Registered Nurse to Masters Degree (AS/RN to MS)

The College of Nursing at the University of South Florida offers a master's program leading to a Master of Science (MS) with a major in Nursing. The RN/MS option allows the RN with an associate’s degree in nursing to earn a master's degree in nursing. RN’s with a diploma in Nursing will be evaluated on a case by case basis after application to the College of Nursing. Students take 12 credits of transitional undergraduate courses before applying for the MS program. Students in this program will graduate with only the MS degree. Students who wish to graduate with both the MS and BS degrees must meet all USF baccalaureate degree requirements including foreign language. The master's program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Please note: The following information is for informational purposes only and is superseded by the catalog for your intended term of entry.

Admission Requirements:

• Completed Associate Degree in Nursing
• Admission to the University of South Florida
• Online application to the College of Nursing by the deadline
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA (excluding nursing courses) prior to entrance into undergraduate transition courses and minimum USF Nursing G.P.A. of 3.0 as of the semester transitioning into Masters
• Earn a C or better in each nursing prerequisite
• Evidence of current Florida RN licensure in good standing
• Meet CLAST requirement

The College of Nursing suggests that RN to Masters (AS/RN – BS/BA to MS) students complete all pre-requisite courses before starting the nursing transitional undergraduate courses (see http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/Programs_of_Study/rntomasters.html for a list of nursing transitional undergraduate courses). However, a student can be admitted to the RN to Masters program with the minimum completion of English 1, English 2, Statistics, and either College Algebra or Finite Math. Students with these courses completed, with a C or better, may be accepted into the program and complete the remainder of their pre-requisites before transitioning to the Masters curriculum.

Prerequisite Requirements (Credits):

• English Composition I and II (6)
• Chemistry (4)
• Gordon Rule Math (College Algebra, Finite Math, or Liberal Arts Math preferred) (3)
• Life Span (Human Growth and Development) (3)
• Sociology (3)
• Statistics (3)
• Microbiology (4)
• Nutrition (HUN 2201) (3)
• Anatomy & Physiology I and II (6-8)
• Psychology (3)

Community College Equivalencies

Additional USF Liberal Arts Requirements – these must be completed before transitioning into the Masters curriculum:

• Fine Arts (3)
• Historical Perspective (6)
• African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian Perspectives (3)
• Foreign Language (6-8) – only required for those wishing to complete a BS in addition to an MS

Students with a Florida Community College AA degree will be considered to have met all of the USF Liberal Arts requirements except for foreign language.

In addition, students must complete 12 HOURS OF TRANSITIONAL NURSING COURSES before beginning the Masters curriculum. See http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/Programs_of_Study/rntomasters.html for a list of these courses.