The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Online DNP-NP Programs
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) offers an online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with four specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Coursework is delivered mostly online with seven campus immersions. In addition, students complete clinical preceptorships at approved sites local to them.
The BSN to DNP program prepares students for their specific roles in family, geriatric, pediatric, and psychiatric-mental health nursing. The program is based on a scientific foundation using evidence-based practice to influence safety and quality of care, leadership, and clinical decision-making. DNP graduates will be prepared to influence healthcare policy, promote collaboration and teamwork, and work to improve the equity of healthcare across cultural, social, and economic disparities.
Some of the campus immersions take place at the MUSC Healthcare Simulation Center, which is an 11,000 square-foot building that offers the use of high-tech simulation technology. The advanced adult and infant simulators provide the necessary clinical training for APRN nursing students, including emergency room settings, CPR training, birth simulation, operating room environments, heart attack simulators, and more.
The Medical University of South Carolina is an academic health science center that focuses on Translational Science with the belief that nursing plays a crucial role in transforming health care. Upon graduation, both an MSN and a DNP degree are conferred to the student. Graduates are eligible to sit for certification exams in their area of specialization: FNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC, or PMHNP.
DNP graduates may find employment in primary care settings, hospitals, research facilities, long-term care facilities, government agencies, rehabilitation centers, counseling centers, and schools.
MUSC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The BSN to DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Medical University of South Carolina is located in Charleston, SC.
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What to Expect
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the DNP APRN program must hold a BSN degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in nursing courses. It is also preferred that the cumulative GPA remain at 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate coursework. Completion of undergraduate statistics is required. Prospective students must have an unencumbered RN license in the state where practicums will take place. Application materials include an application, a CV or resume, official transcripts, a 500-word personal essay, and three letters of recommendation. No GRE is required.
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, Oregon, and 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 nonimmigrant visa that allows study in the U.S.
Study Plan: The Medical University of South Carolina admits BSN to DNP students in the Fall only. The program takes three years to complete full-time or four years on a part-time basis. Coursework is mostly online with seven campus visits and local practicums.
BSN to DNP Curriculum: The BSN to DNP program comprises 76 credits and includes at least 1,170 clinical hours. Courses include Advanced Pathophysiology; Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Health Care; Scientific Underpinnings for Practice; 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 and Interprofessional Collaboration.
Clinical courses include Advanced Care Management I-III; Role Practicum; and Residency I-II. The clinical courses are specific to specialization.
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 Panapto 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, SC campus seven times throughout the program. The first visit is an orientation the last week in July. Other visits include the presentation of the project proposal for course NRDNP 862, a final poster presentation during the last residency course NRDNP 890, and a visit once each semester in courses NRDNP 856, 864, 865, and 866. Each of these visits consists of two to three days and specific dates will be posted 90 days in advance. All other coursework is completely online with clinical preceptorships completed local to the student.
Paying for the Medical University of South Carolina Online DNP-NP Programs
Each MUSC online DNP-NP program’s tuition is listed in its table below. In addition to tuition, there may also be an online program fee of $70 per credit, and travel expenses for campus visits. Interested nursing students should contact the MUSC College of Nursing for more details.
The Medical University of South Carolina may offer grants, scholarships, and loans to online graduate students, including unsubsidized federal graduate loans according to the FAFSA. Graduate nursing students are also encouraged to inquire with their employers as to the possibility of a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discount. Additionally, MUSC DNP students may seek outside opportunities such as organizational or community scholarships.
MUSC offers FNP, AGPCNP, PNP, and PMHNP degree options for their BSN to DNP program that includes 7 campus immersions and is based on a scientific foundation of evidence-based practice in order to influence quality of care, clinical decision-making, and leadership in nursing.
Post-BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Post-BSN to DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
Post-BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
7
76
1,170
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
None
Program Tuition
76
$905.00
$68,780.00
$1,190.00
$90,440.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
7
76
1,170
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
None
Program Tuition
76
$905.00
$68,780.00
$1,190.00
$90,440.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
7
76
1,170
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
None
Program Tuition
76
$905.00
$68,780.00
$1,190.00
$90,440.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall
No
7
76
1,170
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
None
Program Tuition
76
$905.00
$68,780.00
$1,190.00
$90,440.00
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.