Graduate Program Information

USC College of Nursing offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees, awarded through the Graduate School of the University. Also offered are programs leading to dual master degrees from the College of Nursing and the School of Public Health, and a Post-Master's Certificate of Graduate Study in Advanced Practice Nursing that includes emphases in Primary Care, Acute Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health and Women’s Health. An Interdisciplinary Certificate of Graduate Study in Gerontology may be earned by completing 18 credit hours beyond the master’s degree requirements. The purpose of the PhD program is to prepare professional nurses for careers in research. The DNP program is designed to prepare nurses as clinical practitioners/scholars to assume advanced practice clinical and leadership roles. The master's and post-master's programs prepare professional nurses for careers in advanced practice as clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners and for careers in education and administration.

The PhD program offers a foundation of nine courses in nursing theory development, research, and statistics. Program options build on core courses and provide for development of individualized programs of study, which conclude with the preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation. Program requirements are distributed across 28-31 credit hours of core courses, 15-33 credit hours of contributing courses, 3-6 credit hours of mentored research, and 12 credit hours of dissertation preparation. A minimum of 60 credit hours is required. Students in the BSN entry option will need to complete 18 additional credit hours of master’s level courses which may be from one of the existing nursing majors or emphasis areas or in an individualized program of study. Program requirements must be completed within eight years.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Program is designed to prepare nurses as practitioners/scholars to assume leadership roles at the highest level of advanced practice. The curriculum incorporates elements of traditional master's education and preparation for advanced practice in nursing but includes dimensions of leadership development, research-based practice and policy change needed to improve patient/client outcomes in complex health care systems. Capstone experiences include a research utilization/EBP project and a nursing leadership residency. Graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification examination in an area of advanced practice nursing. The DNP program has three entry points, depending on prior educational experiences: (1) students with a master's degree in nursing, (2) students who have a bachelor's degree from a discipline other than nursing and (3) students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree. DNP requirements must be completed within eight years.

The DNP curricular plan totals 33 credit hours for students who enter with a master's degree in nursing. Students who enter with a BSN in nursing must take the 33 hours in addition to their selected advanced practice emphasis area. Credit hours required for graduation with a DNP degree vary (67-75 credit hours) depending on the advanced practice emphasis area chosen by the student. Advanced practice emphasis areas are located in the Graduate Bulletin at http://www.sc.edu/nursing/grad_handbook_1112.pdf

Non-BSN degree prepared students take additional course work as prerequisites and corequisites with the DNP curriculum. These students are awarded the BSN degree upon completion of the additional course work and the prescribed credits of DNP course work needed for licensure. Once the BSN course work is completed, students may take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Students must be successful on the NCLEX before they are eligible to enroll in the remaining DNP courses. Length of study for non-BSN degree prepared students is typically eight years (including 1-2 summers) of full-time study. Part-time study is available; however, full-time study is required while taking the pre-licensure courses.

The master’s program offers foundation courses in nursing theory, research methodology, health care issues, and statistics. Full-time and part-time study in the 37-48 credit-hour master's program is available. Dual degree requirements include 51-54 credit hours.

Post Master’s Certificate of Graduate Study consists of 24-25 credit hours. Program requirements must be completed within six years. The MSN degree has thesis and non-thesis options. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits the master’s degree program. Selected courses are offered at distant sites through videocassette or closed circuit television.

The University of South Carolina system provides affirmative action and equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.