Best Family Nurse Practitioner Programs in South Carolina

The University of South Carolina-Columbia offers an online MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner major that prepares registered nurses for primary care across the lifespan. Applicants must hold a BSN, current RN licensure, and BLS certification. The program requires a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, 2,400 hours of nursing experience within the last 24 months, a personal goal statement, CV/resume, and three professional recommendations. Admissions are available for fall and summer terms. The curriculum blends advanced nursing theory with clinical practice in family settings, equipping graduates for national certification and careers in clinics, private practices, and community health centers. Official transcripts and licensure verification are part of the application.

• Online program delivery
• Master of Science in Nursing degree
• Family Nurse Practitioner major
• 3.0 minimum GPA required
• Three letters of reference
• 2,400 hours nursing experience
• Fall and summer admissions
• Current RN licensure required
• BLS certification required
• Personal goal statement needed

This post-master's Family Nurse Practitioner certificate at the University of South Carolina-Columbia is designed for nurses who already hold a master's degree in nursing and want to advance to primary care practice. Delivered online with some on-campus immersion experiences, the program requires 18-32 credit hours, including 21 concentration credits, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Coursework covers pediatric care, women's health, chronic disease management, legal and ethical issues, and role transition, alongside practicum experiences. Students may complete a gap analysis to tailor their plan of study. Graduates are prepared to sit for national FNP certification and deliver patient management across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.

• Post-master's certificate program.
• Requires master's degree in nursing.
• Prepares for national certification.
• 18-32 credit hours required.
• Minimum 3.00 GPA needed.
• Online program format.
• Two entry points available.
• Includes practicum courses.
• Some on-campus immersion.
• Advanced practice preparation.

The University of South Carolina-Columbia's hybrid DNP program prepares RNs for advanced practice as Family Nurse Practitioners. Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News in 2023 and one of the first four DNP programs in the nation, it combines online coursework with on-campus immersions at an accredited Clinical Simulation Center. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration, decision-making, and multicultural awareness. Graduates are ready for national FNP certification and careers in urgent care, primary/family practice, outpatient clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. The program builds skills in patient management and systemwide care improvements, making it a top choice for advanced nursing education.

• Prepares for family nurse practitioner national certification
• Accredited Clinical Simulation Center
• One of first four D.N.P. programs
• Online classes with on-campus immersions
• Federally Qualified Health Centers
• Primary/Family Practice setting
• Urgent Care workplace

Offered in a hybrid format, Francis Marion University's MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track equips BSN-educated nurses for advanced primary care roles. Spanning 55 credits and 780 practicum hours, the program accommodates full-time students in 2.5 years, with part-time schedules available. Fall admission applies, and coursework is largely online with occasional campus visits. Graduates qualify for AANP or ANCC certification. Clinical placements emphasize primary care across all ages, but students secure their own preceptors. The program notes NLC Compact state restrictions, so out-of-state applicants should verify eligibility. A post-master's certificate option exists for nurses already holding an MSN.

• 55 credit hour program
• 780 clinical practicum hours
• 2.5 year completion time
• Fall semester admission
• Mostly online courses
• Hybrid courses require campus visits
• Prepares for AANP/ANCC certification
• BSN-prepared RNs eligible
• Part-time study options available
• Primary care focus

Francis Marion University's BSN to FNP/DNP track offers a seamless route from bachelor's to doctoral practice. This 70-credit hybrid program integrates advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment with DNP-level knowledge development and leadership training. Students complete 1,080 clinical hours across primary care settings serving adults, children, women, and geriatric patients. The curriculum includes a capstone project and residency placements, preparing graduates for AANP or ANCC certification. Designed for working RNs, the program offers full-time (three-year) and part-time plans, with fully online coursework and minimal required campus visits. Faculty advisors provide robust support, and scholarships are available. Fall admission only.

• 3-Year program
• 70 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• 1080 clinical hours
• Capstone required
• Prepares for AANP, ANCC
• Scholarships available
• Hybrid courses with limited campus visits

Francis Marion University's BSN to DNP program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration offers a direct path to doctoral practice. This primarily online hybrid program requires only two campus visits per semester. Full-time students complete the 70-credit curriculum in three years, with part-time options available via adviser approval. Coursework covers advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment, plus clinical rotations in primary care for adult, child, adolescent, female, and geriatric patients. With 1,080 clinical hours, residency courses, and a capstone project, graduates are eligible for AANP and ANCC certification. This concentration prepares nurses for family practice across the lifespan.

