About USF

Welcome to the University of South Florida! 

Founded in 1956, the University of South Florida is rich with tradition, known for our academic excellence, groundbreaking research, service to surrounding communities and wide-ranging student opportunities.

Situated in the vibrant Tampa Bay region with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF serves nearly 50,000 students from almost 70 countries across our three branch campuses.

USF offers more than 200 programs from 14 colleges including undergraduate majors, minors and concentrations as well as undergraduate, graduate, specialist and professional degrees.

Ranked among the top 50 public universities in the U.S. for six years in a row (U.S. News & World Report), USF is also recognized as the #1 “best value” among all universities in Florida, public or private.

As a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), USF is now among the top research schools in North America.

With a total annual economic impact of $6.02 billion, USF supports 68,704 jobs in the state. Our faculty and students are working on real-world problems, conducting research that impacts and improves lives—locally and around the world.

As Tampa Bay’s only academic medical center, USF Health is in partnership with the Morsani College of Medicine (#1 in the state), College of Nursing, College of Public Health, Taneja College of Pharmacy, School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Biomedical Sciences Graduate & Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health’s multispecialty physicians group.

Together, USF Health, in partnership with Tampa General Hospital, continues to integrate education, research, and patient care, working toward our shared value: Making Life Better.

At USF, we believe every student will succeed if given the opportunity. Here students do more than attend class; they get involved, explores ideas, and prepare for their future.

From academic support to career planning, we help students reach their goals.  We invite you to explore more about our university – in person and online – and discover how you can prosper at USF. 

We invite you to explore more about our university – in person and online – and discover how you can prosper at USF. 

More USF facts.

Campus Locations / Parking

USF is situated in the vibrant and diverse Tampa Bay region, with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. Together our campuses comprise more than 1,600 acres and nearly 12 million square feet of building space, with areas boasting coastal, bayfront and riverfront views. 

For information about each USF campus, visit Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Sarasota-Manatee.

TAMPA 

University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Avenue
Tampa, Fl 33620
(813) 974-2011
Website: https://www.usf.edu

SARASOTA-MANATEE

University of South Florida 
5700 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243-2197
(941) 359-4200
Website: https://www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/

ST. PETERSBURG

University of South Florida
140 Seventh Avenue S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 873-1142
Website: https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/

Mission

Led by outstanding faculty and professional staff, the University of South Florida conducts innovative scholarship, creative activity and basic and translational research, and delivers a world-class educational experience promoting the success of our talented and diverse undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. As a public metropolitan research university, USF, in partnership with our communities, serves the people of Florida, the nation, and the world by fostering intellectual inquiry and outcomes that positively shape the future - regionally, nationally and globally.

Accreditation

The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of South Florida may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of South Florida may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).  The accreditation of this USF branch campus is a part of and depends on the continued accreditation of the University of South Florida.

Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the institution and not to the Commission’s office.

Learn more about USF’s institutional accreditation. 

Graduate Degrees Offered by the University

Master’s Degrees:

The University of South Florida and all colleges, departments and degree programs therein establish certain academic requirements that must be met before a degree is granted. These requirements concern such things as curricula and courses, majors and minors, and academic residence. Advisors, directors, department chairs, and deans are available to help the student understand and arrange to meet these requirements, but the student is responsible for fulfilling them. At the end of a student’s course of study, if the requirements for graduation have not been satisfied, the degree will not be granted. For this reason, it is important for all students to acquaint themselves with all regulations and to remain currently informed throughout their college careers and to be responsible for completing requirements. Courses, majors, and requirements described in the Catalog may be suspended, deleted, restricted, supplemented, or changed in any other manner at any time at the sole discretion of the University and the USF Board of Trustees.

Majors, Concentrations, Graduate Certificates (Authorized)

As of the date of this publication, the University is authorized to offer 48 different graduate degrees, with graduate majors authorized as listed here:

• View Graduate Majors (A-Z)  
• View list of Concentrations (with Major/Degree)      
• View Graduate Certificates   

Administration

The University of South Florida is a member of the State University System (SUS) of Florida and is governed by the Florida Board of Governors and the University Board of Trustees.

