Admission Requirements

WAIVED GRE REQUIREMENT UPDATE

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications is waiving the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) requirement for all master’s programs. This change affects all applicants moving forward.

The removal of the GRE requirement serves to better accommodate applicants. Applicants do not need to submit a GRE waiver when submitting their application materials. 

If you have already taken the GRE, you may still submit your GRE scores for consideration during our holistic application review process.

COVID-19 UPDATE

August 14, 2020 update

In light of possible continued testing difficulties here and abroad amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are allowing temporary emergency English test policy adjustments for applicants seeking to start degree programs Spring 2021, Summer C 2021, or Fall 2021 only. We will accept the following alternative indicators of English language proficiency in lieu of IELTS and TOEFL scores if both tests are unavailable to the applicant:

• Duolingo scores (click for details: Duolingo)
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition (click for details: TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
• TOEFL ITP Plus for China scores (click for details: TOEFL ITP China)
• Pearson PTE Academic scores (click for details: PTE Academic)
• English3 (click for details: E3PT)

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Admission standards are set by the University of Florida Graduate School, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, and the specialization area to which you are applying. The minimum requirements to be considered for admission to a UF CJC Online graduate program include:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A minimum upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Grades will be verified through review of official transcripts
  • Applicants who have earned their undergraduate or graduate degree(s) at the University of Florida do not need to submit official transcripts as those records are on file
• A submitted UF application
  •  All applicants must complete, submit the application and pay the application fee
• A Statement of Purpose
  • Write a statement explaining why this certificate or master’s degree would enable you to achieve your personal and/or professional goals and how this specific graduate program will allow you to best reach those goals.
  • Please use this statement as a place to include any additional information you would like the Admissions Committee to consider in support of your application.
• A current resume

Additionally, applicants for the master’s program must:

• Submit three letters of recommendation
  • Letters can come from supervisors, co-workers, instructors or any person you feel can speak to your ability to succeed in your graduate studies.

UF CJC Online practices a holistic review admissions process. We consider a broad range of factors including undergraduate performance, professional resume, depth of the Statement of Purpose, letters of recommendation and performance on standardized tests if applicable. The admissions committee carefully reviews all of the evidence and data points. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

It is an applicant’s duty to ensure that materials submitted for the application packet are complete, accurate, display the candidates full potential as a prospective admitted student and are submitted by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.



Professional and respectful treatment of admissions and other staff members, faculty and administrators is required. Unprofessional or disrespectful treatment will result in denial of admission.

For admissions questions, please review our FAQ page or contact an Enrollment and Admissions Coordinator.

To help you complete your application, download the application checklist.

Additional Instructions for International Students:

• International applicants must submit to the Office of Admissions an official copy in the native language of each transcript, mark sheet and diploma/degree certificate from each university or college attended, along with certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English.
• UF requires proficiency in spoken and written English and accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The university’s TOEFL code is 5812.

Minimum scores acceptable for international admissions are:

• TOEFL: 550 (paper test); 90 (internet-based)
• IELTS: 6
• MELAB: 77
• Verbal GRE: 140
• Please note: The TOEFL ITP is not accepted for admission purposes.

International applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if enrolled for one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in a country where English is the official language prior to your anticipated term of enrollment at UF, or if you are from one of the following countries.

Application Deadlines:

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Financial Assistance

Financial aid may be available for full-time and part-time students enrolled in a UF CJC Online master’s program. To be eligible for financial aid, students must demonstrate financial need as determined by results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information, visit our financial aid page or refer to the UF Financial Aid Office for specific questions.

Federal financial aid is not available for certificate students. If a certificate student applies to a UF CJC Online master’s program and is accepted, he or she is then eligible to apply for financial assistance.

UF CJC Online programs are not eligible for graduate assistantships, Employee Education Program (EEP), fellowships, state tuition waiver, or the Santa Fe College waiver (Florida).