Most important takeaways…
- Five South Carolina schools offer adult-gerontology NP programs across primary care, acute care, MSN, DNP, and certificate levels.
- AGPCNP graduates typically work in outpatient clinics, while AGACNP graduates practice in hospitals and intensive care settings.
- NP job growth is projected at 61% through 2032, making both AGNP tracks strong career investments.
- South Carolina requires all AGNPs to hold a collaborative practice agreement with a physician for APRN licensure.
South Carolina's aging population is growing faster than its supply of providers trained to care for them, making adult-gerontology nurse practitioners one of the state's most sought-after advanced practice roles. Programs here span two distinct tracks: the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP), focused on chronic disease management in outpatient settings, and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP), built for hospital-based, high-acuity care. Both are available at the MSN adult gerontology, DNP, and post-master's certificate levels.
The practical challenge for working nurses is matching the right track, format, and program to their clinical goals while managing cost, schedule, and South Carolina's collaborative practice requirements.
AGPCNP vs AGACNP in South Carolina: Which Track Fits Your Career?
Choosing between primary care and acute care adult-gerontology tracks determines not just where you work, but the pace, intensity, and patient relationships that define your daily practice. Both pathways share a projected 61% job growth rate through 2032 according to South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce projections1, , yet they lead to distinctly different professional lives within the state's healthcare landscape.
Clinical Settings and Daily Realities
AGPCNP-prepared nurse practitioners thrive in outpatient environments where longitudinal patient relationships form the core of practice. In South Carolina, you will find these roles in primary care clinics, internal medicine practices, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and VA facilities scattered across the state. The work rhythm follows weekday clinic schedules, with time built around chronic disease management, preventive care, and wellness visits for adults through older populations.
AGACNP-prepared nurse practitioners operate in high-acuity hospital settings where clinical decisions happen quickly and patient status can shift within hours. South Carolina's major health systems, including MUSC Health and Prisma Health, employ acute care nurse practitioners in intensive care units, emergency departments, step-down units, cardiology services, oncology floors, and hospitalist teams. Expect shift work that includes nights, weekends, and rotating schedules as part of this career path.
Patient Acuity and Employer Types
The fundamental distinction comes down to patient stability. Primary care AGNPs manage stable adults with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and preventive screening needs. Acute care AGNPs handle unstable, complex, or rapidly deteriorating patients requiring immediate intervention and close monitoring.
In South Carolina specifically, large hospital systems dominate AGACNP hiring, while AGPCNP positions spread across private practices, community health centers, and rural clinics serving underserved populations. Job postings for acute care roles tend to be more specifically labeled and visible in searches, while primary care positions often get grouped with family nurse practitioner listings, making them harder to track under the exact AGPCNP title. For a deeper look at how these roles overlap, our comparison of AGNP vs FNP programs can help clarify the distinctions.
Certification Requirements
Each track requires its own national certification before South Carolina licensure:
- AGPCNP-BC: The ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification validates competency in outpatient adult and geriatric care.
- AGACNP-BC: The ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification covers inpatient and emergency care competencies.
- ACNPC-AG: The AACN offers an alternative acute care certification accepted by many employers and state boards.
Regional Demand Signals
Both tracks face strong demand across South Carolina, though the distribution varies. Hospital-heavy regions like Charleston and the Upstate Greenville-Spartanburg corridor show robust acute care openings. Rural and underserved areas, particularly in the Pee Dee and Lowcountry regions, demonstrate persistent need for primary care providers willing to serve aging populations with limited healthcare access. If hospital-based critical care appeals to you, AGACNP aligns with that preference. If building ongoing patient relationships in community settings sounds fulfilling, AGPCNP offers that path.
Highest-Ranked Adult-Gerontology NP Programs in South Carolina for 2027
Four South Carolina institutions currently prepare adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, and they split fairly cleanly between primary care and acute care pathways. Clemson and the Medical University of South Carolina center on primary care for adults and older adults, while the University of South Carolina builds its entire adult-gerontology lineup around acute care. South University's Columbia campus adds a fully online primary care MSN for nurses who need maximum scheduling flexibility.
