On-Campus M.Ed.
Is the GRE required for admissions?
The UF Student Personnel in Higher Education (SPHE) master’s program does NOT require submission of Graduate Records Examination (GRE) scores.
What is the cost of attending?
You can find the current graduate tuition and fees for the University of Florida on the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships site.
When will admission decisions be made?
Admission decisions for the program are typically made in early January. Faculty members make these decisions with input from assistantship supervisors, who provide insight into each candidate’s professional potential.
After receiving your admission decision, you will be invited to participate in Visitation Days (VisDays), a comprehensive 3-day, 2-night program where you’ll meet with current faculty and interview for potential assistantships. These assistantships offer practical professional experience, integral to the program’s “theory-to-practice” approach.
Our goal is to make hiring decisions promptly after Visitation Days and notify candidates soon after. Please note that full admission into the on-campus SPHE program is contingent upon securing a Graduate Assistantship or similar position, in line with the practical focus of the program. We also adhere to the Council of Graduate Schools April 15 Resolution.
Are there graduate assistantships available for the on-campus M.Ed. program?
Many graduate assistantships and positions are available for on-campus SPHE master’s students. These positions are located throughout the University of Florida’s Division of Student Life and UF’s academic colleges. We also offer assistantships/positions at Santa Fe College, allowing students to experience student affairs within a community college setting.
Who gets invited to Visitation Days?
After the application deadline for the SPHE program passes, our faculty will review the application materials and make a preliminary decision about who to invite to Visitation Day. Invitations are sent to prospective students once they are admitted to the college. Only candidates invited to Visitation Days are still under consideration for admission into the on-campus SPHE program.
When invited to Visitation Days, candidates receive a list of available graduate assistantships with detailed position descriptions plus travel and accommodation information. To ensure your visit is as valuable as possible, current students, the program coordinator and representatives from the Division of Student Life will work together to assist you throughout your time on campus. This visit is a crucial opportunity for you to get to know the University of Florida and for us to get to know you!
How many assistantships can I preference?
Candidates are encouraged to express interest in as many assistantships as possible. While many enter the field of student affairs with a specific focus, UF offers a wide range of assistantships you may not have explored before arriving on campus. It’s always a good idea to gather more information about available assistantships in person before making final preference decisions.
After receiving your assistantship preferences, we will share your resume with the respective hiring supervisors. They will then decide which candidates to interview during Visitation Days. While we aim to provide your interview schedule in advance, you will receive it no later than the day before interviews begin.
What if I cannot attend Visitation Days but still want to interview for a graduate assistantship/position?
We encourage every candidate to attend Visitation Days. You will spend two intense and exciting years learning and growing professionally with us in the program. Because of this, it is important for you to visit campus, get to know us, meet your potential cohort members and allow us to get to know you. Assistantship selection at UF is competitive. Having the opportunity to interact with supervisors and professionals within potential future offices is incredibly helpful for everyone involved. We will have a virtual Visitation Days event for international students. If you cannot attend Visitation Days, please let us know so we can accommodate you.
What's the difference between a graduate assistantship and a graduate position?
Graduate assistantships cover 9 credit hours of tuition for the Fall and Spring semesters, in addition to paying a stipend and including access to health insurance. Graduate positions are funded differently from assistantships and vary in the type of compensation package offered. All positions include a stipend. Make sure you read the position descriptions carefully to see what is included in each.
Does a tuition waiver cover the cost of all of my classes?
Not quite. If you receive a waiver, it will cover 9 credit hours for the Fall semester and 9 credit hours for the Spring semester, each year you have the waiver. However, there may be some campus fees you are responsible for. Make sure you read the position descriptions carefully to see what is included
Is there financial aid available for this program?
Students are encouraged to apply to the UF Office for Student Financial Affairs for assistance with loans, grants and fellowships. The UF College of Education also provides some additional scholarships to students. You can visit the UF Student Financial Aid and Scholarships site to learn more.
In cooperation with the UF Division of Student Affairs, UF Academic Colleges and Santa Fe College, several graduate assistantships/positions are available in areas like orientation, residential life, academic advising, career services, student activities, Greek life, multicultural programs, admissions, etc. On-campus interviews for these positions will take place at the SPHE Visitation Days. Many of these positions come with a tuition waiver, which covers 9 hours of tuition each Fall and Spring semester.
Does the program or the College of Education offer a need-based application fee waiver for international students?
The University of Florida does not provide an application fee waiver, and neither does the program nor the College of Education. Additionally, if your application is not considered because the application deadline is passed, UF will not issue you a refund for the application fee. It is important to know the application deadlines for the intended major. If you are applying to more than one program, you must complete an application for each program and pay the non-refundable application fee. More information can be found at the graduate admissions page.