MUSC College of Nursing Review (2026): Programs, NCLEX Data & Requirements
Charleston’s only integrated academic health center nursing school: Accelerated BSN, online RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and select certificates—plus 2025–26 nursing cost-of-attendance figures and how South Carolina reports NCLEX outcomes for MUSC.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
[Add one school-specific differentiator here—e.g. named partnership, simulation lab, location, cohort model. Do not copy from another school.]
Overview & Why Students Choose MUSC
Founded in 1824, the Medical University of South Carolina is a public academic health sciences center in downtown Charleston. The College of Nursing’s mission—transform health care through education, practice, and research—plays out in interprofessional coursework, a heavy clinical footprint on the MUSC campus, and nationally visible research funding.
The college educates more than 600 students annually across programs that mix residential ABSN education with online RN-to-BSN and graduate offerings; about half of nursing students complete coursework fully online, per the college’s public materials.
A February 2025 South Carolina Commission on Higher Education news release summarizing South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) data for calendar year 2024 listed Medical University of South Carolina among programs that exceeded a 90% first-time pass rate on the RN NCLEX. For the exact percentage, cohort size, and program-type breakout (BSN versus other RN pathways), open the NCLEX PDFs linked from the South Carolina Board of Nursing NCLEX statistics page. Confirm the latest cohort with LLR and MUSC.
Reasons students choose the MUSC College of Nursing
Academic health system immersion
Accelerated BSN clinicals concentrate in the greater Charleston area—often on or beside the flagship MUSC medical center—so students see high-acuity inpatient care alongside community placements.
Research-intensive faculty bench
MUSC showcases competitive NIH funding and implementation science; students seeking nurse-scientist mentorship can explore PhD training and funded faculty projects.
Online graduate scale
RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD pathways are delivered online with periodic intensives—built for working RNs and APRNs across South Carolina and beyond.
Specialty leadership signals
MUSC markets the nation’s first DNP palliative care concentration and ELNEC regional center designation, differentiators for students focused on serious illness education.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list mirrors the degree and certificate pathways shown in MUSC’s College of Nursing program finder (nine curated entries, several of which are focused certificates or educator course bundles).
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is how MUSC labels its full-time residential pre-licensure track: 60 credits of nursing coursework across four semesters after prerequisites, culminating in NCLEX-RN eligibility.
Post-licensure undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN-to-BSN
Online BSN completion for associate- or diploma-prepared RNs seeking the baccalaureate credential with flexible courses and immersive clinical experiences, per MUSC’s program summary.
Graduate nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Online MSN emphasizing expert clinical practice, leadership, policy, and research foundations for bachelor’s-prepared nurses advancing toward APRN or leadership roles.
Doctor of Nursing Practice & Master of Science in Nursing (DNP, MSN)
Combined DNP/MSN structure advertised as online with on-campus intensives for nurses pursuing advanced practice or systems leadership.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-MSN
Online DNP for APRNs expanding evidence-based practice, quality, and clinical executive influence.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science
Research doctorate delivered online with intensives; prepares nurse scientists and academic leaders.
Certificates and focused offerings
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Lifespan Certificate
Post-graduate PMHNP certificate spanning the lifespan; verify admission prerequisites on the program page.
Nursing Educator Courses & palliative externship
MUSC lists nurse-educator elective bundles for graduate students or non-degree learners and a short residential palliative care advanced practice externship—confirm credit and certification goals with the college.
Track titles, specialty options, and approvals can change with each catalog cycle. Always verify your pathway—including South Carolina Board of Nursing program approval—on the official MUSC bulletin and program pages.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
South Carolina’s Board of Nursing (housed within LLR) publishes institution-level NCLEX pass-rate tables differentiated by program type. A higher-level summary also appears in state higher-education communications.
2024 summary (state press release): According to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education news release dated February 12, 2025—which cites LLR data—Medical University of South Carolina exceeded a 90% first-time pass rate on the RN licensure examination among South Carolina programs listed in that summary. The same release notes a 94.7% aggregate first-time pass rate for all South Carolina RN candidates tested in 2024 (2,964 exams), compared with a 91.2% national pass rate. Being listed above 90% does not, by itself, tell you whether MUSC matched or exceeded that statewide graduate pool; use the Board PDFs for an exact program-to-benchmark comparison.
Because the CHE list does not print MUSC’s precise percentage or BSN-only breakout, treat the Board’s downloadable RN-BSN and RN-ADN PDFs as the authoritative place for exact school-level figures.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (public summary) | Greater than 90% for MUSC in the SC CHE / LLR 2024 RN summary (not the same as a published exact percentage). |
| Official detail tables | South Carolina Board of Nursing – NCLEX statistics (RN-BSN and RN-ADN PDFs). |
| Source | SC Commission on Higher Education news release (Feb. 12, 2025) summarizing LLR 2024 data; confirm cohort-level results with LLR and MUSC. |
NCLEX outcomes change every cohort. Always confirm the latest program-specific pass rates with the South Carolina Board of Nursing and the MUSC College of Nursing outcomes office.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
MUSC’s Accelerated BSN international-applicant guidance states that College of Nursing degree programs cannot admit students who need an F-1 visa; applications are limited to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or applicants in other nonimmigrant classifications that already permit study. TOEFL (minimum score 80) is required when English is not the applicant’s native language.
