5 Best DNP Programs in South Carolina – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Will a DNP open up new nursing employment options for you in South Carolina? The answer to that is a resounding “Yes!” Healthcare employers in the Palmetto State love graduates of DNP programs in South Carolina because they know these nurses have advanced expertise in specialty areas, such as clinical practice, organizational skills, and leadership. South Carolina DNPs earn compensation in line with their educational investment, with annual salaries that average $125,970. In 10 years, there will be 61 percent more employment opportunities for DNPs than there are today. Find out more about how a DNP diploma can propel you to the top of the nursing profession with this guide to the 5 best DNP programs in South Carolina.


WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 5 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in South Carolina (Online & Campus) for 2025.


1. Medical University of South Carolina - Charleston


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice Nursing and Palliative Care


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The Medical University of South Carolina is home to one of the best online DNP programs in South Carolina. The program admits students twice per year in the spring and fall semesters and can be completed in three or four years, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time. Upon completion of the program, you will be awarded a Master of Science in Nursing degree and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

The BSN-to-DNP program is designed to prepare you with in-depth knowledge of health systems, leadership, applied research, and evidence-based practice. Coursework is delivered online, with a few courses requiring multi-day learning intensives on campus. The DNP curriculum for each pathway is 76 credits and includes 1,170 clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you must have an unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in the state where you will complete practicums and have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program by the initial date of enrollment. Applicants with a cumulative and nursing GPA of 3.0 or better are preferred. You must submit official transcripts from any college or university you have attended, a resume or curriculum vitae, two professional references, and an admission essay.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis for the DNP program. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply early. You must complete an application through NursingCAS and a separate supplemental university application.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Master’s-prepared registered nurses can earn a DNP at the Medical University of South Carolina through the school’s fully online MSN-to-DNP program. The program has two start dates annually and offers two concentrations to specialize in: Advanced Practice Nursing or Palliative Care.

The MSN-to-DNP in Advanced Practice Nursing is designed for currently practicing advanced practice registered nurses who want to attain a terminal degree and further clinical practice. The Palliative Care specialty focuses on care of patients with progressive, life-threatening illnesses and emphasizes respect for patients and families in this transitional time of their lives. Post-master’s students who choose to pursue the Palliative Care pathway participate in a week-long Palliative Care Advanced Practice Provider Externship. The externship is an immersion course led by nationally- and internationally-recognized palliative care experts.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates desiring admission to the MSN-to-DNP program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program. Applicants must have a current APRN license with evidence of national certification in an advanced practice specialty. In addition to completing an online application, you must provide official transcripts for all post-secondary coursework you completed. Applicants with a cumulative GPA and nursing GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are preferred.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• At the Medical University of South Carolina, your campus visits will include opportunities to learn and train in the MUSC Healthcare Simulation Center. The center is a state-of-the-art simulation center designed to allow students to practice real-world scenarios in a safe environment that supports and prepares for independent doctoral practice.
• Students of the DNP program at MUSC have high retention and graduation rates. Additionally, graduates have excellent job placement rates, with most reporting being employed in a DNP role within six months of the program’s completion.


2. University of South Carolina - Columbia


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Executive Healthcare Leadership


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Clinical Expert and Executive Healthcare Leadership


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of South Carolina offers baccalaureate-prepared RNs the opportunity to earn a Doctor of Nursing degree. You can choose one of three clinical specialties or specialize in Executive Health Leadership. The BSN-to-DNP programs take eight or nine semesters to complete on a full-time schedule, depending on your specialty. A part-time enrollment option is also available and takes 11 to 12 semesters to complete. Classes for each BSN-to-DNP pathway begin in the summer of each year.

Didactic coursework is delivered primarily in an online format. AGACNP and FNP students are required to come to campus two to three times for immersion courses. PMHNP students attend campus for one immersion course.

The Adult Gerontology Acute Care program is a 73-credit pathway. The Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner pathways require 74 credits. These specialties begin with core advanced nursing courses, including Application of Basic Statistics for Nursing Practice & Service Management, Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurses, and Organizational Theories & Systems for Healthcare Delivery. After core courses are complete, each pathway integrates concentration-specific subject matter. Additionally, each nurse practitioner program includes 1,112 precepted clinical hours.

