• Admission to the University of South Florida by April 1st
  • Apply directly to the semester you plan to begin classes at the university.
  • Students who do not enroll in classes during their admitted term will have their admission canceled by the Office of Admissions due to non-enrollment.
  • If applying directly to the fall semester when the Upper Division nursing pathway begins, choose Nursing as your major and Tampa as your campus as a degree-seeking student.

• “Verified” NursingCAS application by March 15th
  • Please use this guide to understand each status in NursingCAS and how to become verified.
• Overall Undergraduate GPA: 3.6
  • Minimum overall undergraduate GPA for veterans or active duty service members: 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    • Students earning a grade below D+ in the final prerequisite will have their admission rescinded.
  • 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.

• ENC 1101 English Composition I (3 credits) and ENC 1102 English Composition II (3 credits): Must be completed with a grade of C or better.
  
  • Applicants with a Florida AA degree from a Florida College System school automatically satisfy this requirement.
  • These courses cannot be in progress during the application cycle.
  • Students unsure if their courses satisfy this requirement may submit an evaluation request to the USF English Department.
• State Computation Math (3 credits): Must be completed with a grade of C or better.
  • Applicants with a Florida AA degree from a Florida College System school automatically satisfy this requirement.
  • MAC 1105 College Algebra is preferred.
  • This course cannot be in progress during the application cycle.
  • Students unsure if their courses satisfy this requirement may submit an evaluation request to the USF Math Department.
• Completion of the university’s foreign language entrance requirement (FLENT), general education requirements, and Civic Literacy exam and course 
  • Transfer applicants who have obtained an Associate of Arts degree (AA) from a Florida College System institution automatically meet the general education requirements.
  • FLENT and the Civics Literacy exam and course are not satisfied by the FL AA degree and must be completed separately.
  • The Civis Literacy exam and course are graduation requirements. Click here to find out more on how to satisfy these requirements.

Applicants who have attended but not completed another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the Dean of Nursing or designee, addressing their potential for success, safety, communication skills, and any other relevant information. This letter must be uploaded to NursingCAS before submission. Prior nursing enrollment or course failures may impact admission. A personal statement explaining the situation may also be included.

The Upper Division pathway is for first-time bachelor’s degree seekers only. Those with or near completion of a bachelor’s degree should consider the Accelerated Second Degree pathway.

For details, visit the Undergraduate Catalog, select your catalog year, then the College of Nursing’s Admissions Requirements.

Are you a veteran or active duty service member?

The Upper Division nursing pathway provides veteran students with a dedicated route to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing while receiving strong support and mentorship from our exceptional 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 settings
• Hands-on experience caring for fellow veterans at VA facilities
• Support from the Office of Veteran Success for navigating benefits and services
• A dedicated Chief Officer of Military and Veteran Affairs within the College of Nursing, focused on military student success
• Fall admission to enhance accessibility for active-duty personnel applying through commissioning programs such as NECP, AECP, and MECP
• Access to College of Nursing student organizations offering professional development, networking, leadership training, and advocacy
• Academic support through Knack tutoring and nursing student success facilitators
• Special recognition of military service at the College of Nursing pinning ceremony with challenge coins and military cord honors at graduation
• Mentoring opportunities with veteran faculty members and the 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 Upper Division nursing pathway, you must meet all admission requirements and deadlines before completing the steps below.

Transfer Applicants

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

All Applicants

• 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.
  • Students who have taken courses at USF are required to submit official transcripts from the institution in addition to other universities attended.

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 Upper Division 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.

**Transcripts submitted after the deadline may not be processed in time, risking ineligibility. Nursing orientation is required for all undergraduate students; failure to attend will forfeit your seat. Applicants must meet all admission requirements by the posted deadlines to remain eligible. Undergraduate nursing admissions are not rolling; all applications are reviewed after the deadline.

For questions regarding your university application, please contact USF Undergraduate Admissions directly. The USF Office of Admissions cannot expedite processing for any student for any reason.

Competitiveness & Admissions Criteria

How can I make myself a more competitive applicant to this nursing pathway?