Factors considered
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Graduate completion and outcomes
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Net price after financial aid
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Clemson University
Clemson University anchors adult-gerontology training in South Carolina's Upstate, delivering its nurse practitioner tracks through the Greenville campus on the Prisma Health campus. It offers a hybrid MSN in adult-gerontology primary care and a post-baccalaureate DNP with an adult/gerontology concentration, both built on small cohorts and local preceptor networks. The university's institution-wide graduation rate is in the mid-80s, among the strongest in the state, though that figure covers all students rather than the nursing program specifically.
- CCNE accredited
- Hybrid format: online coursework plus on-campus intensives in Greenville
- Classes meet at the Greenville campus on the Prisma Health campus
- One start date per year, with a fall cohort start
- 3.3 GPA minimum and at least three letters of recommendation
- Cohort-based structure with dedicated faculty advisors
- Coursework in mental health and nursing informatics alongside gerontology
- Core courses in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology
- Doctoral program accredited by CCNE
- Nine-semester post-baccalaureate DNP totaling 74 credit hours
- 1,000 clinical hours plus a required capstone
- Four concentration options, chosen at entry
- Priority deadline November 15; final deadline February 15
- Graduate assistantships provide stipends and tuition support
- Hybrid format for students entering with a bachelor's degree
- Annual Translational Research Day for students
MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care — Hybrid
Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston offers an adult-gerontology primary care pathway that spans both the MSN and the DNP, blending online coursework with focused on-campus intensives. Precepted clinical placements are typically arranged in South Carolina, so nurses across the state can train close to home. The college frames its graduates as leaders in widening primary care access for older adults, and its academic health system gives students unusual exposure to complex geriatric care.
- CCNE accredited
- 76 total credit hours, with five concentration options
- Full-time and part-time tracks with fall and spring starts
- Online didactic coursework plus on-campus intensives
- Guided clinical practice with expert preceptors
- Prepares graduates for AGNP national certification
- $50 application fee and prerequisite coursework required
- Cohort model with faculty mentorship throughout
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP/MSN) — Hybrid
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina in Columbia has the state's deepest lineup for adult-gerontology acute care, with an MSN, a post-master's certificate, and a DNP all aimed at AGACNP practice. Coursework is online with required on-campus immersion, and the MSN expects roughly 2,400 hours of recent bedside experience, ideally in critical care, emergency, or med-surg nursing. Institution-wide, the university graduates about 79 percent of its students, though that number is not specific to nursing.
- CCNE accredited
- Online delivery with required on-campus immersion
- 784 practicum clinical hours
- At least 2,400 nursing hours within the past 24 months
- Preferred experience in ICU, critical care, med-surg, or emergency
- Current RN licensure plus BLS and ACLS certification needed
- Out-of-state applicants may qualify for a nursing scholarship rate
- Fall and summer admissions with early and final deadlines
- Post-master's certificate totaling 30 to 32 credit hours
- Online format with one required on-campus immersion
- Requires an MSN and a 3.00 GPA minimum
- 10 to 12 credit core plus 20 credits of concentration courses
- Gap analysis available for practicing APRNs
- Two entry points available across the year
- Practicum courses included in the curriculum
- Prepares graduates for national acute care certification
- Accredited by CCNE
- Flexible online format
- Clinical Simulation Center for hands-on practice
- Prepares students for AGACNP national certification
- Career paths include hospitalist, cardiology, and critical care
- One of the first four nationally recognized DNP programs
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, MSN — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master's Certificate — Online
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, DNP — Online
South University-Columbia
South University's Columbia campus supports a fully online MSN in adult-gerontology primary care built for working nurses who cannot rearrange their schedules. Didactic coursework is asynchronous and clinical hours are completed locally at sites students help arrange. The curriculum leans on prevention and management of common health problems in at-risk older adults, and the university's overall graduation rate is well below the state's public universities, a tradeoff worth weighing against the flexibility.
