Meet the Interim Program Director
Ronda Hughes, PhD, MHS, RN, CLNC, FAAN, is a member of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and Sigma Theta Tau International.
As a nursing informatics student, you’ll integrate computer science and informatics science principles with nursing practice to gain understanding of system design life cycles, data management and health care technology. You will learn to analyze data to improve health outcomes, incorporate data in practice design, support interprofessional teams and manage projects.
Online course delivery — paired with a practicum that can be completed in your workplace — offers you flexible yet comprehensive training that prepares you to gain national certification in Nursing Informatics through the American Nurse Credentialing Center. Graduates are expected to enjoy career opportunities such as clinical analyst, informatics nurse specialist, director of clinical informatics, clinical informatics coordinator, clinical transformation specialist, clinical informatics educator and chief nursing informatics officer.
The MSN in Nursing Informatics requires 33 credit hours and can be completed in seven semesters (full-time program) or eleven semesters (part-time). All didactic coursework is online, distance format.
Full-time Program of Study
1st semester
- Nurs 775 - Foundations in Nursing Informatics
- Nurs 700 - Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations for Nursing
2nd semester
- ITEC 764 - Project Management for Health Information Systems
- Nurs 717 - Applications of Basic Statistics for Nursing & Nursing Services Management
3rd semester
- Nurs 790 - Research Methods for Nursing
- ITEC 770 - Health Database Systems
4th semester
- Nurs 791 - Seminar in Clinical Research
- Nurs 738 - Financing Health Care
5th semester
- Nurs 734 - Conceptual Basis of Health Systems
- Nurs 720 - Clinical Application of Population Analysis
6th and 7th semesters
- Nurs 777 - Nursing Informatics Practicum
Part-time Program of Study
1st semester
- Nurs 700 - Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations for Nursing
2nd semester
- Nurs 717 - Applications of Basic Statistics for Nursing & Nursing Services Management
3rd semester
- Nurs 790 - Research Methods for Nursing
4th semester
- Nurs 738 - Financing Health Care
5th semester
- Nurs 734 - Conceptual Basis of Health Systems
6th semester
- Nurs 775 - Foundations in Nursing Informatics
7th semester
- ITEC 764 - Project Management for Health Information Systems
8th semester
- ITEC 770 - Health Database Systems
9th semester
- Nurs 791 - Seminar in Clinical Research
10th semester
- Nurs 720 - Clinical Application of Population Analysis
11th and 12th semesters
- Nurs 777 - Nursing Informatics Practicum
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Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from previous undergraduate and graduate course work
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Three letters of reference from master’s-prepared RNs who can speak to the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the Masters in Nursing Informatics program
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A personal goal statement that reflects MSN program outcomes
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Current curriculum vitae or resume
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Current unencumbered RN licensure in the state of residence
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GRE not required
The MSN Nursing Informatics program only accepts students for fall entry. Applications are accepted Nov. 1 – March 1.
Apply to Graduate School
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.
MSN program costs depend on several factors. Estimate your costs by visiting the university’s Bursar’s Office 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 and scholarships for graduate study. In addition, other scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available through The Graduate School and the university’s Financial Aid and Scholarships office.
Accreditation
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.
State Authorization
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.
Contact Us
Phone: 803-777-7412
Email: NURSGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu
Address:
Williams-Brice Building, Room 208
1601 Greene St.
Columbia, SC 29208