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Graduate Admissions

Welcome

Welcome to the Department of Geography at the University of Florida. This page provides complete and up-to-date information for applying to our graduate programs (MA, MS, PhD). Please review all sections carefully before applying. Once submitted, your application materials cannot be edited by the department.

At-a-Glance
Admission Requirements
What to Prepare (Checklist)
Tips for a Strong Application
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Funding Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At-a-Glance

Programs Offered:
– Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in Geography
– Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography

Application Deadlines – Fall Admission Only (No Spring Intake):
– December 1: For full consideration for departmental funding. Applications received after this date may still be reviewed for admission but will not be eligible for departmental assistantships unless a faculty research grant becomes available later.
– April 15: National acceptance deadline. Applications submitted after this date are not reviewed for the upcoming Fall term.

Application Portals:
– UF Graduate Admissions
– UF Graduate School

Contacts:
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Yujie Hu | yujiehu@ufl.edu | (352) 294-7514
Mailing Address: Department of Geography, University of Florida, 3141 Turlington Hall, PO Box 117315, Gainesville, FL 32611-7315

Admission Requirements

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission. The admissions committee conducts a holistic review, focusing on academic preparation, research alignment, and faculty fit.

All Applicants:

  • Bachelor’s degree (not necessarily in Geography)
  • GPA ≥ 3.0
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Transcripts from all postsecondary institutions
  • GRE scores not required

All applicants must:

  • The Graduate Committee consults faculty input during the review process to evaluate research fit. Applicants are required to contact faculty members in advance to discuss shared research interests and possible advising opportunities.
  • In their SOP, clearly articulate their research interests and explain how these align with the research of specific UF Geography faculty members who could serve as potential advisors.
  • In their SOP, specify why UF Geography is the right fit for their graduate study and research goals.
  • In their SOP, list at least one Geography faculty member who has confirmed interest in supporting their application as a potential advisor. The applicant should explicitly indicate that they have contacted this faculty member and received a positive response regarding research fit and potential advising. Applications that do not identify at least one supporting faculty member, or that list a faculty member who has not agreed to serve as a potential advisor, will not be reviewed.

PhD Applicants:

  • Must have a completed or in-progress Master’s degree (in any field).
  • Submit transcripts that document your Master’s coursework if the degree is still in progress. Admission to the PhD program is contingent upon the completion of the Master’s degree prior to enrollment.
  • SOP and recommendation letters must indicate anticipated Master’s completion date if the degree is still in progress.

International Applicants:

  • Minimum English scores: TOEFL (iBT 80 / PBT 550), IELTS 6.5 (see here for countries exempt from English proficiency).
  • Transcripts and degree certifications in both native language and English
  • Proof of financial solvency and visa eligibility required for admission.
  • Teaching assistantship eligibility depends on spoken-English proficiency:
    – On-campus SPEAK test ≥ 55 or TOEFL Speaking ≥ 28 to teach independently
    – On-campus SPEAK test 45–50 or TOEFL 23–27 may teach while enrolled in EAP 5836
    Below these minimums → not eligible to teach.

All students must maintain eligibility for their funding source. If a student becomes ineligible (e.g., low GPA, disciplinary action, or test deficiency), they will lose their assistantship or fellowship and must self-fund or secure alternative support to remain enrolled in the program.

Current UF Graduate Students (Including Geography MA/MS Students applying to the PhD Program):

  • Provide a new SOP with expected Master’s completion date.
  • Request three new recommendation letters (one from your current advisor).

As part of the review process, selected applicants may be invited to an interview with their identified faculty contact and a member of the Graduate Committee prior to finalizing admission or funding decisions. This step helps confirm mutual research interests and advising fit.