- CCNE accredited
- 56 total credits: 12-credit core plus 44-credit AGPCNP specialization
- $660 per credit hour
- Fully online didactic coursework with in-person clinicals
- Requires a BSN, a 2.5 GPA, and an active RN license
- Focus on at-risk and vulnerable aging populations
- Aligned with national NP competencies and certification exam prep
- Unencumbered RN license needed in every state where licensed
MSN in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Online
Frequently Asked Questions About AGNP Programs in South Carolina
Choosing between primary and acute care tracks, sorting out certification options, and figuring out how to pay for your degree can feel overwhelming. Below are answers to the questions South Carolina nurses ask most often about adult-gerontology nurse practitioner programs.
- What is the difference between AGACNP and AGPCNP?
- The adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) track prepares you to manage complex, rapidly changing conditions in hospitals, ICUs, and emergency departments. The adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP) track focuses on wellness promotion, chronic disease management, and preventive care in outpatient clinics and community settings. Your choice depends on whether you prefer high-acuity inpatient care or long-term patient relationships in ambulatory practice.
- Can I complete an AGACNP program online in South Carolina?
- Several South Carolina universities offer AGACNP programs in a hybrid format, meaning didactic coursework is delivered online while hands-on skills labs and clinical rotations are completed in person. Fully online programs from accredited out-of-state schools may also accept South Carolina students, though you will still need to arrange supervised clinical hours at approved SC sites. Check each program's residency and clinical requirements before enrolling.
- What are the certification options for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners?
- Primary care graduates typically sit for the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP board certification (AGPCNP-BC). Acute care graduates can pursue either the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certification (AGACNP-BC) or the AACN's Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certification (ACNPC-AG). South Carolina's Board of Nursing requires national certification in your population focus before granting APRN licensure.
- What is the difference between an APRN and an AGNP?
- APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) is the broad licensure category that includes nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. An AGNP (Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner) is a specific type of APRN whose education and certification focus on the care of adults from young adulthood through older age. In short, every AGNP is an APRN, but not every APRN is an AGNP.
- Is an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner degree worth it in South Carolina?
- South Carolina's aging population and widespread primary care shortages create strong demand for AGNPs in both primary and acute care settings. NPs practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas may qualify for federal loan repayment awards of $50,000 to $75,000, and the state offers rural incentive grants for APRNs. Combined with competitive NP salaries, the return on investment is favorable for nurses committed to serving South Carolina communities.
- How do I become a geriatric nurse practitioner in South Carolina?
- Start by earning your BSN and obtaining an active RN license. Then enroll in an accredited MSN or DNP adult-gerontology NP program (primary or acute care, depending on your goals). Complete all required clinical hours, pass the corresponding national certification exam, and apply for APRN licensure through the South Carolina Board of Nursing. Some programs also offer post-master's certificates for nurses who already hold an MSN in another specialty.
- Are there DNP-level AGACNP options in South Carolina, or only MSN pathways?
- South Carolina offers both MSN and DNP pathways for the AGACNP track. A DNP program adds coursework in evidence-based practice, systems leadership, and quality improvement, and it typically includes a scholarly project. Some schools also provide a post-master's DNP option for nurses who already hold an MSN with acute care certification. Check individual program listings on nursepractitioneronline.com for current degree options.
- What scholarships or loan forgiveness programs are available for SC AGNP students?
- Federal options include the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, which offers $50,000 to $75,000 in tax-free awards for NPs in eligible shortage areas, and the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, which can cover up to 85 percent of qualifying student loan balances over three years. Public Service Loan Forgiveness is available after 120 qualifying payments at a nonprofit or government employer. On the state side, South Carolina's rural incentive grants support APRNs, and major health systems such as MUSC and Prisma Health offer tuition reimbursement of roughly $3,000 to $5,250 per year in exchange for a one to two year service commitment.
