DNP - APRN (Post-MSN) Admission Requirements

Description

The Post-MSN to DNP programs are offered online and address the most contemporary aspects of expert clinical practice and in-depth knowledge and experience in leadership, health systems design and evaluation, evidence-based practice, health policy, and applied research. The programs are designed for current APRNs who wish to further their clinical expertise in their current specialty area. In these programs, a practice improvement project will be implemented with oversight from faculty.

Program Options

Advanced Practice Nursing

The Post-MSN to DNP program is designed for current APRNs who wish to further their clinical expertise in their current specialty area and attain the terminal degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice. To best meet the needs of the working advanced practice nurse, our courses are delivered through an accessible, asynchronous online format.

Post-MSN APN graduates do not qualify for certification in an APRN specialty area because the DNP degree is an academic degree that is distinct and separate from the certification process.

Palliative Care

The Post-MSN to DNP in Palliative Care offers an opportunity for advanced practice nurses to obtain expertise and gain a deeper understanding of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of patients and families living with serious illness throughout the lifespan. To best meet the needs of the working advanced practice nurse, our courses are delivered through an accessible, asynchronous online format.

This unique program focuses on the care of individuals with life threatening, progressive illness, emphasizing respect for patients’ and families’ beliefs, values, and choices. DNP prepared advanced practice nurses in palliative care design, implement and evaluate evidence-based care and coordinate the management of chronic illness for individuals, their families and populations from time of diagnosis through end of life and bereavement.

This program will provide the education and practicum hours needed for the graduate to be eligible to take the advanced practice nurse palliative care certification exam.

Post-Baccalaureate Entry

Learn more about our Post-B to DNP program.

Post-Master’s Entry

Learn more about our Post-M to DNP program and our Post-M Certificate program.

Requirements

Applicants to the APN program must have the following:

• Unencumbered, active advanced practice nursing (APRN) license in state where practicums will be conducted.
• Evidence of a current practice in APRN scope where DNP project can be implemented.
• Evidence of national certification in advanced practice specialty.
• Preferred nursing GPA of 3.0.
• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required).
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a nationally accredited program.
• Undergraduate or graduate statistics course.
• Graduates from nurse practitioner (NP) programs other than MUSC must provide verification of the amount of supervised clinical hours from the applicant’s graduate program.

* Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) can apply to the APN program if seeking a doctorate degree in their CNS specialty. A CNS who is interested in becoming a Nurse Practitioner must apply to the Post-BSN to DNP program.

*Post-MSN Nurse Educators, Post-MSN Nurse Administrators, and CRNAs are not eligible to apply for the APN program, but can apply to the Post-BSN to DNP program.

Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume or CV, essay, and references to complete the application. GRE scores are not required for this program.

Applicants to the Palliative Care program must have the following:

• Unencumbered, active advanced practice nursing (APRN) license in state where practicums will be conducted.

• Evidence of a current practice in APRN scope where DNP project can be implemented.

• Evidence of national certification in advanced practice specialty.

• Preferred nursing GPA of 3.0.

• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required).

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program.

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from a nationally accredited program.
• Undergraduate or graduate statistics course.

• Graduates from nurse practitioner (NP) programs other than MUSC must provide verification of the amount of supervised clinical hours from the applicant’s graduate program.

*Acute care or primary care nurse practitioners (NPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) can apply to the Palliative Care program.

*Post-MSN Nurse Educators and Post-MSN Nurse Administrators are not eligible to apply to the Palliative Care program, but can apply to the Post-BSN to DNP program.

Applicants must submit official transcripts, a resume or CV, essay, and references to complete the application. GRE scores are not required for this program.

Application Process

1. Complete an application through NursingCAS (Nursing Centralized Application Service).
2. Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges attended through NursingCAS.
3. Complete an essay within NursingCAS.
4. Upload a resume or CV within NursingCAS.
5. Provide three references from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic and nursing leadership potential within NursingCAS.
6. All application materials within NursingCAS must be received and verified by the posted application deadline. Please note that once your application is in complete status with NursingCAS, it can take several weeks for it to be verified. We recommend that you apply early.
7. Complete a separate supplemental university application through Enrollment Management at MUSC by the posted deadline.

In addition to the application itself, applicants must review supplemental materials specific to the program to which they are applying. These forms are available in PDF format within the application and are also sent through email once an application is submitted.

Additional Considerations

TOEFL Scores

The score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. A TOEFL score of at least 80 is required.

International Applicants

MUSC College of Nursing degree programs are unable to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

State Authorization

MUSC College of Nursing online programs are approved to offer distance education to students in all SARA states and California. Additional information can be found here.

Out-of-State Clinical Experiences

Out-of-state applicants and students are responsible for contacting their State Board of Nursing to determine any requirements that are needed in order to complete clinical rotations as a distance student. The NCSBN provides a quick search of Prelicensure Distance Education Requirements per state. Students should notify their Program Director upon entry if there are requirements that our school must complete for Board of Nursing approval. Currently, we cannot accept applications from students from Washington, Arizona, Louisiana, and Oregon.

Use of Marijuana and/or CBD Products

Marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug and is illegal to purchase in South Carolina. Apart from a narrow and limited scope of codified/documented medical exceptions, it is illegal for individuals to use marijuana/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in South Carolina. Although cannabidiol (CBD) products may be purchased and used in South Carolina, please be aware that CBD products may contain higher levels of THC than represented on packaging and use of CBD products can result in a positive drug screen for THC/marijuana. Be aware that current drug testing methods cannot accurately ascertain the origins of THC metabolites (i.e., whether from marijuana or CBD products). Your academic program has the authority to conduct random and/or scheduled drug testing; if your test result is reported as positive for THC metabolites (even if you only used a CBD product), your ability to be accepted into the program, progress in the program, and/or successfully complete the program may be negatively impacted.

Scholarship Eligibility

MUSC offers scholarships for which you may be eligible. Some are awarded based on academic achievement; others are awarded based on community service, for example. However, the majority of scholarships awarded at MUSC are based on financial need. This means those scholarships are only awarded to students who need some financial assistance to cover the cost of tuition and fees. If you would like to be considered for a financial need-based scholarship, you must have an up-to-date Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Make sure you list Medical University of South Carolina on your FAFSA form, along with MUSC’s code: 003438. We encourage you to submit the FAFSA as early as possible. It is recommended to submit the FAFSA in January if you plan to enroll in the Fall.

Application Deadlines

Admissions decisions for the Post-MSN to DNP programs are made on a rolling basis.

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