The Office of Admissions assists prospective students with learning about opportunities available to them at the University of South Florida. The Office is responsible for processing applications for admission for undergraduate students (first time in college -FTIC-, transfer, and former students returning -FSR-, including international students). Admission to the University of South Florida requires evidence of ability to successfully complete academic work, the capacity to think creatively, and strong motivation. The minimum admission requirements are designed to help identify applicants whose academic background indicates the potential for success at USF; however, achieving minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
The admission of new students at all levels is on a selective basis within curricular, space, and fiscal limitations. The selection process may include such factors as grades, test scores, date of application completion, the pattern of courses completed, educational objectives, past conduct, and portfolios. Preference for admission in any term will be given to those applicants whose credentials indicate the greatest promise of academic success.
The university encourages applications for admission from all qualified applicants and does not discriminate based on race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information and gender identity and expression, or as otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, in the admission process. Students are offered admission to USF in accordance with the mission and goals of the university and within enrollment limitations established by the Department of Education, State University System of Florida, and the Florida Legislature.
The Office of Admissions accepts either application below. A $30 (in U.S. currency) nonrefundable application fee is required. Only one application needs to be submitted from either:
Applications for admission are accepted as early as nine months before the requested entry term. Applications for admission and the non-refundable application fee should be submitted by the preferred deadline date for the requested entry term or by the application deadline for the requested degree program (see specific Programs (A-Z) in this catalog), whichever is earlier.
FRESHMAN (FTIC) SUMMER/FALL SEMESTER START
FRESHMAN (FTIC) SPRING SEMESTER START
TRANSFER SUMMER SEMESTER START
TRANSFER FALL SEMESTER START
TRANSFER SPRING SEMESTER START
FORMER STUDENT RETURNING (FSR) SEMESTER START
Please complete application no later than 20 business days prior to the first day of your desired term of entry
The University of South Florida offers a variety of programs to meet the diverse needs of the student body. You can apply if you are any one of the following:
An application for admission must be submitted by all students who have not been admitted to and enrolled in a USF degree program within the last three terms. Former or continuing USF degree-seeking students must file another application for admission when applying for a second-degree program, another level of study or readmission (see Readmission). Any previously enrolled student will be required to pay the $30 application fee. Documents submitted requesting a waiver of the $30 application fee are considered by the Dean of Admissions based upon the determination that the payment of this fee creates a documented severe financial hardship and serves as a deterrent from submitting the application.
Applicants may update their application for admission for up to one year from the originally requested term of admission. All requests for changes of entry term must specify any academic work attempted that was not reflected on the original application and must be received by the appropriate published application deadline for the new term of entry or degree program specified, whichever is earlier. Additionally, any issues related to criminal or academic misconduct that was not reflected on the initial application must be reported in writing to the Office of Admissions. A new application and fee must be submitted when applicants wish to be considered for admission for a term that begins more than twelve months after the originally requested entry term.
An applicant who requests a new entry term must meet the admissions requirements in effect for the new term requested. Entry for some programs is limited to specified terms.
Transcripts and Other Admission Documents
All official transcripts, test scores, and any other required credentials must be received directly from the issuing agencies. It is the applicant’s responsibility to initiate the request for credentials to the issuing agencies and to assure their receipt by the Office of Admissions. (See “Minimum Requirements for Admission” for information concerning required documentation). Official transcripts from all previous institutions are required.
All credentials and documents submitted become the property of USF. The originals or copies of the originals will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another institution, agency, or person.
Provisional Admission
An applicant admitted on a provisional basis must submit the requested missing credentials, such as official final transcripts or test scores, which confirm eligibility for admission before a second registration will be permitted.
Conditional Offers of Admission
Some applicants may be offered admission to the University of South Florida with the condition that they enroll in an alternate term, campus and/or program that differs from that requested on the application for admission, or that they meet the conditions outlined in the acceptance offer. For example, a freshman applicant may be offered admission to the summer or spring term due to enrollment limits and/or admission criteria. Continued enrollment is contingent on meeting all conditions of admission.
