Graduate Admissions
Associate Dean over Graduate Admissions: Brian Barton
Assistant Directors: Jermaine Williams
Panama City Campus Director: David Henry
General Information
Florida State University encourages applications for admission from qualified students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other protected group status in accordance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws on non-discrimination and equal opportunity. Admission of students to Florida State University is within the jurisdiction of the University, but subject to minimum standards adopted by the Florida Board of Governors. Preference for admission for any term will be given to those applicants whose credentials indicate the greatest promise of academic success in their chosen program of study.
The application for admission is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/. When applying for admission, the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 allows colleges and universities to require the disclosure of social security numbers for the purpose of identification and verification of student records, including registration, financial aid, and academic records, and for verification of identity in connection with the provisions of its services. The University does not use social security numbers for student identification; instead, the University assigns a Florida State University student identification number (EMPLID).
An application cannot be submitted earlier than one year prior to the term for which admission is desired. In addition, the University reserves the right to close admission earlier than the published deadline(s) if any program limit is reached.
The Office of Graduate Admissions will post all decisions electronically on the Application Status Check, an applicant's private account created at the time of application. Admission is for a specific term, and if the student is unable to enroll for the term indicated on the Application Status Check, the Office of Graduate Admissions should be notified immediately. A change in term will result in a re-evaluation of the application. The applicant should not assume that admission will automatically be granted.
The University reserves the right to request an evaluation of any international academic document. (For transfer credit, an official course-by-course evaluation is required.) We recommend this evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
Offers of admission to the University are often contingent upon the subsequent receipt of official college or university transcripts indicating satisfactory performance and verification of baccalaureate and master's degrees. Failure to submit such documents before the end of the second week of the initial academic term can result in the cancellation of admission and registration.
An application or residency statement submitted by or on behalf of a student that contains false, fraudulent, or incomplete statements may result in denial of admission or denial of further registration and/or invalidation of Florida State University credit and related degrees.
Prior to registering for classes, accepted students must be health compliant. For information regarding this requirement, refer to https://uhs.fsu.edu/. Florida State University reserves the right to cancel the admission of any applicant whose health record indicates the existence of a condition that may be harmful to members of the University community.
Application
The application is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/. It is recommended that the application be submitted nine to twelve months prior to the proposed term of enrollment.
A nonrefundable application fee of $30.00 is required. Applicants can pay the application fee online via their Application Status Check at https://admissions.fsu.edu/statuscheck/. If payment is by check or money order, it must be made payable to Florida State University and drawn on a U.S. bank. The application will not be processed without this fee, and there are no provisions to have it waived or postponed, except for applicants in designated sponsored programs.
Deadlines for Applications and Supporting Documents for all Graduate Applicants*
The University deadlines for applications and supporting documents for all graduate applicants are:
| Term | Application and Document Deadline |
| Fall | July 1 |
| Spring | November 1 |
| Summer | March 1 |
*A submitted application and all materials required to make an admission decision must be received by the published deadline. However, some programs will accept required materials after the published deadline and applicants should contact the department for further clarification.
*Some departments may have earlier deadlines than those established by the University or may admit only for a specific term.
Transcripts
An official transcript from each college and/or university attended must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transfer credit posted on the record of another institution is not accepted in lieu of submitting the official transcript from the original institution. Florida State University and other official transcripts already on file as part of the student's permanent record will be automatically obtained by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Graduate Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. Transcripts bearing the statement "Issued to Student," notarized transcripts, or transcripts submitted by the applicant are not considered official.
Original documents or signed, officially certified photocopies of original documents may be submitted by the student only when institutions outside the United States will not send academic records to other institutions. The verifying signature should be that of an officer of the institution attended. All academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. Certified documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.
Test Scores
Official test results will be required from a nationally standardized graduate admissions test, such as the Graduate Record Examination revised General Test (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or an equivalent test 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.
Note: The Faculty Senate and Graduate Policy Committee have waived GRE and GMAT test requirements for all terms through Fall 2026 for Master's and Specialist applicants. Please note this waiver excludes degree programs in the College of Business.
