South Carolina is facing a potentially devastating nursing shortage, which is predicted to be the seventh worst in the country. The state legislature has taken significant steps to address this issue, setting aside a total of $30 million, including $5 million in loan forgiveness for nurses who go back to school to become nursing professors and $5 million to increase the salaries of nursing professors.
DNPs can work in many areas, including education, and with incentives like these coming from the state, South Carolina can be a lucrative place to pursue an advanced degree. Below, we cover program options for nurses looking to advance their careers in the Palmetto State.
South Carolina DNP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured South Carolina DNP Schools | 6 institutions (full directory below) |
| DNP Track Types Covered | BSN-to-DNP entry, MSN-to-DNP advancement, Post-Master’s DNP Certificate, Executive DNP |
| Practice Authority | Restricted — South Carolina NPs require a written practice agreement with a physician and supervision requirements |
| Licensing Board | South Carolina Board of Nursing |
| Typical Program Length | 3–4 years BSN-to-DNP; 18–24 months MSN-to-DNP; 12–18 months Post-Master’s DNP Certificate |
| Required Clinical Hours | 1,000+ (AACN DNP Essentials) |
| South Carolina NP Mean Annual Wage | $117,500 (BLS OES, May 2024) |
| AACN 2025 Alignment | All DNP programs aligned with the AACN Essentials and 2025 DNP position statement |
| National NP Growth (2023–33) | +46% — BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Certifying Bodies | AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB |
2026 Updates — What Changed for South Carolina DNP Programs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — South Carolina NP mean annual wage was $117,500. Charleston, Columbia, and the Upstate (Greenville-Anderson) lead the state.
- AACN 2025 DNP Position Statement — The AACN reaffirmed its position that the DNP is the appropriate terminal degree for advanced practice nursing. CCNE-accredited programs continue to align curricula with the 2025 Essentials.
- South Carolina-specific update — South Carolina remains one of the more restrictive states for NP practice. MUSC and USC-Columbia anchor academic-medical-center DNP preparation; Clemson, Anderson, and Francis Marion serve regional markets.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC has expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 6 South Carolina schools tracked — current South Carolina DNP-track institutions verified against CCNE and ACEN directories.
Educational Routes to Earning a DNP in South Carolina
There’s no single path to the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Five route types appear across South Carolina schools listed on this page — each suits a different starting credential and timeline.
1. BSN-to-DNP (Direct Doctoral Entry)
For BSN-prepared RNs who want to enter the doctoral path directly without first earning a separate master’s degree. Typical length: 3 to 4 years full-time, 1,000+ clinical hours, and an APRN specialty (FNP, AGNP, PMHNP, PNP, etc.). This is the fastest-growing entry path, aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement.
2. MSN-to-DNP (Post-Master’s Advancement)
For nurses who already hold an MSN-NP and want to add doctoral preparation without changing specialties. Typical length: 18 to 24 months part-time, focused on advanced systems leadership, evidence-based practice, and a doctoral capstone project. Many MSN-to-DNP programs accept clinical hours from the prior master’s, requiring fewer additional hours overall.
3. Post-Master’s DNP Certificate
For existing MSN-NP holders who want a credentialed doctoral certificate without a full DNP degree. Typical length: 12 to 18 months. Provides AACN Essentials coursework alignment without the full doctoral capstone. The NP Certifications hub covers credential combinations in depth.
4. Executive DNP (Leadership Track)
For nurses pursuing administrative, health-system, or population-health roles rather than direct clinical practice. Typical length: 24 to 36 months. Curriculum emphasizes nursing administration, quality improvement, informatics, and policy. Suited for current nurse managers, CNOs, and policy-track candidates.
5. Direct-Entry RN-to-DNP (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN (12 to 16 months), then enters the BSN-to-DNP track. Total time-to-DNP: typically 4.5 to 5.5 years from the start of accelerated BSN. South Carolina’s flagship direct-entry options include MUSC’s Accelerated BSN-to-DNP pathway and USC-Columbia’s Master’s of Science in Nursing entry track.
DNP Programs Accepting South Carolina Applicants
DNP Programs in South Carolina
South Carolina offers various DNP programs with multiple entry points with online and on-campus learning options. Below, we cover the programs available in the state to help you find the one that suits your needs and schedule.
According to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, all DNP programs require 1,000 post-BSN clinical hours. This total includes hours accrued during master’s-level programs. The clinical hours listed in the summaries below include the number of credits each DNP program has built into the curriculum to help meet this 1,000-hour requirement.
