Graduate Admissions FAQ

FGCU offers master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs across business, education, engineering, health, sciences, and the arts.

• Browse all programs by college or interest in the Graduate Programs Directory
• Each page includes format (online/on-campus), deadlines, prerequisites, and coordinator contact.

Entry terms depend on the program.

• Many programs admit for all three terms.
• Cohort or clinical programs may admit once per year.

Confirm your program’s start terms in the Graduate Programs Directory

Program learning formats vary.

• Fully online
• Hybrid (part online / part on campus)
• Fully on campus

To verify the learning format of your program of interest, check the program page in the Graduate Programs Directory

Yes. Several opportunities are available.

• Many programs offer virtual or in-person info sessions. For more information, program coordinator contact details are available in the Graduate Programs Directory
• You may also connect with programs at FGCU’s Graduate & Professional School Fair

Yes — and for research-based programs, it’s recommended.

• Contact coordinators or faculty through the Graduate Programs Directory

• Review faculty research interests before reaching out.

Yes — FGCU offers graduate-focused campus tours.

• Register for a general golf cart tour through Graduate Tours
• For research labs, specialized facilities, or meeting with faculty, contact your program coordinator in advance. Graduate Programs Directory

Yes — as long as you submit a separate application and fee for each. You may only enroll in one program at a time.

It depends on whether you have completed your bachelor’s degree.

• Bachelor’s complete → Graduate Non-Degree/Certificate application
• Bachelor’s in progress → Undergraduate Non-Degree application.

These programs use a Centralized Application System (CAS). To be considered for admission, apply to the corresponding CAS site.

• Nursing → NursingCAS
• Health Science (MS) → HAMPCAS
• Occupational Therapy → OTCAS
• Physician Assistant Studies → CASPA
• Physical Therapy → PTCAS

A separate FGCU Graduate Admissions application is not required.

Yes. To utilize your employee benefits, you must apply and be admitted to your graduate program of interest before submitting the following form:

• FGCU employees may use the FGCU Employee Tuition Voucher
• State employees may use the State Employee Tuition Waiver

Applicants must meet both university-level and program-level requirements. Our minimum university-level requirements include:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent foreign institution).
• Submit required standardized test scores (if applicable).
• Meet one of the following academic criteria:
• 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of the bachelor's degree, or
• A completed graduate degree from an accredited institution, or
• Completed FGCU graduate certificate with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Yes. Requirements vary by program. Review program-specific requirements in the Graduate Programs Directory

The application process includes:

• Submit and pay for the Graduate Application
• Pay the $30 application fee
• Submit your supporting documents (transcripts, test scores, etc.).
• Once complete, your application is sent to the program for their admission decision.

FGCU requires transcripts from every institution you attended. This includes:

• Dual Enrollment credits
• Transfer institutions
• Transient coursework

Transcript type determines usability.

• Uploads missing a transcript key = academic reports, not usable for the admissions process.
• Uploads with a transcript key = unofficial transcripts, usable for admission decision.
• Transcripts sent directly from your institution = official, required upon admission.

After 2016: No. Graduate Admissions will pull previously submitted transcripts within 2-3 business days of a new application being received.

Prior 2016: Yes. We will require new official transcripts. Contact our office to verify if necessary at graduate@fgcu.edu

Yes. Unofficial scores may be used for admission decisions. Official scores required before second semester enrollment.

Possibly. Review your program’s test waiver options in the Graduate Programs Directory

Use your Future Eagles Account → Status Page → Checklist.

This varies by program.

• See your program’s requirements in the Graduate Programs Directory
• After applying, check your personalized “Checklist” in your Future Eagles Account

Supplemental applications are located on each program’s webpage.

Visit the Graduate Programs Directory and select your program to locate the supplemental form under Admission Requirements.

Document processing takes 2–3 business days. If more than 5 days have passed, email graduate@fgcu.edu.

Yes.

• Submit a new application to the new program. The program change will be effective on your student account on the term indicated on your application.
• Existing transcripts will be transferred automatically to the new application.

Options vary.

• Check with Graduate Admissions to verify if this is a final deadline at graduate@fgcu.edu.
• If the final deadline, you can utilize a one-time deferral to begin the next available term. Deferral requests must be made by the add/drop deadline.

• Contact your program coordinator to confirm your return term (see Graduate Programs Directory).

• Submit a new application for that term.
• Existing transcripts will be transferred.
• Email graduate@fgcu.edu if you want other prior documents reused.

Yes.