• 3-Year program
• 70 total credit hours
• Starts fall
• 1080 clinical hours
• Capstone required
• Eligible for AANP and ANCC certification
• Minimal campus visits required
• Fall semester admission only
• Part-time plan with adviser input
• Residency courses integrated

Clemson University's hybrid DNP with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration is a full-time, 74-credit program spanning at least nine semesters, including 1,000 clinical hours. Coursework blends online learning with campus intensives and clinical rotations, covering health promotion, disease prevention, leadership, policy, and advanced skills in diagnosing, treating, and prescribing for acute and chronic conditions. Students complete a DNP project translating evidence into practice. Graduates are equipped for APRN roles in clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Admission requires a 3.25 GPA, three letters of recommendation, a nursing faculty interview, and a background check; no GRE is listed as required. International students must submit TOEFL/IELTS scores. Financial aid, scholarships, and graduate teaching assistantships are available. Priority deadline is November 15.

• 4 concentration options
• 9-Semester program
• 74 total credit hours
• 3.3 GPA minimum
• 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• 1000 clinical hours
• Capstone required
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Priority deadline November 15

Anderson University's hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares working nurses for advanced primary care roles. This three-year, 75-credit program blends online coursework with on-campus experiences, offering flexibility while building skills in disease management, health promotion, and lifespan patient-centered care. Students complete a scholarly evidence-based project and clinical residency, earning a DNP—the growing standard for nurse practitioners. The program starts in the fall, with a March 15 application deadline, and recommends 1–2 years of nursing experience. Graduates can pursue careers in clinics, hospitals, and private practice, with typical salaries between $90,000 and $110,000. Financial aid is available, and the program is military-friendly. Anderson University is a Baptist-affiliated institution.

• 3-Year program
• Complete in in as few as nine semesters
• 75 total credit hours
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• Average salaries range from $90,000 to $110,000
• Capstone required
• Financial aid available
• Hybrid class format
• 1-2 years nursing experience recommended

Claflin University’s online MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares BSN-prepared RNs for advanced primary care practice. The 47-credit curriculum covers advanced health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and evidence-based practice, with integrated clinical experiences and a one-week on-campus intensive each semester. Graduates are equipped to manage patients across the lifespan in clinics, community health centers, and private practices. CCNE-accredited, the program offers asynchronous coursework for working nurses. Admission requires a BSN, RN licensure, BLS certification, 3.0 GPA, two recommendation letters, and a personal statement; no standardized entrance exam is required. Applications are accepted once yearly for fall admission, making it a structured path to FNP certification.

• CCNE accredited
• 2 concentration options
• 47 total credit hours
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• Asynchronous online classes
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available

South University-Columbia offers a hybrid Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization, blending online coursework with on-campus experiences. The program prepares registered nurses for advanced practice across the lifespan, emphasizing comprehensive patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification and fulfill state licensure requirements. The curriculum integrates clinical experiences to build diagnostic, treatment, and management skills. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the program ensures high educational standards. While the program does not explicitly require a standardized entrance exam, applicants should review specific admission criteria. Financial aid is available for eligible students, and the university is recognized as military-friendly.

• Hybrid program format.
• MSN degree with FNP specialization.
• Accredited by CCNE.
• Prepares for national certification.
• Requires state licensure.
• Focuses on patient care.
• Covers all age groups.
• Promotes healthy behaviors.
• Flexible learning options.
• Online and campus components.

Medical University of South Carolina's hybrid DNP and MSN programs feature a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. This CCNE-accredited program spans eight semesters and 76 credit hours, with total tuition of $64,928 ($835 per credit). Students attend on-campus intensives and complete guided clinical practice with preceptors. Coursework covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Admission requires a BSN, statistics prerequisite, 3.0 GPA, three letters of recommendation, and a $50 fee. Full-time and part-time options are available with two start dates per year (fall/spring). Graduates are prepared for FNP certification and report median earnings of $107,888. Financial aid and scholarships are available; out-of-state students accepted. Application deadline is May 31, 2026.

• CCNE accredited
• 5 concentration options
• $64,928 total program tuition
• $835 per credit
• 8-Semester program
• 76 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-05-31
• Full-time and part-time options
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring