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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Sociology and Criminology & Law

FAQs

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Answers

What is the deadline for my application?

All application materials must be received before the deadline. The deadline for submission of all application materials for the subsequent fall semester is January 15.  Materials arriving past the deadline may cause your application to not be reviewed.

What is the application deadline to be considered for graduate fellowships or assistantships?

All application materials must be received before January 15. All newly admitted graduate students are guaranteed funding.

What materials do I need to submit?

Some materials MUST be sent to the Office of Admissions and some materials MUST be sent to the department. When all materials have been received by the Office of Admissions AND all materials have been received by the department, your application is complete. We review applications that are complete by the deadline. Materials submitted to the Office of Admissions (201 Criser Hall, PO Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611-4000) :

  • Online application: includes letters of recommendation, uploaded statement of purpose, uploaded CV or resume, and uploaded copy of written work
  • Official GRE scores
  • Official English language scores for Puerto Rican and international applicants
  • Official transcripts of every university and college attended

Materials submitted directly to the graduate coordinator (ardelt@ufl.edu)

  • Unofficial transcripts for every university and college attended
  • The application for financial aid (fellowship or graduate assistantship)
  • A longer statement of purpose (if not uploaded online)
  • A writing sample (if not uploaded online)

What financial support is available?

The department offers graduate fellowships and graduate assistantships. Both type of financial support cover tuition, graduate health insurance, and a stipend (typically a 9-month stipend).

How do I apply for a fellowship and graduate assistantships?

The UF Office of Graduate Minority Programs offers different forms of financial aid, such as scholarships and internships, for graduate students from minority and underrepresented backgrounds, such as first-generation college students and students in non-traditional majors.  Click here for the assistantship/fellowship application.

Is there financial aid for minority students?

Yes. The UF Office of Graduate Minority Programs offers different forms of financial aid, such as scholarships and internships, for graduate students from minority and underrepresented backgrounds, such as first-generation college students and students in non-traditional majors.

  • The Campus Visitation Program (CVP) encourages underrepresented minority students to pursue doctoral degrees at the University of Florida. During the visitation, prospective doctoral students receive an overview of the University of Florida graduate programs, financial aid resources, and gain insight into the decision-making process involved with selecting a graduate school. Most importantly, participants will meet and interview with administrators, faculty members, and current graduate students in their field of study. This provides seniors, graduates and master’s students from underrepresented groups—African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American and, Pacific Islander who are interested in pursuing a PhD with an excellent opportunity to visit the UF campus and connect with their potential graduate program. The University of Florida will provide lodging for two nights, most meals, and up to $500 in airfare or mileage. We will also reimburse the UF Graduate School Application fee. Please note: To qualify for airfare reimbursement, tickets must be purchased two weeks prior to start of event. CVP Application.
  • The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Feeder Program matches qualified FAMU graduates, interested in pursuing advanced degrees (particularly doctorates), with one of the three to five admission/financial aid packages reserved for them at 47 graduate degree-granting institutions each year. The application deadline is February 15, in anticipation of a fall semester fellowship award. For more information, call 1 800 753 9798 or email ogmp@ufl.edu.
    For an application, click here: FAMU Feeder Program Application
  • The Florida Board of Education (BOE) Summer Fellowship program is an outstanding opportunity for newly admitted minority and first generation graduate students to become acquainted with UF. Participants receive a $1,500 stipend, a tuition waiver to enroll in four credit hours of Summer B Semester graduate coursework counting towards their degrees and non-credit preparatory courses in graduate level research and writing. Applications for this program are available April 1 until two weeks before Summer B classes begin.
    Click on this link for an application form: BOE Summer Fellowship Program Application
  • The HBCU-UF Master’s to PhD Pathway Project is a collaborative project between participating historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the University of Florida. The primary purpose is to identify top-performing students in master’s programs at the participating HBCUs. The program is designed to identify master’s students who demonstrate that they have the capacity to be strong PhD students as indicated by their creativity, intellectual curiosity, how they process information, and their academic performance.
  • The Office of Graduate Minority Programs, in partnership with the Florida Education Fund, administers the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship for African American and Hispanic students. The program is designed to increase the representation of African Americans and Hispanics in Ph.D. programs at Florida universities. Each fellow receives an annual $12,000 stipend with tuition, health insurance and fee waiver for a maximum of five years. Applicants must be US Citizens admitted to a University of Florida Ph.D. program and entering the first year of that program. Applications must be submitted directly to the Florida Education Fund before January 15th to compete for funding opportunities the following fall. Students are notified by April 15th. www.fefonline.org/mdfapply
  • UF provides a limited number of one-year research assistantships for McNair Scholars who are entering a Ph.D. program at this institution. It provides a stipend ($12,000), in-state tuition, fees and health insurance for the first year of the PhD. It assists students who have successfully completed the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program as undergraduates. It is open to all McNair Scholars in good standing. The student will be appointed and perform research assistant duties under faculty supervision. Since this program is intended to increase enrollment in PhD programs, currently enrolled doctoral students are not eligible. Interested students who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply by February 15, 2016. Please find the application form at: McNair Graduate Assistantship Application. Application Fee Waivers: McNair scholars who apply to UF are eligible for a graduate school application fee waiver. For more information, call 1 800 753 9798 or email ogmp@ufl.edu.

