The MSN in Nursing Administration requires 30 credit hours and can be completed in
12 to 18 months. All didactic coursework is online, distance format. Courses are accelerated
and delivered in seven-week terms. You may take classes on a full-time (two courses
per term) or part-time (one course per term) basis.
Full Time
A full-time student starting in Fall 2020 would be completed by Summer 2021.
2020: 2 courses each in Fall A, Fall B
2021: 2 courses each in Spring A, Spring B and Summer
Part Time
A part-time student starting in Fall 2020 would be completed by Summer 2022.
2020: 1 course each in Fall A and Fall B 2020
2021: 1 course each in Spring A and Spring B; 1 course in Summer, 1 course each in Fall
A and Fall B
2022: 1 course each in Spring A and Spring B; 1 course in Summer
Required Courses
- NURS 700 - Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations for Nursing
- NURS 734 - Conceptual Basis of Health Systems
- NURS 720 - Clinical Application of Population Analysis
- NURS 738 - Financing Health Care
- NURS 740 - Facilitative Processes in Nursing Administration
- NURS 741 - Coordinating Processes in Nursing Administration*
- NURS 742 - Integrative Process in Nursing Administration*
- NURS 790 - Research Methods for Nursing
Students must choose one of the following courses:
- NURS 717 - Application of Basic Statistics for Nursing & Nursing Services Management
- BIO 700 - Introduction to Biostatistics
- EDRM 710 - Educational Statistics I
Students must choose one of the following courses:
- NURS 791 - Seminar in Clinical Research
- NURS 799 - Thesis
* NURS 741 and NURS 742 require a precepted leadership experience of 112 hours each
in an approved clinical or other healthcare organizational setting, for a total of
224 hours.
Upon graduation and if you meet the experience criteria, you are eligible to sit for
four credentialing exams:
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) through the American Organization of Nurse
Executives
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) through the American Organization of
Nurse Executives
- Certified Nurse Executive (NE-BC) through the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing
Center)
- Certified Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC) through the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing
Center)
The Nursing Administration program accepts students for spring, summer and fall entry.
Applications may be submitted April 1 - June 30 for fall 2021 enrollment and July 1 – October 31 for spring 2022 enrollment.
The Graduate School coordinates online applications to our master's and doctoral programs. There may
be supporting materials that are required along with your online application for graduate
admission, so be sure to review the requirements before you apply.
The Master of Science in Nursing Degree programs at the University of South Carolina
are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education through 2021. Our programs also meet the standards for American Nurses Association
Credentialing Center, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty and the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing.
Although the University of South Carolina is a member of SARA, some state Boards of
Nursing or state higher education commissions have recently started imposing restrictions
for offering distance education courses within their state. Check to see if our online
programs are open to residents in your state.
