Graduate Procedures and Requirements
Applying for Admission
The graduate application is available online. It is recommended that the application be submitted nine to twelve months prior to the proposed term of enrollment.
To complete the process in the Office of Admissions, applicants must submit the following information:
- An official transcript from each college or university attended must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and to the academic program. FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file will be obtained by the Office of Admissions. Transcripts are considered official when they bear an official seal and signature and are sent from the issuing college or university directly to FSU.
- Official nationally standardized graduate admission test scores.
- Supporting residency documentation, if applicable.
University Deadlines
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Some departments may have earlier deadlines than those established by the University or may admit only for a specific term.
Test Scores for Admission in Spring Semester 2010
Official test results from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are required of all applicants except those students requesting admission to the College of Business. Official test scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are required of all applicants for the College of Business. The GRE or GMAT scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Examinee copies are not considered official.
International applicants whose first language is not English are required to have a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based or 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL examination. Some departments require a higher score. International students expecting to receive appointments as teaching assistants are required to pass a test of spoken English as well.
Test Scores for Admission in Summer Term 2010 and later
Official test results will be required from a nationally standardized graduate admissions test, such as the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or an equivalent that is acceptable for the program to which the applicant is applying. These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Examinee copies are not considered official.
International applicants whose first language is not English are required to have a minimum score of 550 on the paper-based or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL examination, 6.5 on the IELTS examination, or 77 on the MELAB examination. Some departments may require a higher score, or may specify a particular English Language Proficiency Test, i.e., IBTOEFL. International students expecting to receive appointments as teaching assistants are required to pass a test of spoken English as well.
Departmental Requirements
Admissions information specific to the academic department may be found here. Such information may concern:
- Deadlines
- Departmental Application
- Statement of Purpose (letter of intent)
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of Recommendation
- Audition or Portfolio
- Application for Fellowship or Assistantship
Supplemental documents may be uploaded to the online admissions application.
Admission Policies for Spring Semester 2010
Admission to graduate study involves acceptance to the department or college in which the applicant expects to study. Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Admissions. While there are minimum admission requirements, established by the State Board of Education within the State of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities, the departments can, and frequently do, exceed those standards.
In order to meet minimum University admission requirements, the applicant must have, or be a candidate for, a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Earned a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 grading scale) grade point average in all work attempted while registered as an upper-division student working toward a baccalaureate degree, or
- Earned a minimum score of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE or a minimum score of 470 on the GMAT (College of Business applicants only), or
- Earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
A student who is not in good standing at the last institution attended will not be admitted for graduate study.
Admission Policies Effective for Summer Term 2010 and later
Admission to graduate study involves acceptance to the department or college in which the applicant expects to study. Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Admissions. While there are minimum admission requirements, established by the Florida Board of Governors, the University can elect to exceed them.
In order to meet minimum University admission requirements, the applicant must have either:
- An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all work attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working toward a baccalaureate degree, or
- A graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.
An applicant who is not in good standing at the last institution attended will not be admitted for graduate study.
All applicants must submit test scores from a nationally standardized graduate admissions test which is acceptable for the program to which the applicant is applying.
Departments may impose more restrictive admission requirements than those stated above. It is recommended the applicant determine departmental requirements first.
Financial Assistance
Florida State University makes every effort to provide financial assistance through a variety of programs to qualified graduate students, including fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and various service assistantships.
The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a cooperative agreement among southern states which permits out-of-state applicants to enroll in specific graduate programs on an in-state tuition basis. An applicant must be admitted to the appropriate program and be certified by the ACM coordinator in his or her home state.
Applications for admission and financial assistance are separate processes, often with different deadlines. Graduate applicants should complete specific applications for each type of award they seek. Since most fellowships and assistantships are based on academic performance and test scores, applicants should complete the admission process in the Office of Admissions as early as possible.