South Carolina offers Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) programs through the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, which provides MSN, BSN-DNP, and post-master’s certificate pathways.
All didactic coursework is delivered online with select on-campus immersion requirements built into advanced assessment and acute care courses.
Because USC is the only in-state AGACNP option, many South Carolina nurses compare the program with online ACNP schools that offer more flexible scheduling, faster timelines, or MSN entry pathways.
Quick Comparison: South Carolina ACNP Programs
| School | Est. Tuition | Format | Key Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | $45K–$122K | Online + Campus Immersions | MSN, BSN-DNP, Certificate |
| South College | $51K–$53K | Online | BSN-MSN, Certificate |
| Walden University | $45K–$65K | 100% Online | MSN, DNP, Certificate |
| West Coast University | $47K–$57K | Online + Intensives | MSN, RN-MSN, Certificate |
University of South Carolina AGACNP Program
The University of South Carolina offers three AGACNP pathways:
- MSN AGACNP
- BSN-DNP AGACNP
- Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP
The programs are designed for working nurses seeking advanced acute care training with mostly online coursework and structured clinical experiences.
What Stands Out
- Top-ranked online nursing education reputation
- Didactic coursework delivered fully online
- Clinical placement assistance available
- 784 clinical hours (MSN/Certificate)
- 1,112+ clinical hours in the BSN-DNP pathway
- Part-time DNP option available (12 semesters)
- Strong in-state tuition advantage for South Carolina residents
- Acute care training across ICU, trauma, cardiology, pulmonary, and surgical settings
MSN AGACNP Track
The MSN AGACNP costs approximately $44,961 for South Carolina residents and takes about 3 years to complete across 8 semesters. The program includes 48–51 credits delivered online with select immersion requirements.
MSN Clinical Training
- 784 total clinical hours
- Sequential acute care management practicums
- Final advanced practice role practicum
- Population focus from adolescence through older adulthood
- Clinical settings include ICU, critical care, trauma, surgery, nephrology, and pulmonary care
MSN Admissions
- BSN from nationally accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- 2,400 recent nursing work hours
- BLS and ACLS certification required
- Acute care experience preferred
BSN-DNP AGACNP Track
The BSN-DNP AGACNP costs approximately $70,719 for in-state students and takes about 3 years full-time or 12 semesters part-time. The curriculum combines AGACNP preparation with DNP leadership, evidence-based practice, and systems coursework.
What Stands Out
- 1,112+ clinical hours embedded throughout the curriculum
- DNP scholarly project and residency requirement
- Online coursework with limited immersion requirements
- Designed for nurses pursuing leadership and systems-level practice
- Clinical support available when workplace placement is not feasible
DNP Admissions
- BSN from nationally accredited program
- 2,400 recent work hours required
- ICU, critical care, medical/surgical, or ER experience preferred
- Faculty interview required
- Doctoral-level professional references required
How South Carolina ACNP Programs Compare to Online Options
- USC offers stronger in-state tuition pricing than many national competitors
- The USC programs follow a more structured academic model with cohort progression
- Online schools often provide faster timelines and multiple annual start dates
- South College and Walden offer MSN entry pathways with more scheduling flexibility
- USC includes campus immersion requirements, while some online programs are fully remote
- USC emphasizes high clinical hour totals and acute care specialty exposure
Choosing an ACNP Program in South Carolina
Choose the University of South Carolina if you want a respected in-state university with strong clinical hour requirements and online coursework.
Choose USC’s DNP pathway if you want doctoral-level leadership preparation and extensive clinical immersion.
Choose South College if you want a faster online MSN pathway with asynchronous coursework.
Choose an online ACNP program if you need fully remote delivery or more flexible pacing.
Additional Online ACNP Programs to Consider
- Choose South College if you want an online BSN-MSN pathway that can be completed in about 21 months.
- Choose Walden University if you want multiple entry pathways and strong practicum placement support.
- Choose West Coast University if you want accelerated timelines with dedicated clinical placement coordinators.
Before applying, confirm that online programs support clinical placements in South Carolina and meet state licensure requirements.
ACNP Program Availability in South Carolina
South Carolina currently has one primary in-state AGACNP provider, with training centered through the University of South Carolina.
This creates a clear tradeoff for applicants:
- Strong academic reputation and structured clinical preparation
- Limited in-state competition and fewer format options
- Online programs may offer greater flexibility for working nurses
- USC provides one of the stronger in-state tuition values in the region
Certificate Programs
| School | Track | Est. Tuition | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Carolina | Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | $10K–$18K | 1.5–2.5 years |
| South College | Post-Graduate Certificate AGACNP | $34K–$36K | Varies |
| Walden University | Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | ~$31K | 1–1.5 years |
| West Coast University | Post-Master’s Certificate AGACNP | Varies | ~16 months |
The USC certificate pathway is designed for APRNs seeking AGACNP specialization and uses a gap analysis to determine required coursework. Certified APRNs may complete as few as 18 credits depending on prior coursework and certification status.
For nurses seeking more flexibility:
Choose Walden University for fully online certificate options with standard and fast-track pathways.
Choose South College for asynchronous coursework and flexible pacing.