International Graduate Student Admission

The University of North Florida, the Graduate School, and the International Center are pleased to welcome you. We recognize that you and your fellow international students, representing over 100 different countries, bring with you perspectives that enrich our campus. We are committed to offering you educational programs and experiences that will enhance your professional development.

We are very aware of the challenges before you and hope to be able to provide you the best possible support as you pursue your graduate studies at UNF. This support includes our Student Orientation, which is offered online and will remain available to you as a resource. This program reviews your rights and responsibilities and also provides you with information about university resources.

Admission Requirements

• Application Forms: International students must complete an online application. Further information is available at The Graduate School website.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should submit their completed application forms and all other required material well in advance of the date they wish to begin at UNF. Some programs have alternative deadlines for the submission of the application materials by international students, and these deadlines may be found online. The general deadline for international students are as follows:
  • Fall - May 1
  • Spring - October 1
  • Summer - February 1

  Applicants should understand that getting credentials and transcripts evaluated can take a considerable amount of time. In addition, sending or receiving official application material can often take a very long time. Therefore, applicants should complete their applications as far ahead of the deadline as possible.

• Application Fee: The application fee is $30.00. The application fee must be in U.S. currency only (check or money order) drawn from a U.S. bank.

• Academic Records and Credentials Evaluation: Original transcripts from all institutions must be submitted from the foreign institutions directly to the Graduate School at UNF. To determine academic eligibility for admissions, academic credentials must be (a) translated into English and (b) evaluated course-by-course by an approved, accredited third-party evaluation service. Applicants must have the evaluation agency provide UNF with an original evaluation of all academic credentials. A list of acceptable Evaluators can be found at the Florida Department of Education website.

• GRE and GMAT Test Scores:

  Students must provide official scores from the appropriate aptitude test. Please refer to your intended program website to determine which aptitude test to take.

  Please note: It takes 3-4 weeks for official test scores to arrive at the Graduate School. These scores must be received before the posted deadline of the program to which you are applying.

  GRE Institution Code: 5490

  GMAT Institution Code: CF3QB51

  There are no departmental codes

• English Proficiency: Applicants from countries where the official language is other than English must demonstrate proficiency in English. One such method is to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), receive a score of 500 paper-based (61 internet-based) for all applicants except for a score of 550 paper-based (79-80 internet-based) for applicants applying to programs in the Coggin College of Business or graduate engineering programs, and submit their score with their application. The TOEFL is offered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, N.J. 08541, U.S.A. UNF's institutional code is 5490. Alternative methods of proving English proficiency may be found at www.unf.edu/graduateschool.

Immigration Requirements

• Certification of Finances: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires UNF to insure that international students have sufficient financial resources before issuing a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20). All applicants must complete and submit an Affidavit of Financial Support and Bank Certification. The Affidavit is a document signed by the applicant's sponsor (the person who will be providing the funds) stating the amount of funds that she/he will provide for the educational expenses of the student applicant. A bank official then certifies that the sponsor does have that amount of funds in his/her account. This form represents an obligation on the part of the sponsor to provide the required amount of funds as indicated on the form. Please see Estimated Costs of Attendance for International Students on the UNF website to determine the amount of funds needed to be written on the Affidavit.

• Transfer Students: All applicants intending to transfer from another U.S. university must notify their current school so that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security transfer requirements can be initiated. A new form I-20 from UNF cannot be issued until the current school "transfers out" the applicant to UNF in the SEVIS program.

Health Requirements

Before you can enroll in classes at UNF, you must supply the following health certifications. These certifications are not necessary for you to apply for admission to UNF. However, once you have been admitted, they are necessary for you to be able to register for classes.

• Statement of Good Health: This form can be found on the Immunization Form (Student Health Services). See Certification of Immunization listed below.

• Certification of Health Insurance: If you have an immigration status of F1 or J1, before you may register for classes you must show proof that you have health insurance. If you currently have insurance coverage, please have your insurance company fill out the "International Student Health Insurance Evaluation" form available from the UNF Office of Student Health Services at (904) 620-2175 or from their web page. If you do not have such insurance, you can purchase insurance through the UNF Office of Student Health Services. Beginning with the fall term of 2008: Insurance coverage must include the full year, including annual breaks, regardless of the student's terms of enrollment. The policy must provide continuous coverage for the entire period the insured is enrolled as an eligible student. Payment of benefits must be renewable.

• Certification of Immunization: All students born after 1956 must meet immunization requirements of two doses of Measles and one dose of Rubella. Please refer to the "Immunization Documentation" form. This form is available from the UNF Office of Student Health Services Web page.

Effective July 1, 2008, all new matriculating students must provide documentation of vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis B or provide a signed waiver for each declined vaccination. All new matriculating students 18 or older who choose not to be vaccinated against either meningococcal meningitis or hepatitis B must sign a statement that they have been made aware of the potential fatal nature of the diseases and chose not to be vaccinated. All new matriculating minor-age students must provide signed parental consent to opt out of vaccination from either of these diseases. See Student Health Services section of this catalog for more information about these diseases. If you have questions, contact Student Health Services at (904) 620-2900, fax (904) 620-2901 or visit the Student Health Services website.