South Carolina BSN to DNP Programs
Clemson University offers a hybrid BSN to DNP track that requires students to visit campus several times throughout the program. It also offers an MSN to DNP hybrid track, which is covered below.
Clemson University
- Clemson, South Carolina
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $800 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Clemson offers four BSN to DNP tracks, including three NP options and a BSN to DNP Health Systems Leadership track. This 74-credit hybrid program takes nine semesters or three years to complete and includes a total of 1,000 clinical hours.
There’s also an MSN to DNP option for APRNs. This 35-credit program takes six semesters to complete, or about two years. Although it is online, students may have to attend on-campus immersions up to two days a year.
South Carolina MSN to DNP Programs
For those with an MSN who wish to have experiences on-campus while pursuing their DNP, Anderson University offers two MSN to DNP tracks.
Anderson University
- Greenville, South Carolina
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $855 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Anderson University offers two MSN to DNP tracks. Its 39-credit MSN to DNP Advanced Practice pathway is designed for advanced practice nurses pursuing their doctorate. Students can acquire between 500 and 600 clinical hours during this program. The 42-credit MSN to DNP Executive Leadership is for nurses with MSNs in other areas who wish to focus on leadership. It includes 800 clinical hours toward the 1,000-hour requirement. Students in both programs are required to come to the Greenville campus during their first residency semester to get support with their DNP project. These programs can be completed in 18 months.
Online DNP Programs in South Carolina
All of the DNP programs in South Carolina have some online components, making them convenient and flexible options for working professionals. However, nurses who wish to complete all or most of their classes online have a few options.
South Carolina Online BSN to DNP Programs
South Carolina University offers a BSN to DNP track with minimal on-campus immersions, though its MSN to DNP program, which is also covered below, is online.
University of South Carolina
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $770.25 per credit + fees for residents; $1,438 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
USC offers several paths for BSN-prepared nurses to pursue a DNP, including three NP tracks and a BSN to DNP Executive Healthcare Leadership option. This program can be completed part-time in eleven semesters or full-time in eight, which takes about three years. This school also offers a 33-credit MSN to DNP Executive Healthcare Leadership track that is completed online.
South Carolina Online MSN to DNP Programs
In addition to the program mentioned above at USC, there are three other online MSN to DNP options in South Carolina, which are detailed below.
Coker University
- Hartsville, South Carolina
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 33
Clinical Hours: 500
Tuition: $825 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The MSN to DNP program is the first doctoral degree offered at Coker University. Courses are offered entirely online and are completed in eight-week terms. This program includes 500 practicum hours toward the 1,000-hour requirement.
Francis Marion University
- Florence, South Carolina
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 30
Clinical Hours: 360
Tuition: $823.20 per credit + fees for residents; $1,646.40 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
For full-time students, the 30-credit MSN to DNP program at Francis Marion University can be completed in one calendar year. The curriculum includes 360 clinical hours, but some students may need additional courses to reach the minimum 1,000-hour requirement. This program is entirely online.
Medical University of South Carolina
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Online + Campus
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $835 per credit + fees for residents; $1,120 per credit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The 38-credit MSN to DNP APRN at MUSC is designed for APRNs who wish to advance their education and complete a terminal degree. MUSC also offers a unique 44-credit MSN to DNP Palliative Care program where nurses can better understand the needs of patients living with serious illnesses and prepare to take the advanced practice nurse palliative care certification exam. Both programs take about two years to complete and feature 100% online asynchronous classes, though students are required to come to campus for orientation.
DNP Programs Accepting South Carolina Applicants
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in South Carolina
The lengths of these programs vary, but if you’re interested in completing a DNP in as short a time as possible, consider one of the programs below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
Both the BSN to DNP Health Systems Leadership at Clemson and the BSN to DNP Executive Healthcare Leadership at the University of South Carolina take about three years to complete.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The shortest MSN to DNP program is the MSN to DNP Executive Leadership at Anderson University, which takes only 18 months to complete.
Best DNP Programs in South Carolina
The best DNP program in South Carolina depends on what you’re looking for. The state has a nice variety of options, with something for both BSN- and MSN-prepared nurses and options for both online and hybrid programs.
One of the most interesting programs is the MSN to DNP Palliative Care program at the Medical University of South Carolina. This focus is not available at many universities nationwide, so it’s a solid option for nurses interested in palliative care.
Cheapest DNP Programs in South Carolina
Determining which program is the cheapest can be tricky, as each school has its own fees and may charge different amounts depending on whether the student attends part-time or full-time. That said, when looking only at the cost per credit, the University of South Carolina is the most affordable, at $770.25 per credit. Clemson University is next, at $800 per credit, followed by Coker University, at $825.