Navigating Your Path: Admission Requirements for the University of Central Florida's BSN Program
The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers various pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, catering to diverse student backgrounds and career goals. With a growing need for qualified nursing professionals, a BSN from UCF can equip you with the skills and knowledge to become a leader in the healthcare system. UCF's BSN programs are limited access, and successful graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to gain employment as licensed registered nurses. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the admission requirements for each BSN track at UCF, ensuring you're well-prepared to embark on your nursing education journey.
BSN Program Overview
UCF's nationally accredited BSN program is designed to prepare students for comprehensive care in various healthcare settings, including acute, community, and rehabilitative environments. The program emphasizes clinical nursing practice, health promotion and maintenance, and leadership role preparation. UCF offers several BSN tracks: Traditional BSN, Accelerated Second Degree BSN, Concurrent ASN to BSN, and RN to BSN. Application deadlines vary by track.
Traditional BSN Program
The Traditional BSN program at UCF is available at three campus locations in Central Florida, including UCF Orlando, Cocoa, and Daytona Beach. The UCF Orlando campus admits students twice a year.
Eligibility for Cocoa and Daytona Beach Campuses
- Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline from a regionally accredited institution are eligible for the Traditional BSN program at the Cocoa and Daytona Beach campuses only.
Application Process
- Apply to UCF: If you are not already a UCF student, it is recommended to apply to UCF at least three months before the nursing application deadline.
- New UCF Students: Apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. Ensure the application term matches the program start term and select “NURSPEND” as your major. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions.
- Former UCF Students: Those 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 acceptance to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number, which is required to complete the online application to the College of Nursing.
- Submit TEAS Score: Send an official TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) score report from ATI Testing to UCF. Note that the TEAS 6 exam was retired in June 2022, and ATI now administers the TEAS Version 7 exam.
- Background Check and Fingerprints: All students admitted to a UCF BSN program will need to complete a background check and fingerprints within seven days of the RSVP deadline.
Important Considerations
- Admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 6-8 weeks.
- Applicants must be physically located in the State of Florida for the duration of their education. If you are physically located outside of Florida for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or license type, you will be unable to apply or continue the program.
- Online BSN programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa.
Application Deadlines
- Orlando Campus: By November for February admission; By February for August admission.
- Cocoa and Daytona Beach Campuses: By August for November admission; By October for January admission; By January for May admission; By February for September admission.
Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program
This track is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and are pursuing a career change into nursing. It is a full-time, "lock-step" program that can be completed in four consecutive semesters, including summers.
Scholarship Opportunity
Thanks to a generous gift from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, UCF is able to award scholarships to Accelerated Second Degree BSN students. The Second-Degree BSN Student Success Scholarship is awarded to full-time students entering the University of Central Florida College of Nursing’s Accelerated Second-Degree BSN Program.
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Scholarship Application Requirements
- Apply to the UCF College of Nursing's 15-month Second Degree BSN program for summer 2026.
- Complete the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Upload a current resume that includes ALL previous institutions of higher education attended, leadership roles, work experience and/or volunteer experience.
- Write a narrative essay in 500 words or less that includes the following questions:
- A) What unique characteristics do you possess and how will these characteristics contribute to your success in the Second Degree BSN Program?
- B) Why did you choose to make a career change to pursue the field of nursing?
Concurrent ASN to BSN Program
This program is a collaborative effort between UCF and Florida College System institutions, designed for students who have completed at least one semester in a statewide articulated A.S. in Nursing program from a Florida College System institution. It allows simultaneous enrollment in both associate and baccalaureate nursing programs, culminating in the BSN degree.
Partner Institutions
UCF has partnered with Seminole State College and Valencia College to offer Concurrent ASN to BSN options.
General Requirements
- Apply to UCF: New UCF students must apply to Undergraduate Admissions at least three months before the BSN application deadline. When applying, ensure the application term matches the program start term.
- Select Major: Choose “NURS-PEND Nursing Pending” as your major.
- Submit Transcripts: Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions.
- Receive UCF Student ID: After acceptance to UCF, you will receive a UCF student ID number.
- Submit TEAS Score: Send an official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to UCF.
- Complete Prerequisites: Complete all but one of UCF’s nursing prerequisites by the application deadline.
Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN
- Apply to 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 SSC Application: Submit a Seminole State College online application through the nursing application portal.
- Submit TEAS Score to SSC: Send an 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.
- Additional Prerequisites: 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
- Apply to Valencia College: Complete and submit a Valencia College Application for Admission at least 3 months before the Concurrent ASN to BSN application deadline. Select “Associate of Science in Nursing (RN-AS) (Articulated)” as your major.
- Submit TEAS Score to Valencia: Send an official TEAS score report from ATI Testing to Valencia.
- Additional Prerequisites: In addition to UCF’s nursing prerequisites, Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN program students must also complete the following and earn a “C” (2.0) or better:
- A 3-credit course that satisfies Valencia’s Core Gen. Ed., such as MGF1130 Mathematical Thinking or any Core Gen. Ed.
Important Notes for Concurrent ASN to BSN Programs
- Seminole State College Concurrent ASN to BSN and Valencia College Concurrent ASN to BSN students have additional prerequisite courses.
- Admissions decisions will not be made until after the application cycle ends. This process may take up to 6-8 weeks for Seminole State College and 4-6 weeks for Valencia College.
RN to BSN Program
The RN to BSN track is designed for registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who wish to advance their education and career opportunities. The program consists of 30 credit hours of coursework that can be completed as quickly as three semesters or as slowly as ten semesters, depending on the number of classes taken per term. Courses are primarily online with some face-to-face classes.
Application Process
- Apply to UCF: Licensed RNs simply submit one application directly to UCF. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- New UCF Students: Apply to Undergraduate Admissions by the deadline. When applying, ensure the application term matches the program start term. Select “Nursing Online-For Students Enrolled in ASN” as your major. Send all official transcripts and CLEP/AP/IB score reports to UCF Undergraduate Admissions.
- Former UCF Students: Those who have been out for more than two semesters must complete the Readmission Application.
- Prerequisites: Complete all but one of UCF’s nursing prerequisites (this means 7 of the 8 for RN to BSN applicants) by the application deadline.
- UCF Requirements: 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. These courses must be completed before taking 4000-level courses. For the RN to BSN program, you cannot be missing more than nine credit hours of combined GEP and/or foreign language courses before starting.
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. Check your myKnight audit to see how courses transferred.
Important Considerations
- 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.
- Applicants must be physically located in the State of Florida for the duration of their education. If you are physically located outside of Florida for more than a vacation or brief visit, regardless of your legal state of residence or license type, you will be unable to apply or continue the program.
- Online BSN programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa.
- UCF is currently accepting applications for this program from individuals who reside in Florida, as well as other member states of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) nurse-licensure compact.
General Education Program (GEP) Requirements
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.
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Additional Information
- Find out more about the Nursing program application process, program requirements and more by attending a virtual information session.
- Admission to UCF is competitive, so it is encouraged to apply early. 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. By applying early, you may benefit from scholarship consideration and housing availability.
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