Admission is highly competitive. Applicants must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as the specific criteria for admission to the major outlined below, and submit a complete application for consideration.

• Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from an accredited institution and CCNE or ACEN-accredited Nursing program or the equivalent degree in Nursing from a foreign institution
  • Overall GPA must meet USF Graduate Admissions requirements 

• Minimum 3.0 Nursing-specific GPA   
• Completed graduate application to the University of South Florida.   
  • No materials other than the application and $30 fee are to be sent to graduate admissions 

•  Completed and “verified” NursingCAS application by published deadline.  
  • All materials and documents are to be sent and uploaded to NursingCAS www.nursingcas.org 
• Prerequisite courses with a B- grade or lower must be retaken. A B or higher grade must be earned to meet minimum admission requirements. 
  • Recommended to retake courses older than 10 years
    
    • Anatomy and Physiology (6 credits)
    • Statistics (3 credits)
    • Chemistry (3 credits) Any undergraduate CHM course can be used
    • Pathophysiology (3 credits)
    • Pharmacology (3 credits)
    • **Applicants may have prerequisite retakes in progress while applying if the course was previously passed with a B grade or higher  

• 1 year of full-time ICU experience by the time the program begins 
  
  • Cannot be ER or Stepdown Unit 
  • Cannot be Neonatal only

• Personal Statement 

• GRE within the past 5 years.
  • Minimum combined verbal/quantitative score: 292
  • Minimum writing score: 3.0

• Three letters of recommendation, indicating potential for graduate study, from persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability, clinical competence, and commitment.
  • Nursing faculty, Nursing supervisor, and a CRNA or physician anesthesiologist 
• Current unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Florida before classes begin. Students must have an RN license in the United States before admission.  
• Certifications:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – required
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – required
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – highly recommended
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) – highly recommended
• A virtual personal interview is required for admission. 

Disclaimer: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Acceptance into the program will be reserved for the best-qualified applicants who fulfill all admission requirements. Once an application is submitted and verified in NursingCAS, it will be reviewed by faculty. Competitive applications that are incomplete may still be advanced for interview scheduling while outstanding items are being finalized. However, applications that are both incomplete and determined to be non-competitive based on substantial and insurmountable existing evidence may be denied, regardless of future completion of missing components.

For full details, please refer to the Graduate Catalog.

This rigorous, 94-credit, nine-semester, full-time program equips graduates to meet the highest standards of anesthesia care, from major hospitals to rural clinics where CRNAs are often the sole anesthesia providers.

For full details, please refer to the USF Graduate Catalog.

Nurse Anesthesiology Program Plan

Applicants who meet the admission requirements should complete the following steps:

• Submit a USF Graduate Admissions Application
  • For all questions, contact the USF Admissions Office at (813) 974-3350 or visit the website
  • Note: Do not upload supplemental documentation (e.g., test scores, transcripts, personal statements) in this application. 

• Submit a NursingCAS Application
  • All required documentation (e.g., transcripts, resume, certifications) must be submitted to NursingCAS by the deadline for consideration.

For technical questions regarding your NursingCAS account, please contact NursingCAS at 617-612-2880 or nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org. Please refer to the Application Deadlines tab for reference if you do not see your desired term of entry in NursingCAS. 

A personal interview with faculty is also required.

International Admissions

• Foreign Transcripts: Coursework and degrees completed outside the U.S. require a course-by-course evaluation from a USF Graduate School–approved agency. The Florida Board of Nursing maintains its own list of approved evaluating agencies. Transcript evaluations must be sent to NursingCAS electronically or in sealed envelopes by the posted deadlines.
• English Language: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate English proficiency. Please see USF Graduate Catalog for more information or contact USF Office of International Admissions.

Applicants Rights and Responsibilities:

Applicants have the right to fair, respectful, and timely evaluation of their applications. They are responsible for providing accurate information, notifying the program of any changes, and submitting all materials by the stated deadlines.

Summer 2027 Admission Dates & Deadlines:

February 15, 2026 - NursingCAS application opens*
May 1, 2026 - Interview scheduling will begin**
August 15, 2026 - Priority deadline; the first round of admission decisions are sent shortly after, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the first round of decisions are sent
January 15, 2027 - NursingCAS application closes

*NursingCAS applications will not be processed until after they are complete and have been verified

**Applicants invited to interview before August 15 are given priority consideration for admission to the DNP Nurse Anesthesiology program.

Nurse anesthesiology is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. All applicants must meet the technical standards required for safe, competent anesthesia practice, including cognitive, technical, observational, and behavioral skills. Students must have the physical and emotional endurance to succeed in the rigorous DNP Nurse Anesthesiology program.

For a full list of required abilities, review the Consolidated Student Handbook (Appendix A3, p.11).

Substance Abuse Considerations

The anesthesiology profession has one of the highest rates of substance abuse among healthcare fields. Individuals with a history of substance abuse are strongly encouraged to explore alternative nursing pathways. If you have a history of substance abuse, even if you are in recovery, you should consider the personal risks involved and consult with a counselor or healthcare provider before pursuing this program.

The College recognizes substance abuse as a disease; applicants with such a history may apply but must adhere to professional behavior and ethical standards at all times. Violations are grounds for immediate dismissal without appeal.

Health, Conduct & Performance

The College reserves the right to recommend withdrawal or dismissal for students whose health, conduct, academic, or clinical performance falls below program standards.

Important Information

All admitted students must complete the following before the first week of class:

• Background check (including prior conduct and NursingCAS disclosure of misdemeanors)
• Immunization verification: MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap booster (documentation), TB skin test, CPR certification (American Heart Association), Flu shot
• Drug screening
• Proof of current health insurance

Note: These requirements are separate from the USF Student Health Services form and cannot be substituted.

At the USF College of Nursing, scholarships and financial aid are available to assist nursing students in achieving their academic goals. In 2024–2025, the College of Nursing awarded over 380 foundation scholarships, distributing $730,000 in private funding alone. Click below for more information.

Scholarships & Financial Aid