Post-BSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice

#1

in South Carolina for best graduate nursing school programs

#22

Ranked in the nation for Best Graduate Nursing Schools - DNP Programs

100%

Asynchronous online*

100%

ANCC pass rates for 2022

Now accepting applications for Fall 2025

Application Deadline: May 1, 2025

Program Overview

The Online Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice focused doctoral degree designed to prepare advanced practice nurses in a population focus and is one of the highest levels of educational preparation for nurses. The DNP is the degree of choice for those who wish to impact quality and safety in health care, influence patient care outcomes by incorporating evidence-based practice into everyday care and serve in leadership and executive level positions in major health care organizations to impact change.

Why MUSC's Post-BSN DNP Program

  • We welcome new graduates without nursing experience – you can apply while you are finishing your BSN degree! Evidence shows that registered nursing experience is not related to success as an advanced practice nurse.
  • No GRE required for admission.
  • All tracks receive mental health and palliative care education as part of their curriculum.
  • Thinking of transferring? Your DNP level coursework may be transferred, pending approval from our admissions department.
  • The DNP program faculty consists of nationally recognized educators and researchers. You will be taught by experts and leaders in the field with a passion for mentoring the next generation.

Clinical Specializations

Post-BSN to DNP students will choose one of four clinical specializations with a primary care focus:

There are four areas of specialty focus for Post-BSN students:

  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health (PMHNP) 

Year 1, Spring

NRPHD 708 Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy 3
NRDNP 846 Frameworks for Leadership 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Summer

NRDNP 830 Applied Health Care Economics and Finance 3
NRDNP 860 Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4
Semester Total 7

Year 1, Fall

NRDNP 838 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRDNP 856A Advanced Clinical Assessment and Reasoning A 3
NRDNP 836 Informatics in Health Care Delivery 3
Semester Total 9

Year 2, Spring

NRDNP 856B Advanced Clinical Assessment and Reasoning B 3
NRDNP 842 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 4
Semester Total 7

Year 2, Summer

NRDNP 864 Advanced Care Management I 6
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Fall

NRDNP 865 Advanced Care Management II 6
NRDNP 873 Scientific Underpinnings IV 3
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Spring

NRDNP 866 Advanced Care Management III 6
NRDNP 858 Evidenced Based Practice, Quality and Safety 3
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Summer

NRDNP 848B Role Practicum 7
NRDNP 862 Practice Inquiry and IRB 3
Semester Total 10

Year 3, Fall

NRDNP 850 Organizational Theory & Health Care Systems 3
NRDNP 890 Residency 5
Semester Total 8

Year 4, Spring

NRDNP 890 Residency 5
Semester Total 5
Curriculum Minimum Total 76

Year 1, Fall

NRDNP 838 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRDNP 850 Organ Theory & Health Care Management 3
NRDNP 860 Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4
Semester Total 10

Year 1, Spring

NRDNP 856 Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning 6
NRDNP 842 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 4
NRDNP 870 Scientific Underpinnings I 1
Semester Total 11

Year 1, Summer

NRDNP 864 Advanced Care Management I 6
NRDNP 871 Scientific Underpinnings II 1
Semester Total 7

Year 2, Fall

NRDNP 836 Informatics in Health Care Delivery 3
NRDNP 865 Advanced Care Management II 6
NRDNP 872 Scientific Underpinnings III 1
Semester Total 10

Year 2, Spring

NRDNP 846 Frameworks for Leadership 3
NRDNP 858 Evidence-Based Practice, Quality & Safety 3
NRDNP 866 Advanced Care Management III 6
Semester Total 12

Year 2, Summer

NRDNP 848B Role Practicum 7
NRDNP 862 Practice Inquiry & IRB 3
Semester Total 10

Year 3, Fall

NRDNP 890 Residency 5
NRDNP 830 Applied Health Care Economics & Finance 3
Semester Total 8

Year 3, Spring

NRPHD 708 Adv Health Policy & Advocacy 3
NRDNP 890 Residency 5
Semester Total 8
Curriculum Total 76

Year 1, Fall

NRDNP 850 Organ Theory & Hlth Care Mgmt 3
NRDNP 860 App Epi Biostat Healthcare 4
Semester Total 7

Year 1, Spring

NRPHD 708 Adv Health Policy & Advocacy 3
NRDNP 846 Framewks for Ldrshp & Interpro 3
NRDNP 870 Scientific Underpinnings I 1
Semester Total 7

Year 1, Summer

NRDNP 830 Applied Hlth Care Econ & Fin 3
NRDNP 871 Scientific Underpinnings II 1
Semester Total 4

Year 2, Fall

NRDNP 836 Informatics in Hlth Care Deliv 3
NRDNP 838 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Spring

NRDNP 842 Advanced Pharmacology 4
NRDNP 856 Adv Clin Assess Reasoning 6
Semester Total 10

Year 2, Summer

NRDNP 864 Advanced Care Management I 6
Semester Total 6

Year 3, Fall

NRDNP 865 Advanced Care Management II 6
NRDNP 872 Scientific Underpinnings III 1
Semester Total 7

Year 3, Spring

NRDNP 858 Evid Based Prac Qual Safety 3
NRDNP 866 Advanced Care Management III 6
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Summer

NRDNP 848B Role Practicum 7
NRDNP 862 Practice Inquiry & IRB 3
Semester Total 10

Year 4, Fall

NRDNP 890 Residency 5
Semester Total 5

Year 4, Spring

NRDNP 890 Residency 5
Semester Total 5
Curriculum Minimum Total 76

Graduate students can elect to add Nurse Educator courses to include:

  • NURSM 615 Methodology of Online Teaching, 3 credit hours
  • NURSM 703 Instructional Processes, 3 credit hours
  • NURSM 713 Curriculum Design & Development, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD 800 Mentored Teaching, 3 credit hours

Alumni Spotlight

Dr. Simone Chinnis

First inspired by nursing as a teenager, Dr. Simone Chinnis, Class of 2005 and 2017, knows the power of perspective. Now a MUSC College of Nursing alumna and faculty member, she is committed to the next generation of nursing students.

Read Dr. Chinnis' Story

Admissions

Prepare to empower patients and promote evidence-based care. Look toward the next stage by applying to one of the College of Nursing’s degree or certificate programs.

Federal Student Aid clipboard

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Learn more about Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loans, and financial aid resources.

Learn More

FAQs

Discover answers to commonly asked questions about the College of Nursing, admissions, and academic programs.

*DNP students are expected to attend on campus learning intensive.