Academic Catalog

Applicants to graduate programs, post-baccalaureate certificate programs, or post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking courses must submit their materials to Graduate Admissions. Applicants to the following programs must apply through the Centralized Application Service as well as the University application:

• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Doctor of Nursing Practice: BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesiology, BSN-DNP Nurse Practitioner, MSN-DNP Nurse Practitioner
• Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator
• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
• Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Graduate Admissions processes applications, prepares the applicant's file for review and then forwards the information to the program admissions committee. Decisions concerning admission are made by the programs. Prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact the graduate program coordinators within the respective colleges for details concerning admission selection criteria. For inquiries concerning the application process, please contact Graduate Admissions.

Florida Gulf Coast University encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran's status.

All credentials and documents submitted during the admission and enrollment process become the property of FGCU and will not be returned to the applicant. Furnishing false or fraudulent information in connection with the admission or enrollment process may result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, denial of admission, suspension of registration, invalidation of credits or degrees earned, and/or dismissal from the University.

If an applicant is denied admission, the college or program will inform the applicant in writing including an explanation as to why this decision was warranted. Denied applicants who meet both the minimum University and program criteria and who wish to appeal the decision must write the graduate program representative or college designee within 30 days of the date of admission denial to request reconsideration. The request should present additional evidence of potential for academic success at FGCU and contain reasons why reconsideration is warranted. Applicants denied admission to a degree seeking program are eligible to enroll as post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students with the approval of the college/program.

A student is admitted for a specified semester and graduate program as noted in the official acceptance notification.  Students admitted to a program must respond in writing by the date defined by the program regarding their intention to accept or reject the offer of admission.  Because deferments of admission policies are set at the program level, please check with the individual graduate program of interest for details. Graduate-level non-degree/certificate applicants cannot defer their admission. A new application is required. Admitted graduate students may request a one-time deferral for a deferred start date up to one full year from the original admission term and do not have to reapply. If a student wishes to defer their admissions decision or start date, the student must submit their deferral request through their Future Eagle Account (application account). Deferment of graduate admission will result in the student's term of entry under the University catalog being the semester deferring to, not the semester indicated in the initial application.

Students who have submitted an application to a graduate program but have not received an admissions decision may defer the application to another term no more than one year from the initial term of application. If a student wishes to defer their start date, the student must submit their deferral request through their Future Eagle Account (application account). Deferment of a graduate application results in the student’s term of entry under the University catalog being the semester deferring to, not the semester indicated in the initial application. 

A former FGCU degree seeking graduate student who has not completed a graduate degree at FGCU and who has not been enrolled for at least one year (three consecutive semesters) must submit a new application by the appropriate application deadline.  To be eligible for readmission, a student must be in good standing and be eligible to return to the last institution attended, including FGCU.  If admitted, the program will determine which previously earned credits can be applied towards graduation.  The program will also determine whether previously submitted application materials can be used for the new application.

Applicants to graduate degree programs or post-baccalaureate professional programs are required to meet minimum University admission requirements. Individual programs may set additional criteria or more selective requirements and may be limited by space or other considerations. Consequently, meeting minimum University admission requirements does not guarantee admission to a particular program.

Please refer to the appropriate academic program section of this catalog or contact the Graduate Admissions or the college/program regarding additional admission requirements.

Minimum University Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to a graduate program at FGCU, an applicant must:

1. Have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent foreign institution.
2. Present an official standardized admission test score, if required. (Refer to the college/program description for approved standardized tests.); and
3. Meet at least one of the following criteria:
   • An applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of the baccalaureate degree. No entrance exam is required unless the GPA is less than 3.0.*  If the GPA is less than 3.0, then the applicant must have a minimum score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) set at the program level; or
   • A graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent foreign institution, unless the program specifically requires the GRE, GMAT, or MAT.**
4. All graduate applicants must indicate whether or not Florida residency is claimed.

* Please note that this information refers to the 'Minimum University Admission Requirements'.  The majority of FGCU graduate programs require a standardized exam.  Please refer to the program specific admission requirements for exam requirements.

** Fewer than half of FGCU graduate programs waive the exam requirement for applicants with graduate degrees.  Please refer to the program specific admission requirements for exam requirements. 

