The B.S.N. prepares students to become clinical generalists who are leaders, managers, and life-long learners who integrate research findings into their nursing practice. The nursing graduate will be capable of using the nursing process to care for clients of diverse backgrounds and ages in a variety of healthcare settings. The program refines clinical skills, stimulates student awareness of research applications, facilitates the practice of active inquiry, fosters the ability to think and respond critically, and promotes the desire for advanced study. This program provides a service to the healthcare community by increasing the number of nurses who practice professional nursing. The program also serves the population's health needs by providing quality nursing care.

This is a specialized admissions program and acceptance to the University does not constitute admission to the upper-division nursing program. A separate application must be made to the School of Nursing. Students in the Pre-BSN must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA after earning 24 credit hours to remain in the Pre-BSN major.

Admission Requirements 

In addition to the University's general admission requirements as described in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the catalog, students seeking admission to the B.S.N. program must meet the following additional requirements at the time of application: 

• Minimum overall GPA 3.0 on 4.0 scale
• Minimum score of 75% on TEAS entrance exam
• Completed all General Education requirements including foreign language 
• Completed all Nursing common prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better
• Documentation of required Nursing Program immunizations 

Evening/Weekend Offering: This offering is prioritized for current employees at a healthcare facility. In addition to the admission requirements listed above, the student must submit proof of sustained employment for the past year or more. A signed letter from the health care employer (i.e. direct supervisor or human resources) on company letterhead is required endorsing support for the student to be admitted. 

There will be three admissions per year for the Traditional BSN program track. Exception: The Evening/Weekend program offering is one admission per year. Dates for admission are posted on the School of Nursing website. 

Upon admission the B.S.N. student will receive information concerning current UWF Nursing requirements for enrollment. These include, but may not be limited to: student health physical examination; hospital required immunizations; Level 2 criminal background check; VECHS fingerprinting; AHA BCLS certification; and drug screen.

Degree Requirements

A minimum grade of "C" is required in all major courses and Nursing common prerequisites.

Progression 

The following requirements must be met to remain and progress in the Pre Licensure Traditional B.S.N. program track:

• Course grades of C (75%) or higher in graded nursing courses, and satisfactory ("S") grades in nursing clinical (laboratory) courses, are required to remain in the program. 
• A student may only have one nursing course grade below C (75%) or one clinical (laboratory) course of Unsatisfactory ("U") to be eligible for readmission.  
• Withdrawing from a nursing course is considered the same as receiving below a C (75%) in a graded course or an Unsatisfactory ("U") in a clinical (laboratory) course and requires application for readmission to the B.S.N. program. Students who withdraw from 2 or more courses may not be eligible for readmission. 
• If readmitted to the nursing program, students may repeat a nursing course (including clinical) one time only and must successfully pass the course on the second attempt to remain in the program. 
• Students who receive less than a passing grade of C (75%) in a nursing course or an Unsatisfactory ("U") in a clinical (laboratory) course will receive academic advising to develop an individualized revised academic plan of study. 
• Students repeating a nursing clinical course must also repeat the nursing course component. Conversely, if the student is repeating a nursing course, the associated nursing clinical/laboratory course must be repeated also.   
• Due to the critical nature of remediation with regard to NCLEX scores, students are required to complete all assigned remediation following ATI mastery exams as well as assigned ATI mastery exam retakes in order to progress in the program.

Program Dismissal

Failure to maintain the academic and professional standards specified in the pre-licensure Traditional B.S.N. student handbook may result in dismissal from the nursing program.

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

BSN majors should take MAC 1105 College Algebra, or MGF 1106 Mathematics for Liberal Arts I, and STA 2023 Elements of Statistics to satisfy the mathematics component, SYG 2000 Introduction to Sociology to satisfy the socio-political perspectives, DEP 2004 Human Development Across the Lifespan to meet the behavioral perspective, and the science courses identified in the common prerequisites to meet the General Education science requirements.

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006; s.1007.25(4,a-b)

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

NOTE: If accepted to the nursing program, nursing common prerequisites must be completed prior to starting the nursing program coursework. Grades under a pass/fail (P/F) option will not be accepted for the nursing common prerequisites.

