• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • The bachelor’s degree must be earned and conferred before the nursing application deadline.
• Admission to the University of South Florida
  • Apply directly to the semester you plan to begin classes at the university. Students who do not enroll in classes during the term they were admitted will have their admission to USF canceled for non-enrollment by the Office of Admissions.
  • Choose Nursing as your major and select Tampa as your campus, regardless of whether your program will be hosted on the St. Petersburg or Sarasota-Manatee campus, as a degree-seeking student if you are applying directly to the semester when the Accelerated Second Degree nursing pathway begins on your desired campus.
  • Students preparing to graduate from USF are still required to submit a new USF application as a second baccalaureate, degree-seeking student directly to the semester the nursing program will begin on your desired campus.
• “Verified” NursingCAS application
  • Please use this guide to understand each status in NursingCAS and how to become verified.
• Overall Undergraduate GPA: 3.0
• Nursing Prerequisite GPA: 3.0
  • Complete the eight state-mandated nursing prerequisites with a grade of C or better before the nursing application deadline.
    • Students who earn a C- in a prerequisite at institutions with a +/- grading system will still be eligible. This includes a final prerequisite course in progress, if applicable.
    • One final prerequisite course may be in progress after the NursingCAS deadline; applicants will receive conditional admission if selected. Proof of a C grade or better in this course must be submitted by the end of the spring semester.
    • Students earning a grade below D+ in the final prerequisite will have their admission rescinded.
  • Complete the eight state-mandated nursing prerequisites with a grade of C or better before the nursing application deadline.
  • All 8 prerequisite courses will be used to calculate the overall nursing prerequisite GPA.
  • Applicants may submit their best grade for each prerequisite.
  • AP/CLEP exam scores, S/U grades, and Pass/Fail grades will be calculated as a B (3.0) if credit was earned.
  • Applicants with all eight prerequisites completed and final grades posted before the application deadline, and who took courses within the last five years, will have a competitive advantage in admissions.
    • Applicants who completed prerequisites outside Florida may be asked to provide course syllabi for faculty review. Syllabi must correspond to the catalog year when the course was taken.
• Completion of the Civic Literacy exam before the intended term of entry

Each campus has its own deadlines, and students may apply to only one campus per cycle. If not admitted, students can reapply within one year by updating their term with USF Admissions and submitting a new NursingCAS application. Campus changes are not allowed after admission.

The Accelerated Second Degree pathway is for students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree; those without a bachelor’s should consider the Upper Division pathway.

Applicants who previously attended another nursing program must upload a letter of good standing from the program’s Dean to NursingCAS before applying. Prior nursing enrollment or failures may affect admission. A personal statement explaining your situation is recommended.

For more information, see the Undergraduate Catalog under College of Nursing Admissions Requirements.

Are you a veteran or active duty service member? 

The Accelerated Second Degree nursing pathway offers a path for veteran students to pursue their bachelor's of science in nursing while being supported and mentored through our incredible College of Nursing and university resources.

Veteran students benefit from:

• ROTC units on the Tampa campus (Army, Navy, and Air Force)
• Opportunities to be paired with other veterans in clinical 
• Hands-on experience caring for fellow veterans at VA facilities
• Office of Veteran Success support with navigating benefits and other services
• Dedicated Chief Officer of Military and Veteran Affairs housed in the USF College of Nursing to support military student success
• Fall admission to create accessibility for active-duty personnel applying through commissioning programs such as NECP, AECP, and MECP
• College of Nursing student organizations that provide veteran students with opportunities for professional development, networking, leadership training, and advocacy
• Academic support in the nursing program though Knack tutoring and nursing student success facilitators 
• Special acknowledgment of military service at the College of Nursing pinning ceremony with a challenge coin and military cord recognition at graduation
• Opportunities for mentoring with College of Nursing faculty who are veterans and our Chief Officer of Military and Veteran Affairs

Military Commissioning Program Applicants:

• Applicants applying through commissioning programs will receive all supporting documentation after the College of Nursing finalizes admission decisions and the intent to enroll process is complete.
• Conditional or unconditional admission letters cannot be provided earlier. Final decisions are released to all applicants simultaneously and this process cannot be expedited.
• Some nursing pathways may not meet commissioning program guidelines. Contact your commissioning program military representative to ask about waivers if interested in a USF BSN pathway that does not qualify.
• The College of Nursing is not responsible for commissioning program requirements or guidelines. We recommend researching eligibility before applying.
• Admission can be deferred for up to one year for students awaiting commissioning program committee decisions. Notify a nursing admissions advisor after submitting your NursingCAS application if you want to be considered for a future term.