The BSN-to-DNP Executive Healthcare Leadership program takes eight semesters if you enroll full-time and 11 semesters if you enroll part-time. The program features a 60-credit curriculum. In this program, you will study Facilitative Processes in Healthcare Leadership, Organizational Theories & Systems in Healthcare, Application Statistics for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, and Integrative Processes in Healthcare Leadership. This pathway includes 1,000 clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission criteria for the post-bachelor's DNP program include the following. You must have a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited program with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0. Candidates must provide three letters of reference, a personal goal statement, evidence of writing competence, and a current resume or CV. Additionally, proof of an unencumbered, active RN license and current BLS certification. If you plan to pursue the Adult-Gerontology ACNP pathway, you must also provide proof of current ACLS certification. AGACNP and FNP candidates must have 2,400 hours of work experience in ICU, medical/surgical, emergency, or critical care within the past 24 months. Executive Healthcare Leadership applicants must have 2,400 hours of work experience in a leadership role within the past five years.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The DNP program in South Carolina at USC offers two post-master's majors, Clinical Expert and Executive Healthcare Leadership. Both MSN-to-DNP programs are designed for full-time study.

The Clinical Expert post-master's program is a 33-credit pathway that can be completed in six semesters. The post-master's Executive Healthcare Leadership program requires 36-39 credits and takes seven semesters to complete. All MSN-to-DNP students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. The total number of clinical hours you need to earn the degree will be determined by a GAP analysis of the clinical hours you completed in your MSN program. You may be allowed to complete clinicals at your current place of employment if the outcomes of your DNP project can be supported there.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of South Carolina, you must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned from nationally accredited programs. Applicants seeking admission to the Clinical Expert pathway must be certified, licensed, and practicing as an APRN with prescriptive authority. APRN applicants must have 2,400 hours of work experience completed within the past 24 months. Executive Healthcare Leadership applicants must have 2,000 hours of work experience in a leadership role over the past five years.

Additionally, applicants must have a cumulative undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0. You must provide evidence of writing competence through a written statement and answers to an essay question during an admissions interview and submit three letters of recommendation, a personal goal statement, and a current CV or professional resume.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The DNP program in South Carolina at UNC is ranked as one of the best programs by U.S. News & World Report in its list of Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice!
• The DNP program at the University of South Carolina was one of the first four DNP programs in the United States to be nationally recognized. The school’s long history of educating doctoral nursing students speaks volumes about the commitment the school has to nursing education.


3. Anderson University - Anderson


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Advanced Practice and Executive Leadership


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Anderson University is home to some of the best DNP programs in South Carolina. The BSN-to-DNP programs are designed in a hybrid format with online classes and minimal campus visits. Campus visits are required two to three days per semester to meet with faculty, participate in skills intensives, and interact with peers. Admission to the post-bachelor's programs occurs annually in the fall semester. Each BSN-to-DNP program takes three years to complete.

The Family Nurse Practitioner program is a nine-semester, 74-credit hour track. The FNP curriculum features classes, including Clinical Epidemiology & Analytical Methods, Clinical Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice, and Integrated Care of Individuals & Communities.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a 75-credit pathway that also takes nine semesters to complete. In this program, you will study the Management of Behavioral Health Populations Across the Lifespan, Advanced Assessment Processes in Mental Healthcare Across the Lifespan, and Psychopharmacological Therapies Across the Lifespan.

Both BSN-to-DNP pathways include advanced courses in Pathophysiology, Physical Assessment, and Pharmacology. In addition to coursework, the BSN-to-DNP pathways require you to complete a DNP Scholarly Project and a clinical residency. All students also participate in a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program requires having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and one to two years of nursing experience. Candidates must have an active, unencumbered RN license, CPR certification, and a current immunization record by the start of the program. You must provide official transcripts from any college or university you have attended reflecting a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, two letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a Personal Statement.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a master’s-prepared RN, the MSN-to-DNP program in South Carolina at Anderson University is a great option. You can choose an Advanced Practice or Executive Leadership specialization. The post-master's DNP programs feature online classes and require campus visits during the first and last residency course semesters to meet with faculty and peers while working on the DNP Scholarly Project.

