Graduate Admission

Applies to:	Original Policy Date:	Date of Last Review:	Approved by:
Prospective Graduate Students	October 2022	October 2022	Dr. Marco Carvalho Executive Vice President & Provost

Policy Owner: Office of Enrollment Management

Policy Purpose

This policy establishes the criteria for admission for Graduate Students to Florida Institute of Technology.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all prospective students applying to graduate programs, regardless of location or modality, at Florida Tech. 

Policy Statement

Florida Tech welcomes applications for graduate study from students who wish to become experts and leaders in their field of study.  To ensure students who are admitted can benefit from their program, admission is granted in accordance with policy guidelines to qualified applicants who demonstrate suitable preparation for advanced coursework and/or professional-level research. Graduate admission requirements may vary depending on program and degree level and type. 

Academic Requirements

All graduate applicants must possess, or be scheduled to be conferred, a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent internationally. 

The following are minimum university requirements for admission to Florida Tech graduate programs. Individual academic programs may have higher minimum requirements for graduate admission. 

The academic unit that oversees each program reserves the right to identify deficiencies in the applicant’s prior coursework that must be remediated prior to beginning or to successfully complete the degree program. The academic unit may consider, on a case by case basis, exceptions to the minimum GPA requirement. Applicants may be admitted below the minimum GPA or with deficiencies in prior coursework if it is determined by the academic dean or their designee that the student possesses the potential for success within their academic unit.  

Master’s-Level and Specialist Degree Applicants

Students seeking admission to a master's-level or specialist degree program at Florida Tech must have earned a bachelor's degree (four-year degree) from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) prior to enrollment. 

Applicants must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) as an undergraduate in order to be considered for admission to a Florida Tech master's-level or specialist degree program. 

Doctoral Degree Applicants

Students seeking admission to a doctoral degree program at Florida Tech typically have earned both a bachelor's and master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent). Select programs may allow students to apply to the doctoral program after the completion of their bachelor’s degree. 

In order to be considered for admission to a Florida Tech doctoral degree program, applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in undergraduate work if applying to the doctoral program after the completion of their bachelor’s degree or a minimum GPA of 3.2 (on a scale of 4.0) in prior graduate coursework if applying to the doctoral program after the completion of their master’s degree. 

Application Requirements

Prospective graduate students may apply at any time within one year prior to their desired start term, though some academic units have established program-specific application deadlines. Applications received after the program-specific deadline will be considered, however, priority with regard to admission, scholarship, and assistantship will be given to those who submit their complete application by the deadline. 

To apply, prospective graduate students are required to complete the Online Application for Graduate Admission. Applicants can access Program-Specific Application Requirements online. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide a complete application packet in order to be evaluated for admission.

Depending upon the program selected, the applicant may be asked to submit some or all of the following: 

• Application Fee: A required application fee must accompany the application. The application fee will be waived for Florida Tech alumni who wish to return to their alma mater for a graduate program.
  
  
• Transcripts:
• All Applicants: An official transcript from each institution attended must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions directly by each such college or university the applicant has attended.
• International Applicants: Students who have prior university-level education outside the U.S. must provide English translations of all application materials not originally in English, including transcripts. 

• Recommendations: Some academic units require a recommendation as part of the graduate application. A recommendation should speak to the applicant's prior academic and professional performance, as well as their potential for success in graduate study. Generally, recommendations are requested of advisors, mentors, professors, or supervisors. When recommendations are required, doctoral degree applicants should seek at least one from a full-time faculty member. Applicants who have already earned a master's degree are advised to request a recommendation from their master's thesis or final project advisor.
  
  
• Résumé/CV: The résumé submitted as part of the application for graduate admission should detail the applicant’s academic credentials, prior employment (including teaching experience, if applicable), and scholarly achievements including but not limited to authorship/publications, conference participation and memberships in professional organizations. Applicants are encouraged to also include descriptions of relevant non-traditional educational and professional experiences.

• Statement of Objectives: Academic units requesting a statement of objectives are interested in learning more about an applicant's character, qualities, and aspirations as they relate to rigorous graduate study and research in a specific field of study. A well-written statement of objectives provides a clear, concise (about 300 words) description of the applicant's academic interests and career goals, as well as previous and proposed future scholarly activities. 
  
  Applicants to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program may submit their research proposal as an alternative to the statement of objectives.
  
  
• Standardized Exam: Each degree program determines if a standardized exam is required for admission. Please reference Program Specific Application Requirements for details.  

