The University of South Carolina Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family
- Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (for APRNs)
- Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs)
- Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP – Family (for APRNs)
- Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family
The University of South Carolina College of Nursing (UofSC Nursing) offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) specializations. In addition, the school offers Post-Master’s Certificates for nurses without NP certification, as well as those who have earned NP licensure and are seeking a second specialty. The programs include clinical preceptorships local to the student and require one to three campus visits, depending on the program and specialization.
Campus immersions take place at the Clinical Simulation Lab in Columbia, SC, where state-of-the-art simulation tools, simulators, and robotics are used to replicate real-life clinical scenarios. This lab is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare in Teaching and Education. Students may practice with common and high-risk situation simulations. Immersions include patient assessment, lab result examination, care management, critical decision-making, team collaboration, and patient safety techniques.
Graduates of the NP specializations are eligible to sit for their specific national certification exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
The University of South Carolina graduate nursing programs are accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The University of South Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
What to Expect from the University of South Carolina Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Admission Requirements: No GRE or GMAT is required for these programs. Application materials for all programs include a personal statement, current resume or CV, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose first language was not English must submit proof of English language proficiency.
Applicants must have at least one year of full-time work experience within the prior two years totaling at least 2,400 hours. Preferred clinical experience for FNP and AGACNP applicants includes emergency departments, intensive care units (ICUs), critical care units, and medical/surgical units. Preferred work experience for PMHNP applicants consists of work in psychiatric-mental health and related fields.
FNP and PMHNP applicants must hold Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and AGACNP applicants must hold both BLS and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification. The following is also required for each program path:
- MSN: Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and an unencumbered RN license. Pass/fail grading systems will not be considered.
- Post-Master’s Certificates: Applicants must hold a BSN and MSN from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and an unencumbered RN license.
- Certified APRN applicants must provide proof of completion of health/physical assessment across the lifespan, physiology/pathophysiology across the lifespan, and pharmacology. Proof of APRN specialty certification is required.
State Restrictions: While the University of South Carolina is an NC-SARA participant there are restrictions in some states. Therefore UofSC Nursing accepts students from the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington D.C. It is highly recommended that students from these states verify with UofSC Nursing as well as the licensing board of their specific state of residence to determine if the program meets state requirements for NP licensure.
Study Plan: The MSN specializations begin in the Fall, Spring, and Summer and take eight semesters to complete. The Post-Master’s Certificate specializations also begin in the Fall, Spring, and Summer, and can be completed in six semesters for non-APRNs and three to four semesters for APRNs earning a second specialty. Students from approved states complete local clinical preceptorships and come to campus one to three times depending on the program and specialization. Students should expect to spend about 12 hours per week on each three-credit class.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN program comprises 46 to 47 credits depending on the specialization. Core courses for all specializations include Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations for Nursing; Application of Basic Statistics for Nursing Practice and Service Management; Clinical Application of Population Analysis; Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurses; Pharmacological Management of Pediatric, Adult, and Gerontological Patients Across the Lifespan; Research Methods for Nursing; Diagnostic Interpretation and Therapeutic Modalities; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; and Seminar in Clinical Nursing Research.
- FNP: The MSN – FNP comprises 47 credits plus 672 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Advanced Primary Care of Children for the FNP; Advanced Primary Care of Women for the FNP; Acute Problems in Primary Care for FNP; Management of Common Chronic Health Problems for the FNP; Family Nurse Practitioner Legal, Ethical, and Role Transition; and Family Nurse Practitioner Role Practicum.
- AGACNP: The MSN – AGACNP comprises 46 credits plus 672 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Introduction of Acute Care Adult and Gerontological Health Problems; Management of Acute Care Adult and Gerontological Health Problems I-II; Advanced Practice Role: AGACNP; Advanced Practice Role Practicum: AGACNP.
- PMHNP: The MSN – FNP comprises 47 credits plus 672 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Neuroscientific Basis of Behavior and Psychopharmacological Treatment; Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practicum I: Management of Psychiatric/Mental Health Conditions; Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practicum II: Management of Complex Psychiatric/Mental Health Conditions; PMHNP: Legal, Ethical, and Role Transition; Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practicum III: Role Development.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The Post-Master’s Certificate program comprises 32 credits for non-APRN applicants and 18 credits for those holding APRN licensure plus 672 clinical hours. All non-APRN certificate students complete Pharmacological Management of Pediatric, Adult, and Gerontological Patients Across the Lifespan; Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurses; and Diagnostic Interpretation and Therapeutic Modalities.
