Admissions and How to Apply
What are the admissions criteria?
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.
An undergraduate GPA of at least a B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours (see the FAQs for help calculating).
Everyone’s academic journey looks a little different. If your GPA is below 3.0, don’t worry—there may still be a path to acceptance. We recognize that who you were as a student 5 or 10 years ago isn’t necessarily who you are today. Reach out to us so we can talk through your individual situation.
When are applications due?
Your complete application and all supporting documents (resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose) must be received by the following due date for the semester you plan to start courses.
Dates and Deadlines
| Spring Start | Fall Start | |
|---|---|---|
| Classes begin | January | August |
| Apply By | September | February 1 |
How do I apply?
Below you will find detailed information on the supporting documents and application are required to complete your admissions packet. As you read through this information, keep in mind that our staff are available to discuss the program, the admissions process, and address any questions.
Download the MS On-Campus Application Checklist.
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Meet With Us
We enjoy talking to prospective students! Set up a call or video chat with us. In addition to talking about the specifics of the program, we can help you:
- Demystify graduate school by giving you an overview of what our master’s program is like,
- Decide if we are the right program to help you reach your goals, and
- Learn the steps for applying.
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Resume
Your resume (1-2 pages) must be submitted using the online application and should highlight your educational and professional experiences.
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Statement of Purpose
As you submit your application through the admissions portal you will be asked to upload a statement of purpose. In place of the UF Admissions General Statement of Purpose, upload an essay that meets the department requirements.
The Statement of Purpose consists of an essay that provides the admissions committee with a deeper understanding of your academic preparation, research interests, and goals for graduate study. Your Statement of Purpose should be well-organized, clear, and concise, typically 1–2 pages in length, double-spaced.
- Academic Preparation & Experiences: Summarize how your academic experiences have prepared you for our master’s program. Discuss your previous degree program, successes, and overall performance. Identify at least one academic difficulty or challenge you had to overcome and describe how you were able to do so. This is an honest self-appraisal, not a personal advertisement. Also, please indicate your desire and need for financial support. *
- Career Goals: Outline your long-term career goals and explain how earning a MS in Family, Youth and Community Sciences will help you achieve them. Be specific about the professional pathways you envision and how research will prepare you for those roles.
- Research Interest and Faculty Alignment: Identify 1-2 faculty members in our department and explain why you would like to work with them. In what ways will studying with these faculty member(s) help you foster your current talents and interests to achieve your professional goals?
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Letters of Recommendation
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Three letters of recommendation are required. The admissions committee prefers letters from faculty members who are familiar with your past performance as a student. If you have been out of school several years, professional references familiar with your performance can be used (we prefer professional references to come from a person who held a supervisory role over your work).
- When you fill out the admissions application there will be a spot to enter the names and email addresses of your recommenders. If the recommender cannot submit online, the letter should be sent directly to Crystal Tisby, Coordinator of Academic Programs. Letters of recommendation need to be received by the application deadline, so follow up with recommenders to ensure that the deadline is met.
- Please note that blind letters of recommendation (letters that are not read by the student prior to submission) are strongly preferred.
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Transcripts
Applicants should submit TWO copies of transcripts from all attended colleges or universities:
- If you have or are currently attending UF, you DO NOT NEED to submit transcripts for the coursework completed at UF.
- An official copy directly to the UF Office of Admissions from previous institutions (either electronically or via mail):
201 Criser Hall Office of Admissions
University of Florida
P.O. Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000- A copy (either official or unofficial) can be emailed directly to ctisby@ufl.edu.
- Failure to provide transcripts can result in your application being delayed. Request transcripts at least three weeks prior to the deadline.
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Graduate Admissions Application
Set up an admissions account and submit your online application.
There is a $30 non-refundable fee. When filling out the application use the following information:
- Location = Main Campus - Gainesville
- Program of Study = Family, Youth and Community Sciences
- Concentration = Choose a concentration if you are interested in one or select “non” if you are not. Concentrations can be changed later.
- Specialization = Leave blank
- Departmental contact name = Leave blank
What happens after I submit my application?
After you submit your application, Email Crystal Tisby (ctisby@ufl.edu) so she knows to retrieve your application from the system. She will review your application and let you know if you need to submit anything further to complete your packet prior to the admissions committee meeting. Admissions committee meetings are generally held 10-14 business days after application deadlines. Once the committee makes their decision it is entered into the UF admissions system and begins to route to various departments. After it finishes processing (7-14 days) you will receive a decision letter from the FYCS Graduate Coordinator via email from Crystal Tisby.