About the College of Health Professions

Advancing education, research, and practice to prepare tomorrow's health care leaders and strengthen communities.

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By The Numbers

Established in 1966, the College of Health Professions (CHP) remains competitive among the top colleges of health professions in the country.

1,099 Students

16 undergraduate and graduate degrees

$17M Research grant funds awarded

U.S. News & World Report Rankings

We offer 14 different academic degree programs, and several of our programs are ranked in the top 30 nationally.

Ranked #8 occupational therapy program

U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Ranked #19 health care management program

U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Ranked #25 physical therapy program

U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Ranked #20 nurse anesthesia program

U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Research

Our research portfolio continues to be robust, and the college is ranked No. 11 in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among approximately 65 colleges of health professions. Construction of the college’s fourth building, CHP-D, is nearly complete with an expected opening of January 2026. The building will house state-of-the-art education and research facilities. It will be home to the new Clinical Research Center for Restoration of Neural-Based Function in the Real World (RENEW), funded by a $7.8 million NIH grant.

Several of our faculty members provide clinical services within the MUSC enterprise. In addition, community service is an integral part of our mission, and our students, faculty, and staff are committed to serving the needs of others, demonstrated in part by our nationally recognized CARES Therapy Clinic.

Moving health professions forward

Guided by our vision, mission and values, our strategic plan focuses our efforts on expanding innovative and flexible educational opportunities, advancing health services research and strengthening collaboration with MUSC Health to improve health and health care across South Carolina and beyond.

Explore our strategic plan

Interim Dean, College of Health Professions

Nancy E. Carson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

Interim Dean of the College of Health Professions Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy

Nancy E. Carson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA, is the Interim Dean of the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina. In this role, she provides leadership for the College of Health Professions and works with its academic programs, faculty, and staff to advance the College’s educational mission and support academic excellence. Prior to serving as Interim Dean, Dr. Carson was Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs, where she worked with programs throughout the College to ensure compliance with academic policies and procedures and to support faculty development.

Dr. Carson received her clinical training in occupational therapy from MUSC and completed a Ph.D. in Public Health (Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior) from the University of South Carolina. She has taught a variety of courses in the occupational therapy program at MUSC since 1990 and is the author of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy, which is used in occupational therapy educational programs throughout the United States.

Dr. Carson serves on the editorial boards of the Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Journal and the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. She is active in the American Occupational Therapy Association and serves on the Executive Committee of the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association. In 2016, she was named to the Roster of Fellows by the American Occupational Therapy Association for significant contributions as a leader, educator, and mentor in community mental health. In 2020, she was inducted into the National Academies of Practice as a Distinguished Fellow of the Occupational Therapy Academy. In 2024, she received the Lifetime Award from the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association, and in 2026, she was accepted into the Occupational Therapy Leaders and Legacies Society.

carsonn@musc.edu View Faculty Profile View Research Profile

A Message from the Interim Dean

Welcome to the College of Health Professions. With nearly sixty years of history educating thousands of students from the state of South Carolina and beyond, the College of Health Professions is a national leader in education, intellectual discovery, and research. Located in beautiful Charleston, on the campus of the historic, and nationally recognized Medical University of South Carolina, our college advances student learning through a nationally recognized faculty by promoting excellence, and by constantly assessing our programs and activities to better serve our students, our community, and the world at large.

Our college remains committed to recruiting a wide range of talented students who can meet the health care needs of South Carolina’s citizens. It is essential that individuals of all backgrounds have the opportunity to be educated in our programs, succeed, and emerge as leaders shaping the future of health care.

Among the college’s most significant developments is the building of a state-of-the-art complex that allows us to take advantage of recent advances in educational technology and growth opportunities for research by faculty and students. Our classrooms are designed to enhance student learning through the use of cutting edge educational technologies. The College of Health Professions leads the way in the use of advanced technology.

We offer 17 degree programs from bachelor- to doctoral-level, and many of these are ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty members are well recognized for their excellence as educators, clinicians and researchers, and we are leaders in inter-professional education. Our graduates have touched the lives of patients in every corner of South Carolina, and beyond.

Again, welcome to our college. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding how the College of Health Professions can help you achieve your education and career goals.

Who We Are