What GRE tests should I take, when should I take them, and to where should I send my scores?

We require the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative and writing) scores of all applicants. The average GRE score of entering Criminology and Law graduate students is over 305 (or 1100). Your official scores must arrive before the January 15 deadline so plan accordingly.

See the website for the Educational Testing Service (ETS, http://www.ets.org) for testing information. Request that ETS send your scores directly to the Office Admissions at UF (institution code 5812). Check your Graduate School electronic application to verify that your test scores have arrived.

University of Florida
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

What GRE scores do I need for admission?

We expect a minimum score of 157 on the verbal test, a minimum of 148 on the quantitative test, and a minimum of 4 on the written test. Admissions decisions are based on the entire application, of which GRE scores are one component. But the GRE scores are an important component. Students are occasionally admitted with scores below the minimum if other aspects of their application show considerable achievement and promise. Conversely, average or above-average scores do not guarantee admission.

I am an international applicant. What tests should I take, when should I take them and to where should I send my scores?

We require the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative and writing) scores of all applicants. Your official scores must arrive before the January 15 deadline so plan accordingly. … English language test scores must arrive before the January 15 deadline so plan accordingly

To be admitted as a graduate student, non-US and Puerto Rican applicants must meet the required minimum on the verbal portion of the GRE, plus one of these English language tests:

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.
  • MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): 77.
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based): 80.
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Paper-Based): 550.
  • Verbal GRE (scores from tests taken 1 August 2011 onward): 140.

See http://www.graduateschool.ufl.edu/admission/additional-requirements-for-international-applicants for English testing exemptions. English language test scores must arrive before the January 15 deadline so plan accordingly. Request your scores be sent to:

University of Florida
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

What are the degree and GPA requirements for admission into your graduate program?

All applicants must have a prior bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited US institution, or a degree deemed equivalent to them by the UF Office of Admissions’ evaluation of official transcripts.

Applicants who graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited US institution must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better. Applicants calculate their own grade point averages according to the instructions on the graduate admission application form. That form says the grade point average is to include all grades and credits, starting after the term where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours.

To what address should I send my transcripts?

Official transcripts should be ordered from each university that you have attended, and should arrive in a sealed envelope bearing the stamp of the university. All transcripts must arrive before the January 15 deadline, so plan accordingly. Transcripts should be mailed to:

University of Florida
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

Is an undergraduate degree in criminology required?