If you trained outside the United States and seek RN licensure in South Carolina, plan for credential evaluation, English proficiency, and any Board-specific prerequisites independent of MUSC admission.
- MUSC visa policy: Confirm whether your immigration status meets the college’s published restrictions before investing in NursingCAS fees.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL score reports when applicable; minimum 80 on the internet-based test per MUSC ABSN materials.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow MUSC directions for any foreign coursework; internationally educated nurses may also need CGFNS or other reports for licensure.
- South Carolina Board of Nursing: For licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm documentation with LLR Nursing.
This section is guidance, not legal advice. Verify every requirement with MUSC Enrollment Management and South Carolina LLR Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
MUSC’s Accelerated BSN admits through NursingCAS plus a MUSC supplemental application. Verification can take four to six weeks after transcripts arrive, so applicants should budget time before published deadlines.
Accelerated BSN highlights (per MUSC)
- Complete 60 prerequisite credits with minimum grades of C; three of four science prerequisites must be complete at submission.
- Preferred cumulative GPA 3.0/4.0.
- Priority review requires cumulative GPA ≥3.5 and prerequisite GPA ≥3.8.
- Active-duty military applicants may receive expedited review once both applications are complete.
- Required materials include three recommendation forms (one academic), résumé highlighting healthcare exposure, short essay, immunization compliance, and a $1,000 non-refundable enrollment confirmation fee for accepted out-of-state students applied to first-semester tuition.
Application timeline (published ABSN cycles)
| Entry Term | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | August 15 – March 15 | Regular deadline (per MUSC Accelerated BSN page). |
| Spring 2027 | July 1 – September 1 (Priority) | Priority admission per MUSC. |
| Spring 2027 | July 1 – October 1 (Regular) | Regular deadline per MUSC. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed. |
| GPA expectation | Preferred minimum 3.0 cumulative; higher for priority. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed among MUSC’s published ABSN requirement bullets; confirm your cycle in NursingCAS. |
| Graduate programs | Each MSN/DNP/PhD track maintains its own prerequisites and deadlines—see the relevant program page and CampusNexus portal. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
All dollar figures below come from MUSC’s College of Nursing Cost of Attendance for 2025–2026 enrollment (last updated July 2, 2025, on that page). They are planning estimates—actual billed charges depend on start term, fees, aid, and personal expenses.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| ABSN program tuition (total) | $31,244 in-state · $58,060 out-of-state. |
| ABSN direct costs (tuition + fees, fall-start example) | $34,519 in-state · $61,335 out-of-state estimated total. |
| RN-to-BSN program tuition | $16,440 in-state · $18,312 out-of-state (tuition line only). |
| MSN (2-year, full-time example, tuition only) | $48,696 in-state · $65,148 out-of-state (table lists shared tuition line—confirm residency pricing with Financial Aid). |
| Fees & living costs | MUSC itemizes fees, housing, food, transportation, and books separately; large COA totals reach $89k–$117k+ for ABSN when indirect costs are included. |
| Source | MUSC College of Nursing Cost of Attendance · Tuition & fees hub. |
MUSC encourages FAFSA submission (school code 003438) and scholarship exploration through its Academic Works portal. For personalized awards, contact the Financial Aid office at 843-792-2536.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
MUSC situates ABSN graduates for licensure examination and employment across the Lowcountry’s major health systems. Public outcome metrics should always be read from official disclosures rather than assumed.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (public summary) | MUSC exceeded 90% on first-time RN exams in LLR’s 2024 data summarized by SC CHE (Feb. 2025). For the exact percentage, see the SC Board of Nursing PDFs linked from LLR. |
| RN employment / placement | Not publicly disclosed on the pages summarized here; check MUSC consumer outcome tools or career services. |
| Salary context | MUSC’s site cites third-party salary snapshots (e.g., Payscale) for illustration—those figures are not MUSC graduate reports. Treat them as market context only. |
Is MUSC the Right Fit for You?
Choosing a nursing school balances cost, instructional format, clinical access, and licensure outcomes. MUSC excels when you value an academic medical center ecosystem and can meet its competitive GPA expectations.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Already completed prerequisites and want an immersive Charleston ABSN with high-acuity clinical proximity.
- Need flexible online RN-to-BSN or graduate programs while continuing to work.
- Wish to pair nursing graduate study with palliative care or mental health certificate emphases offered at MUSC.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require an F-1 visa for nursing study (MUSC CON states it cannot admit F-1–dependent international applicants).
- Need a part-time or hybrid option for the pre-licensure BSN (ABSN is full-time residential).
