Admissions

Can I apply directly to the Upper Division (UD) program if I meet the UD admission requirements, or am I required to start in the Freshman Nursing Pathway?

• Yes, you may apply directly. Please note that you must be at least 18 years old by the time the Upper Division program begins in order to qualify.

What scores and GPA are required for admission to the Freshman Nursing Pathway?

• Admission criteria for the Freshman Nursing Pathway (FNR) may vary each year based on the competitive freshman profile compiled by the Office of Admissions. For Fall 2024, the requirements include a minimum ACT score of 24, SAT score of 1180, or CLT score of 81, along with a weighted high school GPA of 3.9 or higher (as calculated by USF Admissions).

Can I apply to the Upper Division nursing program before my junior/third year?

• No, students in the Freshman Nursing Pathway cannot apply to the Upper Division program early. If you wish to apply before your junior year, you must exit the FNR pathway and apply to the nursing program from a different major after completing all general education requirements and nursing prerequisites.

If I am admitted to USF as a Pre-Nursing (PNR) major, am I automatically admitted to the Freshman Nursing Pathway?

• Admission as a Pre-Nursing (PNR) major does not guarantee acceptance into the Freshman Nursing Pathway. If selected for the pathway, you will receive a separate email from the USF College of Nursing Admissions Office with instructions on how to confirm your seat. Please check your email regularly for updates.

FNR Progression

What happens if I don’t meet the FNR progression requirements?

• If you do not meet the progression requirements for the Freshman Nursing Pathway, you will be required to change your major to a non-nursing program to continue working toward a degree at USF within the four-year timeframe. However, you may still complete nursing prerequisites while in the new major and later apply to the Upper Division nursing program as a transfer applicant in a competitive admissions process.

Major Eligibility

I am a current USF student. Can I change my major to nursing?

• You cannot change your major to the Freshman Nursing Pathway (FNR). However, you can complete your general education requirements and nursing prerequisites, then apply to the Upper Division nursing program once you meet the eligibility criteria.

I am an incoming freshman at USF. Can I change my major to nursing?

• You may change your major to nursing only if you meet the freshman admission criteria and have not applied or been admitted for the spring or summer semesters. Major changes to FNR are not allowed after the first week of classes. Please contact the FNR advisor if you qualify and wish to request a major change.

I am a transfer incoming student at USF. Can I change my major to nursing?

• Transfer students are not eligible to enter the Freshman Nursing Pathway. Please reach out to our College of Nursing Admissions Team to explore other options for completing your BSN.

Nursing Prerequisites

Can I use exam credit to satisfy prerequisite courses?

• Yes. You can find the list of accepted exam equivalents here.

I received below a ‘B-’ in a prerequisite course taken through dual enrollment. Can I still remain in the Freshman Nursing Pathway?

• If you earned below a B- in a dual enrollment prerequisite, you must retake the course at USF and earn a B- or better. If you have more than one prerequisite below a B-, you will be ineligible to remain in the FNR major. You would then need to complete nursing prerequisites and general education requirements in another major and apply competitively to the Upper Division program when ready.

I received below a ‘B-’ in a prerequisite course taken through AP/IB/AICE credit. Can I still remain in the Freshman Nursing Pathway?

• Yes. Test credit is based solely on your exam score, not your course grade. If you did not pass the exam, you can remain in FNR but will need to take the course at USF to earn the prerequisite credit.

Can I use Grade Forgiveness if I earn below a ‘B-’ in a nursing prerequisite?

• Grade Forgiveness can improve your overall GPA but does not affect FNR eligibility. The program only considers first-attempt grades for nursing prerequisites, so earning below a B- initially makes you ineligible.

I took a prerequisite course at another university, but it isn’t showing in DegreeWorks under my nursing prerequisites. What should I do?

• Please contact the FNR advisor for assistance.

Registration

How do I register for courses?

• Please watch the videos provided by the Office of the Registrar to learn how to find and register for courses.

Can I enter the nursing program early if I finish all the requirements ahead of time?

• No. To enter the Upper Division program before your third year on campus, you must exit the Freshman Nursing Pathway and apply competitively to the Upper Division program from another major.

What if I brought in dual enrollment or exam credit but want to stay in the Freshman Nursing Pathway?

• You may pursue a concurrent degree or minor, participate in the Honors College, or study abroad. How you use this time is up to you.

Do I have to take the math placement test? 

• No. Nursing requires only College Algebra and Statistics, so no specific math placement test is needed.

Do I have to take summer courses prior to entering the nursing program? 

• No. Summer courses required for graduation will be completed during the nursing program.

If I took the Civic Literacy exam in high school, do I still need to take the Canvas Civic Literacy exam?

• Please contact Undergraduate Studies to verify if your exam qualifies as a transfer equivalent.

What should I do if I am registered for a course I have already taken or am currently taking?

• Contact the FNR advisor for guidance.

My dual enrollment or exam credit is not showing in DegreeWorks. How do I fix this?

• Contact admissions@usf.edu. If you haven’t already, be sure to send your final transcripts and test scores to USF Admissions.

Why should I add or drop a course?

• Drop a course if you already have credit for it. Add courses if you need more credits per semester to maintain scholarships or financial aid eligibility.

Where can I find courses to satisfy my general education requirements?

• A complete list of courses that satisfy general education requirements can be found here. 

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.

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.