Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-MSN RN-to-BSN Entry-Level BSN MSN-to-DNP MSN to PhD CRNA NP PhD BSN-to-PhD BSN-to-DNP Accelerated BSN Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE COA
- Location(s) Florida
- Telephone 1-813-974-2191
- Request Information
The University of South Florida (USF), a public entity, was founded in 1956.
The College of Nursing began in 1973.
Undergraduate
Upper Division
The Upper Division Sequence is for students who have completed all nursing pre-requisite courses and have a minimum GPA of 3.20.
Second Bachelor's Degree
The Second Bachelor's Degree Sequence (SBN) is designed for students who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00. Students with an awarded Bachelor's degree and who have completed all nursing pre-requisite courses may be considered for admission and will earn a second bachelor's degree.
RN to Bachelor's
The Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is for the practicing RN. The program is fully web-based with options of completion in five part-time semesters or three full-time semesters with program director approval. Graduates will be prepared for selected national certifications.
ASN to BSN
The Hillsborough Community College/University of South Florida Concurrent Sequence allows students to enroll in select RN to BS courses at USF as a non-degree student while completing the ASN degree at HCC. Students remain in non-degree status at USF until awarded the ASN. After graduating from the ASN program, students are eligible to sit for the national licensure exam for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).
ASN to BSN Admission Requirements (not all-inclusive)
- Cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0
- Admitted as non-degree seeking students and be eligible for admission as a degree seeking student into USF's College of Nursing upon completion of the ASN portion of the Concurrent Program
- Maintain active enrollment status at both institutions
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 for admission into the concurrent program
- Acquire valid RN license within 3 months of completion of the ASN
Veteran to BSN
USF College of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, a VCARE sequence created for service members and veterans who have completed training as Army, Air Force medics, and/or Navy corpsmen.
Requirements (not all-inclusive)
- Acceptance at the USF Tampa Undergraduate Admissions office as a pre-nursing student
- Overall undergraduate 3.0 GPA or higher undergraduate work
- All past medical training on USF application as noted on SMART/ACE transcript should be included
- Completion of foreign language entrance requirement
- Pre-requisite courses must be completed with a grade of 'C'
Graduate
ASN to Master of Science in Nursing
The ASN to MSN Accelerated Graduate program is for registered nurses who have earned an Associate of Science Degree in nursing. Students complete 15 credit hours of coursework in the baccalaureate program before applying to the Graduate Program.
BSN to MSN
The BSN to MSN program is for nurses with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Students are prepared to enroll directly in graduate course work. The total number of credits required is specific to the nursing concentration.
RN to MSN
The RN to MSN program is for registered nurses who have earned a baccalaureate degree in another discipline.
NOTE: The USF College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia program is transitioning from the master's program (no longer admitting) to the DNP program; now admitting for Summer 2019 (update 7/10/19).
MSN Concentrations
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family Health Nursing
- Nursing Education
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing/Occupational Health Nursing (COPH)
- Pediatric Health Nursing
Admission Requirements - RN to MSN (not all-inclusive)
- BS/BA from regionally accredited program
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all upper-level coursework while working on a baccalaureate degree
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license upon matriculation
- Current license as a registered nurse in the state of Florida before first course
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care with specialty in Occupational Health concentration has a dual degree with the College of Public Health; additional requirements may apply
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN to DNP
Admission Requirements (not all-inclusive)
- BSN from CCNE or ACEN regionally accredited institution
- "B" average or better in work attempted while registered as undergraduate student working for a degree, or "B" average or better in all work attempted while registered as an upper division undergraduate student working for a baccalaureate degree
- Equivalent bachelors and/or graduate degrees in nursing from a foreign institution
- Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license upon matriculation
- Current Florida RN license before first course
- Completed 3-credit hour or equivalent in length undergraduate statistics course; grade of B or better
- Personal interview with designated faculty member (may also be required)
MSN-DNP
Admission Requirements (not all-inclusive)
- Master of Science with a major in Nursing from regionally accredited college or university
- Overall 3.0 GPA
- Licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (CRNA, NP, CNM, CNS)
- Florida license needed for residencies
- National certification in area of advanced practice
BSN to DNP Concentrations
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Family Health
- Dual Occupational Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Dual Oncology/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- Pediatric Health
Nurse Anesthesia (Doctor of Nursing Practice - DNP)
The major in nursing leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree prepares its graduates for careers as nurse Anesthetists. Successful completion of this degree program qualifies students to sit for national certification examinations and apply for state licensure. This is a clinical program; no dissertation is required.
Admission Information (not all-inclusive, see college info)
- Science GPA 3.00 (recommended)
- Required undergraduate: Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Anatomy & Physiology, Health Assessment, Chemistry, Statistics – grade of B or better
- Competitive score (performance score at or above the 50th percentile on each of the three subtests) on GRE, taken within 5 years of application
- Current unencumbered RN license and/or advanced practice nurse in the U.S. upon matriculation. Current license as RN and/or advanced practice nurse in the state of Florida, or compact multi-state license allowing practice in the state of Florida, before the first clinical course
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement of goals
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Minimum 2 current years RN experience in adult and/or pediatric ICU completed prior to matriculation into the program (see college info for definition critical care area)
- Current BLS, ACLS certifications; CCRN certification highly recommended
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Admission Requirements (not all-inclusive)
- 3.0 GPA
- BSN from regionally accredited program (for post‐bacc entry)
- MSN from regionally accredited program (for post‐masters entry)
- Clinical Doctorate from regionally accredited program (for post-doctorate entry)
- Clear potential for research contributions
- Curriculum Vitae
- GRE
- RN license if performing clinical work
- Three letters of recommendation
- Written Statement of Professional Goals
- Applicants with degrees in other fields may also be considered
Rankings
US News & World Report (2020)
- #104 (tie) in National Universities
- #69 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
- #60 in Best Value Schools
- #42 (tie) in Most Innovative
- #44 (tie) in Top Public Schools
- #47 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #48 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- #94 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia
- #310 (tie) in Best Global Universities
NICHE (2019)
- Best Big Colleges in America #36 of 132
- Top Public Universities in America #37 of 668
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America #51 of 618
- Best Colleges in America #133 of 1,626
- Colleges with the Best Academics in America #140 of 1,579
- Best College Locations in America #390 of 1,607
- Best Value Colleges in America #407 of 1,592
- Top Public Universities in Florida #3 of 37
- Best Colleges for Nursing in Florida #3 of 22
- Best Big Colleges in Florida #3 of 9
- Best Colleges in Florida #4 of 73
- Colleges with the Best Academics in Florida #4 of 52
- Best Value Colleges in Florida #4 of 73
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in Florida #7 of 72
- Best College Campuses in Florida #9 of 41
- Best College Locations in Florida #31 of 73
- Best Colleges in Tampa Area #1 of 9
- Best Value Colleges in Tampa Area #1 of 9
Forbes (2019-2020)
- #228 Top Colleges
- #73 in Public Colleges
- #121 in Research Universities
- #45 in the South
- #125 America's Best Value Colleges
USF ranks 31st among U.S. Public institutions (marking the sixth consecutive year ranked in the top 50) and in the top 300 best universities in the world according to the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
USF is ranked 2nd among public institutions and 2nd overall in the Military Times Best: Colleges 2019 ranking.
USF has been ranked first among the State University System of Florida in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding and has been ranked No. 27 nationally.
Accreditation and Approval
The baccalaureate, master's, and DNP programs at USF are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The master's and Nurse Anesthesia major in the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs until 2021 (update 7/7/20)
The University of South Florida (USF) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges.
The USF College of Nursing has Florida Board of Nursing approval.