Admission Denials
Any applicant - freshman or transfer - who does not meet minimum admission requirements and is denied admission may submit an appeal to the Faculty Committee on Student Admissions for reconsideration of the admissions decision.
Undergraduate applicants - freshman or transfer - who are denied admission as a degree-seeking student may not enroll as a non-degree seeking student. Please see information on Non-Degree Seeking Student.
Receipt of final official credentials that fail to substantiate eligibility will result in rescinding of admission and denial of continued enrollment in subsequent terms.
An application for admission or a residency declaration submitted by or on behalf of a student that contains false, fraudulent, or incomplete statements may result in denial of admission, further registration and/or degrees awarded.
The university may refuse admission to a student whose record shows previous misconduct not in the best interest of citizens of the university community.
All students must have proof of immunity as follows:
All students must complete and sign the USF Medical History & Immunization History Form or provide supporting documentation and electronic signature on their Student Self-Service account. For instructions see https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-health-services/immunizations/index.aspx
For students that applied to USF using an international address, a Tuberculosis screening is also required. For details, see https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy33-003.
For detailed information regarding USF’s Immunization Policy and Requirements, see https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy33-002.
Office of Orientation
John & Grace Allen Building (ALN) 102
(813) 974-3060
myorientation@usf.edu
http://www.usf.edu/orientation/
Orientation is required for all newly admitted students. All newly admitted students must complete Orientation for the campus to which they are admitted prior to beginning classes. If a change in major requires a change in campus, students must also change their orientation location to their new home campus.
The Orientation experience is designed to meet the requirements of a student’s home campus located in Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Sarasota-Manatee. Orientation provides an introduction to the campus community and facilitates a seamless transition into the academic and social environments unique to the identified home campus and the University of South Florida at large.
Primary facilitation of Orientation resides with the designated office(s) at each USF campus location. See USF Policy 10-035 Mandatory Orientation for New Undergraduate Students.
Residency refers to whether you are an in-state Florida resident or an out-of-state resident, and this classification determines your rate of tuition. Most importantly, living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself, establish legal residence for tuition purposes.
When you apply to the university, your initial residency classification is determined by the Office of Admissions. Failure to provide sufficient documentation in the residency section of the admissions application will result in a non-Florida or out-of-state residency classification for tuition purposes.
Once you have completed your first term at USF, you can request a reclassification of your residency status from the Office of the Registrar (https://www.usf.edu/registrar/services/residency/). Please also refer to that site for important deadlines.
Undergraduates seeking entrance to specialized admissions degree programs must meet special program requirements in addition to requirements for admission to the university. The admission criteria and procedures for specialized admissions programs at USF furnish equal access to A.A. degree holders from Florida public colleges, transfers from other SUS institutions and USF students of equivalent status. Transfer applicants with 60 or more transferable semester hours who are seeking admission to specialized admissions programs must meet the grade point average requirement and pre-requisites specified by the program to be eligible for admission to USF. Transfer applicants with 30 to 59 transferable semester hours who are seeking admission to certain specialized admissions programs such as Nursing may be required to meet a higher transfer grade point average requirement that would allow eventual admission to those particular degree programs.
USF, with approval of the Board of Governors and the Articulation Coordinating Committee, has established the following undergraduate programs as specialized admissions:
The admissions requirements for these degree programs may be found with other program information in appropriate sections of this catalog.
All applicants admitted to the State University System (SUS) are expected to have demonstrated competency of foreign language or American Sign Language equivalent to the second high school level or higher. A limited number of students not meeting the high school foreign language requirement may be admitted; however, these students must fulfill the foreign language requirement prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. Satisfaction of the foreign-language admissions requirement by having two (2) sequential units of the same foreign language in high school, or eight (8) credit hours of the same foreign language in college, or documented equivalent proficiency . Satisfaction of the foreign-language admissions requirement by having two (2) sequential units of the same foreign language in high school, or eight (8) credit hours of the same foreign language in college, or documented equivalent proficiency.
