Graduate

Application Requirements

• Online application with $30 fee

• Official University Transcripts

• English Proficiency

• Supplementary Documents

Dates and Deadlines

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.

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:

• Letter of Intent/Statement of Purpose
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• Resume/CV
• Sample research/writing sample

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 Proficiency

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.

• TOEFL iBT/PBT 80/550
• IELTS 6.5
• ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 with a B or better taken at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or as previously articulated by Transfer and Transition Services (Coming Soon)
• FIU’s English Language Institute Level Six: Successful completion with passing grades for all content areas
• Applicants from institutions with regional accreditation or other English speaking countries who hold an undergraduate or graduate degree.

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:

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:

Regular Post

International Admissions
Florida International University
P.O. Box 659004
Miami, FL 33265-9004

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:

• Declaration and Certification of Finances
• Bank Letter/Statement (or as completed on the DCF)
• Sponsor Letter, if the funds are not held in your name (or as completed on the DCF)
• Copy of your passport

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.

• Click the “Receive” option.
• Type “Florida” in the search box, or select it from the drop down list.
• Select “Florida International University” and then “Continue.”
• Select the specific university department and then “Continue.”
• Complete the shipping form, use your Panther ID as the student ID number, and select “Ship/Quote.”

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.

• On the confirmation page, check your shipment details.
• On the same page, complete the credit card information form.
• Select “Confirm” to advance to the shipment summary page.
• Florida International University will automatically be notified by University Express Mail Services (eShipGlobal) that you have requested your documents to be shipped via express mail. You will receive a confirmation email from eShip Global with a tracking number so that you can track the shipment.
• Receive your documents in 3-5 business days from the date of mailing.

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.