*

 Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

Lower Division Electives

Highly recommended electives include: HSC 3535 Medical Terminology, PSY 2012 General Psychology, and HSC 3555 Pathophysiology.

Major

+

Courses included in the major GPA

Graduation Requirement

All students must pass an ATI program exit exam during NUR 4257 to qualify for graduation and RN licensing exam.

ADDENDUM - 8/1/2023

Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Track

The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) track is designed for those students who have already completed the RN program at a community college. This program track is offered via distance learning format and coursework is 100% online with guided clinical practice activities within the RN students' local community.

An accelerated bachelor's/master's (RN to MSN) program is available for exceptionally well qualified students.  Please see the requirements for this program in the Accelerated BSN/MSN section.

Potential students must complete the common prerequisites for nursing with a grade of "C" or better and either:

1. Completed or "in progress" to complete the General Education requirements at the University of West Florida; or
2. Earned an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution; or
3. Earned the equivalent from another college or university

Acceptance to the University does not constitute admission to the upper-division nursing program. A separate departmental application must be made to the program; deadlines and the online application for the fall, spring, and summer terms are available on the RN-BSN webpage.

State tuition waivers may be utilized in this program.

Not all states authorize online programs, if you are residing outside of Florida you will want to check the status of your state's acceptance of this program: UWF State Authorization Status.

This program will not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. Contact International Affairs for further information.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s general admission requirements as described in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the catalog, students seeking the B.S.N. must meet the following additional requirements at the time of application: 

• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree from a community college.
• Complete the common prerequisites for nursing with a grade of "C" or better.
• STA 2023 Elements of Statistics completed with a minimum grade of "C."
• No more than 12 hours of non-major coursework outstanding.
• Student will maintain a current unencumbered United States RN license in the state(s) student is a resident while completing any portion of the nursing coursework.
  • Military spouses holding a valid U.S. registered nursing license and stationed at an overseas U.S. base may be considered for admission.

• If requested, satisfactory completion of Level 2 criminal background check, VECHS fingerprint, and drug screen through the selected provider.

Progression in the BSN Program  

• Students in the RN to BSN program are admitted in cohorts to assure that courses will be offered in the sequence and semesters needed to complete a Program of Study (POS) in a timely manner. Students may progress on a full-time or part-time basis, but all BSN degree requirements are expected to be completed within 3 years of admission. Should a student need to alter their plan of study, contact with the program advisor is necessary to ensure the student's eligibility through educational records and academic standings as well as space availability in the courses. 

• Students are required to maintain a minimal grade point level of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all RN to BSN nursing courses. 

• Students must maintain a “C” or better in each course in order to progress in the program. Course progression in the RN to BSN track after the second grade below a “C” (73%) is not permitted as this is a limited access program with increased rigor.

• Students may repeat the same nursing course only once, and on a space-available basis. 

• Students are allowed to repeat only two different nursing courses to progress within the program. Students with a grade below “C” (73%) in a nursing course at midterm will be issued a letter of warning of their academic standing via UWF email.

• The faculty of the School of Nursing reserves the right to retain only those students who satisfy the requirements of scholarship and adhere to behaviors that conform to the Florida Nurse Practice Act.

• Students admitted to the program agree to comply with the understanding that if at any time during the course of their participation in the RN to BSN program track that they are either arrested, charged, or convicted, that the student understands and agrees that they must disclose such an event to the School of Nursing Director in writing no later than 48 hours after such an event. This is to be disclosed regardless of the nature or the seriousness of the offense for which the student is arrested, charged, or convicted. Failure to do so may result in student dismissal from the program. 

Degree Requirements

Students earning a B.S.N. must complete all University General Education and Foreign Language requirements prior to the final semester of coursework in the RN to BSN Nursing major. It is strongly recommended that all 8 courses which comprise the 'Florida Nursing Common Pre-requisites' be completed prior to entry into the major coursework in order to facilitate timely progression through the program coursework. STA 2023 Elements of Statistics must be completed prior to admission into the nursing major.