What to Prepare (Checklist)

– Statement of Purpose (<= 500 words). Your SOP must include:

  • The name(s) of UF Geography faculty you would like to work with, and how your research interests align with theirs
  • Confirmation that you have contacted the faculty member(s) and that at least one has expressed interest in supporting your application as a potential advisor
  • The subfield of your intended specialization and any relevant regional interests
  • Any publications or research projects you have contributed to, including a brief description of your role
  • A statement describing how you plan to fund your studies, including any external funding you have applied for or secured
  • Explanation of how your previous academic or professional experience has prepared you for graduate research in Geography
  • Your career goals or plans after completing the degree
  • The components of our program (faculty expertise, courses, concentrations, certificates, etc.) that are a good fit for your academic interests/career goals
  • A generic SOP that does not contain evidence that the applicant reviewed our faculty and departmental information will be disqualified from admission

– Curriculum Vitae (CV)
– Application for Funding (if requesting assistantship/fellowship): the application form can be accessed here
– Documentation of external funding you have secured before (if applicable)
– Three letters of recommendation
– Unofficial/Official transcripts
– English proficiency scores (if required)

Note: Select Geography as your intended major program (you can apply for up to 3 programs at the same time). You may optionally list an area of interest (e.g., climatology, economic geography, geomorphology, medical geography, remote sensing).

Tips for a Strong Application

1. Contact faculty before applying to discuss research compatibility.
2. Write a focused SOP highlighting your research goals, preparation, and fit with UF Geography.
3. Relate your interests to faculty expertise and departmental research strengths—faculty input is considered.
4. Demonstrate professional, articulate writing.
5. Choose recommenders who can address your academic and research qualifications.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Confirm fit: Review faculty profiles and contact potential advisors.
2. Start the UF Graduate Application: Upload SOP, CV, and transcripts; provide recommenders’ contact info.
3. Submit materials: Include funding documents and any supplemental items. Do not email documents.
4. Send official records to Transcripts: Office of Admissions, PO Box 114000, 201 Criser Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000. English proficiency test scores must be sent electronically from ETS to institution code 5812.
5. Monitor your status through the UF Admissions portal to confirm receipt of materials.

Funding Opportunities

Assistantships:

  • Teaching Assistantships (TA): The most common form of financial aid. 20 hours/week for stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Highly competitive and awarded based on departmental teaching needs and applicant qualifications. Summer support may be available. Incoming Master’s students cannot be instructor of record and thus are not prioritized for TA funding; PhD students may teach as instructors of record or as graders.
  • Research Assistantships (RA): Funded through faculty grants and include stipend, tuition waiver, and insurance. Contact faculty directly.
  • OPS Positions: Hourly work without tuition waiver or health insurance. These are not part of an admissions package.

Important: The department cannot provide stand-alone tuition waivers. All waivers are tied to assistantships or fellowships. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue external funding (e.g., NSF, NASA, Ford Foundation) to supplement support.

For more information about Graduate Assistantships at UF, visit the UF Graduate Assistantships page.

For additional details on other types of university and external funding opportunities (e.g., fellowships), see the UF Graduate School Funding page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Do you offer application fee waivers?

Unfortunately, our department does not have the means to support fee waivers for applicants.

  • Is the GRE required?

No. GRE scores are not required for MA/MS or PhD applicants.

  • Are English proficiency test scores required?

Yes, English proficiency test scores are required for most international applicants. For minimum score requirements and a list of exempt countries, please refer to the UF Admissions webpage https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/international.

  • How should I submit my transcripts?

You may upload unofficial transcripts (scanned copies of the official versions) with your application. Screenshots of your grades from your institution’s student academic portal are not accepted.

If your transcripts or degree certificates are not in English, you must include a certified, line-by-line English translation issued by your institution or a professional translation service.

Official transcripts are required only after admission or enrollment and must be sent directly from your institution (or presented in person in a sealed envelope) by the end of your first semester at UF.

For complete details, visit the UF Admissions webpage https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/international.

  • Do you offer Spring admission?

Generally, no. Departmental funding is only available and considered for fall admission. Any spring admission would be case-by-case and should be discussed with the Graduate Coordinator and Department Chair ahead of review or decision. If you are interested in applying for departmental funding, apply for fall.

  • Do I have to select a specialization or concentration?

No, this is optional. If you do select one, you must familiarize yourself with its requirements for graduation as Geography may not oversee the certification of these requirements.