We at FIU are thrilled you want to join our Panther family and pursue your graduate degree with us. Earning your degree at FIU mean joining a community of scholars whose cutting-edge research pushes the frontier of knowledge.
Unlike undergraduate admissions, the graduate process is more decentralized. While you apply to FIU through International Admissions and we assist you with the application, admission, and assist with your I-20, your graduate program makes the decision on your application. Each program has a graduate program director (GPD) and in most cases, a committee of faculty members makes the decision on your admission. This means that decisions take longer, especially if the program pools all applicants and makes all the decisions at once. It also means that each program has its individual requirements and deadline.
The information we provide here is a starting place. It is general information that is true across all programs. You are strongly encouraged to visit your program’s website and contact the GPD to receive the most current information. In addition, once you apply, your my.fiu.edu account will have a “to do” list that is updated as we receive information to keep you on track.
Online application with $30 fee
Official University Transcripts
English Proficiency
Supplementary Documents
The dates posted here are the general deadlines some program have earlier deadlines. Please check with your program to ensure that you do not miss their deadlines. Many PhD programs only have a Fall intake, so plan accordingly.
Summer | Fall | Spring | |
Ph.D. applications & supporting documents | December 1 | February 15 | August 1 |
Masters/Certificate applicants on a valid visa | March 1 | June 1 | November 1 |
Masters/Certificate applicants not on a valid visa | February 1 | June 1 | October 1 |
Last day to issue an initial I-20 | March 15 | July 1 | November 15 |
Last day to mail an initial I-20 | April 1 | July 15 | December 1 |
1. Online Application
To apply you will need to create an account on FIU’s main application page. Once you have created your login information and completed the application, you will be prompted to submit a $30 application fee (steps for payment will be provided when creating your account). For speedy processing, please have a major credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover) available. After successfully submitting your application, a confirmation e-mail will be sent which will include your next steps.
2. College/University Transcripts
In order to begin the evaluation process, we will need college/university transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Transcripts must be original and official to be accepted. Official transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution in a sealed, stamped envelope. In addition, if your transcripts are not in English, you must also submit an official translation of your transcript along with the original documents. If you have problems receiving official transcripts, please reach out to us for assistance.
Once you submit your original and official transcripts, International admissions reviews all courses with posted grades and make note of any pending courses (if you have current enrollment). We will calculate your grade point average (GPA) based on credential evaluation best practices. You must have a minimum GPA in the last 60 credits (last two years) of 3.0 for full admission into FIU programs.
International students who graduated from non-U.S.-based institutions are required to provide proof of degree/diploma. If you cannot easily receive an extra poof of degree, it is possible to bring the original sealed/stamped diploma once you arrive at FIU. You must provide a proof of degree prior to the end of your semester or you will receive an enrollment hold and be unable to register for future terms.
NOTE: Transcripts become FIU property once submitted. FIU will not return transcripts to the applicant nor forward transcripts to any other institution. Please do not send us your original transcript/diploma if no other copy exists.
For more information on submitting your transcripts, please visit: How to Submit Your Pending Documents
3. GRE (or GMAT) Exam Scores
All Ph.D. programs at FIU require the GRE exam. Some Master’s degrees require the GRE and most Master’s degrees in business require the GMAT or GRE. It is a good idea to take the GRE regardless of your program requirements, especially if you plan to continue a PhD after completing your Master’s degree. Doing well on the GRE demonstrates your verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. Due to the early deadlines for international students, it is important to plan 12-months in advance of the term in which you are applying to give yourself plenty of time to take the GRE and retake it if necessary. FIU only accepts test scores sent directly from the testing agency as official.
4. Departmental Requirements Documents
Each department has its own requirements for additional documents. Most often departments require the following:
In addition to these documents, some programs require a separate departmental application, interview or audition. Please view the additional department requirements on the department’s website. For faster processing, please upload your departmental requirements through your application.
The Office of International Admissions continues to review applications on a rolling-admissions basis throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms.
The last day for initial I-20’s (required for student’s who do not currently posses an F1 visa) to be created for Spring 2022 is December 1st. If you have not received your I-20, or if you were admitted after this deadline, please consider updating your term of entry to Summer 2022 or Fall 2022. This request can be submitted via the Application Update Form. Alternatively, you may be able to enroll in a fully-online version of your program, if offered, and change to the in-person version for next term. Graduate students will need to connect with their program directors for approval before these changes can be made.
English language requirements for graduate students can be tricky, but that means more ways to show your proficiency without testing. Applicants from non-English speaking countries, including internationally educated American students, must demonstrate proficiency in English. FIU only accepts test scores sent directly from the testing agency as official.
The English Language Institute at FIU offers the PBT TOEFL® which is accepted university wide.
Graduate programs can use the Duolingo English Test for the entering graduate classes through Fall 2022.
You can find more information about how to register for the exam here: Duolingo English Test
FIU Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 105
The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour for only $49. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with FIU when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.
