Curriculum

Nursing@USC prepares nurses to deliver high-quality health care while considering the social determinants that affect health and well-being. Coursework encompasses health promotion and education, disease prevention, physical assessment and diagnosis, pathophysiology and pharmacology, and illness management.

Nursing@USC students must complete 50 credit hours of coursework and 680 clinical hours. Students who are required to take the bridge course prior to admission will complete 52 credits. The program is offered on a full-time (five semesters) and part-time (eight semesters) basis and can be completed in 21 to 33 months. To see full-time and part-time options, visit our Course Schedules page.

Download the Program FAQ Guide

Nursing@USC Courses

Download the Program FAQ Guide

Bridge Course

Some students may also be required to complete a graduate-level bridge course before beginning the program. This 2-credit course matches the rigor of the traditional curriculum and prepares students for pathophysiology and pharmacology, two of the most challenging courses in the program.

The course is offered through the same online platform as all other Nursing@USC courses, and will help students acclimate to USC’s unique online learning environment. 

The course will be required for admitted students who have one or more of the following:

  • A grade of C+ or lower in undergraduate anatomy and physiology
  • A grade of C+ or lower in undergraduate microbiology and chemistry
  • A cumulative average grade of C+ or lower in undergraduate science courses
  • An undergraduate/BSN completed overseas
  • Academic transcripts more than five years old
  • No undergraduate science courses beyond anatomy and physiology

To learn more about the bridge course, contact our admissions team at 844-487-2676.