Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is offered online and addresses 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. Our primary care program addresses the challenges facing today's healthcare provider through enhanced learning in Telehealth, integrated behavioral health assessment and management across all focus areas and content to prepare advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to assess, diagnose, and treat patients. During the program, a few courses require a visit to campus for a multi-day learning intensive. Graduates of the program will be awarded the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and are prepared to sit for the certification exam and assume the role of an advanced practice nurse. Additional information regarding the program can be found at the MUSC College of Nursing website.

Focus Areas

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program

Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNP) are advanced practice nurses that specialize in providing primary care to patients, from adolescence throughout adulthood, and extending through advanced age. This broad patient population affords AGNPs the opportunity for careers in many areas of medicine in which primary care is provided, such as medical home offices, internal medicine offices, ambulatory care centers, rural/underserved clinics, student or employee health centers, specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and correctional facilities. Also included are topics including telehealth, psych-mental health, opioid and substance use, and palliative care.

Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) are advanced practice nurses that specialize in providing primary care to patients from prenatal, throughout childhood, adulthood and extending through advanced age. This broad patient population affords FNPs the opportunity for careers in many areas of medicine in which primary care is provided, such as family medicine, pediatric and women’s health, medical home offices, internal medicine offices, ambulatory care centers, rural/underserved clinics, student or employee health centers, specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and many specialty practices. Also included are topics including telehealth, psych-mental health, opioid and substance use, and palliative care.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) are advanced practice registered nurses that specialize in the care of children from pre-natal through age 21 years of age. This program prepares students in pediatric primary health care, providing knowledge and experience in well child care and the prevention and management of common pediatric acute illnesses and chronic conditions. This program prepares students to provide high quality care to children within the context of their family, community, and environmental setting. Also included are topics including telehealth, psych-mental health, opioid and substance use, and palliative care.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) are advanced practice nurses that specialize in providing primary care behavioral health in the assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with behavioral health or mental health conditions. This include psychotherapy and medication throughout childhood, adulthood and extending through advanced age. This broad patient population affords PMHNPs the opportunity for careers in many areas of medicine in which behavioral healthcare is provided, such as in-patient/outpatient behavioral health clinics, integrated family medicine, pediatric and women’s health, medical home offices, internal medicine offices, ambulatory care centers, rural/underserved clinics, student or employee health centers, specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and many specialty practices. Also included are topics including telehealth, psych-mental health, opioid and substance use, and palliative care.

Requirements

Applicants to the program must have the following:

• Unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) license in state where practicums will be conducted by the initial date of enrollment.
• Preferred nursing GPA of 3.0.
• Preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program by the initial date of enrollment.
• Undergraduate statistics course.

*Post-MSN Nurse Educators, CRNAs, and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) who wish to become Nurse Practitioners can apply for the Post-BSN to DNP track.

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. Upload a resume or CV within NursingCAS.
4. Provide three references from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic and nursing leadership potential within NursingCAS.
5. 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.
6. 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 on the Institutional Effectiveness website.

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