History of the UCLA School of Nursing

In 1949 The Regents of the University authorized the School of Nursing to become one of the professional schools of the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences. This action paved the way for the development of an undergraduate basic program in nursing leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and made possible the establishment of a graduate program leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree. In 1966 the Master of Nursing (M.N.) degree was established as an alternate option to the M.S. degree. The M.S. degree program was discontinued in 1971. The Regents approved the Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc.) degree program in 1986, and in 1987 the first doctoral students were admitted. The Office of the President and The Regents approved the change in the master's degree designation from M.N. to Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) in 1996 and the change in doctoral degree designation from D.N.Sc. to Ph.D. in 1995.

The B.S. program curriculum was revised in 1997 to meet the educational needs of students who are registered nurses with an Associate Degree or diploma in nursing. The first group of students began their studies in the summer of 1997.

The School of Nursing became an agency member of the Department of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs of the National League for Nursing in 1952. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC, 350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014, 212/989-9393 ext. 153) has granted full accreditation to the programs since 1954. The master's nurse practitioner program has Board of Registered Nursing approval.