The most recent information regarding the application process is found on the University's website. Applicants must submit the FGCU online application and the non-refundable $30.00 application fee.

Applicants must complete and submit the following:

• Graduate Application along with the application fee.
• Residency Classification Form
• Immunization History Form
• Official Transcripts: Contact each college/university ever attended and request that an official transcript bearing the seal and signature of the registrar be mailed to the applicant or directly to the Graduate Admissions. If received by the applicant, please submit the unopened envelope containing the official transcript to the Graduate Admissions. Photocopies and facsimiles of transcripts will not be accepted except on a temporary basis to begin the application process. All official transcripts and test scores must be received prior to registration for the second semester.
• Supplemental Application Materials: Please see specific program requirements.
• Standardized Test Scores: Request official Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores to be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions. Please refer to the specific program for exam requirements. Unofficial scores may be used to begin the application process. Official scores must be received prior to registration for the second semester.

Students wishing to change major fields of study, either between graduate colleges or graduate programs within the same college, must complete a Change of Graduate Degree, Program, or Catalog Year form. This form will follow the same review procedure and admission criteria specified by the University and program as for a first-time applicant.  Change of a college or program will result in the term of entry being shifted to the most current University catalog.

Students wishing to change major fields of study either between graduate colleges or graduate programs within the same college must also withdraw from their current program and complete a new graduate application. The new application will follow the same review procedure and admission criteria specified by the University and program as for a first-time applicant. Change of a college or program results in the term of entry being shifted to the most current University catalog

In addition to the requirements for graduate admission, and as a prerequisite to registration for classes as a degree-seeking or post-baccalaureate non-degree-seeking student, all on-campus students (except those granted exemptions because of age, medical, or religious reasons) are required to present documented proof of immunizations against measles (Rubeola), mumps, and rubella, and to be vaccinated against meningitis and hepatitis B diseases or to sign a waiver as to those vaccines (if they are over eighteen (18) years of age). Prior to initial registration for classes, each student must submit a completed FGCU Immunization History Form, available online, or other immunization documentation acceptable to Student Health Services. Questions about acceptable alternative means of proof, exemptions, or temporary medical deferments should be directed to Student Health Services Immunization Department.

Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements, students who are matriculated into an online only program, and offered solely in an off-campus setting shall not be required to present documented proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization. However, should such student subsequently enroll in a program or course requiring the student’s presence on a University campus, then such student must present documented proof of immunity to MMR immunization or sign a waiver as to those vaccines (if they are over eighteen (18) years of age) prior to beginning that program or course.

FGCU is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. Applicants are classified as international if they are not United States citizens, do not hold dual citizenship (U.S. and another country), are not permanent residents, and if they are applying for an F-1 student visa or a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa (exchange visitors are classified as either scholar or student). International students must meet University admission requirements and admission criteria for the program to which they apply.  Please access the following link to review the International Graduate Admissions Guide:

https://www.fgcu.edu/admissionsandaid/graduateadmissions/prospectivegraduatestudents/internationalstudents

Application deadlines for international students:

• If currently outside the United States:
  Fall Semester                   July 1
  Spring Semester              November 1
  
• If currently in the United States:
  Fall Semester                  July 1
  Spring Semester             November 1
  
• Please note that program deadlines supersede these deadlines when the program deadline is earlier in the year.

Post-baccalaureate non-degree-seeking enrollment allows a student who has already completed an undergraduate degree to enroll in selected courses on a space-available basis for a limited number of credits.  Such enrollment does not guarantee subsequent admission to a graduate program at FGCU as a degree-seeking student.

Post-Baccalaureate non-degree seeking students must complete an application for admission, submit a non-refundable $30 application fee, and submit an official transcript with a bachelor's degree posted.  

