Program Director - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Top Echelon Network (recruiter member boards)
Irvine, CA · Posted October 13, 2026
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Where Irvine, CA ranks
Where Irvine, CA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #6Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the West Coast124 jobs · of 47
- #10Best cities for legal pay after cost of living$129k · of 20
- #10Best cities for life sciences and biotech pay after cost of living$120k · of 10
- #10Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the West Coast586 openings · of 60
- #11Best all-round cities for new graduates in the West Coast55 / 100 · of 39
- #13Best cities for manufacturing and industrial pay after cost of living$136k · of 35
Rankings about clinical jobs
- Best cities for clinical jobs #1 New York (202 openings)
- Employers with the most clinical jobs #1 Veterans Health Administration (215 roles)
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 30 open program director listings that state pay, the middle half runs $87,500 to $233,500 and the median is $112,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
About the job
Location: Irvine, CA
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Essential Functions:
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Provide visionary leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of the MSN program, encompassing both the MSN-Ed and MSN-FNP tracks.
Direct curriculum design, evaluation, and continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with national graduate nursing competencies (e.g., AACN Essentials, NONPF) and evolving healthcare workforce needs.
Ensure ongoing compliance with CCNE accreditation standards, California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) regulations, and institutional policies, including preparation of self-studies, reports, and site visits.
Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate faculty across both tracks, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and student-centered academic culture.
Advance student success through data-informed strategies for admissions, progression, retention, and academic support.
Establish and sustain clinical partnerships and preceptor networks to secure high-quality practicum placements for FNP and nursing education students.
Lead systematic program assessment and reporting on student outcomes, quality measures, and institutional effectiveness, using results to drive improvement.
Teach graduate-level nursing courses as appropriate to expertise and program needs.
Model professionalism, scholarly excellence, and a commitment to lifelong learning for faculty, staff, and students.
Required Qualifications:
Doctorate in Nursing (PhD, DNP, or EdD) or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Master of Science in Nursing with specialization in Nursing Education and/or Family Nurse Practitioner.
Unencumbered California RN license (or eligible for licensure); FNP certification and licensure if applicable.
Minimum of three years of graduate-level nursing education experience.
Strong background in program administration, curriculum development, and academic leadership.
Working knowledge of nursing accreditation standards and regulatory requirements (CCNE, BRN).
Excellent communication, leadership, and team-building skills.
Compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity considerations.
Preferred Qualifications:
National certification and clinical experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC or FNP-C).
Graduate-level teaching experience in MSN–Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) and/or MSN–Education (MSN-Ed) tracks.
Experience managing multiple nursing program tracks within a university setting.
Familiarity with both online and hybrid program delivery models.
Proven success in developing clinical partnerships and overseeing practicum coordination.
A record of scholarly contributions, research, or leadership in professional nursing organizations.