USF provides several options by which students may accelerate their progress toward completing the baccalaureate degree. These options recognize knowledge which has been acquired prior to or during attendance at USF and provide the opportunity to earn university credit. Options that may be utilized to accelerate progress include the following:
Credits may be earned through a combination of the above options. Students should contact their college advisors for further information concerning the application of this credit toward their degree requirements.
Internal processes (such as auditions, portfolio reviews, and placement tests) utilized in the various departments for the sole purpose of determining a student’s most appropriate area, level, or section placement in a program of study are not to be construed as examining mechanisms for the granting of credit.
Any freshman applicant who meets minimum admission requirements as stated in Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.002 is encouraged to submit an application. Each state university reserves the right under Florida BOG regulation to establish admission criteria that exceeds Florida BOG minimums.
To be considered for admission, freshman (FTIC – First Time in College) applicants must submit:
Although USF has minimum freshman admission requirements, meeting these minimum standards does not guarantee admission. Applicants selected for admission usually exceed the eligibility requirements; however, USF also considers applicants who do not fully meet minimum requirements but who have important attributes, special talents or unique circumstances that may contribute to a representative and diverse student body. These freshman applicants are considered for admission based on other appropriate evidence of ability to do successful academic work at USF.
The university sets admission requirements found on the Undergraduate Admissions web homepage. Please refer to https://www.usf.edu/admissions/freshmen/index.aspx for the current admission requirements. Admission to the university is selective; therefore, meeting requirements does not guarantee admission.
If you are admitted to USF, you will receive a notification via email and/or postal mail. You may check your email often for any updates to your USF application.
The institution reserves the right to validate any applicant’s admission materials including transcripts and test scores (via a testing agency) such as SAT, ACT, TOEFL, PTE-A or IELTS used in the admission process if, in the judgment of university officials, there is reason to warrant this validation. See https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfregulation3018
Florida College System
High school graduates planning to start their college education at a Florida College System institution should confer with the guidance counselor and ask that their academic program be planned with the assistance of the USF Undergraduate Catalog that is available at https://catalog.usf.edu. This catalog, prepared by the USF Office of Undergraduate Studies, explicitly describes the undergraduate program requirements and Florida’s common prerequisites that should be followed to ensure maximum ease of transfer into the student’s upper-level programs on a par with their native USF counterparts.
Freshmen admitted to the University of South Florida are required to submit a $200 non-refundable admission deposit by May 1 for either Summer or Fall, or by December 1 for Spring admission.
The admission deposit will be credited to the student’s account and applied toward their first-semester tuition. The admission deposit will be waived for admitted freshmen who demonstrate significant financial need on a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) submitted by USF’s priority deadline.
Admitted freshmen are encouraged to pay the deposit online via Student Self-Service (USF’s Online Access Student Information System). Online payment is the university’s preferred payment method. Checks and money orders submitted to the Cashier’s Office (SVC 1039) are also acceptable forms of payment.
Highly capable, mature high school students enrolled in a strong college-preparatory curriculum may apply during their Junior year for early admission dual enrollement. To be considered for early admission, students must meet this criteria:
Have minimum scores on one of the following tests:
Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.8 as calculated by USF.
Early admissions students complete their high school senior year by attending USF fulltime as regularly enrolled, degree-seeking students. Students in the early admission program must take courses that are creditable toward the high school diploma and the associate or baccalaureate degree. For more information about Early Admission qualifications, policies, and application procedures, see https://www.usf.edu/dual.