Related Articles
Your Pathway to Becoming an Adult-Gerontology NP in South Carolina
Becoming an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner in South Carolina follows a structured credentialing ladder. Whether you choose the primary care or acute care track, each step builds on the last. Here is the typical sequence from your BSN through independent APRN practice.
APRN Licensure and Scope of Practice for AGNPs in South Carolina
APRN licensure in South Carolina is the state credential that lets you practice as a nurse practitioner after you finish your graduate program and pass a national board exam. It is issued by the South Carolina Board of Nursing and sits on top of your active RN license, meaning you hold both at once.1
The Application Process
To apply, you submit your APRN application through the Board's online portal along with documentation that you have completed an accredited master's or doctoral NP program in the adult-gerontology population focus.2 You also need to show current national certification from an approved body: ANCC for AGPCNP-BC or AGACNP-BC, or AACN for the ACNPC-AG credential. You have 12 months from program completion to secure certification and file for licensure.1 For a broader look at the credentialing process, our nurse practitioner licensing guide covers requirements across all states.
If you want to prescribe, that authority is applied for separately. Initial prescriptive authority requires 45 contact hours of pharmacology continuing education, including 15 hours specific to controlled substances.2 Renewal cycles require 30 CE hours overall, with 20 in pharmacotherapy and 2 in controlled substance prescribing.3
Reduced Practice and Collaborative Agreements
South Carolina is a reduced-practice state. To diagnose, treat, and prescribe, you must have a written collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician.1 The agreement defines your scope, the conditions under which the physician is available for consultation, and any prescriptive limits. You can review how South Carolina compares with other states on our full practice authority states page. In day-to-day terms, this means most AGNPs in SC practice within a defined medical group, hospital service line, or clinic where that collaborating physician relationship is built into the staffing model.
Out-of-State and Online Graduates
Graduates of out-of-state and online NP programs are eligible for SC licensure as long as the program holds proper accreditation (CCNE or ACEN) and the population focus matches your intended certification. The Board does require clinical rotation approval for out-of-state programs, so SC-based clinical sites and preceptors must be vetted in advance.1
AGPCNP-BC vs AGACNP-BC at the License Level
The Board licenses you to the population focus and acuity level of your certification. An AGPCNP-BC practices in primary care, longitudinal management settings. An AGACNP-BC (or ACNPC-AG) practices with acutely and critically ill adults in hospital-based settings. You cannot work outside your certified scope, so the track you choose in school directly determines where you can be hired after licensure.
Questions to Ask Yourself
What AGNPs Earn in South Carolina: Program Outcomes and BLS Wages
How much can you expect to earn as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner in South Carolina, and where should you look for reliable salary data? The answer depends on your track, your experience level, and where in the state you practice, but the numbers are encouraging enough to make this career investment worth a close look.
National NP Wage Benchmarks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data for nurse practitioners under SOC code 29-1171. As of 2026, the national median annual wage for nurse practitioners falls in the $129,000 to $132,000 range.1 Here is how the national pay distribution breaks down:
- 10th percentile: approximately $98,000
- 25th percentile: approximately $110,000
- 75th percentile: approximately $150,000
- 90th percentile: approximately $180,000
These figures represent all NP specialties combined, including both primary care and acute care tracks. Keep in mind that acute care AGNPs working in hospital or critical care settings sometimes command higher wages due to shift differentials and the complexity of the patient population they serve.
South Carolina Wage Landscape
South Carolina-specific wage estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program were most recently published using 2025 reference-year data; updated 2026 figures are not yet available. To find granular pay data for metro areas like Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, visit the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data tool and filter by South Carolina. You can view annual wage percentiles at both the statewide and metropolitan-area level, which helps you compare earning potential across different parts of the state.
Wage growth for nurse practitioners in South Carolina has been notable. A recent analysis showed an 8.2 percent growth rate, reflecting increasing demand for NPs across primary care clinics, specialty practices, and acute care hospitals throughout the state.2 The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce and its Labor Market Information division also publish occupation-level wage reports that can supplement federal data with more localized detail.