Florida Board of Governors

For a current list of the Board of Governors (BOG), please refer to their website: https://www.flbog.edu/about-us-2/

University Board of Trustees

The USF Board of Trustees is the public body corporate of the University. It sets cost-effective policy for the institution and serves as the legal owner and governing board. The Board of Trustees is responsible for high quality education programs within the laws of the State of Florida and regulations of the Florida Board of Governors. It holds the institution’s resources in trust and is responsible for their efficient and effective use as per Florida Statute 1.001 University Board of Trustees Powers and Duties.

The Board of Trustees is comprised of thirteen members, six who are appointed by the Florida Governor and five who are appointed by the Florida Board of Governors and confirmed by the Florida Senate for a term of five years. The elected Faculty Senate President and Student Government President also serve as trustees.

USF Trustees:

USF Administration:

Office of Graduate Studies Senior Administration

Reference USF Policy 11-001 - https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy11-001

USF Graduate Liaisons

College Deans

College Graduate Associate Deans (EGAD)

- http://www.grad.usf.edu/graduate-coordinators.php

USF Graduate Council

Graduate Council is an official body of the USF Faculty Senate and works closely with the USF Office of Graduate Studies. Per the Bylaws to the Constitution of the Faculty of the University of South Florida, the USF Graduate Council (GC) advises the Provost and the Executive Vice President for USF Health or their designees on principles, policies, and procedures affecting graduate education at USF.

2025-2026 Leadership:

For the most current list of members, please refer to the website https://www.usf.edu/graduate-studies/faculty-and-staff/graduate-council/council-members.aspx

Selected USF Policies and Resources

Campus Alcoholic Beverages Policy: USF Policy 30-023 Alcohol & Drugs Policy 

As an open public university, USF does not prohibit the legal consumption of alcohol on its campuses. We recognize that as part of a well-planned and structured program, the serving and consumption of alcohol may take place. Therefore, the intent of this Policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for the legal and responsible use of alcohol at USF campus events. The use of alcoholic beverages by members of the USF community is at all times subject to the applicable alcoholic beverages laws and ordinances of the State of Florida, and the city and county of each USF campus. No person may sell, furnish, or give alcohol to any person under the legal drinking age defined by Florida law. 

Center for Career and Professional Development

The Center for Career and Professional Development provides USF students with comprehensive career planning and job search services. A team of experienced professionals is available to help with both online and in-person career coaching, career exploration, job and internship tools, and related resources to currently enrolled USF students and our alumni. The Center also provides information on employment opportunities and creates venues where students can network and interview with local, state, national and international employers. For convenience, offices are located on all three campuses:

Equal Opportunity: Discrimination and Harassment - https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy0-007

Office of Veteran Success 

The Office of Veteran Success provides specialized programs and services to over 8,000 veterans, eligible dependents, active duty service members, and members of the Selected Reserve on all three USF campuses.  We are a one-stop shop for anything that you, a military connected student, may need. 

Although we also assist dependents, our main goal is to help veterans in whatever capacity necessary for success with educational and career goals.  This may include helping with admission to the school, navigating VA benefits, graduating, or finding employment opportunities.  For a list of service and programs go to: https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/veterans/about-us/index.aspx

Student Accessibility Services

Title IX Policy: www.usf.edu/title-ix

Tobacco and Smoke Free University: USF Policy 06-026

Smoking, tobacco use, and use of related products is prohibited on all property owned, leased or operated by USF. This includes, but is not limited to, all indoor and outdoor areas and properties. Additionally, no smoking and/or tobacco products will be sold or advertised on the USF Tampa campus. This Policy applies to all faculty, staff, students, vendors and visitors. The President or designee may allow smoking in specific designated areas of campus for clinical treatment purposes, including smoking cessation programs, or research-related purposes.

University Libraries