Navigating UCF Nursing Prerequisite Courses: A Comprehensive Guide

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of Central Florida (UCF) provides a strong foundation for a fulfilling career in healthcare. The BSN program prepares graduates to deliver comprehensive care across various settings and to assume leadership roles within the nursing profession. UCF offers flexible, convenient, and affordable options for completing a BSN degree while accommodating students' diverse schedules. However, admission to UCF's nursing programs is limited access, making it essential to understand and fulfill all prerequisite requirements.

BSN Program Tracks at UCF

UCF's traditional BSN program offers several tracks to cater to students with different academic backgrounds and career goals:

Traditional BSN: This track provides a basis for professional nursing practice. Admission is limited and occurs once a year on UCF’s Orlando, Cocoa and Daytona Beach campuses.
Accelerated Second Degree BSN: Designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree seeking a career change. This full-time, lock-step program can be completed in four consecutive semesters, including summers.
Concurrent ASN to BSN: This path allows qualified students to take ASN courses at approved state colleges while concurrently taking BSN courses at UCF.
RN to BSN: Specifically for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing, this track offers an opportunity to earn a BSN. Courses are primarily online with some face-to-face classes. Each applicant is reviewed individually and guided to prevent repetition of previous coursework.

General Prerequisite Requirements for UCF BSN Programs

Regardless of the chosen track, all BSN applicants must satisfy certain prerequisite requirements. These prerequisites ensure that students possess the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in the rigorous nursing curriculum.

UCF Requirements

Applicants must meet the three UCF requirements: General Education Program, State Writing and Math Requirement, and Foreign Language Admission with no more than three courses outstanding in these areas prior to starting the BSN program, and these courses must be completed prior to taking 4000-level courses.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by track.

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Important Considerations for Applicants

The TEAS 6 exam was retired in June 2022, and ATI now administers the TEAS Version 7 exam.
All students admitted to a UCF BSN program will need to complete a background check and fingerprints within seven days of the RSVP deadline.
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 BSN programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status.
Complete all but one of UCF’s nursing prerequisites (see above) by the application deadline. This means 7 of the 8 for RN to BSN applicants.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

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. For General Education Program (GEP), State Core, State Writing and Math, Civic Literacy, or Foreign Language courses, students must complete a Transfer Credit Evaluation Request through the Registrar’s Office. GEP requirements must be completed prior to starting Traditional, Second Degree, or Concurrent BSN programs. 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. Check your myKnight audit to see how courses transferred.

Additional Prerequisites for Concurrent ASN to BSN Programs

Students pursuing the Concurrent ASN to BSN track in partnership with Seminole State College or Valencia College must fulfill additional prerequisite courses specific to each institution.

Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN

In addition to UCF’s nursing prerequisites, Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN program students must also complete the following and earn a “C” (2.0) or better:

Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN

In addition to UCF’s nursing prerequisites above, Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN program students must also complete the following and earn a “C” (2.0) or better:

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.

Application Process

The application process varies depending on the applicant's status (new, former, or transfer student) and the chosen BSN track.

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General Application Steps

Apply to UCF: New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Select “NURSPEND” as your major.
Submit Transcripts and Test Scores: Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions.
Receive UCF Student ID: After you are accepted to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number.
Apply to the College of Nursing: The student ID number is required to complete the online application to the College of Nursing.
Submit TEAS Score: Send official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to UCF. If you have taken the TEAS at the UCF Testing Center, your scores will be sent automatically to UCF.

Specific Application Instructions by Program

Traditional BSN: Begin this process only after meeting the application requirements listed above.
Concurrent ASN to BSN (Seminole State College): Complete and submit 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.
Concurrent ASN to BSN (Valencia College): before the Concurrent ASN to BSN application deadline. (Articulated)” as your major.
RN to BSN: Begin this process only after meeting the application requirements listed above. New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least 3 months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure application terms matches program start term. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions. Select “Nursing Online-For Students Enrolled in ASN” as your major. After you are accepted to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number.

RN to BSN Application Process

Licensed RNs simply submit one application directly to UCF. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Begin this process only after meeting the application requirements listed above. New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions by the deadline. Former UCF students who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application. RN to BSN applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis each semester. Admission decisions are typically made a few months prior to the semester start date.

Important Notes

Please note that admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 6-8 weeks.

Career Prospects for UCF BSN Graduates

A significant number of UCF BSN graduates choose to stay in Florida after completing their degree - 92% of them. Florida has one of the highest employment levels of registered nurses who earn an annual mean wage of $69,510.

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