A minimum grade of "C" is required in all major and major-related courses. 

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006; s.1007.25(4,a-b)

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

NOTE: Nursing common prerequisites must be completed prior to admission into the RN to BSN Nursing major coursework.

+

 Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements

Major

+

Courses included in the major GPA

Upper Division Electives

For students with an AS degree in Nursing from an accredited program, up to 16 sh of Associate in Science nursing courses will be validated for upper-level credit based upon RN licensure and successful completion of the major courses in the program.

A limited amount of upper-division nursing coursework may be accepted as transfer credit in the major coursework upon an approved review of syllabus from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program.  Graduation requirements stipulate a student must earn a minimum of 31 hours of coursework through the University of West Florida.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Education Track

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) track is designed for those students who have already completed the RN program at a community college. This program track is offered via distance learning format and coursework is 100% online with clinical practice activities within the RN students' local communities.

Potential students must complete the common prerequisites for nursing with a grade of C or better and either:

1. Completed or in progress to complete the General Education requirements at the University of West Florida; or
2. Earned an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution; or
3. Earned the equivalent from another college or university.

Acceptance to the University does not constitute admission to the upper-division nursing program. A separate departmental application must be made to the program; deadlines and the online application for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms are available on the RN-BSN webpage.

State tuition waivers may be utilized in this program.

Not all states authorize online programs, if you are residing outside of Florida you will want to check the status of your state's acceptance of this program: UWF State Authorization Status

This program will not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. Contact International Affairs for further information.

Initial Admission to BSN 

Students must first apply to undergraduate admissions and then through the School of Nursing to the RN to BSN track and meet the undergraduate admission requirements. Progression to the Accelerated BSN/MSN is not guaranteed at the time of admission. An additional application is required after 14 credit hours of BSN coursework is completed. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s general admission requirements as described in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the catalog, students seeking the BSN must meet the following additional requirements at the time of application: 

• Associate of Science or Arts in Nursing degree from a community college
• Minimum overall GPA of 3.25 on 4.0 scale
• No more than 12 hours of non-major coursework outstanding
• Current unencumbered United States RN license in the state(s) student will reside while completing any portion of the nursing coursework.
  • Military spouses holding a valid U.S. registered nursing license and stationed at an overseas U.S. base may be considered for admission

• If requested, satisfactory completion of Level 2 criminal background check, VECHS fingerprint, and drug screen through the selected provider

Accelerated BSN/MSN Admission 

Minimum Requirements for admission include:

• Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or better
• Undergraduate Major GPA of 3.25 or better
• Completion of all Bachelor of Science Nursing major core requirements
• A grade of B (3.0) or higher in all BSN major core classes
• One letter of recommendation from a School of Nursing faculty member

Process:

A prospective student who meets the minimum requirements for admission to the Accelerated BSN/MSN program must schedule a meeting with their undergraduate advisor and graduate advisor to discuss and develop a degree plan for the student's Accelerated BSN/MSN program. The student must then submit an Accelerated BSN/MSN program application and a letter of recommendation to the school of nursing admissions coordinator.

Eligibility and Restrictions:

Students must have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours, including credits earned from advanced placement, prior to applying to the Accelerated BSN/MSN program. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters and at least 24 credit hours at the University of West Florida prior to application to the Accelerated BSN/MSN program.

For admission into the Accelerated BSN/MSN program, application materials must be submitted one semester prior to anticipated enrollment.

Admission into the Accelerated BSN/MSN program does not guarantee admission into the MSN program upon completion of the BSN. Students must still submit a graduate admission application for the MSN program. Students who are a part of the Accelerated BSN/MSN program cannot be provisionally or conditionally admitted into the MSN program.

Program Requirements:

Upon admission into the MSN, the 12 graduate credit hours completed as an undergraduate student will count for 12 semester hours in nursing coursework for the MSN. Students in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program must earn a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or better in each of the graduate-level courses that are being applied to both degrees. Courses completed with a grade of B- or below cannot be applied to the MSN degree.

