Earn your Master’s of Science in Nursing from an educational innovator.
Earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at USC Upstate and take the next step into leadership roles in healthcare. Designed for nurses eager to enhance their skills and advance their careers. Our program offers you specialized concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership, and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). Detailed information about each concentration is available in the MSN Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)
The GRE is not required.
Nursing
Education
Graduates in nursing education concentration will have the opportunity to serve as academicians to educate current and future nurses. They are prepared to teach in academic and clinical settings, including staff development.
All coursework is delivered online with 375 clinical practicum hours completed in your own clinical settings.
Nursing
Leadership
Graduates in nursing leadership concentration will be prepared to assume leadership roles in academic and practice settings. Preparing budgets, scheduling, developing and implementing policies and procedures, advocating for patients, and serving on inter-professional teams are all encompassed in the nursing leadership role.
All coursework is delivered online with 187 clinical practicum hours completed in clinical settings.
Clinical Nurse Leader
Graduates of the masters of science as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) are advanced generalists who oversee the care coordination of a distinct group of patients and actively provide direct patient care in complex situations. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be eligible for CNL certification through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
All coursework is delivered online with 500 practicum hours completed in clinical settings.
learn more about the program!
The academic catalog gives you detailed information about the major, courses, and any additional requirements. To complete the Nursing graduate degree, you will need 38 credit hours.
You can also contact your admissions counselor to assist you in your next steps. Please get in touch with our nursing advisor if you have any questions about the program.
Application Checklist
- Application, application fee, residency form with all requested information and supporting documents.
- Transcripts: Individuals seeking admission must provide official transcripts showing all post-secondary coursework attempted and the award of the BSN degree by an accredited college or university. Official transcripts verifying all previous college-level course work are required for the University’s records. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to USC Upstate or delivered in a sealed envelope bearing a registrar’s stamp.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should be from professionals knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic and nursing leadership potential.
- Current CV or resume.
- Completion of agency requirements needed for clinical practice.
- Personal statement: Applicants are required to submit a 1-2 page personal statement that describes career goals and how this degree will be utilized as a practicing Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, or Nursing Leader.
Additional Requirements
- An unencumbered RN license
- Nursing grade point average (NSG-GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Cumulative grade point average (CUM-GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate coursework (official transcripts for all post-secondary school coursework are required),
- Undergraduate level statistics course
After admission has been granted, an online orientation course will need to be completed before admission is final. After final acceptance to the program, the student will also need to comply with clinical agency requirements for CPR certification, HIPAA and OSHA certification.
Paying for your graduate degree
Funding is available through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) – a federal program designed to increase the number of nursing students who pursue careers as full-time faculty teaching in schools of nursing. Full-time or part-time graduate students who plan careers as nurse faculty are eligible to apply and may be eligible for up to 5 years of financial support (contingent upon ongoing federal funding and therefore subject to change).
Up to 85% of the total loan amount will be forgiven if the graduate works full time for 4 years in a nurse faculty position immediately following graduation. Faculty positions may be in any state and at any accredited nursing program (MSN in Nursing Education or Clinical Nurse Leadership).
Next Steps
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