Education Policy and Evaluation

Degree & GPA

Master’s Program: An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree.

PhD/Doctoral Program: Applicants for doctoral programs must have an earned graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution, with a minimum 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA).

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

In your application, please include/upload your most recent Resume/CV including your current employment.

Statement of Purpose

Master’s Program: Describe your purpose for pursuing a degree, qualifications, and long-term goals.

PhD Program: Statement of Purpose should summarize your interests in our PhD program, qualifications and experiences that are relevant to the major, your research interests­­­ and nearer and long-term goals. Particular attention should be paid to research interests and alignment of interests and skills with current program faculty.

Letters of Recommendation

Master’s Program: One letter of recommendation is required. This letter should be from individuals who can describe your ability to meet the graduate level of rigor and expectations of coursework, writing and speaking skills, and work ethic. Specifically, supervisors, professors, or postsecondary instructors.

PhD/Doctoral Program: Three letters of recommendation are required. The letters should be from individuals who can describe your ability to meet the graduate level of rigor and expectations of coursework, writing and speaking skills, and work ethic. Specifically, supervisors, professors, or postsecondary instructors. At least two of the letters must be from professors or postsecondary instructors.

• Letters from friends or family will not be considered. Letters should be professional, typed on letterhead, and have a signature.

• Upon entering the recommender’s email address, the application system will send instructions to your recommender for uploading letters.

GRE Scores

GRE Test Scores: For applicants submitting GRE test scores, we recommend the following minimum target scores: Verbal (149), Quantitative (147), Analytical Writing (3.5)

GRE Waivers: *NOTE: The GRE requirements have been waived through Fall 2026.

Applicants with a competitive GRE score may continue to submit scores. If you do not submit scores, the item will be waived on the application checklist.

Master’s: Applicants are automatically waived for the GRE requirement.

PhD: Applicants applying to the PhD program in Education Policy & Evaluation must submit a request to waive the GRE test requirement. Review the details and submit your request for the GRE Waiver Allowance for PhD applicants. Click here to request the GRE Waiver.

Official test results are required from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not retain scores longer than five years. If your test scores are older than five years, you may have to retake the test to have official scores sent directly to FSU from the testing agency. If you have the official report that was mailed to your home address for older scores, then FSU will accept that report. FSU Institution Code: 5219.

Transcripts

Please see the “Transcript Requirement” section on The Graduate School website for detailed information and submission instructions: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions

• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are ONLY required for admitted students & applicants who require SpanTran evaluations of International Transcripts.
• Unofficial Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts are required for your application to be reviewed. Please submit ALL unofficial transcripts from each College and/or University attended. FSU only allows for application review with unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions. For applicants with transcripts from a non-U.S. institution, a credential evaluation must be received before the application can be reviewed. *Official transcripts on the application checklist will show a red “X” until they are submitted. Applicants who have submitted all required documents and are only missing official transcripts are still considered complete and will be reviewed.
• International Transcript Requirements:  FSU requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for Fall 2024 applicants and beyond who have degrees from a non-U.S. institution. International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES approved evaluator for transcripts from a non-U.S. institution. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU to ensure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Please see the “Transcript Requirements” section of the Graduate School website for detailed information. https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions

English Language Proficiency Test Scores

Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. You can find the approved tests and minimum scores required here under the “English Language Proficiency” section: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions

• Self-Reported Scores
  Although official scores are required, most departments will begin reviewing your application with self-reported scores while waiting for the official scores to arrive. You can self-report your scores on your Online Status Page after you submit your application. 
• Waiving English Language Proficiency
  The English Language Proficiency requirement can be waived at the University level for applicants who have earned a BA or higher in the US or an English-speaking country. *A variety of countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.

Florida Residency Form

If you are a Florida resident, you must complete the Florida Residency Affidavit even if you were previously designated a Florida Resident by the University. If you do not complete this form, you will be classified as a non-Florida resident for tuition purposes.