the school, then complete the Nursing Supplemental Application form. The Nursing Supplemental Application must include a resume detailing volunteer and work experience, personal recommendations, and a statement of purpose.

Freshmen students who are already enrolled at UCLA in another major and have fewer than 60 units of coursework with a 3.0 or higher GPA may apply for a change of major to the School of Nursing by submitting the Nursing Supplemental Application. These students will be considered along with incoming freshmen.

Students already enrolled at UCLA in another major and that have over 60 credits of courses completed are recommended to consider finishing their current degree and pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nursing, or looking at other RN educational opportunities within the state of California. By changing majors, students may find they have to take an additional year of courses to complete their studies.

Transfer students must complete their general education requirements at their prior school, and must complete the non-nursing prerequisites of Chemistry, Communications, Life Sciences, Math, Microbiology, Physiology, and Psychology, or their equivalencies.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Masters Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN)

The MSN MECN program at UCLA is designed as a two year, pre-licensure program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in another subject and want to pursue a master’s in nursing.

Graduates of the MSN MECN program are eligible to sit for the state licensing exam to become RNs, and to then work in nursing.

To apply for this program, students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school. They must also have earned a C or higher in the prerequisite courses of Chemistry, Epidemiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology, Statistics, English Composition, and Communication. They must also have a record of satisfactory scholarship, and three letters of recommendation. In addition, foreign applicants must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

This program allows students to take the Clinical Nurse Leader exam for certification, as well as apply for a Public Health Nursing Certificate.

MSN – Advanced Practice

The MSN, Advanced Practice program is what licensed RNs with baccalaureate degrees will take to pursue their advanced studies.

To enter this program, students must be licensed RNs with a BS degree in nursing from an accredited school. They must also have completed Biostatistics (or equivalent), an upper level nursing research course, an upper level Physical Assessment course, and an upper level Physiology course. In addition, they must have a satisfactory record of scholarship, usually maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or better. Also, foreign applicants must pass the TOEFL.

There are a number of advanced practice specialties available in the MSN program. They are:

  • Nursing Administration, also available with an emphasis in Occupational and Environmental Health, or as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA)/MSN
  • Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, also with an emphasis in Occupational and Environmental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Population
  • Family Population, either as Family Nurse Practitioner, or Underserved Populations
  • Pediatric Population

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD program at UCLA focuses on clinical nursing research.

The application for the program begins with an MSN, a BS in Nursing with a master’s in a different field, or a BS in Nursing. Students must have a 3.5 GPA or better, have taken the GRE in the last 5 years, be a licensed RN, have taken an upper level Statistics course, a graduate level nursing research course, and four letters of recommendation. They must also have passed the TOEFL if applying from another country. In addition, they need to supply a curriculum vitae, examples of their published nursing papers, and a statement of educational, research, and career goals.

Post-Master Certificate

The Post-Master Certificate program is for students who hold MSN degrees who want to obtain the clinical and educational experience to be a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse administrator.

UCLA offers Post-Master specialties in the following areas:

  • Nursing Administration
  • Adult/Gerontology
  • Adult/Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Adult/Gerontology-Acute Care Program/Oncology Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s certificate

To apply, students need to verify an MSN and current RN license, have three recommendations, a statement summarizing their nursing and personal goals, a curriculum vitae, completed upper division Physical Assessment and Physiology courses (not needed if applying for Nursing Administration), and foreign students need to pass the TOEFL.

Contact:

University of California – Los Angeles

301 Westwood Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90095

[wpgmza id=”103″]