No, there is no specific undergraduate major required. However, preference is given to, and admitted and funded applicants usually have, an undergraduate major or concentration in criminology/criminal justice or a related social science discipline such as sociology, psychology, history, political science, anthropology, or similar fields. Previous training in criminology or related disciplines is important for two reasons: it gives students a good basis for a decision to undertake graduate study and it provides background for advanced study.

What is a “statement of purpose,” how long should it be, and what should I say?

Your statement of purpose should describe your motivations for undertaking graduate study in sociology, including both educational and personal experiences that have influenced your decision to attend graduate school. Describe your future career plans; we look very carefully at how your career plans fit within our programs. Your statement should describe your current area(s) of interest and give some indication of the types of research questions that you are interested in pursuing. You should be able to identify faculty in the department that you would potentially seek mentorship from and/or work with (although this may change once you are in the program).

Strong statements are between 2 and 4 pages, and typically will be longer than the 500 words allowed in the online application. Upload a copy of your statement to the online application.

Why do you need my resume or curricular vitae (CV)?

A CV or resume is a useful summary of all of your educational and professional experiences and skills. A CV is the professional document used by professional sociologists to describe their qualifications, skills, and training. Upload a copy of your CV or resume to the online application.

How do I know if all of my materials were received?

You can check the status of your online application to see what materials and which recommendations have arrived at http://www.admissions.ufl.edu/appstatus

Do you accept new students in Spring or Summer semesters?

No, admission is only for the Fall semester.

When are decisions made?

Complete applications are reviewed in January. Decisions for funding and decisions for admission are announced in January and February. All components of the application are considered. We also consider how well our program fits your interests and career plans.

I know my GRE scores and GPA. What are my chances of admission?

We do not offer informal evaluations of potential applicant credentials. Our program looks for graduate students with outstanding potential and research interests that complement those of our faculty.

Can I transfer credits that I have completed in another graduate program?

Students transferring to the University of Florida with a Master’s degree may petition to be credited with a maximum of 30 semester hours taken in an M.A. or M.S. program. Students with an M.A. from the University of Florida may count 36 hours from the M.A. program. The Graduate Coordinator determines which credits are petitioned for transfer.

How long will it take to complete the program?

Students who enter the Ph.D. program with a BA are expected to complete the program within 5 years. Student who enter the Ph.D. program with an MA are expected to complete the program within 3 years.

When you I have to tell you whether I will accept an offer of admission?

Your decision is due by April 15 in the year you were admitted. If you know you will accept before then, telling us sooner allows us to better prepare to integrate you into the department. If you know you will decline the offer before then, telling us sooner allows us to offer admission and/or funding to another student.

Does the department offer an online degree program?

No.

Can I just complete the M.A. degree?

We admit applicants who intend to pursue the Ph.D. degree. Applicants whose highest degree is a B.A. are admitted into the M.A. program first, with the expectation that they will pursue the Ph.D.

How can I get answers to other questions?

Please contact the Graduate Coordinator if you have questions that our web page does not answer.

From whom should I request a recommendation letter?

Letters should be requested from college professors who know your academic work well. Applicants who are not recent college graduates will have greater difficulty in identifying appropriate recommenders. We find letters useful to the degree that the writer can discuss the applicant’s academic work.

Do you admit all applicants who meet the Graduate School’s minimum requirements?

No. Admission is competitive and is based on evaluation of the applicant’s entire record. While a strong record in one area can compensate for an average record in other areas, successful applicants generally have GRE scores and grade point averages higher than the university minimum.

Can I arrange a visit?

After applicants are admitted into the program, the department invites them to visit sometime in February. Admitted students have the opportunity to meet with current faculty and graduate students, and meet with the chair and graduate coordinator to learn more about the programs.

Can I arrange a visit before I am admitted?

Applicants should wait until after admission to visit. We organize visits to provide detailed program overviews and meetings with prospective faculty research mentors. The visits are designed to assist admitted students determine their fit with the program and faculty.