Program-Level Outcomes and Professional Resources
Beyond government data, university program websites are a valuable resource. Schools like MUSC, Clemson, and the University of South Carolina often publish graduate outcomes that include certification pass rates, employment placement percentages, and sometimes alumni salary surveys. These figures give you a program-specific picture that broad federal data cannot capture. For a wider view of how adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs compare nationally, reviewing outcomes across multiple schools can sharpen your expectations.
If you want peer-sourced salary intelligence, consider reaching out to professional organizations. The South Carolina Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners both compile member salary surveys and publish industry reports that break down compensation by specialty, years of experience, and practice setting. These resources are especially useful for comparing AGPCNP and AGACNP earnings side by side. You may also find it helpful to explore nurse practitioner programs in SC to see how tuition and format options align with local earning potential.
Putting the Numbers to Work
When evaluating a program's return on investment, layer multiple data sources rather than relying on a single number. Start with the BLS wage tool for a broad market picture, check state workforce reports for regional nuance, review your prospective program's published outcomes, and then consult professional association surveys for specialty-level detail. South Carolina's combination of growing NP demand and lower cost of living compared to the national average means your earning power here can stretch further than headline figures suggest. That context matters as you weigh tuition costs against long-term career earnings.
Affordable AGNP Programs in South Carolina: Tuition, Scholarships, and Loan Forgiveness
Choosing an affordable AGNP program in South Carolina often means weighing per-credit tuition against the flexibility to keep working while enrolled. That tradeoff is especially visible at the University of South Carolina, where published 2025-2026 MSN AGACNP figures show in-state students pay $977.41 per credit and out-of-state students pay $1,690.33, a difference of $32,794 over the 46-credit program. Post-master's certificate rates are lower but still split sharply: $572.25 in-state versus $1,240 out-of-state per credit. Statewide AGPCNP listings point to 56-credit programs around $660 per credit, and MUSC lists $835 per credit, though final totals depend on the specific track and residency.
Aid that can lower the price
- Nursing scholarships: USC's Nursing Scholarship can reduce out-of-state MSN AGACNP costs from $77,755 to $51,071, and published scholarship-adjusted totals for online DNP programs in South Carolina can be substantially lower than the $121,655 standard out-of-state rate. Eligibility and service terms vary, so confirm with the school.
- State loan forgiveness: South Carolina Bill 4782 proposes up to $10,000 per academic year for graduate nursing costs, with three years of service potentially forgiving a four-year award while students fulfill one year of service per funded year, a structure similar to Nurse Practitioner Student Loan Forgiveness programs. It is legislation, not yet a guaranteed 2026 funding source.
- Employer reimbursement: The USC BOLD Career Pathway Program advertises up to $90,000 in reimbursement over three years, but availability for part-time, online, or post-master's AGNP students is not broadly published. Check your hospital's HR policy.
How format changes the bill
Online didactic delivery can remove commuting and relocation costs, but it does not eliminate tuition, the $500 USC MSN seat deposit, books, technology fees, or travel to clinicals. Hybrid tracks may add expenses for campus intensives, skills labs, parking, and missed work. Residency status often matters more than format: even with online courses, out-of-state tuition can outweigh savings unless a scholarship applies.
Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus: SC AGNP Program Formats Explained
Choosing between online, hybrid, and on-campus AGNP programs means balancing the flexibility working nurses need with the hands-on clinical training advanced practice demands. South Carolina programs lean heavily toward remote delivery, yet no option eliminates the requirement for in-person patient care. Understanding what each format actually delivers helps you pick a path that fits your schedule, learning style, and career commitments.
Program Formats at a Glance
- Clemson University: Hybrid, with online coursework paired with on-campus intensives; Master's entry, AGPCNP track.
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC): Hybrid, with a DNP featuring online didactics and periodic in-person sessions; AGPCNP concentration.
- University of South Carolina (USC): Online post-master's certificate in AGACNP; note that this online program still requires an on-campus immersion.