NECP Applicants:

• Applicants must be admitted to USF through the Office of Admissions or have a verified NursingCAS application on file before submitting a Form 48 to nursing academic advisors for review and signature.
• Form 48 review and signature may take up to 5 business days.
• After review, students will receive a tuition and fees statement and a signed program plan along with the signed Form 48.
• It is the student's responsibility to meet both military and nursing deadlines.
• Form 48 submissions less than 5 business days before the NECP deadline may not be processed in time.

Important Notifications

• In addition to USF Student Health Requirements, clinical partners may require additional vaccines or screenings based on federal mandates after matriculation.
• Immunization exemptions are granted solely by clinical partners; the College cannot guarantee exemptions.
• Noncompliance with clinical partner requirements may delay or prevent clinical coursework and program completion.
• Proof of current health insurance is required. Admitted students will receive instructions to complete this process.
• Most states require a Social Security number to take the NCLEX exam and obtain a nursing license.

Technical Standards & Prior Conduct

• Applicants must answer “yes” or “no” to misdemeanor and felony conviction questions on the NursingCAS application, even if records are sealed.
• Background checks (level one and two) after admission verify these responses. A clear background check is mandatory for clinical placement.
• Discrepancies may result in denial or rescission of admission. Applicants must authorize this verification before proceeding.
• Expunged records do not need to be disclosed but may still appear on background checks. Sealed or nol process records must be disclosed.
• Admission may be rescinded if background checks reveal disqualifying records, with an appeal process available.
• Clinical placement cannot be guaranteed if background issues arise, which may lead to withdrawal or dismissal.
• Applicants concerned about their background check should consider withdrawing and reapplying once they can provide a clear report.

Technical Standards for Admission and Progression 

To be considered for the Accelerated Second Degree nursing pathway, you must meet all admission requirements and deadlines before completing the steps below.

University Application:

• Submit a undergraduate application to USF through the Office of Admissions.
  • Select “Bachelor’s Degree”.
  • Select Nursing as your major.
  • Select the Tampa campus and apply now.
  • Apply directly to the term you plan to start classes at USF.
  • Apply as a second degree-seeking student.

• Submit all official transcripts to USF Admissions.
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Submit official AP, IB, CLEP, etc. test scores from CollegeBoard.
  • Submit military joint service transcripts, if applicable. 
  • Some applicants may be required to submit additional documents as needed by the USF Office of Admission.
  • High school transcripts are not required.

Nursing Application:

• Submit a NursingCAS Application.
  • Students must have their USF ID number (Example: U12345678) before starting the NursingCAS application.
  • Select your intended term of entry.
  • Create a NursingCAS account and submit the application with fee.
  • Submit all official transcripts to NursingCAS.
    • Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
    • High school transcripts are not required.

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.

Note: The Accelerated Second Degree nursing pathway is limited-access and requires admission to USF (correct term) and a verified NursingCAS application by the deadline. Admission to USF alone does not guarantee admission—failure to meet all criteria results in ineligibility.

The College of Nursing evaluates prerequisites after USF Admissions posts official transcript results in DegreeWorks. For questions regarding the status of your university application and transcript processing please call (813) 974-3350 or email admissions@usf.edu.

DegreeWorks can be found by logging into your Student Self-Service account and clicking the link under the “Student” tab. Access DegreeWorks using your activated USF NetID. If you do not have a NetID, you will first need to activate it. Please view the Online Tutorial for Activating Your USF Net ID.

Application Deadlines

*Transcripts submitted to USF Admissions after this date may not be processed in time for the nursing application deadline, which could result in ineligibility. 

**Students must be fully admitted to USF as degree-seeking, second baccalaureate students for the correct term of entry by the deadline. The Office of Admissions must also receive and process conferred bachelor’s degrees by this deadline.

