University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida is part of the 10-campus State University System of Florida. Located in Orlando, the university has large class sizes due to a significant student population. However, UCF is also a competitive university to be accepted into. During the Fall 2016 semester, 17,441 students were accepted out of 34,886 applications. It was founded in 1963 and opened in 1968 as a technological university. However, it now offers a wide range of degrees for undergraduates and graduates. There are over 90 undergrad programs, along with 87 master’s programs. These programs are offered through 13 colleges, including the College of Health and Public Affairs.

The University of Central Florida College of Health and Public Affairs provides students with several nursing options. The programs available include BSN, RN to BSN, accelerated BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, and Ph.D. degrees in nursing. The traditional BSN program is designed for juniors or transfers. Before enrolling, students must complete the prerequisite courses, which typically take two years to complete. The accelerated BSN is for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. All programs are accredited by the CCNE and the Florida Board of Nursing.

Updated on: 26 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

4 semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer)
Total program credit hours: 60 undergraduate credits
Program type: limited-access, upper-division, cohort, lock-step curriculum
Location: Orlando (UCF College of Nursing)
Course schedule: all nursing courses offered during daytime; some clinical rotations may occur nights or weekends

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing discipline from a regionally accredited institution required; applicants must not hold an RN license
Must be admitted to the University of Central Florida before applying to the College of Nursing program
Minimum UCF GPA requirement for continuation and graduation: 2.5; minimum College of Nursing GPA for continuation and graduation: 2.5
All nursing-major courses must be completed with at least a C (2.0) or S grade when appropriate
Mandatory drug screening required prior to admission and on demand for continuation in the program

Entrance Exams

TEAS exam required as part of the application process
TEAS must be submitted during application to the Second Degree BSN program

Deadlines

Undergraduate application deadlines listed: Fall: May 1; Spring: November 1; Summer: March 1
Program application cycle: apply annually

Application

Must apply to UCF and be admitted to UCF before applying to the Second Degree BSN program
Complete online application to the Second Degree BSN (College of Nursing limited-access application)
Submit TEAS as part of the application
Optional: apply for Helene Fuld Scholarship (application optional)
Students admitted to BSN program must maintain subscription to the LEAP*RN student information database

Cost & Financial Aid

Per credit hour rates shown: $212.28 and $802.54 per credit hour (rates listed in program materials)
Equipment fees: Part-time students $25 per term; Full-time students $50 per term
Most second degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid
College of Nursing scholarship funds and Helene Fuld Scholarship opportunities referenced for Second Degree BSN applicants
Additional required costs: subscription to LEAP*RN (student information database)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Clinical settings include hospitals, long-term care facilities, community agencies, and medically underserved community sites
Clinical and lab course components and credit examples:
- NUR3065L Health Assessment Lab (1 credit)
- NUR3028L Essentials of Nursing Practice Lab (1 credit)
- NUR3755L Essentials of Nursing Practice Clinical (2 credits)
- NUR3225L Nursing Care of the Adult I Clinical Practice (2 credits)
- NUR3445L Nursing Care of Families Clinical (2 credits)
- NUR4227L Nursing Care of the Adult II Clinical Practice (3 credits)
- NUR4535L Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical (2 credits)
- NUR4637L Public Health Nursing Clinical (1 credit)
- NUR4945L Nursing Practicum (5 credits)

Credit Transfer

Lower-division courses do not substitute for upper-division courses
Nursing courses and prerequisite courses from private and out-of-state institutions must be evaluated for equivalency and approved by the College of Nursing
UCF residency requirement: 30 hours (if applicable); 30 of the last 39 hours of coursework must be completed in residency at UCF
Maximum of 45 hours permitted from extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits

Contacts

UCF College of Nursing address: 6825 Lake Nona Blvd., Orlando, FL 32827
Advising: consult the College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Services Office for prerequisite and application guidance