Admission Information for Doctoral Degrees
General Requirements
Admission standards are set by the Graduate School of the University of Florida, the College of Education, the School of Teaching & Learning, and the program area to which you are applying. This web page provides you with the Graduate School, College of Education, and School of Teaching & Learning minimums. You need to carefully check your program area web page to see the specific admission requirements for that area.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work and previous graduate work
- An acceptable score on the General Test of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). We will consider applications from individuals who have acceptable scores on both the verbal and quantitative sections. We holistically evaluate all applications and the score on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE are considered data points of information about the applicant. This also allows applicants who are not strong standardized test takers to highlight their skills and abilities. For the past academic year, the average scores of candidates admitted into a doctoral program were: Verbal: 585*; Quantitative: 660*. We do not required applicants to take the written portion of the GRE.
*Remember that average scores indicate some scores are higher and others are lower. Some program areas have higher expectations that those listed on this page so make sure to check your specific program area for additional details regarding GRE expectations. - Three letters of recommendation from university faculty
- A statement of purpose explaining why this degree would enable you to meet your career goals and how this specific doctoral program in the School of Teaching & Learning at UF enables you to best reach these goals.
Every program area admissions review committee evaluates applicants' folders holistically. Each piece of data included in your admissions folder is considered one data point and we carefully look at all of the evidence before making an admissions decision.
Again, please note that the requirements here are the minimal requirements. You should explore your program area for additional admission requirements for the doctoral degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.).
Admission Procedure
Please make sure to have your admissions materials into the School of Teaching & Learning by the posted deadline.
- Apply Online to the University of Florida Graduate School and pay application fee. When you are instructed to enter your doctoral program, all of the doctoral programs in the School of Teaching & Learning are in the Curriculum and Instruction category.
As part of the online application, you also are required to provide a statement of purpose. You can copy and paste up to two pages of a single spaced document into this space. Your statement of goals should addresses the following areas: why do you want a doctoral degree, how is this going to help you meet your professional goals, what is your research interest, and how do you see this research interest meshing with the School of Teaching & Learning. If you are able, we also suggest including information such as a faculty member you have interacted with that could serve as your initial mentor, your interest in research as a career goal (if that is what you want to do), pre-doctoral research or employment experience that supports your goals.
The Graduate School also requires three letters of recommendation from professors who know the applicant as a student and can evaluate academic abilities and potential for success in a graduate program. You can do this in two (2) different methods.
Method A: The online application process allows you to enter in the names and email addresses of 3 people. This will trigger an electronic system to send electronic forms to these individuals. All the person providing your recommendation has to do is complete the form and hit the submit button.
Method B: If you would like to provide your references with printed forms, you can do that as well by downloading the recommendation form. Letters of recommendation can be emailed to stlgradadmiss@coe.ufl.edu, brought to Norman 2423, or mailed to: Graduate Admissions, School of Teaching & Learning (P.O. Box 117048, 2403 Norman Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-7048)
NOTE: If you have previously 1) earned a graduate degree from the University of Florida or 2) been admitted to the UF Graduate School, you should complete the UF Graduate Readmission Form instead of the Online Admission Form. The Readmission Form is ONLY to be used by applicants who have were previously enrolled in a Graduate Program at UF. You still need to submit your statement of intent and letters of recommendations to the School of Teaching & Learning. - Submit all transcripts from institutions of higher education to the UF Office of Admissions (P.O.Box 114000, 201 Criser Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000, USA). These must be official copies from the institutions of higher education. If the original transcripts are not in English, you also need to send an English translation.
- Submit acceptable GRE scores. Please make sure to have ETS send your official GRE scores to the University of Florida (code 5812) and the School of Teaching & Learning (code 3101).
- For international students: You may submit either TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores. Check to see if you are exempt from taking the TOEFL. Here are the minimum scores considered for admissions: IELTS: 6, MELAB: 77, TOEFL (computer):213, TOEFL (Internet): 80, and TOEFL (paper based): 550.
- Submit an example of your academic writing. This could be several chapters from your master's thesis or several of your scholarly papers.
- Submit a current vitae or resume.
- Submit an application for a Doctoral Fellowship or STL Assistantship.
- Explore financial aid options and apply for any appropriate for your situation.
- If you are a non-US applicant, send your Certification of Financial Responsibility Form to the UF International Center (P.O.Box 113225, 123 Grinter Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-3225, USA).
