Medical University of South Carolina

Program Length & Format

• four consecutive semesters including summer (full-time only)
• on-campus didactic classroom, clinical, and laboratory components; some online courses noted
• Prerequisite coursework required prior to matriculation: 60 semester hours

Admission Requirements

• Preferred minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 on 4.0 scale
• Minimum grade of C required in all prerequisite courses
• Three of the four required science courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, science elective) must be completed at time of application
• Applicants must complete prerequisite coursework by initial date of enrollment

Prerequisites

• Applicants without a baccalaureate degree: 60 semester hours including:
  •  English composition/communication (6), lifespan development (3), anatomy (4), physiology (4), microbiology (4), science elective (4), statistics (3), nutrition (3), social science/humanities electives (15), general electives (14)
• Applicants with a baccalaureate degree: 25 semester hours including:
  •  lifespan development (3), anatomy (4), physiology (4), microbiology (4), science elective (4), statistics (3), nutrition (3)
• Prerequisite course content requirements include laboratory components for anatomy, physiology, and microbiology
• CLEP and Excelsior exams accepted for some prerequisites if taken after 2001 (per human growth and development guidance)

Deadlines

• Spring 2026 Priority: available July 1, 2025; deadline Aug 15, 2025
• Spring 2026 Regular: available July 1, 2025; deadline Oct 3, 2025
• Fall 2026 Priority: available Aug 15, 2025; deadline Nov 15, 2025
• Fall 2026 Regular: available Aug 15, 2025; deadline Jan 31, 2026
• Admissions decisions issued approximately one month after each deadline

Application

• Primary application through NursingCAS; supplemental MUSC application through Enrollment Management required
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended via NursingCAS
• Submit three reference forms (one academic recommended)
• Submit a 100-word essay within NursingCAS
• Upload a resume within NursingCAS
• Required pre-matriculation items: criminal background check and drug screen; official immunization records

Selection Process

• Academic grades account for 75% of admission decision; cumulative GPA weighted 30%
• Additional points awarded for related work, volunteer, and military experience
• References and essay are scored and indexed
• No interview required
• Priority admission criteria: overall GPA ≥ 3.5 and prerequisite GPA ≥ 3.8 and three of four science courses completed
• Active-duty military early decision: complete application yields decision within two weeks

Wait List Policies

• Alternate list used for qualified applicants not initially admitted
• Applicants on alternate list will be notified if offered a seat; position on list is not disclosed

Cost & Financial Aid

• Out-of-state student confirmation fee: one-time, non-refundable $1,000 applied to first-semester tuition; due by date specified in acceptance letter
• Tuition and fees reviewed annually; out-of-state tuition and fees higher than in-state
• Scholarships available; FAFSA required for need-based scholarship consideration; MUSC FAFSA code: 003438
• Typical scholarship award amounts: $1,000–$2,000 (one-time awards common)
• Note: many second-degree students use private loans to fund a second bachelor’s degree

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Clinical sites: in-patient, out-patient, and community settings in the greater Charleston area; primary rotations at sites on or near MUSC campus
• MUSC clinical resources: 700-bed medical center, children’s hospital, NCI-designated Hollings Cancer Center, Level I trauma center, Institute of Psychiatry, South Carolina transplant center, 100+ outreach locations
• Simulation: use of simulation labs for psychomotor and clinical judgment practice linked to didactic content
• Student-to-faculty clinical ratio cited as 8:1 (may vary by course)

Credit Transfer

• Prerequisite and other coursework may be completed at any accredited college or university
• Official transcripts from all institutions required for evaluation
• Unofficial transcript evaluations available by request 

International Students

• MUSC College of Nursing cannot issue I-20 forms for F-1 visas; application accepted only from U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or holders of other valid U.S. visas permitting study
• TOEFL required for applicants whose native language is not English; minimum score: 80
• Out-of-state clinical restrictions: currently unable to accept applicants from Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Louisiana for distance clinical placements (applicants responsible for state board requirements for out-of-state clinicals)

Contacts

• Lead faculty: Dr. Kristen Poston, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies
• Undergraduate Program Coordinator: LaChone Taylor (ABSN admissions coordination, NursingCAS SuperUser)
• Office of Enrollment Management phone: 843-792-2536
• College mailing address: 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425