ELPS | Higher Education Program

Frequently Asked Questions About Higher Education Admissions

Florida State’s Higher Education Program has strong tradition and rich history for over 50 years. It has an excellent national reputation and a very strong alumni network across the country. Our graduates hold positions as college and university presidents, vice-presidents, directors, as well as policy analysts and faculty members in higher education programs around the country. Below is a short list of “Q&As” so that you can have a better understanding on issues related to the application to our higher education program. FSU policies supersede the description below should discrepancy occur.

Q: What is needed for application to FSU’s higher education graduate programs?

A: You need to submit your resume, GRE score, undergraduate transcript, graduate transcript (if applicable), letter of intent, three (3) letters of recommendation, and the FSU Graduate School application form. You may also need to pay the application fees to the university.

Q: What kinds of grades and GRE scores do I need to be admitted?

A: For master’s students, we expect a GPA for the last 60 hours of your undergraduate degree of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. We prefer a GRE of 1,000 with a minimum of 400 on Verbal and Quantitative respectively. For doctoral students, we expect a GPA of your graduate program of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. We prefer a GRE of 1,000 with a minimum of 400 each on Verbal and Quantitative for all doctoral students and 1,050 of GRE score for Ph.D. applicants. We also consider student previous experiences and the strength of recommendation letters in admission decisions.

Q: What is the letter of intent?

A: The letter of intent is a short statement (1-2 pages) from you about why you want to attend FSU for graduate school and what your career goals are. The letter of intent is also your chance to address any issues you want the Admissions Committee to know about in considering your application.

Q: Who should write the letter of recommendation?

A: It is best to have letters from people who are familiar with your current activities, classes, work, and potential. At least one should be from a faculty member who can speak to your ability to do graduate level work. For doctoral applicants, we expect at least two letters from faculty. The recommendation letter can be either as a part of FSU’s on-line application process, or in the traditional letter format.

Q: When do I need to apply?

A: Our application deadline is early January each year. Try to send your materials to us as early as you can, preferably by Christmas, to insure that we can review your admissions file and get back to you so you can plan for attending the Visiting Days in mid-February. Keep in mind that transcripts and letters of recommendation often take longer to arrive than you may think.

Q: What are “Visiting Days”?

A: Visiting Days are a tradition of the FSU Higher Education program. It is a program of 2-3 days in February set aside for admitted students to come to campus to visit with faculty, students and potential employers. During Visiting Days, you will have a chance to interview for graduate assistantships. It is also an opportunity for you to see the campus, meet other prospective students, and discover Tallahassee.

Q: Do graduate students in FSU’s higher education program receive assistantships?

A: Almost all our students have graduate assistantships. Students are interviewed for assistantships during the Visiting Days. Graduate assistantships come with stipends and tuition waivers. Our students work as graduate assistants in various offices at Florida State University, Tallahassee Community Colleges, Florida Department of Education, among many others.

Q: Can I still participate in the Higher Education program if I don’t attend Visiting Days?

A: Yes, every year, we have a few students who apply and are admitted after Visiting Days are over. However, many of the graduate assistantship positions may be taken by students who did attend Visiting Days so the choices will be limited.

Q: How many students do you admit to the program each year?

A: We admit students to maintain an enrollment of 20-25 master students and 6-10 doctoral students per year.


	ELPS Home Higher Education Home About Us Mission Core Values Doctoral Degrees Ed.D Ph.D Master's Degrees Student Affairs General Administration Graduate Certificate Programs College Teaching Institutional Research Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies Online Offerings Admissions Prospective Students Overview Admissions Deadline Dates Department Admissions Procedures and Requirements Graduate Information Visiting Days Financial Aid Fellowships Graduate Assistantships Scholarships Faculty HESA Program Resources Hardee Center LifeNet Visiting Days Institute for College Student Values Documents & Forms Professional Organizations FAQ			Frequently Asked Questions About Higher Education Admissions Florida State’s Higher Education Program has strong tradition and rich history for over 50 years. It has an excellent national reputation and a very strong alumni network across the country. Our graduates hold positions as college and university presidents, vice-presidents, directors, as well as policy analysts and faculty members in higher education programs around the country. Below is a short list of “Q&As” so that you can have a better understanding on issues related to the application to our higher education program. FSU policies supersede the description below should discrepancy occur. *Q: What is needed for application to FSU’s higher education graduate programs?* A: You need to submit your resume, GRE score, undergraduate transcript, graduate transcript (if applicable), letter of intent, three (3) letters of recommendation, and the FSU Graduate School application form. You may also need to pay the application fees to the university. *Q: What kinds of grades and GRE scores do I need to be admitted?* A: For master’s students, we expect a GPA for the last 60 hours of your undergraduate degree of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. We prefer a GRE of 1,000 with a minimum of 400 on Verbal and Quantitative respectively. For doctoral students, we expect a GPA of your graduate program of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. We prefer a GRE of 1,000 with a minimum of 400 each on Verbal and Quantitative for all doctoral students and 1,050 of GRE score for Ph.D. applicants. We also consider student previous experiences and the strength of recommendation letters in admission decisions. *Q: What is the letter of intent?* A: The letter of intent is a short statement (1-2 pages) from you about why you want to attend FSU for graduate school and what your career goals are. The letter of intent is also your chance to address any issues you want the Admissions Committee to know about in considering your application. *Q: Who should write the letter of recommendation?* A: It is best to have letters from people who are familiar with your current activities, classes, work, and potential. At least one should be from a faculty member who can speak to your ability to do graduate level work. For doctoral applicants, we expect at least two letters from faculty. The recommendation letter can be either as a part of FSU’s on-line application process, or in the traditional letter format. *Q: When do I need to apply?* A: Our application deadline is early January each year. Try to send your materials to us as early as you can, preferably by Christmas, to insure that we can review your admissions file and get back to you so you can plan for attending the Visiting Days in mid-February. Keep in mind that transcripts and letters of recommendation often take longer to arrive than you may think. *Q: What are “Visiting Days”?* A: Visiting Days are a tradition of the FSU Higher Education program. It is a program of 2-3 days in February set aside for admitted students to come to campus to visit with faculty, students and potential employers. During Visiting Days, you will have a chance to interview for graduate assistantships. It is also an opportunity for you to see the campus, meet other prospective students, and discover Tallahassee. Q: Do graduate students in FSU’s higher education program receive assistantships? A: Almost all our students have graduate assistantships. Students are interviewed for assistantships during the Visiting Days. Graduate assistantships come with stipends and tuition waivers. Our students work as graduate assistants in various offices at Florida State University, Tallahassee Community Colleges, Florida Department of Education, among many others. *Q: Can I still participate in the Higher Education program if I don’t attend Visiting Days?* A: Yes, every year, we have a few students who apply and are admitted after Visiting Days are over. However, many of the graduate assistantship positions may be taken by students who did attend Visiting Days so the choices will be limited. *Q: How many students do you admit to the program each year?* A: We admit students to maintain an enrollment of 20-25 master students and 6-10 doctoral students per year.