• When reviewing your NursingCAS application, we look for experiences that match the USF College of Nursing mission and values. Healthcare experience, student involvement, and leadership can strengthen your application and should be included. Strong grades in all college courses, especially nursing prerequisites, are important. Admissions decisions focus on your overall GPA and prerequisite GPA. Completing all eight nursing prerequisites with final grades before the deadline, within the last five years, and using preferred course numbers makes you more competitive.

Does the USF College of Nursing round up overall or nursing prerequisite GPAs in the admissions process?

• No, the USF College of Nursing does not alter the overall or nursing GPA calculation provided by USF Admissions and NursingCAS.

I earned college credit through AP/CLEP exams or S/U, Pass/Fail grades. Are these acceptable to satisfy the state-mandated nursing prerequisites?

• The USF College of Nursing counts AP/CLEP exams passed with a B (3.0) when calculating your nursing prerequisite GPA. The same applies to S/U or Pass/Fail courses. If you submit a “Pass” or “Satisfactory” grade for a nursing prerequisite in NursingCAS, it will be recorded as a B for that course. This policy does not affect your overall undergraduate GPA calculation.

Application Process & Requirements

Do I need university acceptance before applying through NursingCAS?

• No. You can submit your NursingCAS application as soon as it opens (December 1). However, you must be admitted to USF by March 1 for your application to be complete.

If admitted to USF, am I automatically accepted into the Upper Division nursing pathway?

• No. You must apply separately to the nursing pathway through NursingCAS. Admission to USF does not guarantee admission to nursing. Freshman students applying directly to nursing may qualify for the Freshman Nursing Pathway, which leads to Upper Division later.

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

• No. We do not accept or review additional documents beyond the NursingCAS application. Any extra files submitted will be removed. Please carefully follow all application instructions and contact an admissions advisor if you have questions.

I’m already a USF student. Can I change my major to Nursing? 

•  Yes. You must apply to the nursing pathway through NursingCAS like transfer students, but you do not need to reapply to USF.

Are there extra requirements for international students?

• Yes. International students must meet USF Admissions requirements and submit official transcript evaluations. Nursing prerequisites completed outside the U.S. need approval by USF faculty.

Can an advisor evaluate my transcripts before I apply?

• No, transcript evaluation happens after you apply to USF. You can use the USF Class Schedule Search to compare your courses before applying.

Do credits from Florida Community Colleges transfer to the USF College of Nursing?

• Usually yes, if the courses are regionally accredited and match USF course descriptions. Use the USF Class Schedule Search and check our list of approved prerequisites.

Can I get an extension if I miss the application deadline?

• No. Application deadlines are firm and cannot be extended.

Program Plan and Policies

Will I be required to interview for the Upper Division nursing pathway?

• No. Instead, you will answer four short essay questions in your NursingCAS application. These essays help us understand your experiences and qualities. Make sure to follow word limits, check grammar, and answer directly. Essays are reviewed anonymously to prevent bias.

Can admitted students defer their start date to a later semester?

• Only military students applying for commissioning programs may request deferment. If deferment options become available, we will contact applicants individually, but it is not guaranteed. Apply for the semester you plan to start unless advised otherwise.

Will my nursing courses from another school transfer?

• No. The Upper Division nursing program requires completing all courses in sequence. If you attended another nursing program but did not finish, you must submit a letter of good standing from that school’s Dean of Nursing with your application.

Is COVID-19 vaccination required to enroll?

• No, not currently. However, some clinical sites may have their own vaccine requirements based on laws and regulations.

Can I complete a double major with Nursing at USF?

• Nursing is a full-time, demanding program. We recommend completing a non-nursing major first, then applying to our Accelerated Second Degree nursing pathway if you want an additional degree.

What is the Upper Division program plan?

• You can find the program plan by visiting the Undergraduate Catalog, select your catalog year, then the College of Nursing’s Admissions Requirements.

Academic & Graduation Requirements

How do I complete the Civic Literacy requirement?

• You will be informed after admission if you need to complete it. Because nursing is rigorous, it’s best to finish this requirement in your first semester to avoid delays in graduation.