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit an English language proficiency exam, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), the Cambridge English Language Assessment, the Michigan Language Assessment, or Duolingo. These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency and are not valid after two years.
Departmental Requirements
All applicants should contact their academic departments for specific deadline dates and departmental requirements, such as departmental application, statement of purpose (letter of intent), résumé or curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, audition or portfolio, and application for fellowship or assistantship. These supporting documents should be uploaded to the online application. Do not mail departmental information to the Office of Graduate Admissions. It will delay the processing of your application.
Graduate Student Admission Policies
Admission to graduate study involves acceptance to the department or college in which the applicant expects to earn a degree. Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Graduate 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:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally 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 or nationally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, and
- Test scores from a nationally standardized graduate admissions test that are acceptable for the academic program to which the applicant is applying.
In addition:
- An applicant who is not in good standing (on probation or dismissal) at the last institution attended will not be considered for graduate study.
- Departments may impose more restrictive admission requirements than those stated above. It is recommended that applicants contact the academic program directly for information on departmental admission requirements.
- For graduate admission purposes, international applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of a minimum score of either 550 on the paper-based or 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL examination, 6.5 on the IELTS examination, 55 on the PTE Academic examination, or the successful completion of Level 8 (Advanced Level) at Florida State University's Center for Intensive English Studies. For a provisional period of three years, starting in the Fall 2022 semester application period, applicants may substitute a score of either 180 on the Cambridge English Language Assessment, 55 on the Michigan Language Assessment, or 120 on the Duolingo for graduation admission purposes.
- Some departments may require a higher score or may waive the test requirement if the student has received a bachelor's degree or master's degree from a U.S. institution or other institution where English is the required language of instruction. International students expecting to receive appointments as teaching assistants are required to pass the SPEAK test which evaluates the English-speaking ability of non-native speakers of English and is administered at Florida State University. Students who receive a score of 26 or higher on the speaking section of the Internet-based TOEFL examination meet the University requirement to serve in all capacities as a teaching assistant; however, some departments may still require that the student take the SPEAK test.
Provisional Graduate Students
An academic program may recommend that a student be admitted to the University as a provisional graduate student. This requires that the program stipulate conditions that the student must meet during the initial semester/term of enrollment. The student will remain in this provisional category for only one semester/term and must meet all of the stipulated conditions during the initial semester/term to continue in the program. Students entering the University under this category register in the same manner as regular degree-seeking students. International students cannot be admitted into the provisional category.
A provisional graduate student must be reviewed by the academic program and the University at the end of the initial semester/term to determine whether the stipulated conditions were met. If the conditions were not met, the student will not be able to continue in the program. While in provisional status a graduate student must register for graded graduate-level coursework (5000-level or above; excludes S/U courses) commensurate with the load requirements of the program and must earn at least an average of 3.0 for all graduate-level coursework taken.
A hold blocking future enrollment will be placed on the record of a student who fails to meet the stipulated conditions during the initial provisional semester/term; such students will be ineligible to continue in the academic program. Students who met the minimum requirements for admission to the University either initially or during the provisional semester but failed to meet the program-specific conditions may subsequently seek admission to a different academic program as a degree or non-degree seeking student. A provisional student who does not earn at least a 3.0 average during the initial provisional term is not eligible for probationary status in the subsequent semester. Otherwise, a provisional graduate student is subject to the retention and dismissal regulations appropriate to a regular graduate student. For information on non-degree classification, see the subsection on 'Non-Degree Students' in this chapter.
Continuous Enrollment
Please refer to the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter in this Graduate Bulletin for continuous enrollment policies.
