Program Overview
A nationally ranked accelerated BSN at South Carolina’s academic medical center — MUSC students train within MUSC Health, a major teaching hospital, in a program with a 99% NCLEX pass rate and nearly 140 years of nursing education history, at affordable in-state tuition.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is a four-semester, full-time, campus-based program designed for students with at least 60 semester hours of prerequisite coursework. As South Carolina’s only comprehensive academic health science center, MUSC pairs classroom instruction and laboratory work with clinical training across MUSC Health and affiliated facilities.
The program traces nearly 140 years of nursing education history, is supported by active nursing research, and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN for careers in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community health settings.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated program at MUSC is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the program is approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing. MUSC is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The program reports strong outcomes, including a 99% NCLEX-RN pass rate, and U.S. News & World Report has ranked MUSC’s accelerated BSN 40th in the nation. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission Requirements
The program is highly competitive, with a large out-of-state applicant pool and limited enrollment. Applicants must meet the following:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (regular admission); applicants with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher may qualify for priority admission and an early decision
- A grade of C or higher in prerequisite courses
- Three of the four required science courses (Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, and a Science Elective) completed before applying
- Official transcripts, a resume, a short essay, and three references
- Prerequisite coursework may be in progress at the time of application
Active-duty military applicants are eligible for an early decision process.
Prerequisites
Applicants without a prior bachelor’s degree must complete 60 semester hours of prerequisites, including English Composition, Human Growth and Development, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Statistics, and Social Sciences. Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree need 25 semester hours of science-related coursework.
Curriculum
The 121-credit-hour program spans four consecutive semesters, covering health assessment, pathophysiology and pharmacology, foundations and gerontologic nursing, medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric-mental health, population health, women’s health, pediatrics, healthcare systems and policy, leadership, and a synthesis practicum.
NURSU 315 – Health Assessment
Introduces comprehensive health assessments for pediatric, adult, and older adult patients. Covers history-taking, physical assessment, and use of diagnostic tools. Emphasizes communication skills, cultural and spiritual considerations, and health promotion strategies.
NURSU 451 – Pathophysiology-Pharmacology I
Explores physiological mechanisms of disease and pharmacologic treatments. Covers selected diseases, drug classifications, and nursing implications. Integrates fundamental pharmacology concepts to prepare students for clinical practice.
NURSU 385 – Professional Nursing and Nursing Practice 2
Examines the history, current role, and future of nursing. Focuses on professional values, ethics, competencies, and legal aspects of practice. Prepares students for professional socialization and role development.
NURSU 461 – Foundations & Gerontologic Nursing
Introduces basic nursing skills, critical thinking, and the nursing process. Covers care planning, communication, and decision-making for older adults from diverse backgrounds.
NURSU 452 – Pathophysiology-Pharmacology II
Continues the study of disease mechanisms and pharmacologic interventions. Expands on pharmacological treatments for various conditions with an emphasis on clinical applications.
NURSU 464 – Research & Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Introduces the research process and its role in nursing. Emphasizes critical appraisal of research, ethical considerations, and application of evidence-based findings to clinical practice.
NURSU 454 – Medical Surgical Nursing I
Develops clinical reasoning and nursing interventions for hospitalized patients. Prepares students for discharge planning and care for diverse patient populations.
NURSU 387 – Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Focuses on nursing care for individuals with psychiatric disorders. Covers biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influencing mental health. Emphasizes therapeutic communication and evidence-based interventions.
NURSU 409 – Population Focused Nursing
Explores public health nursing and community-based care. Covers health promotion, disease prevention, and healthcare access for diverse populations. Includes clinical experiences in community settings.
NURSU 417 – Women’s Health
Examines women’s healthcare needs across the lifespan, with an emphasis on maternal and neonatal care. Integrates nursing theories, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking in reproductive health.
NURSU 405 – Nursing Care with Children and Their Families
Focuses on pediatric nursing and family-centered care. Addresses developmental, social, and environmental factors affecting children’s health. Includes clinical experiences in hospital and community settings.
NURSU 372 – Health Care Systems and Policy
Analyzes healthcare policies and systems affecting nursing practice. Explores political, economic, social, and legal influences on healthcare delivery.
NURSU 376 – Leadership and Management in Nursing
Covers leadership and management principles in nursing. Examines healthcare organizations, communication strategies, and decision-making processes. Emphasizes legal and ethical responsibilities in nursing leadership.
NURSU 455 – Medical Surgical Nursing II Synthesis Practicum
Provides a capstone experience in nursing research or quality improvement. Allows students to design and implement an independent project under faculty mentorship.
More detail is available in the MUSC nursing course descriptions.
Tuition
Estimated total cost for in-state residents is about $34,069, covering tuition and required fees (out-of-state tuition is higher):
- Tuition (4 semesters): $31,244
- Testing/NCLEX prep fee (1st semester only): $425
- Lab fees ($330 per semester × 4): $1,320
- Student fees ($270 per semester × 4): $1,080
Because the program’s exact tuition is not published separately, this estimate is based on published BSN data; confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.
Clinical and Hands-On Experience
Clinical rotations take place at MUSC Health and affiliated hospitals and healthcare facilities, with students training across gerontologic nursing, psychiatric nursing, women’s health, pediatrics, and medical-surgical care. A final-semester practicum provides real-world nursing experience before graduation, leveraging MUSC’s setting as an academic medical center.
Other Nursing Programs Offered
MUSC also offers Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD in Nursing programs, along with an online RN-to-BSN option. The ABSN program is campus-based and not available online due to its required clinical components.
Other ABSN Programs in South Carolina
Our South Carolina ABSN round up helps you choose a program (find the right fit for you)