Graduate Admissions

General Statement

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 only.

BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology (D.N.P.)
BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner (D.N.P.)
MSN to DNP (D.N.P.)
MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesiology (D.N.P.)
Nurse Educator (M.S.N.)
Nurse Educator (Certificate)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (Certificate)
Family Nurse Practitioner (Certificate)
Psychiatric Mental Health NP (Certificate)

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.

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.

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.

International Student Admission

FGCU is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant 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:
Graduate Admissions Guide

Please access the following link to review international student admission information directly from FGCU Regulation 3.005, Graduate Admissions:
International Student Admission

Post-baccalaureate Non-Degree-Seeking Admission

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. 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 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:

Post-baccalaureate non-degree applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body or equivalent foreign institution and must submit an official transcript with posted bachelor's degree as part of the application process.
Post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students are subject to the same University rules and regulations as degree seeking students.
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.
With few exceptions (e.g., teacher certification and some certificate programs), post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking students are not eligible to receive financial aid. Check with the Financial Aid Office for details.
A post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student dismissed from the University will not be eligible for admission as a degree seeking student.
A post-baccalaureate non-degree seeking student must be in good academic standing at his/her previous institution (including FGCU) and eligible to return.
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.
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.
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).

Graduate Admission Requirements

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 Graduate Admissions or the program regarding additional admission requirements.

Minimum University Admission Requirements

Graduate Programs
Applicants to graduate degree 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. Moreover, FGCU affirms its commitment to equal educational opportunity and to increasing student diversity; however, admissions criteria shall not include preferences in the admissions process for applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, or marital status.

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

Have a baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body or equivalent foreign institution;
Present an official standardized admission test score, if required (Refer to the program description for approved standardized tests.); and
Meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:
1. A GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) or greater (on a 4.0 scale) for the last sixty (60) hours of the baccalaureate degree; or
2. A graduate degree from an institution which has accredited status from a U.S. Department of Education approved national accrediting organization or equivalent foreign institution, unless the Program specifically requires the GRE, GMAT, or MAT.
3. Successful completion of an academic certificate program at FGCU with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Academic Certificates
Pursuant to FGCU Policy 2.006, Academic Program Authorization, FGCU Academic Certificates are offered at the post-baccalaureate level or above. Students wishing to pursue academic certificates must apply to the University via Graduate Admissions and are subject to the criteria specified in this paragraph. Applicants to academic certificate programs at the post-baccalaureate level must have a baccalaureate degree posted to their official transcript by the last day of the start of the admission term. Applicants to academic certificate programs at the post-master’s level must have a master’s degree as required by the program.

All graduate applicants must indicate whether or not Florida residency is claimed.

Graduate Application Procedures

The most recent information regarding the application process is found on the University's website.

Applicants must submit the following:

The FGCU online application and the non-refundable $30.00 application fee. (Unless otherwise stated by the program to apply through CAS only.)
Official Transcripts: Contact each college/university attended and request to have an official transcript bearing the seal and signature of the registrar be mailed to the applicant or directly to Graduate Admissions. If received by the applicant, please submit the unopened envelope containing the official transcript to Graduate Admissions. Photocopies 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.
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 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.
Supplemental Application Materials: Please see specific program requirements.
Immunization History Form
Residency Classification Form

Note: Applicants who require an F1 student visa must refer to the International Student Graduate Admissions Guide for application procedures as they may vary from the above.

Students With Disabilities

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/school Director whether to grant the applicant special consideration for the disability. The Dean/school Director will communicate the decision to Graduate Admissions.

Immunization Requirement

In addition to the requirements for graduate admission, and as a prerequisite to registration as a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student, FGCU requires all students born after December 31, 1956, to present documented proof of immunity to measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (MMR). All students need to be vaccinated against meningitis and hepatitis B diseases or sign a waiver (if they are over eighteen (18) years of age). Prior to initial registration, each student must submit a completed FGCU Immunization History Form to Student Health Services. Questions about acceptable alternative means of proof, exemptions, or temporary medical deferments should be directed to the Student Health Services Immunization Department.

Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements, students who are matriculated into an online-only program 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 prior to beginning that program or course documented proof of immunity to measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella (MMR). All students need to be vaccinated against meningitis and hepatitis B diseases or sign a waiver (if they are over eighteen (18) years of age). Each student must submit a completed FGCU Immunization History Form to Student Health Services.

Prior Conduct

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.

Deferring Graduate 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 (1) year (three (3) semesters) 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.

Accepting or Deferring Graduate Admission

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.

Deferments of admission policies are set at the program level, please check with the individual graduate program of interest for details. Graduate-level post-bac-non-degree seeking applicants cannot defer their admission. A new application is required. Students who do not wish to enroll in courses in the specified semester of admission may request to have their graduate admission deferred for up to one (1) year (three (3) semesters) for future program admission consideration before the official add/drop deadline as stated in the FGCU academic calendar; otherwise, submission of a new graduate application will be required. 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.

Appeal for Admission Decision

The Academic Unit will inform applicants denied admission in writing with an explanation as to why this decision was warranted. Denied applicants who wish to appeal the decision must write the graduate program representative or Academic Unit designee within thirty (30) days of the date of admission denial to request reconsideration. An appeal of a denial admissions decision will only be considered if new and compelling information is provided that was not part of the original application.