Readmission
Returning students seeking readmission to any student status, including graduate degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students who (1) have been absent from the University for two or more consecutive terms (including Summer); (2) have been dismissed from the University and have been absent for two or more consecutive terms (including Summer); (3) have withdrawn from the University and have been absent for two or more consecutive terms (including Summer); (4) have had their last term of enrollment at the University administratively cancelled and have been absent for two or more consecutive terms (including Summer); or (5) have earned a graduate degree from the University and wish to enroll in a second graduate program, must submit an application for readmission to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Academically dismissed students are not eligible for readmission unless they have been reinstated by their academic dean. Reinstatement to continue does not guarantee a favorable readmission decision or admission into a specific major. Refer to the 'Dismissal and Reinstatement' section of the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin.
Students who have attempted college work (including correspondence work) at any college or university since their last enrollment at Florida State University must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly from a college or university to the Office of Graduate Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. Transcripts bearing the statement "Issued to Student," notarized transcripts, or transcripts submitted by the applicant are not considered official.
The University reserves the right to deny admission to any student that has an unsatisfactory academic, conduct, or health record. Students who are denied readmission to the University may appeal that decision by filing a written petition with the appropriate deans' office.
Returning graduate degree-seeking students who have been absent from the University for seven or more years or former provisional graduate students must submit a graduate application to the Office of Graduate Admissions according to the procedures prescribed for new admission.
The readmission application and all supporting documents should be submitted by the published deadline of the term for which readmission is desired. (Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin for specific deadlines.)
Readmitted students are subject to retention requirements in effect at the time of reentrance. In addition, students claiming Florida residency must reestablish their eligibility for this classification when applying for readmission.
Admission/Readmission Appeal Procedure
Applicants to graduate programs who meet minimum University requirements for admission and who are denied admission or readmission to a graduate program, or as a non-degree student, may request reconsideration of their applications. The following procedures apply for all applicants who seek review of an admission or readmission decision:
- Written requests for reconsideration must be received by the Graduate School within thirty days of the notification of denial. Specific reasons for the request and all supporting evidence should be included with the appeal.
- The Graduate School shall forward the appeal to the appropriate academic department within three working days.
- The appeal shall be reviewed by a standing committee of the appropriate academic department. This committee shall be composed of members of the graduate faculty and at least one graduate student. The committee has thirty days to review the appeal.
- Decisions by the committee shall be immediately forwarded to the Graduate School who will notify the applicant of the decision within fifteen business days. This decision shall be final, and there shall be no further appeals.
Applicants who are denied admission or readmission to the University for judicial and/or conduct reasons may appeal by filing a written petition to the Admissions Committee through the Director of Admissions.
Readmission after Multiple Withdrawals
When a student has withdrawn from the University three or more times, subsequent readmission must first be considered by a committee whose charge it is to assess the student's capability of making satisfactory progress toward the degree. This committee, appointed by the Council of Associate and Assistant Deans, will make a recommendation to the dean of the student's college who will make the final decision.
Second Graduate Program
A student who has completed one graduate degree program at Florida State University must secure the approval of the proposed department before undertaking a second graduate program. Readmission is through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Work taken without such approval will not count toward a graduate degree.
Admission as Non-Degree Student
The non-degree student status is open to any post-baccalaureate student for either undergraduate or graduate coursework provided the student is in good academic standing at the last institution attended. Applicants who have been denied admission as degree-seeking students or who missed the deadline for submitting a degree-seeking application will not be considered for enrollment as a non-degree student. Registration begins the day before the beginning of the term and is on a space-available basis. In some cases, registration may require departmental approval.
The non-degree application is available online at https://admissions.fsu.edu/. The completed non-degree application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $30.00 processing fee and all official college transcripts. FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applications should be submitted for consideration one semester prior to the desired term of enrollment. Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin for specific application deadlines. The University reserves the right to close the application process earlier than the published deadlines if warranted by enrollment limitations.
A non-degree student at Florida State University who subsequently decides to seek reclassification from non-degree status to regular degree-seeking status must apply for graduate admission through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Enrollment as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission to a graduate program.
Work taken as a non-degree student does not automatically carry graduate degree credit; however, if the work is taken within the time limits prescribed by the degree program and approved by the department chair and dean, up to twelve hours of graduate-level credit with a grade of "B" or better in each course may count toward the degree, provided the student qualifies for admission to a graduate degree program.
