Admissions and How to Apply
What are the admissions criteria?
To be admitted, students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and a minimum graduate GPA of at least 3.3.
Prior completion of a master’s degree is desirable, preferably in a field of study that provides the student with a solid grounding in the social sciences. Students with a Bachelor’s degree may apply to the Ph.D. program and be admitted; however, they must complete the Master’s degree along the way before they complete the requirements for the Ph.D. We will also consider students with degrees in related fields or post-baccalaureate professional degrees.
When are applications due?
The deadline for your application and all supporting documents is January 15th of the year before you wish to start the program. Applicants who apply by the January 15 deadline will be given priority in funding decisions for graduate assistantships.
Note that to meet the application deadline, your complete application and all supporting documents must be received by the due date.
Explore faculty research areas and discuss how your interests fit with the program.
Our program uses a faculty mentor model and it is expected that students will identify at least two preferred faculty mentors in their statement of purpose. Prospective students should become familiar with department faculty and their areas of interest. The best way to do this is to read the CVs on our Department Faculty Page. You should discuss your specific research interests with multiple faculty members as you work on your application.
Student fit with the doctoral program is an important element of the admissions process and applicants should demonstrate their ability to answer the following questions:
- Why do you seek a research-based doctoral degree in the social sciences? What type of career do you plan to pursue with this degree?
- What appropriate academic experience and preparation do you have for required doctoral-level courses?
- How familiar are you with the curriculum of the YDFS degree and how do you think the curriculum will contribute to your professional goals and employment?
- Can you demonstrate an understanding of faculty research interests and the correspondence between your interests and those of multiple faculty members in FYCS?
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 Our Doctoral PhD Application Checklist
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Meet With Us
PhD applicants are required to meet with Crystal Tisby, the Coordinator for Academic Programs. Following that meeting students may meet with the Graduate Coordinator.
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 in early January 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.