Dual enrollment in USF classes is open to academically qualified students currently enrolled in public/private high schools and home schools who are recommended by their guidance counselor or principal and meet the university’s criteria:
Dual enrollment students are non-degree-seeking students at USF and may only take courses which are creditable toward their high school diploma. Per F.S. 1007.271 . USF offers dual enrollment courses on its three campuses and online for courses not accessible from institutions of the Florida College System. By special agreement with specific school districts, USF offers some courses on high school campuses. For more information about Dual Enrollment qualifications, policies, and application procedures, see https://www.usf.edu/dual.
The University of South Florida awards credit-by-examination based on the minimum guidelines as established by the Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC) available on https://www.floridashines.org/, pursuant to Florida Statute 1007.27 (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=1000-1099/1007/Sections/1007.27.html), and approved by the State Board of Education and Board of Governors.
Students may receive up to 45 semester hours of credit towards the baccalaureate degree upon successful completion of any of the examinations listed below. For more information, see USF Policy 10-017 (https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy10-017). Performance levels necessary to achieve credit have been established and are listed under each exam. Credit earned through one examination program may not be duplicated by another examination or course.
The University of South Florida evaluates all credits earned and grades received for admitted undergraduate students in college-level courses at other accredited institutions. Credits earned at international institutions or during study abroad are also evaluated for transfer. Please contact the Office of Admissions (https://www.usf.edu/admissions/) or International Studies for admission requirements (https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/admission-information/undergraduate/).
USF Testing Services accommodates USF and non-USF customers. For more information, see https://www.usf.edu/testing-services/.
Additional information on exam credits is published by the Florida Department of Education at http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5421/urlt/0078391-acc-cbe.pdf.
Second Bachelor’s Degree ApplicantsA second bachelor’s degree applicant is any degree-seeking undergraduate applicant who has earned a bachelor’s degree at USF or another institution and wishes to earn an additional bachelor’s degree.
A student who has already graduated from an accredited four-year institution (including USF) must earn a minimum of an additional 30 semester hours of USF undergraduate courses to apply toward their second baccalaureate degree. Students must also meet the University’s regular graduation requirements, as well as, the requirements of the college awarding the degree and the residency requirements.
For more information on requirements, please see the information on the Office of Admission’s website at https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/requirements-deadlines.aspx.
A former student returning (FSR) is any degree-seeking undergraduate student who has not earned their bachelor’s degree, who has not been enrolled at USF in any of the last three terms, and who wishes to re-enroll in the university*. In order to be considered for readmission, a former student should file a new application for admission with the Office of Admissions (https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/) at least 20 business days prior to the start of classes for the term of requested re-entry. A new $30 application fee is required.
Undergraduate students returning to seek a baccalaureate degree must:
*Transient students and non-degree-seeking students are not considered former students returning.
Any newly admitted student or former student returning who wishes to change campus BEFORE the beginning of their admit term must do so via their Academic Advisor in the major at new campus. Please note that these requests may NOT be granted due to defined enrollment constraints by campus or college.
Previous restrictions on movement between campuses have been officially REMOVED from USF Regulation 3.007. There are no current policies or regulations that restrict or govern when or why an undergraduate student can change campuses between Sarasota-Manatee, St. Petersburg, or Tampa. In the absence of prescription, change of campus for continuing students will be processed like the change of major, in that, decision-making is decentralized within the academic colleges.
As of July 1st 2020, it is no longer necessary to receive approval from the Office of Undergraduate Studies to process a change of campus (i.e., the change of institution form is discontinued). Due to ongoing SACSCOC reaffirmation, students are REQUIRED to change campuses if they choose to change to a major/program that is not affiliated with their current campus. Please remember students do NOT need to change campuses to register for courses on a different USF campus; they are NOT prohibited from registering for courses on any campus based on their declared campus.
To be considered for admission, transfer applicants with fewer than 60 transferable semester credits must submit a USF Admissions Application. Also, the applicant must submit a $30 non-refundable application fee, an official transcript from each previous college attended, an official high school transcript, official GED scores if applicable, official SAT or ACT scores, and a IELTS or TOEFL score if applicable.
