South Carolina offers 4 PMHNP programs with tuition ranging from $400 to $572 cost per credit with mostly online formats (MSN, BSN-DNP and post graduate certificates. Click any school name to view admission requirements, curriculum, clinical hours, tuition, and accreditation.
South Carolina PMHNP Programs at a Glance
| School | Format | Cost per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical University of South Carolina Charleston | Mostly Online | $400 | MSN BSN-DNP Certificate | Academic medical center |
| Francis Marion University Florence | Mostly Online | $422 | MSN BSN-DNP Certificate | Compact-state value |
| Anderson University Anderson | Mostly Online | $805 | MSN BSN-DNP Certificate | Faith-based affordability |
| University of South Carolina Columbia | Mostly Online | $572 | MSN BSN-DNP Certificate | Top-ranked online |
- Cheapest MSN: Anderson University ($41,055 flat — no non-resident premium)
- Cheapest DNP: Francis Marion University (~$59,300 in-state)
- Cheapest Certificate: Anderson University ($17,710 — FNPs only)
- Highest Ranked: University of South Carolina (top 6% nationally, #1 in SC)
- No Experience Requirement: Medical University of South Carolina
How to Choose the Best Program for You
Which South Carolina PMHNP Program Fits Your Goals?
Francis Marion University is the value option for in-state and compact-state nurses, undercutting most private online programs by half while requiring more clinical hours (780–1,080) than nearly any competitor, with a genuine rural mental health mission and a certificate completable with zero campus travel.
University of South Carolina is the strongest choice for ranking-conscious applicants, pairing a top-6% national program (#1 in South Carolina) with mid-range in-state pricing, an 18-credit fast path for current APRNs, and scholarships that can bring out-of-state students down to resident rates.
Anderson University is the budget pick for private education, with the state’s cheapest MSN ($41,055) and certificate ($17,710) at a flat rate that never penalizes out-of-state students.
Medical University of South Carolina is the strongest choice for clinical breadth at an academic medical center, with rotations spanning EMDR therapy, telehealth, school-based programs, trauma recovery, and substance use treatment — and it’s the only school welcoming new BSN graduates with no experience requirement.
South Carolina DNP-PMHNP Programs
All four South Carolina universities offer BSN-to-DNP PMHNP pathways, with in-state costs spanning nearly $100K from lowest to highest. Francis Marion is the value leader with the heaviest clinical load, USC pairs mid-range pricing with a top-6% national ranking, and MUSC commands academic-medical-center pricing at the top of the market.
| School | Track | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | BSN-to-DNP | $66K | 77 | $855 | ~3 years | 1,000 |
| Francis Marion University | BSN-to-DNP | ~$60K | 72 | $823.20 | ~3 years | 1,080 |
| Medical University of South Carolina | BSN-to-DNP | $159K | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | ~3 years | Not clearly stated |
| University of South Carolina | BSN-to-DNP | $98K | 75 | $572.25 / $1,240 | 3–4 years | Not clearly stated |
Highlights
- Lowest in-state DNP tuition: Francis Marion University (~$59,300)
- Most clinical hours: Francis Marion University (1,080)
- Top-6% national ranking, #1 in South Carolina: University of South Carolina
- No prior nursing experience required: Medical University of South Carolina
South Carolina MSN-PMHNP Programs
All four universities offer MSN PMHNP pathways. Anderson has the lowest total cost with no resident/non-resident distinction, Francis Marion requires the most clinical hours, USC brings the strongest ranking, and MUSC embeds the MSN in a dual MSN/DNP structure at the highest price.
| School | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | $42K | 51 | $805 | ~2.5 years | 750 |
| Francis Marion University | ~$46K | 55 | $823.20 | ~2.5 years | 780 |
| Medical University of South Carolina | $66K | 60 | ~$1,085 effective | ~2 years | Not clearly stated |
| University of South Carolina | $46K | 47 | $572.25 / $1,240 | ~2.5 years | 672 |
Highlights
- Lowest MSN cost: Anderson University ($41,055, no non-resident premium)
- Most MSN clinical hours: Francis Marion University (780)
- No RN experience required for entry: Medical University of South Carolina
South Carolina Post-Graduate Certificate Programs
All four universities offer certificate pathways with very different entry rules. Anderson’s is the cheapest but admits only certified FNPs, USC scales credits by APRN status, Francis Marion’s can be completed with zero campus travel, and MUSC’s published price is a major outlier that warrants verification.
