Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Online Nursing Programs

What to Expect from Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Online Nursing Programs

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the Medical University of South Carolina NP programs must hold a BSN from a nationally accredited institution and maintain a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in nursing courses. Completion of an undergraduate statistics course is required, and candidates must possess an unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) license in the state where practicum experiences are completed. Application materials include official transcripts, a current resume, a personal essay, and three letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required for admission.

Applicants to the post-master’s PMHNP certificate program must hold an unencumbered, active advanced practice nursing (APRN) license in the state where practicums will take place. They must also demonstrate national certification as a nurse practitioner in acute or primary care or as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in psychiatric mental health nursing. Additionally, an MSN or DNP degree from a nationally accredited program is also required. The preferred GPA standard remains 3.0 or higher for both undergraduate and graduate coursework, with official transcripts required for all post-secondary education.

The Admissions, Progression, and Graduation Committee may request an interview. Admission decisions are based on GPA, professional goals, references, applicant essays, and leadership and volunteer experience.

State Restrictions: The Medical University of South Carolina accepts students from most states and is an NC-SARA participant. However, the program does not accept students from Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, or Washington at this time. Interested students from eligible states should contact the MUSC School of Nursing to verify eligibility. Additionally, prospective students should contact the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure. Finally, MUSC cannot admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have a non-immigrant visa that allows study in the U.S.

Study Plan: The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Nursing offers a flexible study plan designed to accommodate both part-time AND full-time students pursuing advanced nursing roles. Students admitted to the BSN-to-DNP and MSN programs begin their studies in the fall semester. The BSN-to-DNP dual-degree program can be completed in as little as three years full-time or four years part-time, while the MSN program typically requires two to three years, depending on course sequence and student pace.

Coursework is delivered primarily online, while select courses require brief, on-campus learning intensives. Throughout their programs, students participate in multiple campus immersions, engaging in hands-on clinical experiences. Clinical practical training is arranged locally so students can complete required preceptorships in their own communities under the guidance of expert faculty members and approved preceptors.

For the post-master’s certificate in PMHNP, the program is designed for working APRNs and may be completed on a flexible, part-time schedule to accommodate professional responsibilities.

BSN-to-DNP Curriculum: The BSN-to-DNP dual-degree program at MUSC comprises 76 credits and includes at least 1,065 clinical hours, depending on the selected nurse practitioner specialization. The academic plan covers foundational advanced practice competencies through courses such as advanced pathophysiology; applied epidemiology and biostatistics; scientific underpinnings; advanced clinical assessment and reasoning; advanced pharmacotherapeutics; informatics in health care delivery; evidence-based practice, quality, and safety; advanced health policy and advocacy; practice inquiry and IRB; organizational theory and health care systems; applied health care economics and finance; and frameworks for leadership.

Core clinical coursework consists of advanced care management I-III, role practicum, and two sequential residency courses. The clinical courses are specific to the specialization.

MSN Curriculum: The 100 percent online master of science in nursing (MSN) program prepares graduates for advanced practice roles in five specializations: FNP, AGPCNP, ACPNP, PNP, and PMHNP. Students complete a curriculum that mirrors DNP foundational coursework but with a focused graduate plan of study, typically comprising 59 to 60 credits. 

Required courses include advanced pathophysiology; advanced clinical assessment and reasoning; advanced pharmacotherapeutics; informatics in healthcare delivery; evidence-based practice, quality, and safety; and core leadership and policy courses. Specialty-specific courses and supervised clinical training allow students to master clinical care within their population focus. Select in-person intensives and simulation experiences are also required.

Post-Master’s Certificate in PMHNP: For APRNs and clinical nurse specialists seeking board certification as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, MUSC’s post-master’s certificate program comprises 23 credits. Core subjects include neuroscience for advanced APRNs; neuroscience of psychotherapeutic interventions & psychopharmacology; and a three-semester sequence of advanced care management in psychiatric-mental health. Students complete supervised clinical hours at approved sites, gaining experience in assessment, therapy, psychopharmacology, and evidence-based psychiatric care across the lifespan.

Online Experience: The Medical University of South Carolina uses Blackboard Open as its online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses are both synchronous and asynchronous with lectures, assignments, projects, discussion forums, email, chat, and web-based collaboration tools. MUSC uses the Panopto video content management system to capture lectures. The College of Nursing faculty and academic advisors offer office hours and meetings through videoconferencing, email, and phone. The Technology Help Desk offers technical support Monday through Friday. Other student services include admissions counseling, online library and bookstore services, and career counseling.

On-Site Requirements: Students in all degree paths are required to attend the Charleston, South Carolina campus multiple times throughout the program. These visits include the presentation of the project proposal for the practice inquiry & IRB course, a final poster presentation during the last residency course, and one visit each semester for courses such as advanced clinical assessment and reasoning and advanced care management I-III. Each visit typically lasts two to three days, with specific dates posted at least 90 days in advance. All other coursework is completed fully online, with clinical preceptorships arranged locally to the student.