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College of Nursing

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post Masters Entry

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP program at South Carolina prepares you to become an advanced practice nurse or for a leadership role. Through online classes and select on-campus immersions, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement evidence-based practices and system-wide changes to improve patient outcomes.

Enhance your leadership skills or gain certification as a doctoral-prepared advanced practice registered nurse.

Executive Healthcare Leadership

The Executive Healthcare Leadership concentration is open to both BSN and master’s-prepared applicants. Program graduates are prepared to influence health care environments through professionalism, leadership, strong communication skills and business knowledge.

Clinical Majors

As a BSN-prepared student, you may choose to earn one of three DNP degrees: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). As a post-master’s student with an advanced practice nursing certification, you may expand on your APRN role with the advanced practice DNP Clinical Expert certificate. All DNP APRN graduates develop skills to assess research and evaluate outcomes to improve patient care.

When you choose the DNP program at South Carolina, you’re choosing to learn from a leader. Our program was one of the first four nationally recognized DNP programs in the country, and our online graduate nursing programs continue to be nationally ranked. 

Online course delivery is paced for you to succeed at home, in the workplace and at school. As a South Carolina DNP student, you will be able to collaborate with dynamic faculty mentors on evidence-based projects, develop your own grants and participate in a health policy internship. The College of Nursing offers assistance with clinical placements in cases where you cannot complete your clinical experience in your current workplace. The program also offers scholarships for qualified students. 

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from nationally accredited programs and evidence of credentialing within the applicant's specialty.

  • Preferred cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for graduate coursework (official transcripts for all graduate coursework are required). Applicants who attend(ed) a graduate program that issued pass or fail grades for all classes will not be considered competitive applicants.

  • Preferred cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework (official transcripts for all nursing coursework are required). Applicants who attended a BSN or MSN program that issued pass or fail grades for all classes will not be considered competitive applicants.

  • Applicants with a master’s degree in nursing must be certified, licensed and practicing as an advanced practice nurse with prescriptive authority in order to proceed to the 33 credit hours DNP terminal degree unless seeking the Executive Healthcare Leadership concentration.

  • Evidence of writing competence, which will be evaluated through the candidate’s prepared written statement submitted with the application, as well as by written response to an essay question given during the admissions interview.

  • Personal goal statement.

  • Current CV or Resume (in addition to your education and professional experiences, include any certifications, leadership experiences, experiences with diverse or underserved population, paid or volunteer healthcare experiences).

  • Three letters of reference that attest to the applicant’s academic ability, professional competency and personal character from individuals in the health care field.

  • APRN applicants are required to have 2400 work hours within the past 24 months.  Submit official Verification of Work Hours Form from employer (upload with application).

  • Executive Healthcare Leadership track only - Preferred work experience:  2000 hours of experience in a leadership role over the last five years; applicants with a MBA, MPH, or MHA should have 4000 hours.*  Submit official Verification of Work Hours Form from employer (upload with application).

  • Interview with nursing graduate faculty.

  • Unencumbered, active registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license in state where clinical experiences will occur.

  • Current BLS certification.

  • Verification of clinical hours completed during the applicant’s MSN program.

  • GRE not required.

* approved by DNP Council 4.10.2023

  • Successful completion of BSN degree from a nationally accredited program.

  • Preferred cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework (official transcripts for all nursing coursework are required). Applicants who attended a BSN program that issued pass or fail grades for all classes will not be considered competitive applicants.

  • Three letters of reference that attest to the applicant’s academic ability, professional competency and personal character from doctorally prepared individuals in the health care field.

  • Personal goal statement.

  • Evidence of writing competence, which will be evaluated through the candidate’s prepared written statement submitted with the application, as well as by written response to an essay question given during the admissions interview.

  • Current CV or Resume (in addition to your education and professional experiences, include any certifications, leadership experiences, experiences with diverse or underserved population, paid or volunteer healthcare experiences).

  • Current unencumbered, active RN licensure in the state where clinical experiences will occur.

  • Current BLS certification.

  • Current ACLS certification (AGACNP applicants only).