- Prefer the lowest public tuition; MUSC’s COA—even in-state—reflects a specialized health sciences university.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Charleston anchors the Lowcountry’s referral network. ABSN students rotate through inpatient, outpatient, and community settings; MUSC Health itself operates a 700-bed medical center, children’s hospital, Hollings Cancer Center, Level I trauma services, Institute of Psychiatry, transplant services, and more than 100 outreach locations according to the college’s clinical education overview.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| MUSC Health flagship campus | Primary teaching-hospital network for many CON rotations. |
| Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital | Pediatric specialty exposure for maternal-child coursework. |
| Hollings Cancer Center | Oncology and supportive care experiences. |
| Regional community providers | Outpatient and population-health placements across the metro area. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate nursing students participate in a Stethoscope Ceremony and, since 2014, a White Coat Ceremony supported by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation—symbols of professionalism described in the college’s history pages.
MUSC highlights a state-of-the-science simulation laboratory, interprofessional education requirements (including TeamSTEPPS coursework in the ABSN plan), and student support via Student Life, the Black Alumni Network mentorship program, and the Harper Student Center wellness resources.
For campus visits, MUSC hosts information sessions and virtual tours; prospective ABSN students should monitor the college’s events calendar for recruitment programming.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Charleston, SC
- College of Nursing (building)
- 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, US
- Enrollment Management
- 45 Courtenay Drive, MSC 203, Charleston, SC 29425
- Telephone
- 843-792-5396 (Office of Enrollment Management)
- Financial aid
- 843-792-2536
- Website
- nursing.musc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Create a NursingCAS account for ABSN and gather transcripts early—verification can take four to six weeks.
- Download the MUSC ABSN prerequisite sheet and map courses to the MUSC academic bulletin.
- Register for a College of Nursing information session or virtual tour.
- Draft your résumé, essay, and contact three references who can complete the official MUSC reference forms.
- Submit the FAFSA (code 003438) if you will need aid; explore Academic Works scholarships.
- Bookmark the SC Board of Nursing NCLEX statistics page for outcome research.
- Set calendar alerts for NursingCAS verification deadlines at least two weeks ahead of MUSC’s posted dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MUSC College of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
MUSC’s accreditation disclosure states that its baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Confirm the PhD and any specialty tracks separately with MUSC and CCNE.
How long is MUSC’s Accelerated BSN?
The public curriculum map shows 60 nursing credits delivered across four consecutive semesters after prerequisites, combining lecture, lab, simulation, and clinical experiences in Charleston-area agencies.
What NCLEX data can I cite for MUSC?
The February 2025 SC CHE release summarizing LLR’s 2024 exams places MUSC among programs above 90% first-time RN pass rates. For the precise percentage, open the RN-BSN table PDF on the South Carolina Board of Nursing statistics page. Confirm the latest cohort with LLR and MUSC.
Does MUSC require TEAS scores for ABSN?
MUSC’s published ABSN application checklist emphasizes NursingCAS materials, GPA, recommendations, résumé, and essay—not TEAS/HESI in the bullets reviewed here. Always double-check NursingCAS for the year you apply.
Can international students use an F-1 visa at MUSC nursing?
MUSC states that College of Nursing degree programs do not admit applicants who require F-1 visas; only citizens, permanent residents, or certain other authorized classifications may apply.
What are the tuition benchmarks for 2025–26?
MUSC’s nursing COA lists $31,244 in-state and $58,060 out-of-state program tuition totals for the Accelerated BSN, plus thousands more in fees and living allowances. RN-to-BSN tuition is $16,440 in-state on the same page.
Are clinical rotations only at MUSC hospitals?
No—MUSC describes experiences across inpatient, outpatient, and community partners, though many sites are on or adjacent to the downtown campus.
Where is the nursing school physically located?
MUSC commonly references the College of Nursing at 99 Jonathan Lucas Street; enrollment services are reachable at 45 Courtenay Drive, MSC 203.
Does MUSC offer MSN and DNP online?
Yes. The program finder labels MSN, post-BSN DNP, post-MSN DNP, PhD, RN-to-BSN, and several certificates as online or hybrid with intensives—verify residency requirements for APRN specialties.
References
- MUSC College of Nursing – homenursing.musc.edu
- MUSC Accelerated BSN program pagenursing.musc.edu/…/bachelor-science-nursing-accelerated
- MUSC College of Nursing Cost of Attendance (2025–26)education.musc.edu/…/nursing
- MUSC About / accreditationnursing.musc.edu/about
- South Carolina Board of Nursing – NCLEX statisticsllr.sc.gov/nurse/stats.aspx
- SC Commission on Higher Education – NCLEX news release (Feb. 12, 2025)che.sc.gov/news/2025-02/…
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for South Carolina Board of Nursing NCLEX reporting context, MUSC-published admissions and cost-of-attendance data, and program-list alignment with the official College of Nursing program finder.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the Medical University of South Carolina and the South Carolina Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy