The MSN in Healthcare Leadership requires 33 credit hours and can be completed in four semesters (full time program) or seven semesters (part time). All didactic coursework is online distance format.

Full Time

1st semester

• NURS 734 - Conceptual Basis of Health Systems ^A
• NURS 740 - Facilitative Processes in Health Care Leadership ^B
• NURS 738 - Financing Health Care ^B

2nd semester

• NURS 788 - Transformative Praxis in Advanced Nursing Leadership and Informatics

• NURS 717 - Applications of Basic Statistics for Nursing & Nursing Services Management ^B

3rd semester

• NURS 700 - Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations for Nursing ^A
• NURS 720 - Clinical Application of Population Analysis ^A

4th semester

• NURS 741 – Coordinating Processes in Health Care Leadership ^A*
• NURS 742 – Integrated Processes in Health Care Leadership ^B*
• NURS 790 - Research Methods for Nursing ^A
• NURS 791 - Seminar in Clinical Research ^B

Part Time

1st semester

• NURS 700 - Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations for Nursing ^A
• NURS 717 - Applications of Basic Statistics for Nursing & Nursing Services Management ^B

2nd semester

• NURS 790 - Research Methods for Nursing ^A
• NURS 738 - Financing Health Care ^B

3rd semester

• NURS 720 - Clinical Application of Population Analysis ^A

4th semester

• NURS 734 - Conceptual Basis of Health Systems ^A
• NURS 740 - Facilitative Processes in Health Care Leadership ^B

5th semester

• NURS 788 - Transformative Praxis in Advanced Nursing Leadership and Informatics

6th semester

• NURS 791 - Seminar in Clinical Research ^B

7th semester

• NURS 741 – Coordinating Processes in Health Care Leadership ^A*
• NURS 742 – Integrated Processes in Health Care Leadership ^B*

^{A Indicates A term, B indicates B term. If not noted, full semester course.
*Course requires clinical hours (112 total clinical 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)

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program.
• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from previous undergraduate and any graduate work.
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended must be submitted, whether you received a degree or not. Applicants who attended a BSN program that issued pass or fail grades for all classes will not be considered a competitive applicant.
• Three professional references - The professional recommendation form should come from individuals with a master’s or higher in a healthcare field who can evaluate your potential for success in a graduate program. (Letters of recommendation cannot be used in lieu of our recommendation form.) Recommendations from family members are not appropriate.
• A personal goal statement that reflects MSN program outcomes
• Current curriculum vitae or resume
• Current unencumbered RN licensure in the state of residence
• GRE not required

All application materials (except official transcripts) will be submitted via the College of Nursing's graduate application portal. 

Official transcripts must be sent to The Graduate School. Review the degree requirements before you apply.

The Healthcare Leadership program accepts students for spring, summer, and fall entry.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  Early applications are encouraged. 

• Admission cycle for spring  entry:
  
  • Application opens:  July 1
    
  • Final deadline:  October 31
• Admission cycle for summer entry:
  • Application opens:   November 1
  • Final deadline:  March 31

• Admission cycle for fall entry:
  
  • Application opens:  April 1
    
  • Final deadline:  June 30

MSN program costs depend on several factors. For estimated costs, view:

Graduate Programs Cost Estimates 2023-2024

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The Office of Financial Aid provides the full breakdown of the estimated cost to attend. For additional tuition and fee information, visit the Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees 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. In addition, other scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available through The Graduate School and the university’s Financial Aid and Scholarships office.

View our video Information Session with graduate program faculty and staff.

Contact Us

Phone: 803-777-9080
Email: NURSGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu

Address: 
Williams-Brice Building, Room 208
1601 Greene St.
Columbia, SC 29208