Lower-level transfer applicants who will enter USF with 12-59 transferable semester credits must minimally meet the following requirements to be considered for admission in good standing; however, satisfying these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Some programs may have additional requirements including GPAs andcourse pre-requisites. For programs with selective criteria, see https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/requirements-deadlines/index.aspx.
To be considered for admission, transfer applicants with 60 or more transferable semester credits must submit a USF application for admission, a non-refundable application fee, an official transcript from each previous college attended, and a TOEFL or IELTS score if applicable. Final transcripts with any degree awarded, or a minimum of 60 semester hours of transferable credit earned prior to initial enrollment at USF, must be submitted to determine final admissions eligibility.
Any transfer student with 60 or more semester hours who designates a desire for admission to a specialized admissions undergraduate program must meet the overall admission GPA criteria of that program in order to be admitted to the university. Some programs may have additional requirements including GPAs and course pre-requisites. For programs with selective criteria, see https://www.usf.edu/admissions/transfer/admission-information/requirements-deadlines/index.aspx.
For further information regarding Upper-Level Transfer admissions requirements, visit https://usfweb2.usf.edu/admissions/
6A-10.024 Articulation Between and Among Universities, Community Colleges, and School Districts
http://ugs.usf.edu/articulation-agreements/
It is the intent of the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education to facilitate articulation and seamless integration of the education system by agreeing to the provisions of this rule. The authority to adopt and amend this rule aligns with the Constitutional power given the Board of Governors for the state university system and the statutory authority given the State Board of Education for the district school boards, the community college system, and the Department of Education.
State universities and community colleges shall publish with precision and clarity in their official catalogs the admission, course, and prerequisite requirements of the institution, each unit of the institution, each program, and each specialization.
The agreement defines and establishes the Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public state or community college as the basis for all articulation rights. Among these guarantees, the following are central to the transfer process:
Fuse is transfer program between the University of South Florida and eight Florida state colleges. This partnership provides a seamless academic pathway for students to complete an associate degree with guaranteed admission to USF.
Students admitted to the Fuse Transfer Program must follow an academic graduation pathway (https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/transfer-student-success/fuse/graduation-paths/index.aspx), which provides a seamless transition from one of our eight FCS partner schools to USF. Adherence to the graduation pathway allows for timely completion of both the Associate of Arts (AA) and bachelor’s degrees. Students admitted to the program have guaranteed admission to their selected major, offered in the Fuse Transfer Program, provided they meet all requirements of the program upon completion of their AA.
Students seeking admission into limited or restrictive access majors will have to meet additional requirements such as prerequisites, GPA, and/or test scores.
The receipt and evaluation of transfer credit is the responsibility of the Office of Admissions (https://www.usf.edu/admissions/). The Office of Admissions will evaluate the acceptability of total credits transferable to the university. The college of the student’s major will assign equivalent courses in determining which courses are applicable toward a specific degree at the university. In some instances, exact course equivalents will also be determined by other colleges that offer the same or similar courses as part of their programs of study. Transfer students should be prepared with personal copies of their transcripts of all past course work to discuss advisement and placement with the appropriate academic advisor and should contact the college of their major soon after registration so that an official evaluation may be completed. Transfer students from non-Florida institutions should also be prepared to submit course syllabi to assist USF faculty in the official evaluation. For more information, see USF Regulation 3.018.
USF Policy 10-071 Award of Credit for Online Coursework
https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy10-071
Undergraduate students who are admitted to the University of South Florida and who have completed online college-level courses prior to initial enrollment in undergraduate education may request that the university evaluate that work to determine if credit might be awarded. Award of credit for that work must meet the following conditions:
Students wishing to have such online coursework evaluated for the purpose of receiving credit should inform Office of Undergraduate Studies, or the Chief Academic Officer at their branch campus, upon being admitted but prior to enrolling in classes at the university. If credit for the online coursework was awarded by another institution of higher education the student must submit an official transcript reflecting the award of credit and the transferability of that work will be determined with the same processes and criteria for other transferred courses, including coursework recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).