Students accepted into the MSN program must complete all MSN requirements within 24 months of starting the MSN degree. If the MSN program requirements are not completed within 24 months; the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours toward both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the graduate credit hours either toward completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the Accelerated BSN/MSN program.

If a student in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program completes the BSN degree requirements with an overall GPA of less than 3.25/4.0, the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours to both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the credit hours towards completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the Accelerated BSN/MSN program.

A student who becomes ineligible to continue participating in or withdraws from the Accelerated BSN/MSN program cannot apply any graduate credit hours toward both degrees.

Students who are enrolled in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program are eligible for graduate assistantship positions only after completing the BSN degree.

Students earning a BSN must complete all University General Education and Foreign Language requirements prior to the final semester of coursework in the RN to BSN portion of the Nursing major. It is strongly recommended that all 8 courses which comprise the Florida Nursing Common Pre-requisites be completed prior to entry into the major coursework in order to facilitate timely progression through the program coursework.  

A minimum grade of C is required in all major and major-related courses. 

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

BSN majors should take the following courses to satisfy components of the General Education curriculum:

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

NOTE: Nursing common prerequisites must be completed prior to admission into the RN to BSN Nursing major coursework.

*

Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

Major

Crossover Education Track (Application and approval required)

Upper Division Electives

For students with an AS degree in Nursing from an accredited program, up to 16 sh of Associate in Science nursing courses will be validated for upper-level credit based upon RN licensure and successful completion of the major courses in the program.

A limited amount of upper-division nursing coursework may be accepted as transfer credit in the major coursework upon an approved review of syllabus from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program. Graduation requirements stipulate a student must earn a minimum of 31 hours of coursework through the University of West Florida.

Accelerated BSN/MSN Admission

Students in the accelerated BSN/MSN program must submit an admission application to the Graduate School either in anticipation of graduating with a BSN or just after graduation. The application process is available through the Graduate School or the School of Nursing. Approval must be obtained prior to continuing through the selected track for an MSN.

MSN Education Track

Core Courses

Specialty Courses

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Leadership Track

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) track is designed for those students who have already completed the RN program at a community college. This program track is offered via distance learning format and coursework is 100% online with guided clinical practice activities within the RN students' local communities.

Potential students must complete the common prerequisites for nursing with a grade of C or better and either:

1. Completed or in progress to complete the General Education requirements at the University of West Florida; or
2. Earned an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution; or
3. Earned the equivalent from another college or university

Acceptance to the University does not constitute admission to the upper division nursing program. A separate departmental application must be made to the program; deadlines and the online application for the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms are available on the RN-BSN webpage.

State tuition waivers may be utilized in this program.

Not all states authorize online programs, if you are residing outside of Florida you will want to check the status of your state's acceptance of this program: UWF State Authorization Status.

This program will not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. Contact the International Affairs for further information.

Initial Admission to BSN

Students must first apply to undergraduate admissions and then through the School of Nursing to the RN to BSN track and meet the undergraduate admission requirements. Progression to the accelerated BSN/MSN is not guaranteed at the time of admission. An additional application is required after 14 credit hours of BSN coursework is completed. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s general admission requirements as described in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the catalog, students seeking the BSN must meet the following additional requirements at the time of application: 

• Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree from a community college
• Minimum overall GPA 3.25 on 4.0 scale
• No more than 12 hours of non-major coursework outstanding
• Current unencumbered United States RN license in the state(s) student will reside while completing any portion of the nursing coursework.
  • Military spouses holding a valid U.S. registered nursing license and stationed at an overseas U.S. base may be considered for admission

• If requested, satisfactory completion of Level 2 criminal background check, VECHS fingerprint, and drug screen through the selected provider

Accelerated BSN/MSN Admission 

Minimum Requirements for admission include:

• Overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or better
• Undergraduate Major GPA of 3.25 or better
• Completion of all Bachelor of Science Nursing major core requirements
• A grade of B (3.0) or higher in all BSN major core classes
• One letter of recommendation from a Department of Nursing faculty member

Process:

A prospective student who meets the minimum requirements for admission for the Accelerated BSN/MSN program must schedule a meeting with their undergraduate advisor and graduate advisor to discuss and develop a degree plan for the student's Accelerated BSN/MSN program. The student must then submit an accelerated BSN/MSN program application and a letter of recommendation to the graduate advisor.