• You must complete your bachelor’s degree before your graduate program start date.
• Only FGCU students may apply to 4+1 programs (see the Combined Programs section of the Graduate Catalog for more information)

International applicants must submit additional documentation.

• Requirements are listed on the Graduate International Admissions page
• Program-level requirements still apply and can be found in the Graduate Programs Directory

After admission, FGCU will request:

• Financial Statements
• Sponsor Documentation
• Visa Clearance Form

Full details are available in the International Graduate Admission Guide (pages 9-12)

Yes. To allow enough time to complete your application and visa documentation, we recommend allowing yourself at least 1 month prior to our final deadlines.

• Fall: July 1
• Spring: November 1
• Summer: Not available

Programs with earlier deadlines take precedence (see Graduate Programs Directory for deadlines)

Yes.

• International transcripts require a NACES-accredited course-by-course, US equivalency evaluation.
• The evaluation agency must send the official evaluation with transcripts directly to grad_docs@fgcu.edu. 

Some applicants may qualify for a waiver. Review criteria in the English Proficiency Requirements

No. Official transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited agency for US equivalency before an admission decision is finalized.

No. F-1 students must enroll full-time at FGCU (9 credit hours / 3 courses per semester)

• Students must take at least two on-campus courses per term.

• Only one online course is allowed per semester.

Yes—availability varies by program.

• Contact your program coordinator for details (see Graduate Programs Directory).

Yes. Once admitted, use your UIN to complete assistantship applications.

Several funding options are available.

• Explore resources on the Financing Graduate Studies page
• Some programs offer program-specific funding.

Yes.

• Review emergency waiver options through Student Account Services
• Meet with a financial aid advisor through the Financial Aid Advising page

You will receive an email notification once your program releases its decision.

Respond through your Future Eagles Account

Go to the Status Page → Secure Your Spot.

Yes—once per application, up to one year. Varies by program.

• Submit your deferral request by the term’s add/drop deadline. Review deadlines in the Academic Calendar
• Access the form via Future Eagles Account → Application Tab → Deferral Request

Your new student account will be inactivated. To start in a later term, a new application will be required.

Your next steps depend on your program and student type.

• Visit the Admitted Graduate Students page for general onboarding steps.
• Check with your graduate program for any additional admissions steps they may require.

Possibly — program approval is required. Contact your program coordinator to verify (see Graduate Programs Directory).

No. Students may only be enrolled in one FGCU graduate program at a time.

• Review your program’s curriculum under Program Requirements on program’s website
• Find CRN numbers using Course Schedule Search
• Log in to the Gulfline Registration Portal
• Add CRNs in Gulfline → Student → Registration → Add/Drop Classes

Generally, FGCU offers an optional online orientation, but programs may have their own requirements. Contact your program coordinator for details.

Policies vary by program.

• Consult your program coordinator before taking time off.
• Master’s degrees must be completed within 7 years; doctoral programs within 8 years.

See the Graduate Student Handbook for more information

You may take up to three consecutive terms off. After three inactive terms, you will need to reapply.

Yes, unless you are enrolled in a fully online program. Learn more on the immunization requirements on the Student Health Services Immunization page

Graduate Provisional holds are typically placed since you were offered admission with an unofficial document. To lift the hold, we require an official document on file. Contact the Graduate Admissions team for more information graduate@fgcu.edu

Graduate Conditional holds are placed by the graduate program. For more information on lifting this hold type, contact your program coordinator. Graduate Programs Directory

No. Graduate Admissions will automatically import your FGCU records within 2-3 business days of a new application.

Yes, you will need to submit an application to be considered for admission. Admission is not guaranteed and depends on the program.

No. Your UIN and student Eagle mail will remain the same. Your student type will be updated to Graduate if offered admission.

Yes. Residency must be reverified at the graduate level.

See the Graduate Residency for Tuition Purposes page for more information

No. Health Services lifts your immunization hold within 24–48 hours of admission.

No. Register using Gulfline, just as you did as an undergraduate student.

Our business hours are Monday - Friday from 8AM - 5PM. We can be contacted below:

• Email: graduate@fgcu.edu
• Phone: 239-745-4723
• Walk-In: Howard Hall, Suite 204
• Graduate Tours
• Coffee with a Counselor

Documents can be uploaded either directly to your account or submitted via email.

• Email: grad_docs@fgcu.edu 
• Upload directly in your Future Eagles Account → Status → Checklist → Upload Materials

Your graduate program coordinator. Contact information is available in the Graduate Programs Directory