Application Procedures

All graduate applications must be submitted online. Mail official transcripts to:

USF St. Petersburg
Graduate Admissions – BAY 204
140 Seventh Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Note: Many programs require additional materials such as resumes, personal statements, letters of recommendation and writing samples. These items may be attached electronically to your online application. In addition, applicants should request test scores be sent automatically to USF St. Petersburg by the testing agency.  See section on test scores below for instructions.

A separate application will need to be submitted for each graduate program to which you are applying.

All applicants are required to submit an application fee of $30.00 for EACH graduate program – even if you attended a USF System institution as a former degree seeking student or a non-degree seeking student.

Applicants have the option to pay their application fee by credit card (Discover, Master Card, Visa) or by E-check (personal checking/savings account) through the online application. ALL APPLICATION FEES SUBMITTED ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

One (1) official transcript from all institutions of higher learning where the applicant has earned a degree is required, but applicants may provide unofficial copies (photocopies or student-accessed transcripts) to expedite the application process.

Any admissions granted using unofficial transcripts will not be finalized until official transcripts are received in a sealed envelope by Graduate Admissions. (Hint: Some applicants prefer to have transcripts mailed to their home so that they can be sure the request has been filled and then either mail them themselves – still in the sealed envelope from the Registrar’s office of their previous institution – or hand-deliver them to Graduate Admissions at USF St. Petersburg.)

All transcripts must be in English; it is the applicant’s responsibility to have transcripts translated and evaluated before submitting them as part of their graduate application packet. See International Students for information on transcript evaluation.

If standardized test scores are a requirement of admission to the graduate program, only scores of tests taken within five (5) years of the desired term of entry will be accepted. Some programs will waive the standardized test requirement if another measure can be used to determine the potential for success in the program. View specific program requirements.

Official scores must be submitted to directly from the testing agency. However, applicants may provide unofficial copies of their test scores to expedite processing of their applications while awaiting the official scores. Any admission granted using unofficial scores will not be finalized until official scores from the testing agency are received.

Scores are sent electronically to USF St. Petersburg from the testing agency. To request that your scores be sent to USF St. Petersburg, provide the testing agency with the following institution codes:

• For GRE and TOEFL: institution code 5828
• For GMAT: institution code VP9-M4-25

Applicants whose native language is not English or who have not earned a degree in the United States must also submit standardized tests to offer proof of English proficiency. Please refer to the testing requirements in the International Students section.

All graduate applicants are required to answer the Conduct Clearance questions of the graduate application. The applicant will not be notified of the admission decision until the answers to the two questions have been received and cleared by the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs or his/her designee, if warranted.

Florida state statute Section 1009.21 defines the requirements for a student to be considered an “in-state” resident for tuition purposes. A person may be considered a Florida resident for the purpose of paying taxes, voting or other legal purposes after residing in the state for a designated length of time.  However, the state statute specifies additional requirements must be met before a student may be classified as “in-state” for tuition purposes.

Living in or attending school in Florida will not in itself establish legal residence for tuition purposes.

General Classification procedures, reclassification procedures, FAQ’s and a Residency Wizard to assist you in determining your residency status, can be found at the USF Office of the Registrar.