The University generally does not issue I-20 or DS-2019 visa documents for international non-degree students. Direct questions related to international students and non-degree study to the Center for Global Engagement (CGE@fsu.edu).
For more details, see the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin.
Transient Graduate Students
A graduate student seeking a degree from a university other than Florida State University may register for coursework at the graduate level as a non-degree transient student at Florida State University. Transient students must receive prior approval from their graduate deans at their home institution for any courses taken at Florida State University for transfer to their home institutions. The transient application, with approved signatures, must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transient applications can be found at https://admissions.fsu.edu/.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University-Florida State University Interinstitutional Registration
A Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) student planning to participate in the Cooperative Program at Florida State University must obtain specific approval from the designated representative in the Office of the Registrar at FAMU. Approval is also required from the department offering the course at FSU. The completed co-op application must be returned to the Office of the Registrar at FAMU by the published deadline. (Consult the "University Calendar" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin for specific application deadlines.) If approval to co-op is granted, the student will be registered for courses at Florida State University by a representative in the Office of the University Registrar at FSU. Some courses may have limited availability, and registration for these courses may be denied or delayed until drop/add at the beginning of the term. The approval of one institution does not bind the other to comply. All tuition and fees are paid at FAMU unless the course has additional departmental fees associated with it. Any departmental fees will be paid at FSU. Florida State University students planning to co-op at FAMU should refer to the "Academic Regulations and Procedures" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin.
Traveling Scholar Program
The University participates in the Interinstitutional Academic Collaborative Traveling Scholar Program that enables a graduate student to take advantage of special resources available on another Atlantic Coast Conference campus but not available at the home campus, such as special course offerings, research opportunities, unique laboratories, and library collections.
A traveling scholar's graduate advisor will approach an appropriate faculty member at the proposed host institution and recommend the scholar for a visiting arrangement. After agreement by the student's advisor and the faculty member of the host institution, graduate deans of both institutions will be fully informed by the advisor and have the power to approve or disapprove. A student will register at the host institution and will pay tuition and/or registration fees according to fee schedules established by that institution. Credit for the work taken will be recorded at the home university.
Each university retains its full right to accept or reject a student who wishes to study under its auspices. A traveling scholar will normally be limited to one term on the campus of the host institution. A traveling scholar accepted by the host institution will be regarded as being registered at that institution for the period.
A traveling scholar is not entitled to displacement allowance, mileage, or per diem payments. The home university, however, may elect to continue the financial support of the traveling scholar in the form of a fellowship or graduate assistantship with any work obligation to be discharged either at the home or host institution.
Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market (ACM) is an interstate agreement among southern states for sharing academic programs. Participating states approve their residents who qualify for admission to enroll in specific graduate programs in other states on an in-state tuition basis. Arrangements traditionally are limited to unusual programs or programs not offered within the state of residence. To enroll as an ACM student, an applicant must obtain certification from the State Coordinator in the student's home state. Students must be admitted to the appropriate degree program by the Office of Graduate Admissions, and the letter of certification must be received in the Office of Admissions before the first day of classes for the effective term. Information on the state's authorization of programs or the identity of the coordinator for a particular state may be found at http://home.sreb.org/acm/choosestate.aspx. For information on the programs in which FSU participates, contact the Academic Common Market Coordinator, 115 Westcott, (850) 644-7497.
Cooperative Programs in the State of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities
Cooperative graduate degree programs may be established in which the faculties of two or more of the universities within the state of Florida, Division of Colleges and Universities system join in offering a degree program in a particular discipline. The degree is given by the university authorized by the State Board of Education to offer it, but coursework and faculty participation within agreed upon limits can occur on the campus of either or all of the participating universities. For information on possibilities in a particular discipline, students should contact the academic department.
International Applicants
Notice of Admission
Formal notification of admission to Florida State University comes from the Office of Graduate Admissions and is for a specific term. Admission to FSU is a two-step process. Step one is acceptance by the academic department and a recommendation for admission sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Step two is formal admission completed by Graduate Admissions. Students receive an e-mail notifying them of an update to their application status which can be viewed by logging into the Application Status Portal.
