Program Information

• Curriculum and Courses

  The MS program requires completion of 30 credit hours and a non-thesis project. Students generally take 3-6 credits per semester. 

  We offer two concentrations: Nonprofit Leadership and Family and Youth Development.

  For detailed information, refer to the MS Degree Requirements and Courses.

• Financial Aid

  The University of Florida offers financial aid for graduate students, including loan programs. Graduate students should begin by applying for aid, using FAFSA on the Web. Degree seeking students can apply for student loans and learn more about their grant, scholarship and loan options through our Student Financial Affairs site. Talk to your employer about the possibility of continuing education funding.

• Careers

  Our students go on to have careers in diverse areas including human services, nonprofit organizations, youth development, prevention education, family intervention, or other community-based initiatives. See this Careers Infographic for more areas.

• How to Apply

  MS Online Application Checklist_Fall22

• FAQs

  1.What are the admissions requirements? 

  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; and

  If you don’t meet these qualifications, or have questions, please set up a phone call using the button below.

  2. What are the application deadlines?

  • Fall apply by June 1 (for early consideration apply by March 15)
  • Spring apply by October 1

  3. How many credit hours are required for the MS degree? 

  30 credit hours

  4.  Do I ever have to come to campus? 

  No, but you can if you want to, we love to meet our online students in person. You can also walk in the graduation ceremony if you’d like.

  5. Can students complete the program part-time?

  Yes, many students do not carry the full graduate course load of 9 hours per semester. You should be able to complete the degree in five semesters if you carry at least 6 hours per semester.

  6. Do students have to log in at specific times of the day?

  In general, coursework is completed asynchronously. However, many professors host weekly live discussion groups (usually on a voluntary basis).

  7. Is there a login minimum that students need to reach each week?

  The number of login attempts is not measured, but professors tend to structure the coursework to ensure students must log in multiple times each week. For example, it may be structured in such a way that students must log in one day for content, again to complete the work, and again to complete a quiz. On average, students log in 2-3 per week.

  8. Can students take a break from the program if they need to?

  Students can withdraw from active enrollment for one semester without any problem. For more information on how this would affect program completion time, students should speak to their advisors about their individual needs. However, if you fail to enroll in any graduate course for two consecutive semesters, you will have to apply for re-admission.

  9. What is the lecture format?

  Course structure varies. When video lectures are included they are high-quality videos filmed in a studio (approximately 20-25 minutes).

  10. Do courses need to be completed in a certain order?

  It is important and helpful that courses are completed in a certain order (though not mandatory). Once admitted, you will work with your academic advisor to determine your courses.

  11. Can a student transfer in credits?

  Yes, in following the same procedure as the campus program, a student can transfer in a maximum of 9 credits with departmental approval. Not all credit transfers are guaranteed, and credits cannot have been used to meet the requirements for a previous degree.

  12. How quickly can students expect faculty members to reply to questions?

  Faculty usually respond within 24-48 hours.

  13. Do you have an online library that students can access?

  Yes, distance education students enjoy the same library privileges as on-campus students.

  14. What special services do you offer online students?

  Degree seeking students in the FYCS online program have access to the same support services as on-campus students.

  15. Does the University of Florida offer career placement services?

  Yes, the University of Florida has a Career Resource Center available to degree seeking students. Both current students and alumni can access the center.

  16. Does the University of Florida offer technical support for online students?

  Yes, online students can get help form the e-Learning Help Desk and the e-Libraries Help Desk.

  17. What are your online learning center platforms?

  Canvas

  18. Does UF accept international students?

  Yes, international students must have a minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), a minimum score of 77 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), and a minimum of 80 on the Internet version or a minimum of 550 on the paper version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Applicants must submit these test scores also need to have verbal GRE scores of at least 320 (scores before August 1, 2011) or 140 (scores from August 1, 2011 onward). International students must contact the International Student Services (ISS) Unit of UF’s International Center. There are various procedures that international students must complete as a part of the application process and ISS is responsible for all of these procedures. Neither the UF Office of Admissions nor the Department can process your application for admission until you have completed the required processes with ISS.

  19. Does the Online, MS program accept students using the UF EEP tuition waiver, Santa Fe Employee Tuition Waiver, or State of Florida Employee Tuition Waiver Programs?

  • We accept the State of Florida Employee Tuition Waiver.
  • We only accept the UF Employee Tuition waiver (EEP) for students who are currently employed in Extension as Family and Consumer Sciences or 4-H agents). If this pertains to you, you must email Nicole Sloan at nlsloan@ufl.edu prior to the application deadline and let her know you plan to use EEP to be considered.
  • We do not accept the Santa Fe Waiver.
  • The on-campus master’s program in FYCS accepts EEP, State of Florida, and the Santa Fe Waiver.