- FNP: The MSN – FNP comprises 47 credits and requires completion of 672 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Advanced Primary Care of Children for the FNP; Advanced Primary Care of Women for the FNP; Acute Problems in Primary Care for FNP; Management of Common Chronic Health Problems for the FNP; Family Nurse Practitioner Legal, Ethical, and Role Transition; and Family Nurse Practitioner Role Practicum.
- AGACNP: The MSN – AGACNP comprises 46 credits and requires completion of 672 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Introduction of Acute Care Adult and Gerontological Health Problems; Management of Acute Care Adult and Gerontological Health Problems I-II; Advanced Practice Role: AGACNP; Advanced Practice Role Practicum: AGACNP.
- PMHNP: The MSN – PMHNP comprises 47 credits and requires completion of 672 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Neuroscientific Basis of Behavior and Psychopharmacological Treatment; Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practicum I: Management of Psychiatric/Mental Health Conditions; Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practicum II: Management of Complex Psychiatric/Mental Health Conditions; PMHNP: Legal, Ethical, and Role Transition; Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practicum III: Role Development.
Online Experience: Online courses at UofSC are delivered through the Blackboard online Learning Management System (LMS) as well as Adobe Connect. Here students have access to the course syllabi, announcements, grades, course materials, the discussion board, and faculty information. Weekly course guides provide outlined content for review and completion.
Teaching avenues may include online meetings, small and large group discussions, individual and group projects, multimedia presentations and projects, readings, case studies, and assessments. Faculty are trained in online learning techniques and create interactive and collaborative online courses. Opportunities for collaboration include the Student Cafe forum where students can socialize and get to know each other, and the Questions about the Course forum where students may ask questions of peers and faculty about the course, assignments, and resources.
Some courses may require synchronous online meetings or make those available to students. Finally, online students have access to a wealth of student services including academic advising, behavioral health support services, career counseling, faculty office hours, library services, and technical support.
On-Site Requirements: FNP students come to the Columbia, SC campus three times throughout the program for both the MSN and certificate programs. AGACNP students come to campus for two immersions, and PMHNP students come to campus once. Note that certified APRNs who are earning a second specialty NP certificate come to campus one less time for each specialization. This means that the PMHNP second specialty certificate is 100% online with no campus visit requirements.
Paying for the University of South Carolina Online NP Programs
The online graduate nursing programs through the University of South Carolina cost $572.25 per credit plus fees for residents and $1,240 per credit plus fees for non-residents of SC. Non-residents should check to see if the non-resident online rate of $572.25 applies to them. Travel expenses for campus intensives are not included in tuition costs. Prospective students should inquire with UofSC Nursing for more information.
The University of South Carolina may offer unsubsidized federal student loans to graduate students according to the FAFSA, as well as other scholarships and aid to graduate students. Students are also encouraged to inquire with their employers as to the option of a tuition reimbursement program. Finally, online graduate students may seek outside opportunities for funding.
The University of South Carolina offers MSN and Post-Master's Certificate Programs with three NP specialties, affordable online tuition, and interactive, collaborative online learning to students in 17 states and Washington D.C.
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (for APRNs)
Post-Master's Certificate – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate – Family Nurse Practitioner (for APRNs)
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health NP – Family (for APRNs)
Post-Master's Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Family
1601 Greene Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
2
46
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
46
$572.25
$26,323.50
$1,240.00
$57,040.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
3
47
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
47
$572.25
$26,895.75
$1,240.00
$58,280.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
47
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
47
$572.25
$26,895.75
$1,240.00
$58,280.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
18
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
18
$572.25
$10,300.50
$1,240.00
$22,320.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
2
32
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
32
$572.25
$18,312.00
$1,240.00
$39,680.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
3
32
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
32
$572.25
$18,312.00
$1,240.00
$39,680.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
2
18
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
18
$572.25
$10,300.50
$1,240.00
$22,320.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
1
18
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
18
$572.25
$10,300.50
$1,240.00
$22,320.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master Certificate – Post-Graduate (Post-MSN) Nursing Certificate
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
No
0
32
672
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DE, HI, ID, IL, IA, LA, ME, MA, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
Program Tuition
32
$572.25
$18,312.00
$1,240.00
$39,680.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.