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 | Summer Start | Fall Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classes begin | January | May | August |
| Apply By | November | March 15 | June 15 |
How do I apply?
Below you will find detailed information on the supporting documents and application 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.
-
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.
We’re here to help you go back to school, even if your GPA wasn’t a 3.0 or it’s been a while since you last took a class.
-
Resume
Your resume (1-2 pages) must be submitted using the online application and should highlight your educational and professional experiences.
-
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 the following essays as ONE file.
Essay 1: How have your experiences prepared you for the FYCS online master’s program? 500 word maximum not including the title and any references.
Summarize how your academic experiences have prepared you for our master’s program. Discuss your choice of 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.
Essay 2: How do your academic interests align with the FYCS department? 500 word maximum not including the title and any references.
Describe your professional goals and discuss how the FYCS MS online program will help you achieve these goals. When discussing the MS online program, you should refer to the curriculum, specific courses, specific faculty research that interests you, and/or to the capstone project you would like to pursue.
-
Letters of Recommendation
- 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 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.
- Please note that blind letters of recommendation (letters that are not read by the student prior to submission) are strongly preferred.
-
Transcripts
- If you have, or are currently attending UF you do not need to submit transcripts for the coursework completed here.
- An official copy directly to the UF Office of Admissions from all previous institutions (either electronically or via mail):
201 Criser Hall Office of Admissions
University of Florida
P.O. Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000*Failure to provide transcripts can result in your application being denied. Request transcripts at least three weeks prior to the deadline.
-
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 = Distance Education
- 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 Nicole Sloan (nlsloan@ufl.edu) so we know to look for your application. We will review your application and let you know if we need anything further to complete your packet prior to the admissions committee meeting. Admissions committee meetings are generally held 10-14 business days after application packet due dates. 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 (7-10 days) you will receive a decision letter via email from Nicole Sloan, the FYCS Distance Education Coordinator.