If the student is unable to enroll for the term indicated on the Application Status Check, the Office of Graduate Admissions should be informed immediately. If the student wishes to be reconsidered for a different term, the student must submit a new application and application fee.
Finances
International students needing an I-20 or DS-2019 document to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa, or to apply to USCIS for a change of status, must demonstrate that they have adequate financial resources. Outside agencies issue DS-2019 forms for sponsored J-1 students, such as Fulbright grantees, admitted to FSU.
After admission, the Center for Global Engagement provides information on the funding documents required and how to submit them. More information on financial requirements is available at https://cge.fsu.edu/. In addition to providing the Center for Global Engagement with evidence of funding available for all expenses of the first year of study, international student must certify that funding will continue to be available for the duration of their academic program.
Students should have access to approximately half of the estimated total yearly amount at the beginning of each semester since University fees must be paid upon registration at the start of each term. Students should also be prepared for initial expenses such as housing deposits, insurance, utilities, etc. The most up-to-date cost estimates for international students can be found at https://cge.fsu.edu/international-students/new-students.
On-campus employment opportunities are limited, and international students are not permitted to work off campus except under special circumstances. Students should not expect their department to provide a graduate assistantship with a stipend and tuition waivers unless it was offered at the time of admission or before arrival.
If the student's government limits the amount of money that can be sent to students in the United States, the applicant should make sure that they have access to funds that are sufficient to cover all costs while at the University. If the applicant's government requires verification of enrollment before money can be forwarded, the student may request verification from the Office of the Registrar after registration is completed at the University.
Passports and Visas
International students admitted to FSU and coming from abroad need a valid passport from their own government and an F-1 or J-1 visa (unless a qualified citizen of Canada or Bermuda) obtained by application through a United States Embassy/Consulate. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date the student plans to enter the United States.
Health Insurance and Immunization Requirements
Florida State University requires all students to have adequate health insurance coverage and the Florida Board of Governors mandates specific levels of coverage for F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 enrolled international students. In addition, international students with J-1 visa status who will be accompanied by J-2 dependents are required by federal regulations to purchase health insurance coverage for them. For more information regarding the health insurance requirement, refer to https://uhs.fsu.edu/.
All students must be immunized according to State of Florida requirements and must submit proof of such immunization prior to registration.
Center for Intensive English Studies
English is the language of instruction and communication at the University. International applicants who lack sufficient English language preparation must correct this deficiency before being admitted to the University. Students may do this in their home country or in the United States at a school that offers an intensive English language program. Florida State University offers such a program through the Frederick L. Jenks Center for Intensive English Studies. Detailed information on the Center may be obtained at https://cies.fsu.edu/.
Successful completion of English Studies at the Frederick L. Jenks Center for Intensive English Studies does not guarantee admission to Florida State University.
Admission to the Panama City Campus
Graduate students interested in attending the Panama City campus may request information from the Panama City Office of Admissions and Records, Florida State University, 4750 Collegiate Drive, Panama City, FL 32405-1099, or online at https://pc.fsu.edu/academics/graduate-programs.
The same policies, procedures, and requirements that pertain to the Tallahassee campus apply to the Panama City campus.
Deadlines for applications and supporting documents at the FSU Panama City campus are the same as the Tallahassee campus. Further information is available by calling the Panama City Office of Admissions and Records at (850) 770-2160 or by visiting their Website at https://pc.fsu.edu/.
Admission to the College of Law
For information regarding the College of Law and for receipt of a complete application packet, interested students should contact: Florida State University, College of Law Admissions, P.O. Box 3061601, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1601 or visit https://law.fsu.edu/.
Admission to the College of Medicine
Primary application for admission to the College of Medicine should be made to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). For information regarding the secondary application and admission to the College of Medicine, interested students should contact: Florida State University, College of Medicine Admissions, P.O. Box 3064300, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4300 or visit https://med.fsu.edu/.