Application Requirements and Checklist
Application and Admissions Requirements
No GRE or Other Standardized Tests Required
In order to be considered for admission to a UF CJC Online graduate program, an applicant must have:
- Obtained a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Achieved an upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
- Completed an Application Packet including:
- UF Application and Fee
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Official Transcripts From All Post-Secondary Institutions Applicant Graduated From
- Three Letters of Recommendation*
- English Proficiency – International Applicants
*Letters of recommendation are only required for master’s applicants.
All academic credentials become the property of the university. They will not be returned to you or forwarded to a third party. Credentials of applicants who do not enroll will be destroyed.
Master’s Application Packet Materials
1. Completed Online Application
The UF application is conveniently located online for you to complete at your own pace. There is a $30 non-refundable fee for submitting an application. Please note that a small fee may be charged for credit card payments. Applicants should check for recommendation completion and reminders using the UF online application portal.
If you are submitting an application for the summer semester, you must select Summer C as your term.
2. Resume
Submit a resume showcasing your accomplishments, work and education history, skills, etc.
Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires the inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
3. Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity for the applicant to express his or her goals and reason behind pursuing graduate education. The Statement of Purpose is a personal reflection that provides the admissions committee with a more robust understanding of the applicant. The Statement of Purpose should be at least 300 words.
The following questions can provide talking points for your Statement of Purpose:
- What interests you about the field of study for which you are applying and how did you learn about it?
- What are your relevant work experiences (if any)? Previous work experience is not required.
- What are your career goals? How will this program help you achieve your career goals?
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
The online application will ask you to provide contact information for three recommenders. Contact your recommenders before saving your application so they are aware to check their inbox for an electronic request with instructions for submitting a recommendation. Alternatively, recommenders can email the Enrollment and Admissions Coordinator directly at onlineadmissions@jou.ufl.edu with the subject line of “Letter of Recommendation for Applicant Name.”
Recommendations should be completed by individuals who can attest to your professional abilities and skills. Recommenders can be former professors, colleagues, supervisors, etc. Family members cannot submit a letter of recommendation for an applicant.
5. Official Transcripts From All Post-Secondary Institutions Applicant Graduated From
UF CJC Online requires official transcripts only from the institution that has conferred your undergraduate or, in applicable situations, your master’s degree.
The most efficient way to submit copies of your official transcripts from your school’s option is via electronic transmission and by selecting the University of Florida. If your institution does not include the University of Florida as an option and instead requires an email address, please have them sent to te@admissions.ufl.edu. Please remember that transcripts must come directly from the institution to be deemed official.
International applicants are required to submit an official copy of each transcript, mark sheet and diploma/degree certificate from each university or college attended. All documents must be in their native language. If their native language is not English, a certified English translation is required.
We request that applicants send all documents directly to our offices using a trackable shipping method including a self-addressed paid envelope that we will use to return documents to applicants after they have been evaluated by our international admissions team.
The appropriate shipping address is included below:
University of Florida
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
6. English Proficiency – International Applicants
UF requires proficiency in spoken and written English and accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The university’s TOEFL code is 5812 and the department code is 83. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years.
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.
- TOEFL: 550 (paper test), 90 (internet-based), 27 (Writing), 26 (Speaking)
- IELTS: 7
Certificate Application Packet Materials
1. Completed Online Application
The UF application is conveniently located online for you to complete at your own pace. There is a $30 non-refundable fee for submitting an application. Please note that a small fee may be charged for credit card payments. Applicants should check for recommendation completion and reminders using the UF online application portal.
If you are submitting an application for the summer semester, you must select Summer C as your term.
2. Resume
Submit a resume showcasing your accomplishments, work and education history, skills, etc.
Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires the inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
3. Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose is an opportunity for the applicant to express his or her goals and reason behind pursuing graduate education. The Statement of Purpose is a personal reflection that provides the admissions committee with a more robust understanding of the applicant. The Statement of Purpose should be at least 300 words.
The following questions can provide talking points for your Statement of Purpose:
- What interests you about the field of study for which you are applying and how did you learn about it?
- What are your relevant work experiences (if any)? Previous work experience is not required.
- What are your career goals? How will this program help you achieve your career goals?
4. Official Transcripts From All Post-Secondary Institutions Applicant Graduated From
UF CJC Online requires official transcripts only from the institution that has conferred your undergraduate or, in applicable situations, your master’s degree.
The most efficient way to submit copies of your official transcripts from your school’s option is via electronic transmission and by selecting the University of Florida. If your institution does not include the University of Florida as an option and instead requires an email address, please have them sent to te@admissions.ufl.edu. Please remember that transcripts must come directly from the institution to be deemed official.
International applicants are required to submit an official copy of each transcript, mark sheet and diploma/degree certificate from each university or college attended. All documents must be in their native language. If their native language is not English, a certified English translation is required.
We request that applicants send all documents directly to our offices using a trackable shipping method including a self-addressed paid envelope that we will use to return documents to applicants after they have been evaluated by our international admissions team.
The appropriate shipping address is included below:
University of Florida
College of Journalism and Communications
Attn: Distance Education
2096 Weimer Hall
PO Box 118400
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
5. English Proficiency – International Applicants
UF requires proficiency in spoken and written English and accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The university’s TOEFL code is 5812 and the department code is 83. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years.
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.
- TOEFL: 550 (paper test), 90 (internet-based), 27 (Writing), 26 (Speaking)
- IELTS: 7
Checking Your Application Status
You can check the receipt of materials by the Office of Admissions by clicking the Check Your Status button. The Office of Admissions Online Status page will only reflect information concerning materials forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions and does not include materials that are required to be sent directly to your academic unit. Please refer directly to your Enrollment and Admissions Coordinator for specific questions about your application.
How to Check Your Status
Within 24-48 hours after submitting your online application, your 8-digit UFID will be available on the status of your application. Please use the same username and password used to submit your CollegeNET application.
This number is unique to you and should be used in all e-mail communication and any subsequent applications submitted. It is critical that you do not submit additional applications without using your assigned UFID as that can significantly impact the matching of test scores, transcripts and financial aid information to your academic record.
Store your UFID number somewhere that’s secure so you can refer to the number regularly as it will be your unique identifier throughout the application process and during your time in the graduate program if accepted for admission.
Confirm Your Application Packet is Complete
Once you submit the aforementioned application packet materials, email your Enrollment and Admissions Coordinator to confirm that your packet is ready for review by the admissions committee.
Complete application packets are reviewed by the admissions committee every enrollment period. All application packets will be reviewed holistically.
It is an applicant’s duty to ensure that the materials he/she submits for the application packet are accurate and display their full potential as a prospective admitted student.
Do you have any questions? Review our FAQ page for assistance or contact an Enrollment Coordinator for specific questions.