*This exam does not replace the SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT. The primary use is to demonstrate English Language proficiency.
English proficiency exempt countries:
Antigua and Barbuda | Fiji | Mauritius | South Africa |
Australia | Gambia | Micronesia, Federated States | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
Bahamas | Ghana | Montserrat | Swaziland |
Barbados | Grenada | Namibia | Tanzania |
Belize | Guam | New Zealand | Trinidad and Tobago |
Bermuda | Guyana | Nigeria | Turks and Caicos |
Botswana | Ireland | Papua New Guinea | Uganda |
Brunei Darussalam | Jamaica | Philippines | United Kingdom |
Canada (except Quebec) | Kenya | Saint Helena | United States |
Cayman Islands | Kiribati | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Vanuatu |
Christmas Island | Liberia | Saint Lucia | Virgin Islands (British) |
Dominica | Malawi | Seychelles | Virgin Islands (U.S.) |
Eritrea | Malta | Sierra Leone | Zambia |
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | Marshall Islands | Singapore | Zimbabwe |
The “To Do List” on the right hand side of your student portal allows you to check for pending documents and items. You can learn about those items by selecting the “more” button on the bottom of the list. Doing so will also offer suggestions on how to submit missing documents.
1. Transcripts
For all applicants we require official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Transcripts to be considered official must come in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing institution. If you are having problems receiving official transcripts, please contact International Admissions. Transcripts must be in English or please provide an official translation. Electronic transcripts received directly from the applicant are considered unofficial and will not be processed.
SUMMER 2018: Transfer students from non-U.S. based institutions must submit a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts. Credential evaluation will be completed in-house at FIU for all applicants Fall 2019 onward.
NOTE: Transcripts become FIU property once submitted and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to any other institution. Please do not send us your original transcript/diploma if no other copy exists. As of January 2022 FIU will only accept official original transcripts from verifiable email addresses, or sealed original documents issued by the institution directly. If official/original documents are not available please contact iadmiss@fiu.edu for alternative options. Failure to submit academic documents deemed acceptable by our enrollment officers will result in admissions evaluation delays.
Official Hard Copy Transcripts Can Be Mailed To:
International Admissions
Florida International University
P.O. Box 659004
Miami, FL 33265-9004
International Admissions
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street, Building Ten 200
Miami, FL 33199
2. Visa Documents
If you are not on a valid visa for study in the U.S., you will need an initial I-20. FIU creates this document for you to go to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country. In order to issue an I-20 we need the following documents:
If you are currently in the U.S. on a valid I-20 and are transferring your visa to FIU, we require all the documents listed above plus the F-1 Transfer Form. This form must be completed by your international student advisor and include an appropriate SEVIS release date. Without this date and your international student advisor’s approval of your transfer, the F-1 Transfer Form remains incomplete.
Do not enter the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 (tourist) visa or visa waiver; students who enter this way are prohibited from enrolling in academic courses. Students will be required to leave the U.S. and reenter on the appropriate F-1 or J-1 visa at their own cost. For more information refer to the pre-arrival information provided by International Student and Scholar Services.
Receiving Your I-20
FIU provides three options (below) for you to receive your I-20 and admissions letter. You may choose an option first on your declaration and certification form and follow up with the I-20 Delivery Preference Form. For international graduate students, this form is sent you once you are admitted and you have 7 days from the notification to select how you would like your documents before they will be shipped by regular airmail.
1) Express Mail
The I-20 is express mailed via eShip Global (eShip Global is a private mail service company and is not affiliated with FIU. This company makes arrangements with DHL or Federal Express to have your I-20 express mailed to you and requires an additional fee paid directly to eShip Global.)
After completing the I-20 Delivery Preference Form, the student creates an account with eShip Global following the instructions below.
Register and activate your account with eShip Global. Registration and activation of your account is free.
Note: PO Box addresses are generally not preferred by express carriers. If entering a PO Box address, be sure you provide the complete physical address where the PO Box is located in order to avoid delays or missed deliveries.
2) Pick-up
A friend or family member picks up the I-20 from International Admissions located in SASC 440.
Once admitted, students provide the name and telephone number of the friend or family member by first completing the I-20 Delivery Preference Form. International Admissions will contact the person when the document is ready for pick-up. (IMPORTANT: The person picking up the document must provide official photo identification to International Admissions.)
3) Regular Air-Mail
The I-20 is sent via regular Air-Mail service by International Admissions. Delivery times vary greatly and will likely take two or more weeks to be delivered.
Receiving Your F-1 or J-1 Visa
Once you receive your I-20 you need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and then schedule an appointment at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate for the visa.
If you are a newly admitted international student entering the U.S. for the first time and a first-time F-1/J-1 visa applicant, you must pay the SEVIS Fee.
Once you receive your I-20, visit the Student and Exchange Visitor (SEVP) I-901 SEVIS Fee Processing website to pay or for information about other payment options. Print your receipt as proof of payment. Once you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. You will need to present these documents at your scheduled appointment.