DNP Programs in South Carolina (SC)

There are a few great schools in the Palmetto State offering Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs to South Carolina nurses. If you are a Registered Nurse or Advance Practice Nurse wanting to improve your nursing leadership and/or clinical nursing skills then the South Carolina DNP programs below should be of interest to you.

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Medical University of South Carolina
College of Nursing

The Doctor of Nursing Practice programs offered by Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing are online programs. They prepare experts in clinical practice and nursing leadership roles. While most courses are totally online, some do require on campus visits.

There are two pathways to a DNP at the MUSC. Students can enter with either a BSN and MSN degree. Full-time and part-time options are offered for both pathways.

Those entering the BSN to DNP pathway can choose from the following specializations:

  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner

Admission requirements for the BSN to DNP pathway include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. They should have a 3.0 nursing GPA, and a preferred 3.0 cumulative GPA. Prospective students must have an active, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in the state where their practicums will be performed. The GRE is not required.

The MSN to DNP program is not available to MSN Nurse Educators. However, MSN Nurse Educators are allowed in the BSN to DNP program. MSN Nurse Administrators are allowed in the MSN to DNP program with an approved professional portfolio. Clinical Nurse Specialists are allowed in the MSN to DNP program if they are seeking a DNP in their CNS specialty. If a CNS would like to become a Nurse Practitioner then they must apply to the BSN to DNP program. Finally, CRNA’s are not allowed in the MSN to DNP program.

Those applicants applying to the MSN to DNP program must have a a Master of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program an be certified in their specialty. The school prefers that all applicants have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA on all undergraduate and graduate work. An active, unencumbered APRN license is required. The GRE is not required.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29425
(843) 792-6499


University of South Carolina
College of Nursing

University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Their program curriculum includes elements of a traditional nursing Master’s advance practice programs and elements of leadership development, research-based practice , and policy change. Both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP pathways are offered at USC.

Those students entering the BSN to DNP pathway will choose from the following advanced practice specialization areas:

  • Primary Care/Family Nurse Pratitioner
  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Those entering the BSN to DNP program must possess a BSN from a nationally accredited program. Admission requirements for those entering the MSN to DNP program include a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. Applicants to both the post-BSN and post-Master’s programs are required to have a license as an RN in South Carolina (or eligibility for an RN license in SC). Both programs require acceptable scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE.

Accreditation:

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

Contact Information:

1601 Greene Street
Columbia, SC 28208
(803) 777-3861