Admission to the BSN to MSN program is competitive and based on a review of complete application materials and resource availability. Applicants must meet University Admission, English Proficiency, and program-specific requirements in the USF Graduate Catalog. BSN-prepared nurses may enroll directly in graduate coursework, with credit requirements varying by concentration.

Admission Criteria

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution.
• Must meet USF Graduate Admissions overall GPA requirements
  • A bachelor’s degree satisfying at least one of these criteria:
    • “B” average (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student working toward a bachelor’s degree
    • “B” average (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better in all work attempted while registered as a graduate student working for a graduate degree
  • A bachelor’s degree with a “B” average or better and a previous graduate degree with a “B” average or better.
    • Note: In cases where an applicant has a bachelor’s and a graduate degree at the time of admission, the credentials and GPA of the graduate degree will be the determining factor for admission.
  • The equivalent bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees from a foreign institution.
    • Bachelor’s degrees from institutions in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are considered equivalent based on the Bologna Accord. For applicants with a 3-year bachelor’s degree with less than 120 hours that was received at a non-Bologna Accord institution, we require a transcript evaluation from a NACES member to confirm equivalency.
• Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse in Florida by October 30th. Students must have an RN license in the United States prior to admission.
• 3.0 minimum Nursing GPA
• 1 year (12 months) minimum of full-time experience in critical care (intensive care unit) or high-acuity patient care before the start of the program to meet professional practice requirements for clinical placement. Clinical experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the faculty (Note: This requirement is for Adult Gerontology Acute Care concentration only.)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation indicating potential for graduate study from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic ability, clinical competence, and commitment.
  • These letters must be from a current or prior nursing faculty member or clinical instructor, a nursing supervisor, and an advanced healthcare provider (APRN, PA, MD, or DO).
  • Applicants who are not able to obtain a letter of recommendation from a current/prior nursing faculty member or clinical instructor may substitute with another letter from a second nursing supervisor or advanced practice healthcare provider.
  • Letters from acquaintances, friends, or family are not acceptable for submission
• Current resume or curriculum vitae.
• It is recommended, but not required, to submit competitive GRE scores taken within the last five years

Important Application Notices:

Please review the Prior Conduct Requirements section.

Attend an Information Session

Applicants to the BSN-MSN program must complete both a USF Graduate Admissions Application and a NursingCAS application. Please note before starting the application process, international students may have additional restrictions stipulating course delivery format for their program of choice. Applicants attending USF on F-1 student visa are not eligible for admission due to regulatory limitations for online study. Please refer to USF World for further information on these requirements.

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

• Submit a USF Graduate Admissions Application
  • For questions, contact the USF Graduate Admissions Office at (813) 974-3350, gradadmissions@usf.edu or visit the website. Note: Do not upload supplemental documentation (e.g., test scores, transcripts, personal statements) in this application. 
  • The university application deadline for applicants pursuing a master degree in the fall semester is February 15th. Applicants submitting the USF application this date should selected the next available fall term on the application. The Nursing Admissions Team will backdate your USF application to correct term of entry if you are selected for admission.

• Submit a NursingCAS Application
  • Submit all required documentation through NursingCAS, including official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, letters of recommendation, Florida Registered Nurse license, and resume.
  • For questions, contact NursingCAS customer service at (617) 612-2880 or nursingcasinfo@nursingcas.org. 

NursingCAS applications are reviewed by the College of Nursing Admissions Team once the "Verified" status is reached in NursingCAS. The verification process begins once all application items are received and posted in NursingCAS. It is important to check your application by login to your application and using the "Check Status" tab on the NursingCAS dashboard.

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.

Please note that international students may face additional restrictions on course delivery formats. F-1 visa holders are not eligible for admission to MSN or DNP programs due to regulatory limitations on online study. For further assistance, contact USF International Services.

* Important Note: Priority admission is given to applicants who meet the February 15 deadline, with decisions emailed shortly after. After this date, all concentrations admit students on a space-available basis.

USF Admission Deadlines

Students admitted to the USF College of Nursing must meet all health, legal, and technical standards to participate in clinical training and progress in the program. In addition to USF Student Health Requirements, clinical partners may require extra vaccinations or screenings under federal mandate. Exemptions are at the discretion of the clinical partner, and the College cannot guarantee approval. Noncompliance may delay or prevent clinical coursework and program completion. Proof of current health insurance is also required.

All admitted students must complete Level 1 and Level 2 background checks, drug screening, and meet Florida nursing licensure eligibility. In the NursingCAS application, applicants must disclose any misdemeanor or felony convictions, even if sealed, withheld, or adjudication was withheld. DUIs and DWIs are not considered minor traffic offenses. Expunged records do not need to be disclosed but may still appear on background checks; if this occurs, admission may be rescinded and clinical placement cannot be guaranteed. Applicants must authorize continuation of the application review with the understanding that a clear background check is required.

Applicants must also demonstrate the physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities necessary to meet nursing program technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. Graduate applicants with a valid Florida RN license issued after an incident may be allowed to continue, subject to review. Applicants concerned about their ability to meet compliance or technical requirements are encouraged to wait and reapply after resolving potential issues.

Technical Standards for Admission and Progression

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