Orientation is mandatory for all undergraduate nursing students, and failure to attend will result in forfeiting your seat. Dates will be provided upon admission.

Note: Applicants should carefully review the Admission Requirements and Application Process. Missing any step or deadline will make you ineligible for the Accelerated Second Degree nursing pathway. Undergraduate nursing admissions are not rolling; all eligible applications are reviewed after the deadline. For questions about your university application, contact USF Undergraduate Admissions. Processing cannot be expedited for any reason.

Competitiveness & Application Tips

How can I make myself a more competitive applicant?

• Strong applicants earn high grades in all college courses, especially the eight state-mandated nursing prerequisites, and complete all prerequisites with final grades posted before the NursingCAS deadline. Completing prerequisites within the last five years, gaining healthcare experience, participating in campus activities, serving in leadership roles, and taking the preferred USF course numbers for prerequisites can all strengthen your application. Both your overall undergraduate GPA and nursing prerequisite GPA are major factors in the admission decision.

Does prerequisite coursework expire?

• No, however completing all prerequisites within the last five years provides a competitive advantage in the admissions review process.

Are online prerequisite courses and labs accepted?

• Yes, if they are completed through an accredited institution and approved for equivalency by USF.

Application Process & Requirements

Is there an interview for the Accelerated Second Degree pathway?

• No. Instead, applicants answer four short essay prompts in NursingCAS. These essays should include personal examples, follow character limits, use correct grammar, and address each question directly. All responses are evaluated anonymously to prevent bias.

Can I submit extra materials like a personal statement, letters, resume, or TEAS/HESI scores?

• No. These materials are not reviewed and will be removed from your application. Carefully review all application instructions and contact a nursing admissions advisor with any questions.

If I’m admitted to USF, does that mean I’m accepted into the Accelerated Second Degree pathway?

• No. Admission to USF and admission to the College of Nursing are separate processes. You may be accepted to USF but denied admission to the nursing pathway.

Do I need to be accepted to USF before submitting NursingCAS?

• No. You may submit your NursingCAS application before your USF admission decision is finalized, but you must be admitted to USF by the nursing program’s deadline for your chosen campus.

Can an advisor review my transcripts before I apply?

• No. Transcript evaluations occur only after you apply to USF. You may use USF’s Class Schedule Search to compare your courses with USF’s equivalents.

Do Florida Community College credits transfer?

• Yes. Credits from regionally accredited institutions that match USF’s course prefix, number, and description generally transfer and meet prerequisite requirements. You can verify equivalencies using USF’s Class Schedule Search.

Can you extend the application deadline?

•  No. All deadlines are final.

I’m an international student. Are there extra requirements?

• Yes. International students must meet USF Admissions requirements, provide an approved foreign credential evaluation, and submit syllabi for prerequisites completed outside the U.S. for faculty review. They may only apply for the Tampa summer term due to visa requirements.

I wasn’t admitted. Can I reapply?

•  Yes. You may apply again for a future term or campus, though you may need to update your USF term of entry and submit a new NursingCAS application.

Policies and Admission Rules

Can I defer my admission to a future term?

• Only military students applying for a commissioning program may request a deferral. All other applicants should apply for the term in which they intend to start, as deferrals are rare and not guaranteed.

Are AP/CLEP or Pass/Fail grades accepted for prerequisites?

• Yes. Passing AP/CLEP scores and “Pass” or “Satisfactory” grades are calculated as a B (3.0) for your prerequisite GPA. This does not affect your overall undergraduate GPA.

Do you round up GPAs in admissions decisions?

•  No. GPAs are calculated exactly as provided by USF Admissions and NursingCAS.

Academic and Program Requirements

How do I complete the Civics Literacy requirement?

• The requirement depends on when you first entered a Florida public college or university. Students who started in Fall 2021 or later must pass both an approved course and the exam. Students who started between Fall 2018 and Summer 2021 must pass either the course or the exam. You will be notified after admission and are expected to complete the requirement during your first semester to avoid delaying graduation.

Can I work while in the Accelerated Second Degree pathway?

• Working while enrolled is not recommended due to the program’s intensity. Some students choose flexible, part-time jobs, but absences from class, labs, or clinicals are not permitted.