Individuals enrolling as post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students are subject to the following:

1. Post-baccalaureate non-degree applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution and must submit an official transcript as part of the application process.  
2. Post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students are subject to the same University rules and regulations as degree seeking students.
3. International students may only enroll as post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students with permission from the University due to limitations of certain visa statuses and federal regulations.
4. With few exceptions (e.g., teacher certification), post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students are not eligible to receive financial aid.  Check with the Financial Aid Office for details.
5. A post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student dismissed from the University will not be eligible for admission as a degree seeking student.
6. A post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student must be in good academic standing at his/her previous institution (including FGCU) and eligible to return.
7. Registration for classes is on a space-available basis and is subject to any required course prerequisites and other restrictions as determined by the applicable college of program.
8. Post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students who are subsequently admitted to a graduate program as a degree seeking student may apply a limited number of credit hours completed as a post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student toward the completion of a graduate degree.  Contact the program coordinator to determine restrictions on the acceptance of coursework earned as a post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student, including any time limitations.
9. Registration is in accordance with the deadlines posted on the academic calendar.

Teacher Certification

Students with undergraduate degrees who are returning to gain teacher certification or educators seeking re-certification may enroll in graduate courses on a non-degree seeking, space-available basis, when course prerequisites are met. There is no limit to the number of credits students may earn in this category (post-baccalaureate). 

When considering an applicant for admission to the University, consideration shall be given to the past actions of any person applying for admission when such actions have been found to disrupt or interfere with the orderly conduct, processes, functions or programs of any university, college or community college.  Consideration may also be given to past conduct while not a student.  The University may deny admission or enrollment to an applicant because of the applicant's past misconduct on campus, off campus, or while not a student, if determined to be in the best interest of the University.

FGCU students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking graduate program may obtain a second master’s degree by completing a separate application for the new program and by fulfilling the normal degree requirements for the second degree. The applicant must receive prior approval from the graduate coordinators of both programs to enter the second program. Evidence of this approval must be provided to the Graduate Admissions with the second application.

An individual requesting special consideration for admission (petition) due to a disability must provide appropriate documentation (less than five (5) years old) that supports the ability to succeed at the graduate level. This documentation should explain how the disability likely affected the reason for the special consideration request (i.e., entrance exam score, GPA, etc.). The Office of Adaptive Services will review this petition and all accompanying documentation and offer an opinion to the graduate program to which the applicant has applied. It is then the individual graduate program coordinator who will provide a recommendation to the college Dean on whether to grant the applicant special consideration for the disability. The final admission decision will be made by the Assistant Vice President for University Admissions in collaboration with the college Dean.

Students may transfer a limited number of credit hours from graduate level courses completed at a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent foreign institution into a graduate program at FGCU. The maximum number of transfer credit hours accepted by a program is based on degree type.

Master's Degree - Students may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours from graduate level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate program at FGCU.

Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) - Students may transfer a maximum of eighteen (18) credit hours from graduate level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate program at FGCU.

Doctoral Degree (Ed.D.) - Students may transfer a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours from graduate level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate program at FGCU.

Doctoral Degree (D.P.T., Ph.D.) - Students may transfer a maximum of thirty (30) credit hours from graduate level courses completed at another regionally accredited college or university, or equivalent foreign institution, into the graduate program at FGCU.

University Guidelines for Transfer of Graduate Credit: 

1. The University reserves the right to evaluate transfer courses on an individual basis.  The date any previous coursework was completed and concordance of content to current program requirements are factors that may be used to determine course transfer and acceptance toward degrees.
2. Awarding transfer credit:
   1. Transfer courses must be applicable toward the graduate degree being sought at FGCU and must be approved by the college dean (or designee).  Check with the individual program in question regarding restrictions on the acceptance of transfer credits, including any time limitations.
   2. Military Service: Official credentials from military service schools will be evaluated on the basis of American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations.  Credit may be granted when courses are equivalent to those offered by FGCU; however, recommendations by the ACE are not binding upon the University.
   3. Transfer credits will not be computed as part of a student's FGCU grade point average.
   4. Accreditation status and evaluation of credits from an institution outside the U.S.A. must be made on a course-by-course basis by World Education Services, Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., or any other evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).  The applicant pays for this service and is responsible for contacting the evaluation agency directly.
   5. All transfer credit evaluations are completed after admission to the University.  Only official transcripts will be evaluated.
   6. Transfer students from non-regionally accredited Florida institutions that follow the state common course numbering system may have a limited number of credits transferred.