• English Proficiency Requirements: Students whose home language is not English are required to meet the university’s English Language Proficiency Requirements prior to admission or enrollment in courses.
  
  
• Assistantship Application: Prospective graduate students who would like to be considered for a teaching or research assistantship must submit a complete Graduate Student Assistantship Application. 

Procedures/Guidelines

Application

When the online application is received by the Office of Graduate Admission it is reviewed to determine whether the student has previously applied or attended. All documents received are added to the student’s record. When the application is deemed complete it is reviewed by the Faculty Evaluators for the specific major program. When an application remains incomplete the student is notified. 

In most graduate programs Florida Tech admits on a rolling basis.  However, it is strongly recommended that applicants follow the guidelines below to ensure admission consideration for the requested semester of entrance.  Any application received after the recommended filing date will be considered; however, the applicant may be at a disadvantage for graduate school admissions. 

Semester Start Dates & Terms

Start dates may vary depending on program, modality and/or location. Specific start dates are noted in academic calendars. 

Fall Start Terms: New students enrolling in the following programs may start at the beginning of a Fall term only. 

• Applied Behavior Analysis & Organizational Behavior Management, M.S.
• Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.
• Behavior Analysis, Ph.D.
• Chemistry, Ph.D.
• Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology, M.S
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Ph.D.
• Organizational Behavior Management, M.S.
• Doctor of Aviation, Av.D.
• Doctor of Business Administration, DBA 

Fall and Spring Start Terms: New students in the following program may only start at the beginning of a Fall or Spring term (not summer). 

• Biotechnology, M.S. 

Application Dates & Deadlines

The following graduate programs have specific deadlines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for all other programs. 

Apply by December 1

•  Clinical Psychology, Psy.D.

Apply by January 15

• Behavior Analysis, Ph.D.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology, M.S.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Ph.D. 

Apply by February 15

• Applied Behavior Analysis, M.S.
• Applied Behavior Analysis & Organizational Behavior Management, M.S.
• Organizational Behavior Management, M.S. 

International Student Guidelines: International students who wish to enroll in an on-campus program must complete immigration procedures that may take a significant amount of time. The following are suggested guidelines for students who will need to schedule a U.S. Embassy visa appointment in time for their starting term. 

• Fall: Apply by mid-June
• Spring: Apply by mid-October
• Summer: Apply by mid-March 

Application Evaluation

After the application is reviewed by the faculty evaluators a recommendation is made regarding admission. 

There are five decisions that can be rendered by the academic unit: 

1. Admitted
2. Admitted with deficiencies
3. Deferred
4. Waitlisted
5. Admission denied 

Admission

Admission letters are sent electronically. All admitted students are asked to pay a tuition deposit or submit a confirmation of attendance electronically based on their program of study. 

Admission to most graduate programs is valid for one year from the semester of acceptance with the exception of the Psy.D. program and the Biological Sciences Ph.D. program, which is only valid for the semester of acceptance. 

Students who do not attend within one year of the term for which they are initially accepted are required to reapply for admission if they later wish to enroll. Admitted students who choose to attend another university after admission but before enrolling at Florida Tech must reapply for admission and submit transcripts with grades for re-evaluation. 

International Students Enrolling in Campus Programs

International students who have received an official letter of acceptance and require an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status to study in the U.S. must complete the I-20/DS-2019 request process, provide any remaining required documents, and submit the required tuition deposit. Once prepared, the official document (I-20/DS-2019) is sent to the student.  

Definitions

Faculty Evaluators: Faculty designated by an academic unit to review and evaluate the application materials submitted by an applicant for graduate admission. Faculty evaluators provide the academic unit head or program chair with a recommendation to admit or deny admission to the applicant.

Denied Admission: Applicant is denied admission to the graduate program.

Admitted: Applicant is admitted to the graduate program without any prerequisite requirements.

Admitted with Deficiencies: Applicant is admitted to the graduate program with prerequisite requirements based on deficiencies identified by the academic unit.

Deferred: The graduate application evaluator may defer an admission decision if the evaluator determines that more background information is needed to determine potential for success. Deferred applicants will be informed of the additional information or documentation required.

Waitlisted: The applicant is considered a competitive candidate for admission and may be admitted if enrollment space is available, but admission is not guaranteed.

Compliance Reference

SACSCOC Standard 10.5

Responsibilities

Applicants are responsible to provide a complete application packet in order to be evaluated for admission. 

The Office of Enrollment Management has the authority to implement policy and develop procedures for Graduate Admission. It is responsible for communication, compliance, and enforcement of this policy. 

The academic faculty of each program determine the requirements for admission to each graduate program.