| School | Entry | Total Cost | Credits | Cost/Credit | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | Certified FNPs only | $18K | 22 | $805 | ~15 months | 750 |
| Francis Marion University | MSN (gap analysis) | $19K-$23K | 23–27 | $823 | ~4 semesters | 780 |
| Medical University of South Carolina | Certified acute/primary care NPs or PMH CNS | $85K | 23 | Not clearly stated | ~1.5 years | Not clearly stated |
| University of South Carolina | MSN (18 cr. for APRNs / 32 cr. for non-APRNs) | $18K-$32K | 18–32 | $572.25 | 1–2 years | 672 |
Highlights
- Lowest certificate cost: Anderson University ($17,710 — open to certified FNPs only)
- Zero campus travel possible: Francis Marion University (virtual synchronous sessions)
- Shortest path for current APRNs: University of South Carolina (18 credits)
South Carolina PMHNP Program Summaries
To maximize your opportunities, the list features both in-state PMHNP programs and national online programs, providing a wider range of formats, costs, and timelines—particularly beneficial with open enrollment availability.
Anderson University PMHNP Program
Anderson | $805 - $855 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
Anderson University’s School of Nursing offers three PMHNP pathways designed for working nurses. Coursework is online with 2–3 day on-campus intensives each semester, plus 750 precepted clinical hours spanning child, adolescent, adult, and older-adult populations. The Christ-centered, CCNE-accredited program leverages state-of-the-art simulation facilities and South Carolina’s only cadaver lab for nursing students. Flexible full- and part-time plans and clinically active faculty help graduates prepare for national PMHNP certification...read more.
Francis Marion University PMHNP Programs
Florence | $823 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
Francis Marion’s PMHNP pathways offer a mostly online format with limited campus visits, emphasizing accessibility and flexibility for working nurses. The programs require a high volume of clinical hours across diverse psychiatric settings, though students are responsible for securing their own preceptors. A strong focus on rural mental health and lifespan care, combined with an affordable tuition structure, makes the program particularly appealing for nurses in compact states...read more.
MUSC PMHNP Program
Charleston | $400 to $1200 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Mostly Online
The MUSC College of Nursing offers three PMHNP pathways delivered primarily online with multi-day, on-campus learning intensives. Clinical experiences span EMDR clinics, telehealth, school-based programs, trauma recovery centers, substance-use treatment, and specialized population services. MUSC welcomes new BSN graduates (no RN experience required) and prepares all students in both psychotherapy and medication management, with optional educator courses (9 credits) for CNE eligibility. Graduates are eligible for national PMHNP certification through ANCC or AANP...read more.
Post University PMHNP Programs
National | $604 cpc | BSN-MSN | Online
For South Carolina nurses, Post University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – PMHNP Specialization provides a career-focused route to advanced psychiatric practice. The 34-month program combines 100% online coursework with 630 required clinical hours, blending evidence-based lessons in assessment, diagnosis, and psychopharmacology. With tuition near $31,000, the program offers monthly start dates and full authorization for South Carolina residents.
Purdue Global PMHNP Programs
National | $400 to $720 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Online
Purdue Global’s PMHNP choices include the online Postgraduate Certificate, the MSN focus, and the MSN-to-DNP. The certificate is about $20,160 over ~1.5 years; the MSN is about $32,760 over ~2 years; the MSN-to-DNP proceeds after the MSN. The university is authorized to offer these programs to South Carolina residents.
University of South Carolina PMHNP Program
Columbia | $572.25 cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN / MSN / DNP | Mostly Online
University of South Carolina PMHNP Program (Columbia, SC) offers online pathways with required campus immersions and comprehensive psychiatric clinical training. The curriculum develops advanced assessment, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy skills to care for patients across the lifespan, supported by 672+ supervised clinical hours at the master’s level and additional doctoral residencies for DNP students. Flexible plans accommodate working nurses while maintaining rigorous standards; the College of Nursing ranks in the Top 6% nationally and #1 in South Carolina. Graduates meet educational requirements to sit for ANCC PMHNP certification. ..read more.
WGU PMHNP Programs
National | flat rate cpc | Certificate / BSN-MSN | Online
With WGU’s PMHNP options, you’ll study online, test by competency, and complete required clinicals locally under preceptor guidance. The MSN requires at least 2.5 years due to clinical sequencing; the certificate can be done in around 1.5 years. Budget roughly the upper-$30Ks for the MSN and low-$20Ks for the certificate when rounded.
Wilkes University PMHNP Programs
National | $751 cpc | Certificate / RN-MSN / BSN-MSN / BSN-DNP | Online
South Carolina nurses can advance into psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner roles by enrolling in Wilkes University’s online MSN, certificate, or DNP PMHNP pathways. The built-in clinical placement service assists South Carolina students in finding quality mental health preceptors and sites within a reasonable travel radius. With a curriculum focused on evidence-based therapies, diagnostic reasoning, and care for rural and underserved populations, graduates are prepared to address behavioral health needs across South Carolina.