- 1 In-State School, Mostly Online format, plus 2 online options compared
South Carolina has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. It offers separate Primary Care and Acute Care tracks in a Mostly Online format.
Because South Carolina has only one program, this guide adds two online programs, Walden University and Maryville University, to every comparison table below.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSC (Charleston) | Primary Care + Acute Care | Mostly Online | Required on-campus intensives; number not published | $835 (plus $70 online fee) | BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP | South Carolina BSN nurses, including PICU nurses seeking Acute Care |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $785 per quarter credit (NP coursework) | RN-to-MSN, BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Certificate | ADN or diploma RNs and MSN holders who cannot travel |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Certificate | BSN nurses who want a lower-cost MSN and a quick start |
South Carolina eligibility: Walden lists no South Carolina restrictions, so all five PNP pathways are open to South Carolina residents. Maryville’s licensure grids list South Carolina as meeting educational requirements for its PNP MSN, DNP, and certificate.
South Carolina PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state, plus 2 online options compared
- Primary Care: Yes, at MUSC, Walden, and Maryville
- Acute Care: Yes, at MUSC only (MSN and DNP)
- MSN: In-state from a BSN at MUSC; RN-to-MSN online only (Walden)
- DNP: In-state from a BSN at MUSC; MSN-to-DNP online only (Walden and Maryville)
- Certificate: Online only (Walden and Maryville)
- Format: MUSC is Mostly Online with campus intensives; online options require no campus visits
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $54K for MUSC’s MSN (resident rate)
Choosing a PNP Program in South Carolina
Acute Care With a Children’s Hospital Partner: MUSC
MUSC is the only option here that leads to the CPNP-AC credential. Its Acute Care track opened in Fall 2026 with MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital as the anchor clinical partner. Acute Care applicants need one year of PICU or high-acuity pediatric experience within the past five years. The new track has no graduate outcomes yet, and MUSC publishes no clinical hour totals.
RN Entry and No Travel: Walden
Walden fills three gaps MUSC leaves open: RN-to-MSN entry for diploma and ADN nurses, an MSN-to-DNP, and a post-master’s certificate. It requires no campus visits and publishes no RN experience minimum. The trade-off: students search for preceptors first, and Walden’s placement team steps in only after documented unsuccessful attempts.
Six Start Dates and a Lower-Cost MSN: Maryville
Maryville admits six times a year, while MUSC admits for spring and fall. Its fully online MSN costs $42K. The trade-offs: one year of RN experience is required, and Maryville publishes no clinical hour total or placement commitment.
South Carolina RN-to-MSN PNP Programs
No South Carolina school offers an RN-to-MSN PNP pathway, since MUSC admits from a BSN only. Among the online options, only Walden does. Its Primary Care RN-to-MSN admits nurses with a hospital diploma, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $57K (after scholarship) | ~28 months | 640 |
Compare more programs: See all RN-to-MSN PNP programs
South Carolina BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
MUSC offers the state’s only BSN-to-MSN PNP pathway, in both Primary Care and Acute Care. The 60-credit plan carries 25 clinical credits. Walden and Maryville offer online Primary Care MSNs with no campus visits.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSC (Charleston) | Primary Care | $54K | 6 semesters (full-time); 9 (part-time) | Not clearly stated (25 clinical credits) |
| MUSC (Charleston) | Acute Care | $54K | 6 semesters (full-time); 9 (part-time) | Not clearly stated (25 clinical credits) |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $45K (after scholarship) | ~24 months | 640 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $42K | 20 months (full-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $42K. Walden’s $45K depends on a progress-based scholarship.
- Only Acute Care option: MUSC.
- Campus requirement: MUSC requires on-campus intensives; Walden and Maryville do not.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
South Carolina BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
MUSC offers the state’s only BSN-to-DNP PNP pathway, again in both populations. Its 76-credit plan awards the MSN and DNP together. Walden and Maryville offer online Primary Care BSN-to-DNPs; Maryville’s awards the DNP only.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSC (Charleston) | Primary Care | $69K | 8 semesters (fall start); 10 (spring start); 11 (part-time) | Not clearly stated (35 clinical credits) |
| MUSC (Charleston) | Acute Care | $69K | 8 semesters (fall start); 10 (spring start); 11 (part-time) | Not clearly stated (35 clinical credits) |
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $76K (after scholarship) | ~3.25 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $70K | 40 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: MUSC, at $69K for residents, in either population.
- Shortest completion: MUSC with a fall start, at eight semesters. A spring start adds two semesters for the same 76 credits.
- Experience requirement: MUSC’s Acute Care DNP requires one year of PICU or high-acuity pediatric experience within five years.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
South Carolina MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
No South Carolina school offers an MSN-to-DNP PNP pathway. Both online options do, in Primary Care. Maryville’s DNP-NP does not require existing APRN certification.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $71K (after scholarship) | ~3 years | 1,000 minimum (post-baccalaureate) |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $64K | 36 months | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $64K.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
South Carolina Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
No South Carolina school offers a post-master’s PNP certificate. Walden and Maryville both offer online Primary Care certificates. Neither requires an existing NP credential, so they work for a first NP certification or for an NP adding pediatrics.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden University (online) | Primary Care | $33K | ~5–7 quarters | 640 |
| Maryville University (online) | Primary Care | $32K | 24 months (part-time) | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: Maryville, at $32K, though Walden publishes its 640 clinical hours and Maryville does not.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for South Carolina Nurses
Rasmussen University also appears in the South Carolina directory below, alongside Walden. Confirm its South Carolina enrollment status before applying.
Rasmussen University PNP Programs
Bloomington | $925 cpc | Certificate / BSN to MSN
Rasmussen University delivers MSN-NP and Post-Graduate Certificate options in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP) practice through an online competency-based format accessible to South Carolina healthcare providers. The curriculum blends self-paced coursework in pediatric health promotion and complex care with four local community-based practicums and a single on-campus weekend residency. Spanning 21 to 27 months with total estimated tuition and fees of $29,670 to $51,680, these CCNE-accredited programs allow South Carolina nurses to advance their clinical credentials without weekly deadline constraints.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / RN to MSN
Walden University offers online DNP, MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) practice for registered nurses residing in South Carolina. Delivered in a flexible quarter-credit format, the program features virtual skills labs, case-based reviews, and Practicum Pledge® assistance to support South Carolina students with local clinical site matching. With estimated tuition ranging from ~$35,690 for the certificate to ~$76,415 for the DNP, South Carolina RNs can gain specialized clinical preparation in child growth, acute and chronic disease management, and primary health promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in South Carolina?
One: the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. It offers Primary Care and Acute Care tracks at both the MSN and DNP level, all entered from a BSN.
Does South Carolina offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. MUSC’s Acute Care track opened in Fall 2026 as the state’s first, at the MSN and DNP level. Walden and Maryville are Primary Care only.
Are any programs fully online?
Not in-state. MUSC requires on-campus intensives in Charleston but does not publish how many. Walden and Maryville require no campus visits.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, MUSC’s MSN is lowest at $54K for residents, in either population. Among the online options, Maryville’s $42K MSN is the lowest-cost degree.
Which schools offer a DNP?
All three. MUSC offers Primary Care and Acute Care DNPs from a BSN. Walden and Maryville offer Primary Care DNPs from a BSN or an MSN.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
Usually. MUSC guides placement from orientation at approved sites but does not guarantee placement. Walden and Maryville students complete clinicals near home but generally find their own preceptors.
Can I become a PNP in South Carolina without a BSN?
Not through a South Carolina school. Walden’s online RN-to-MSN admits diploma and ADN-prepared RNs and leads to Primary Care PNP certification.