The Advanced Practice DNP program is a 39-credit pathway and includes 500 post-master's clinical hours. The Executive Leadership program requires completion of 42 credits and 800 post-master's clinical hours. The MSN-to-DNP program includes classes such as Advocacy in Healthcare Policy, Applied Informatics & Change Systems, and Organizational & Systems Leadership- Role Development. To align with The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (DNP Essentials), all DNP students must have a total of at least 1,000 post-bachelor's clinical hours. Therefore, if you did not complete enough clinical hours in your master’s nursing program, you will be required to earn additional hours to meet the requirements of the program.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates for the MSN-to-DNP program must have a master’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and an overall nursing grade point average of 3.0 on all nursing coursework from any school. Applicants must have an Advanced Practice Certification. Additionally, you must provide two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, all post-secondary transcripts, and a professional resume, and complete an online application.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Anderson University reports graduates of its DNP programs in South Carolina consistently score exceptionally well on national certification exams. This factor is important to consider when choosing a school, as pass rates are a strong indicator of a program’s quality and strength.
• Anderson University is committed to ensuring all students receive one-on-one learning opportunities to help promote success. The DNP program features small cohorts, making individual attention and guidance possible.


4. Clemson University - Clemson


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family NP (primary care), Adult/Gerontology NP (primary care), Pediatric NP (primary care), and Health Systems Leadership


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Clemson University offers an excellent BSN-to-DNP program in South Carolina. The program is designed in a hybrid format, combining campus-based classes on Thursdays, some virtual assignments, and on-site clinical rotations. Post-bachelor's students complete the DNP program in nine semesters of full-time study.

The BSN-to-DNP program offers four specialty concentrations, each with a 74-credit hour curriculum. All post-baccalaureate students complete DNP Core Courses, including Nursing Research Design & Methods, Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing, and DNP Genomics, Ethics, & Health Policy. After completing the required courses, specialty-relevant courses are integrated into the curriculum.

Each student in the BSN-to-DNP program must complete 1,000 hours of post-bachelor clinical hours. You may transfer up to 500 approved clinical hours from your master’s nursing program. If your master’s program had less than 500 clinical hours, you will be required to complete additional DNP Project hours to help you achieve the 1,000-hour requirement.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at Clemson University begin by completing an online application. Candidates must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a minimum of 600 clinical hours from their bachelor's program. You must provide official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities you have attended and have a cumulative college GPA of 3.25 or higher. Additionally, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a professional resume or CV, and a personal statement.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program is a 35-credit pathway offered in an online format. The curriculum is focused on leadership, healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, advocacy, expert clinical advanced nursing practices, and interprofessional collaboration. Classes in the post-master's DNP program include DNP Health Informatics, DNP Outcomes Management, DNP Evidence Integration, and DNP Leaders in Healthcare Systems. A GAP analysis of your master’s program clinical hours will determine the number of clinical hours you must complete in the MSN-to-DNP program.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Post-master's applicants for the DNP program must have a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program, an unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse, and a current NP/CNS national certification. Candidates must also provide official transcripts reflecting a minimum college grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 grading scale, a curriculum vitae or professional resume, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• At Clemson University, students in the DNP programs are assigned a Program Coordinator as an advisor. The Graduate Student Services Coordinator and Program Coordinators will assist you with advisement throughout the program.
• Students in the DNP program in South Carolina at Clemson have opportunities to participate in traineeships and assistantships. Traineeships are available through the School of Nursing, when available, and offer funds that can be used to help cover the cost of tuition and fees. Students who participate in assistantships receive a tuition reduction for up to nine credit hours per semester and a stipend for the hours worked.


5. Francis Marion University - Florence


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: At Francis Marion University, bachelor's-prepared RNs can pursue a DNP and specialize as either a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The BSN-to-DNP program is a blended hybrid pathway that offers most classes online except for a few hybrid courses, which require travel to campus no more than two times per semester. The post-baccalaureate pathway is designed for full-time students and is formatted to be completed in three years. New classes begin in the fall each year for both specialties.

Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner pathway complete 70 credits. The curriculum includes classes such as Doctoral Research & Epidemiological Evidence-Based Practice, Primary Care of Pediatrics, Primary Care of Infants, Children, & Adolescents, and Primary Care of Women. The program also includes 1,080 clinical hours.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program features a 72-credit curriculum and includes 1,080 clinical hours. Courses for the PMHNP program include Evidence-Based Psychopharmacology of the Advanced Practice Nurse, Advanced Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, & Management of Psychiatric Disorders Across the Lifespan, and Biostatistics.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program in South Carolina at Francis Marion University, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing and show proof of a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Candidates must complete a graduate admissions application, provide official post-secondary transcripts, and submit three letters of recommendation, an admission essay, a resume or CV, and proof of current RN license or BSN transcript.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program admits new students in the fall annually. Full-time students complete the program in one year. If you prefer a part-time plan of study, your faculty advisor can help develop a schedule for you.

The program is a 30-credit pathway that includes a minimum of 360 clinical hours. Some students may be required to take additional courses to meet clinical requirements, which is a total of 1,000 precepted post-baccalaureate hours. Students in the post-master's DNP program study in classes, including Doctoral Knowledge Development, The Role of Technology & Interprofessional Collaboration, and Doctoral Health Policy, Finance, & Leadership.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Applicants for the MSN-to-DNP program must provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended, three letters of recommendation, a CV or resume, an admission essay, and a graduate nursing application. To be considered, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and a valid, unencumbered APRN license.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• At Francis Marion University, there are several opportunities for graduate nursing scholarships, which could help reduce or eliminate the financial obligations of the program. For example, students pursuing the FNP or PMHNP degree may be eligible for the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Grant Scholarship. The scholarship grant is designed to promote and support healthcare in medically underserved and/or rural settings.
• The faculty of the DNP programs at Francis Marion University have many years of combined clinical nursing and nursing education experience. Faculty are dedicated to the nursing profession as a whole and the school’s program, which means you can feel confident that you will receive a high-quality education from leaders committed to your success.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In South Carolina?




2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In South Carolina?


5


3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In South Carolina?


Hourly$60.56
Weekly$2,423
Monthly$10,500
Annual$125,970


4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In South Carolina?


Hourly$44.56
Weekly$1,782
Monthly$7,720
Annual$92,680


5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In South Carolina?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
1-4 Years of Experience$50.41$2,017$8,740$104,860
5-9 Years of Experience$59.51$2,380$10,320$123,780
10-19 Years of Experience$66.27$2,651$11,490$137,850
20 Years or More Experience$79.20$3,168$13,730$164,730


6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In South Carolina By Metro?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Charleston-North Charleston$64.05$2,562$11,100$133,220
Columbia$58.57$2,343$10,150$121,820
Florence$63.38$2,535$10,990$131,820
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin$59.04$2,362$10,230$122,810
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort$55.56$2,222$9,630$115,560
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach$58.66$2,346$10,170$122,010
Spartanburg$61.44$2,458$10,650$127,790
Sumter$59.26$2,370$10,270$123,260


7. Average DNP Salary In South Carolina Vs. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In South Carolina


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Dentist$182,970-$57,000-31.15%
Podiatrist$159,340-$33,370-20.94%
Pharmacist$134,960-$8,990-6.66%
Veterinarian$127,400-$1,430-1.12%
Nurse With DNP$125,970$00.00%
Optometrist$114,430+$11,540+10.08%
Physician Assistant$114,310+$11,660+10.20%
Radiation Therapist$94,940+$31,030+32.68%
Physical Therapist$94,280+$31,690+33.61%
Occupational Therapist$88,520+$37,450+42.31%
Speech-Language Pathologist$85,670+$40,300+47.04%
Audiologist$82,610+$43,360+52.49%
Dental Hygienist$76,950+$49,020+63.70%
Chiropractor$72,810+$53,160+73.01%


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



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