Navigating the Path to a Nursing Career: Prerequisites for the UCF BSN Program

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a gateway to providing comprehensive care across diverse healthcare settings. The BSN program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) emphasizes clinical nursing practice, health promotion, and leadership development. UCF offers flexible and affordable options to balance education with work and life commitments. However, admission to UCF's nursing programs is limited, necessitating a thorough understanding of the application process and prerequisites.

BSN Program Tracks at UCF

The traditional BSN program at UCF provides a solid foundation for professional nursing practice. It encompasses four distinct tracks:

Traditional BSN: This track is designed for students entering the nursing field directly. Admission occurs once a year on UCF’s Orlando, Cocoa, and Daytona Beach campuses.
Accelerated Second Degree BSN: This track is tailored for individuals holding a non-nursing bachelor's degree seeking a career change into nursing. It's a full-time, lock-step program completed in four consecutive semesters, including summers.
Concurrent ASN to BSN: This path allows qualified students to take Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) courses at approved state colleges while simultaneously pursuing BSN courses at UCF, fostering a seamless transition. These programs are available at Seminole State College or Valencia College.
RN to BSN: This track is designed for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing, offering an opportunity to earn a BSN. The courses are primarily online with some face-to-face classes.

Why Choose UCF for Nursing?

A significant number of UCF BSN graduates, specifically 92%, remain in Florida after graduation. Florida boasts one of the highest employment levels for registered nurses, with an annual mean wage of $69,510.

Prerequisites for the UCF BSN Program: A Detailed Overview

To be considered for the UCF College of Nursing BSN program, prospective students must fulfill specific prerequisites. These requirements ensure that applicants possess the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in the rigorous nursing curriculum.

Academic Prerequisites

Attend a UCF Nursing Information and Advising Session: This session provides essential information about the program and application process.

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Complete Prerequisite Courses: Applicants must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher:
- General Chemistry
- Microbiology with lab
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- General Psychology or General Sociology
- Principles of Statistics
- Developmental Psychology
- Human Nutrition
Maintain a Competitive GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or greater is required for admission.
Course Completion Timeline: Applicants must complete at least seven of the eight prerequisite courses by the application deadline and all eight courses before the program starts.
Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS): Register for and complete the TEAS exam. The TEAS 6 exam was retired in June 2022, and ATI now administers the TEAS Version 7 exam. Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to UCF.
Background Check and Fingerprinting: Complete a background check and fingerprinting within seven days of notification from the school.

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UCF Requirements: Meet the three UCF requirements: General Education Program, Gordon Rule, and Foreign Language Admission, or have received an AA degree from a Florida institution, or have a bachelor degree from an accredited institution. For the RN to BSN program, you cannot be missing more than nine credit hours of combined GEP and/or foreign language courses prior to starting. GEP requirements must be completed prior to starting Traditional, Second Degree, or Concurrent BSN programs.

Additional Requirements for Concurrent ASN to BSN Programs

Students applying for the Concurrent ASN to BSN programs at Seminole State College or Valencia College have additional prerequisite courses to fulfill.

Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN:

Complete a Seminole State Application for Admission at least 3 months before the Concurrent ASN to BSN application deadline. Select “Associate of Science in Nursing (RN-AS)” as your major.
Submit a SSC online application to SSC through the nursing application portal. Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to SSC. If you have taken the TEAS at the SSC Testing Center, your scores will be sent automatically to SSC.

Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN:

Complete all but one of UCF’s nursing prerequisites (see above) by the application deadline.
3 credit course that satisfies Valencia’s Core Gen. Ed. MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking or any Core Gen. Ed.
^Chemistry is preferred and strongly encouraged. Must be a BSC, BCH, CHM, PCB or PHY course.
Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to Valencia.

Important Considerations for All Applicants

Application Deadlines: Application deadlines vary by track.
Location Restrictions: Applicants must be physically located in the State of Florida for the duration of their education. Should you be physically located outside of the State of Florida for more than a vacation or brief visit to another state, regardless of your legal state of residence or the type of license you have, you will be unable to apply or continue your nursing degree program at the UCF College of Nursing.
Online Program Limitations: Online BSN programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status.
Transfer Credits: After admission to the university, the Transfer Credit Evaluation, located in your myUCF portal, will list all courses received at the time of admission along with associated UCF equivalencies. If a course does not have a UCF equivalency, you will have the opportunity to upload a syllabus and have the course evaluated. Check your myKnight audit to see how courses transferred. View your unofficial transcript by logging in to your MyVC Account.
Application Timing: If you’re applying to UCF for the first time, please submit your admissions application 3 months in advance of the nursing application deadline. If you’ve attended the university previously, please submit your readmission application two to three weeks prior to the nursing application deadline. When applying or reapplying, please ensure that you are applying for the semester in which the BSN program begins.
Application Process for New and Former UCF Students: New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Select “NURSPEND” as your major. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions. Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application. Select “NURS-PEND Nursing Pending” as your major.
UCF Student ID: After you are accepted to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number. The student ID number is required to complete the online application to the College of Nursing.
Admissions Decisions: Please note that admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 6-8 weeks.

Steps to Apply to UCF

Apply to UCF: New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Select “NURSPEND” as your major. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions. Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application. Select “NURS-PEND Nursing Pending” as your major.
Receive UCF Student ID: After you are accepted to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number. The student ID number is required to complete the online application to the College of Nursing.
Submit Nursing Application: Complete the online application to the College of Nursing.
Submit TEAS Scores: Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to UCF.
Complete Background Check and Fingerprinting: Complete a background check and fingerprinting within seven days of notification from the school.

RN to BSN Application Process

Licensed RNs simply submit one application directly to UCF. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Key Considerations for Prospective Students

Early Application: Admission to UCF is competitive, so applying early is encouraged. As an incoming first-year student, you should apply between September and November of your high school senior year if you plan to enroll the following summer or fall semester. Applying early may benefit from scholarship consideration and housing availability.
Transfer Students: UCF welcomes transfer students. If you earn an A.A. or articulated A.S. degree from one of our partner institutions, DirectConnect to UCF guarantees* you admission. Reach out to the Office of Transfer and Transition Services to help make your transition smooth and seamless.
Online Learning: UCF Online offers high-quality distance learning options for both traditional and nontraditional students. You’ll have a dedicated team that guides you every step of the way - from application through graduation - and helps you stay on track to achieve your goals. Choose from fully online offerings, including bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, professional certificates and 2+2 baccalaureate completion programs. Learn wherever and whenever you want.
International Students: UCF students come from all over the world. With 151 countries represented on campus, there’s plenty of opportunity to make new friends and enjoy cultural experiences. International students, like you, make significant contributions to our campus learning, innovative research and global partnerships.

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