  • BSN to DNP applicants are required to have 2400 work hours within the past 24 months. Preferred AGACNP clinical experience in an acute care setting (ICU, critical care, medical/surgical or emergency department). Preferred FNP clinical experience includes critical care, ICU, medical/surgical or emergency department. Preferred  PMHNP clinical experience includes psych or related fields.

  • Executive Healthcare Leadership track only - Preferred work experience: 2400 hours of experience in a leadership role over the last five years.*

  • Submit official Verification of Work Hours Form from employer (upload with application).

  • Interview with nursing graduate faculty.

  • GRE not required.

* approved by DNP Council 4.10.2023

At the conclusion of the program, the DNP graduate will be able to:

    1. Identify direct and indirect clinical problems in complex health settings and work with interprofessional teams to address them.
    2. Differentiate theoretical knowledge as it applies to direct or indirect clinical care.
    3. Translate evidence to address population health problems.
    4. Integrate data bases and information literacy in designing interventions for advanced practice.
    5. Execute evidence-based interventions to improve health care outcomes.
  • Complete graduate residency of at least 18 graduate hours for three consecutive semesters.

  • Complete an approved program of study.

  • Complete a DNP final project.

  • Complete program within six years. Programs are designed for completion within six to 12 semesters.

Master’s-prepared students / Executive Healthcare Leadership major – 36-39 hours.

Master’s-prepared students / Clinical Expert major – 33 hours.

BSN-prepared students / Nurse Executive Leadership major – 74 hours.

BSN-prepared students / AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP majors – 60 hours, depending on major.

  • Complete a minimum 1,000 clinical hours. Credit will be given via a gap analysis for some clinical hours earned during the master’s program. Each student, after admission will be required to submit a portfolio for evaluation of clinical hours and after evaluation, the required number of hours required in the DNP program will be outline prior to matriculation.

  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and earn a 3.0 or better in all required classes and courses number 700 or higher.

All application materials (except official transcripts) will be submitted via the College of Nursing's graduate application portal

Official transcripts must be sent to The Graduate School. Review the degree requirements before you apply.

 

The DNP program (BSN entry) accepts students for summer entry.

Admission cycle for summer entry:

  • Application opens – June 1
  • Early decision deadline – August 15
  • Final decision deadline – October 31

The DNP program (Certificate of Graduate Study entry) accepts students for fall entry.

Admission cycle for fall entry:

  • Application opens – November 1
  • Early decision deadline – January 1
  • Final decision deadline – March 1

All students must begin coursework the semester of acceptance.

DNP program costs depend on several factors. For estimated costs, view:

Graduate Programs Cost Estimates 2023-2024

The Office of Financial Aid provides the full breakdown of the estimated cost to attend. For additional tuition and fee information, visit the Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees website.

Financial aid is available. To determine your eligibility, complete the FAFSA form on the university’s Financial Aid website. The College of Nursing also offers general scholarships. In addition, other scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available through The Graduate School and the university’s Financial Aid and Scholarships office.

Only a limited number or type of courses may be transferred into the program. To be eligible, you must have earned a “B” or better in the proposed transfer credit class. The university evaluates prior coursework for transfer, a process that generally takes six months to determine approval.

DNP student success

saraan photo

Learn on Your Schedule

“I returned to school to further my career, I have always wanted to practice in the provider role. I received my BSN from USC and had great experience, I loved it so much I decided to come back. Go Gamecocks! I have been able to work full-time while attending school part-time and appropriately balance both. I am thankful for the support I have received from faculty and my colleagues and leaders at work."
- Saraann Fagan, ‘16 BSN, DNP student

dwayne

Dedication to Excellence 

I chose USC Nursing because of its reputable nursing programs and dedication to excellence. The DNP program was essential for me in understanding the importance of leadership and advocacy for the nursing profession.”- Dwayne Alleyne, ‘08 MSN, ‘20 DNP

laura herbert

Student Support

"The faculty were so supportive and guided me throughout my journey. They were genuinely invested in my success. I’m so proud to be a Carolina Nurse!"
 - Laura Herbert, 19 DNP  

 


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