Eligibility and Restrictions:

Students must have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours, including credits earned from advanced placement, prior to applying to the Accelerated BSN/MSN program. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of two semesters and at least 24 credit hours at the University of West Florida prior to application to the accelerated BSN/MSN program.

For admission into the Accelerated BSN/MSN program, application materials must be submitted one semester prior to anticipated enrollment.

Admission into the Accelerated BSN/MSN program does not guarantee admission into the MSN program upon completion of the BSN. Students must still submit a graduate admission application for the MSN program. Students who are a part of the Accelerated BSN/MSN program cannot be provisionally or conditionally admitted into the MSN program.

Program Requirements:

Upon admission into the MSN, the 12 graduate credit hours completed as an undergraduate student will count for 12 semester hours in nursing coursework for the MSN. Students in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program must earn a grade of B (3.0/4.0) or better in each of the graduate level courses that are being applied to both degrees. Courses completed with a grade of B- or below cannot be applied to the MSN degree.

Students accepted into the MSN program must complete all MSN requirements within 24 months of starting the MSN degree. If the MSN program requirements are not completed within 24 months; the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours toward both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the graduate credit hours either toward completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the Accelerated BSN/MSN program.

If a student in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program completes the BSN degree requirements with an overall GPA of less than 3.25/4.0, the student is no longer eligible to apply the graduate credit hours to both degrees (i.e., the student can only apply the credit hours towards completion of the bachelor’s degree or toward a future master’s degree) and is automatically terminated from the Accelerated BSN/MSN program.

A student who becomes ineligible to continue participating in or withdraws from the Accelerated BSN/MSN program cannot apply any graduate credit hours toward both degrees.

Students who are enrolled in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program are eligible for graduate assistantship positions only after completing the BSN degree.

Students earning a BSN must complete all University General Education and Foreign Language requirements prior to the final semester of coursework in the RN to BSN portion of the Nursing major. It is strongly recommended that all 8 courses which comprise the Florida Nursing Common Pre-requisites be completed prior to entry into the major coursework in order to facilitate timely progression through the program coursework.  

A minimum grade of C is required in all major and major-related courses. 

General Education

In addition to the General Education requirements listed on this page, students must satisfy all additional University requirements, including the Gordon Rule, multicultural, and foreign language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the "University Requirements" section of this catalog.

General Education Curriculum:

BSN majors should take the following courses to satisfy components of the General Education curriculum:

MAC 1105 College Algebra, or MGF 1106 Mathematics for Liberal Arts I, and STA 2023 Elements of Statistics to satisfy the mathematics component, SYG 2000 Introduction to Sociology  to satisfy the socio-political perspectives, DEP 2004 Human Development Across the Lifespan to meet the behavioral perspective, and the science courses identified in the common prerequisites to meet the General Education science requirements.

Multicultural Requirement

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying requirements. As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan. 

Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website.

*BOG 8.006; s.1007.25(4,a-b)

Common Prerequisites

State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.

NOTE: Nursing common prerequisites must be completed prior to admission into the RN to BSN Nursing major coursework.

*

Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.

Major

Crossover Nursing Leadership Track (Application and approval required)

Upper Division Electives

For students with an AS degree in Nursing from an accredited program, up to 16 sh of Associate in Science nursing courses will be validated for upper level credit based upon RN licensure and successful completion of the major courses in the program.

A limited amount of upper division nursing coursework may be accepted as transfer credit in the major coursework upon an approved review of syllabus from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program. Graduation requirements stipulate a student must earn a minimum of 31 hours of coursework through the University of West Florida.

Accelerated BSN/MSN Admission

Students in the Accelerated BSN/MSN program must submit an admission application to the Graduate School either in anticipation of graduating with a BSN or just after graduation. The application process is available through the Graduate School or the School of Nursing. Approval must be obtained prior to continuing through the selected track for an MSN.

MSN Nursing Leadership Track

Core Courses

Specialty Courses