For more information regarding the process to have coursework evaluated and/or further information on the policy, please visit the USF Policy 10-071 (https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy10-071).
College credit will be granted to students with military training or coursework that is recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE) subject to institution transfer practices and limitations on amount and level of transfer credit. Military training or coursework will be subject to the same treatment as any other transfer credit evaluated, with utilization of the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services for determining equivalency and alignment of military coursework with appropriate university courses. If the coursework fulfills a general education or major course or degree requirement, the credit will be granted for meeting that requirement towards graduation. Appropriate course credit may include free elective course credit toward the degree.
Credit that was previously evaluated and awarded by another college-degree granting institution and that is appropriate to the transfer student’s major will be accepted, subject to institution transfer limitations. Credit awarded for military education and training will be noted on the transcript and documentation of the credit equivalency evaluation will be maintained. Credit awarded for military education and training will not count in the excess hours fee per BOG Regulation 7.003 (https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/Amended-Regulation-7.003.pdf). Priority course registration will be provided for each veteran of the United States Armed Forces who is receiving the GI Bill.
Some post-secondary international credentials may be evaluated by the Office for International Admissions (https://www.usf.edu/admissions/international/), while others may require an official course-by-course evaluation completed by an independent credential evaluation service, with associated costs to be paid by the student.
International students must demonstrate that they have adequate health insurance coverage prior to enrollment. International students in J visa classes must also demonstrate that their accompanying spouse and dependents have adequate health insurance coverage prior to enrollment. Adequate health insurance for international students in F and J visa classes must include:
To comply with this regulation, USF Student Health Services Compliance Office must receive adequate documentation a minimum of two weeks prior to enrollment. USF Student Health Services sponsors a medical insurance for international students that meets and exceeds the federal, state, and university requirements. Policy information, current costs, and enrollment process are available at https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-health-services/insurance/inscompliance.aspx.
The USF Student Health Services Compliance Office administers state and USF mandates for the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
For questions, contact 813-974-5407 or insurance@shs.usf.edu.
Judy Genshaft Honors College
Located on all three USF campuses, the Judy Genshaft Honors College offers educational experiences grounded in the Liberal Arts tradition, centered on creative interdisciplinary inquiry and the cultivation of practical wisdom, and intended for students regardless of major. The primary goals of the College are to develop superior critical thinking skills through intensive interdisciplinary seminars and undergraduate research, foster a nuanced global perspective on contemporary issues through an internationalized curriculum and study abroad experiences, and encourage a rich understanding of social concerns through structured community engagement.
First-Time-in-College (FTIC) students can join the Judy Genshaft Honors College by direct admission or admission by application. Students who reach our academic criteria through test scores and GPA will be directly admitted into the College.
Students can also be accepted through our application, which includes an essay and list of extracurricular activities. We employ a holistic review process and take into consideration more than test scores.
Non-degree seeking student enrollment is offered on a space-available basis and has been established for those individuals who, while not interested in earning a degree, would like to enroll in all levels of university courses. Non-degree-seeking students are subject to the same academic policies as undergraduate degree-seeking students and must adhere to deadline dates published on the Office of the Registrar’s Important Dates and Deadlines webpage (https://www.usf.edu/registrar/calendars/index.aspx.) For more information on non-degree seeking student status, please see USF Policy 30-055 or visit https://www.usf.edu/registrar/services/non-degree-admission/transient_students.aspx.
A student who is not seeking a degree while at USF, but enrolls in classes is classified as a non-degree student. Although not seeking a degree, such a student is subject to the same Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, and Reinstatement policies as a degree-seeking student by level of courses in which the student enrolled.
