University of Tampa BSN Programs
The University of Tampa BSN program is the only private, four-year residential nursing program on Florida’s west coast. This prestigious program gives students the theoretical knowledge and practical experience they need. Graduates can start nursing practice immediately and take on future supervisory roles.
UT nursing students have achieved an impressive 95% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam in the last five years. Their success rate surpasses both the 2022 national average of 88% and Florida’s average of 72%. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing recognized these outstanding results by ranking UT as the #1 nursing program in Florida and the United States.
Students must complete 125 total credit hours—59 credits from general education courses and 66 credits from nursing-specific coursework. The BSN program spans five consecutive semesters (2.5 years) without summer sessions. Students accumulate nearly 1,000 clinical hours before graduation, which provides extensive hands-on experience.
The BSN curriculum emphasizes:
- Critical thinking and leadership development
- All-encompassing assessment practices
- Cultural competency in healthcare delivery
- Patient-centered collaborative care approaches
The Department of Nursing collaborates with more than 120 healthcare facilities. Students apply their classroom knowledge in real-life settings. They also have opportunities through international travel courses to Ghana, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.
Active practitioners teach students in their specialized fields, ensuring current and relevant instruction. The department values mentoring relationships and maintains a low student-faculty ratio to promote personal development and academic success.
The nursing department occupies the Graduate and Health Studies Building with state-of-the-art facilities. These include complete simulation laboratories with realistic medical manikins. Students practice in settings that mirror actual healthcare environments, including acute hospital simulations, long-term care facilities, and primary care examination rooms.
The BSN program accepts new students once yearly for spring semester entry. Through a competitive selection process, 92 students join each year. Current UT students receive priority consideration, especially those who have completed at least two semesters.
Nursing careers show exceptional growth potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 200,000 new nursing positions annually through 2032.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) fully accredits the University of Tampa’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing. This accreditation ensures graduates meet nationally recognized standards for professional nursing education.
Available Program Tracks
The University of Tampa provides a well-laid-out nursing education pathway through its Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. This program builds the foundation for students who start their nursing education trip without prior nursing college credit.
The Four-Year BSN has a clear progression path. Students apply to the university as undergraduate pre-nursing majors. They submit a formal application to the nursing program during the Fall semester of their sophomore year (third semester) after completing most prerequisite courses. Freshmen cannot enter the BSN program right away because they need to complete several Spartan Studies Core Education requirements in their first two semesters.
The BSN program spans exactly 5 semesters (2.5 years) of full-time study without summer sessions. Students must complete 125 total credit hours – 59 credits in general education courses and 66 credits in nursing-specific coursework.
The program admits students once a year for Spring semester start, with 92 available seats. Students need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 when they apply. They can apply with prerequisites in progress, but must finish all remaining prerequisite courses by the end of their application semester. Each prerequisite course requires a grade of “C” or higher.
The BSN program’s nursing curriculum includes detailed coursework in:
- Foundations of Nursing
- Pathophysiology
- Professional Skills
- Health Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Mental Health Nursing
- Community Health
- Leadership and Management
- Clinical experiences that lead to a preceptorship
The university extends its education options beyond undergraduate studies through:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with adult-gerontology and family nurse practitioner concentrations
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)—a flexible online program of 30 credit hours over six semesters, offering tracks in advanced practice nursing and leadership in population health
These educational pathways support continuous professional growth from BSN through advanced practice roles.
Flexible Learning Formats
The University of Tampa’s nursing department combines theory with hands-on practice to create a perfect balance between “learning by thinking” and “learning by doing”. Students develop both mental understanding and practical skills they need in modern nursing.
Advanced technology and clinical expertise come together in the BSN program’s rich learning environment. Graduates gain both tech skills and patient care abilities that today’s healthcare systems need.
While most students attend classes on campus, UT offers some flexibility. BSN students can take hybrid course options during summer terms and Winter Intersession. Quality remains a priority – any course with online content needs approval from the Faculty Online Teaching & Learning Committee.
Students have more options at the doctoral level. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program runs completely online with 30 credit hours over six semesters. Students rarely need to visit campus, which makes the program perfect for working nurses who want to advance their education.
The DNP program features two distinct tracks that develop both leadership and clinical skills. Working nurses can continue their practice while pursuing higher education – a key benefit for professionals looking to advance without leaving their jobs.
Quality standards remain high for all online nursing courses. Teachers must complete New Teaching Institute training before they can teach hybrid or online classes. This rule helps maintain educational excellence across different teaching methods.
The University of Tampa creates nursing education paths that work for different students while keeping its standards high. This smart approach to flexibility helps students succeed from their undergraduate years through advanced degrees.
Entry Criteria & Prerequisites
The University of Tampa’s BSN program has a two-step admission process. Students need to apply to the university as pre-nursing majors and then submit a separate application to the nursing department after completing most prerequisites.
The BSN program accepts applications once a year. The application window starts July 15 and closes October 15. Students get their acceptance notifications by mid-November to start in January (Spring semester). The program needs 125 total credit hours—59 credits in general education and 66 credits in nursing courses.
Students must have a 3.25 cumulative GPA to apply and keep it through the fall semester. The GPA includes dual enrollment and college credits from other schools. AP, CLEP, and IB courses don’t count in GPA calculations.
Students need to complete all prerequisites with “C” grades or better by the fall semester’s end. The key prerequisites are:
- Writing and research courses
- Chemistry for Health Care Professions
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (with labs)
- Microbiology
- Psychology and Sociology coursework
- College Algebra
The BSN program is highly competitive. Each cycle gets 100-140 applications for just 92 seats, and admitted students have an average 3.7 GPA. Students also need to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) examination. Competitive applicants usually score 72% or higher.
Accepted students must pass medical clearance, get immunizations, clear criminal background checks, and complete drug testing.
What Sets the BSN Programs Apart at University of Tampa
UT’s BSN program stands out from other nursing education options through proven results rather than just promises. Their 95% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over five years beats both national and state averages, making it Florida’s #1 nursing program.
The program shines with its hands-on clinical experiences. Students complete nearly 1,000 clinical hours before graduation, which is substantially more than what other programs offer. They gain exceptional exposure to healthcare through partnerships with more than 120 healthcare facilities.
Students also get a unique chance to broaden their point of view through international education. Travel courses to Ghana, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic let them understand global healthcare in ways a traditional classroom can’t match.
The program’s quality gets a boost from its faculty makeup. Instead of purely academic instructors, UT’s nursing department brings in active practitioners who teach in their specialized fields. This keeps the instruction practical and up-to-date.
Advanced simulation facilities round out the program’s strengths. Students train in settings that mirror real healthcare environments, from acute hospital scenarios to primary care exam rooms. This creates a smooth transition from classroom to professional practice.
UT’s BSN program sets itself apart in today’s competitive educational scene through its outstanding results, extensive clinical training, global opportunities, practicing educators, and modern simulation tech.