- Francis Marion University: Online DNP in AGACNP with fully remote coursework.
- South University, Columbia: Online MSN in AGPCNP, with all didactic delivery through a digital platform.
A quick clarification: "online" and "hybrid" here describe only the classroom portion. Every program, regardless of label, requires extensive in-person clinical rotations.
What 'Hybrid' Really Means in an NP Program
A hybrid AGNP program delivers lecture content, discussions, and assignments through an online learning management system, then brings students to campus for concentrated skill-building events. These on-site periods, often called intensives or immersions, last a few days each semester and focus on advanced physical assessment practice, simulation labs, and hands-on procedure training that cannot be replicated virtually. Clemson, for example, integrates a final practicum synthesis on its Greenville campus, while MUSC schedules guided clinical practice days with expert preceptors. This model lets you build advanced competencies without relocating or commuting weekly.
The Reality for Working RNs
All of the ranked South Carolina AGNP programs offer at least partial online delivery. Fully online options like Francis Marion's DNP or South University's MSN let you complete didactic coursework asynchronously, often while maintaining a nursing position. Even the hybrid programs cluster on-campus commitments into short, predictable blocks, making it feasible to schedule time off in advance. This design reduces commuting stress and keeps your work-life balance intact. For many working nurses, the online or hybrid format is the only realistic way to earn an NP credential without stepping away from income and experience.
Clinical Rotations: Always In Person
No matter how you learn theory, adult-gerontology clinical hours happen at the bedside. Students arrange placements in acute care hospitals, primary care clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or specialty practices. Schools like MUSC and USC offer strong preceptor networks, but you may need to identify local sites yourself. The 500 to 1,000+ direct patient hours required for certification cannot be satisfied online. When comparing programs, ask how the school supports clinical placement: some assign preceptors, others guide you through the process. Regardless, the hands-on component is non-negotiable and is what ultimately prepares you to manage complex adult and geriatric patients safely.
Securing Clinical Placements as an AGNP Student in South Carolina
Clinical placements form the bridge between classroom theory and bedside reality, requiring adult-gerontology nurse practitioner students to complete anywhere from 500 supervised hours in a typical MSN program to 1,000 or more in a DNP track. How you secure those placements varies sharply from one South Carolina school to the next, and understanding each program's approach early will spare you late-stage stress. For a broader look at what these rotations involve, our guide to nurse practitioner clinical rotations covers student roles, hours, and expectations across specialties.
Programs That Arrange Placements for You
Clemson University's MSN nurse practitioner program exemplifies the school-arranged model. Students complete 810 clinical hours, and the Graduate Clinical Coordinator matches learners with preceptors, who may include nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, or physicians.1 This centralized approach removes much of the legwork from students, though it may limit choice in site and specialty. At the other end of the spectrum, the Medical University of South Carolina asks students to arrange their own placements individually, a model that grants flexibility but demands persistence and networking skills. If your program follows the self-sourced route, our step-by-step advice on how to find NP preceptors can help you build a strong preceptor network.
Urban Density vs. Rural Opportunity
Charleston and Columbia offer the highest density of potential preceptor sites. Prisma Health, MUSC Health, and Lexington Medical Center anchor large health networks with established NP training pipelines. Rural counties, by contrast, present thinner site options but carry a strategic advantage: many qualify as Health Professional Shortage Areas under the National Health Service Corps, and students who complete rotations there may later be eligible for NHSC loan repayment if they return to practice.
Formal Health System Agreements
Some programs maintain articulation agreements or preferred-partner relationships with South Carolina's major health systems. The University of South Carolina's online AGACNP program, for example, coordinates on-campus immersion weekends and draws on longstanding ties with Prisma Health and other Columbia-area hospitals. These partnerships do not guarantee placement, but they smooth the approval process and give students a warm introduction to preceptor networks. Before you enroll, ask each program's clinical coordinator which health systems have signed memoranda of understanding and whether clinical sites are guaranteed, assisted, or entirely student-sourced.
