Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice

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in South Carolina for best graduate nursing school programs - DNP Programs

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

Spring 2026 Application Deadline

Application Open: July 1, 2025
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Application Open: August 15, 2025
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

The Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program will open in Fall 2026. Applications open August 15, 2025.

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Program Overview

The MSN and DNP is a dual-degree program that awards both a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). It is designed to prepare students for advanced clinical roles, particularly as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). Graduates are eligible for licensure and certification in their specialty track.


Why MUSC's MSN and DNP Dual-Degree 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

MSN DNP dual-degree students will choose one of clinical specializations with a primary care focus:

photo of college of nursing students

Adult-Gerontology

Nurse examining patient

Pediatric

Nurse helping a patient.

Family

Psychiatric Mental Health

There are five areas of specialty focus:

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

* The Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program will open in Fall 2026 and is currently accepting applications, through September 15, 2025.

Year 1, Fall

NRDNP838 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRDNP856A Advanced Clinical Assessment and Reasoning I 3
NRDNP860 Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics 4
Semester Total 10

Year 1, Spring

NRDNP856B Advanced Clinical Assessment and Reasoning II 3
NRDNP842 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 4
NRDNP846 Frameworks for Leadership 3
Semester Total 10

Year 1, Summer

NRDNP864 Advanced Care Management I 6
NRDNP830 Applied Health Care Economics and Finance 3
Semester Total 9

Year 2, Fall

NRDNP836 Informatics in Healthcare Delivery 3
NRDNP865 Advanced Care Management II 6
NRDNP873 Scientific Underpinnings 3
Semester Total 12

Year 2, Spring

NRDNP708 Advanced Health Policy and Advocacy 3
NRDNP858 Evidence-Based Practice, Quality & Safety 3
NRDNP866 Advanced Care Management III 6
Semester Total 12

Year 2, Summer

NRDNP848B Role Practicum 7
NRDNP862 Practice Inquiry & IRB 3
Semester Total 10

Year 3, Fall

NRDNP890 Residency 5
NRDNP850 Organizational Theory and Health Care Systems 3
Semester Total 8

Year 3, Spring

NRDNP890 Residency 5
Semester Total 5
Curriculum Total 76

Year 1, Spring

NRPHD708 Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy 3
NRDNP846 Frameworks for Leadership 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Summer

NRDNP830 Applied Healthcare Economics & Finance 3
NRDNP860 Applied Epidemiology & Biostatistics 4
Semester Total 7

Year 1, Fall

NRDNP838 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NRDNP856A Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning A 3
NRDNP836 Informatics in Healthcare Delivery 3
Semester Total 9

Year 2, Spring

NRDNP856B Advanced Clinical Assessment & Reasoning B 3
NRDNP842 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 4
Semester Total 7

Year 2, Summer

NRDNP864 Advanced Care Management I 6
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Fall

NRDNP865 Advanced Care Management II 6
NRDNP873 Scientific Underpinnings IV 3
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Spring

NRDNP866 Advanced Care Management III 6
NRDNP858 Evidenced Based Practice, Quality & Safety 3
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Summer

NRDNP848B Role Practicum 7
NRDNP862 Practice Inquiry & IRB 3
Semester Total 10

Year 3, Fall

NRDNP850 Organizational Theory & Healthcare Systems 3
NRDNP890 Residency 5
Semester Total 8

Year 4, Spring

NRDNP890 Residency 5
Semester Total 5
Curriculum Minimum Total 76

Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRDNP836 Informatics in Health Care Delivery 3
NRDNP830 Applied Health Care Economics and Finance 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRPHD708 Advanced Health Policy & Advocacy 3
NRDNP846 Frameworks for Leadership 3
Semester Total 6

Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRDNP860 Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics 4
Semester Total 4

Year 2, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRDNP856A Advanced Clinical Assessment and Reasoning I 3
NRDNP838 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
Semester Total 6

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRDNP842 Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics 4
NRDNP856B

Advanced Clinical Assessment and Reasoning II

 3
Semester Total 7

Year 2, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRDNP864 Advanced Care Management I 6
Semester Total 6

Year 3, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRDNP865 Advanced Care Management II 6
NRDNP873 Scientific Underpinnings 3
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRDNP858 Evid Based Prac Qual Safety 3
NRDNP866 Advanced Care Management III 6
Semester Total 9

Year 3, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

NRDNP848B Role Practicum 7
NRDNP862 Practice Inquiry & IRB 3
Semester Total 10

Year 4, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

NRDNP890 Residency 5
NRDNP850 

Organizational Theory and Health Care Systems

 		 3 
Semester Total 8

Year 4, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

NRDNP890 Residency 5
Semester Total 5
Curriculum Minimum Total 76

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

  • NURSM615 Methodology of Online Teaching, 3 credit hours
  • NURSM703 Instructional Processes, 3 credit hours
  • NURSM713 Curriculum Design & Development, 3 credit hours
  • NRPHD800 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.

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