Admissions Requirements
About the Admissions Process
The Microbiology and Cell Science online graduate program accepts applications and offers admissions year-round, so you can begin your studies any semester (fall, spring or summer). After you complete your application and submit all materials, the admissions team will review your application. Processing times may vary, but students typically receive a decision within 3-4 weeks if they are applying for the upcoming semester. Applications for future semesters are reviewed in the semester prior. For example, a student applying to start classes in spring 2025 would receive an admissions decision in fall 2024.
You can reach us at mcsadvising@ifas.ufl.edu if you have any questions about the status of your application.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Select a Program to Review Its Admissions Requirements
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Master of Science Degree
Master of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science Degree
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 upper-division GPA
- If your GPA is below this requirement but is at least 2.7, we recommend applying for a microbiology graduate certificate program. If you are accepted and maintain a 3.5 GPA, you may become eligible for the master’s degree program.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including all post-high school education and employment per Florida statute
- Required undergraduate courses for applicants:
- General Biology (2 semesters)
- General Chemistry (2 semesters)
- Organic Chemistry (1 semester)
- Recommended undergraduate courses for applicants:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
If your prior coursework does not include microbiology and biochemistry, you have the option to enter the program through an Introductory Track. The introductory track includes an additional two courses—Biology of Microorganisms and Fundamentals of Biochemistry—for a total of an additional 7 credits. If you choose to pursue the Master's degree with the introductory track, the total number of credits to complete the program will be 37.
If your undergraduate degree was not in the sciences, please email mcsadvising@ifas.ufl.edu or schedule an advising appointment with Jacqueline or RB.
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Graduate Certificates
Graduate Certificate in Medical Microbiology:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 upper-division GPA
- Required undergraduate courses:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- General Chemistry
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Microbiology and Graduate Certificate in Microbiome and Health:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 2.7 overall GPA and 2.7 upper-division GPA
- Required undergraduate courses:
- Biology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Recommended undergraduate courses:
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Students without a required science background are welcome to apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for admission. Relevant professional experience may substitute for academic coursework.
The GRE is not required for admission into our graduate certificate programs.
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Non-Degree Admissions
Non-Degree Admissions
For All (Domestic and International) Applicants
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- 2.0 upper-division GPA
- No application fee for non-degree-seeking students
Additional Minimum Requirements: For International Students Only
- The English language skill requirements for admission
If you graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a non-English speaking country, you will need to take the English proficiency examination, TOEFL.
TOEFL Exam Type Required Score Paper-based 550 Computer-based 213 Internet 80 Restrictions
- A maximum of 7 credits can be transferred to the microbiology master’s degree program.
- A maximum of 6 credits can be transferred to the environmental microbiology or microbiome and health graduate certificate programs.
- A maximum of 5 credits can transferred to the medical microbiology graduate certificate program.
- Current University of Florida students must contact mcsadvising@ifas.ufl.edu before applying.
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International Applicant Transcript Requirement
International Applicant Transcript Requirement
Transcript Submission and Review
The Office of Admissions will review the transcripts and degrees (if applicable) from every institution listed in the educational history provided on your application. Our review process of all non-U.S. academic credentials (transcripts, mark sheets, degrees/diplomas) ensures that the applicant has been conferred/awarded the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree or will be awarded such a degree by the desired date of enrollment. Academic departments will make the ultimate decision on an application.
For our review, these documents may be unofficial and uploaded in the application or via your Check Status page. These transcripts and degree certificate/diplomas should be scanned copies of the official paper versions issued to you by your previous or current institution. Digitally uploaded academic credentials must include the same information appearing on an official transcript, including biographical information, institution name, signatures, seals and stamps. We will not accept screen shots of your grades from your institution’s student academic portal.
Non-English Transcripts
Transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas not issued in English must be accompanied by a certified, literal line-for-line English translation of the original document. Acceptable certified translations are issued by your institution or a professional translating service.
Credential Evaluations
Submitting a credential evaluation for college coursework outside of the U.S. is optional. Students who choose to submit an evaluation should submit a course-by-course evaluation with credits, grades and grade averages from a NACES member. Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates still must be submitted with a credential evaluation during the application process.
Review of Transcripts
An email notification will be sent approximately 24-48 hours after submission of your UF application with instructions on how to create your MyAdmissions application/Check Status page. Transcripts uploaded or received by mail will display on the Check Status checklist as Transcript – Under Review. As soon as your transcripts are received, the college and department you have applied to will be able to review your transcripts. Due to the high volume of applications, transcripts may not be updated on your checklist until the department has completed an initial review of your application. Once the transcripts are reviewed by Admissions, the checklist will be updated, and the Awaiting Transcript checklist items will be updated accordingly.
Official Transcripts
While not required for the initial admissions review, official transcripts, translations (if applicable) and degree certificates/diplomas are required for enrolling students and must be submitted no later than the end of your first semester of enrollment. Official documents are mailed directly from the institution, including all official stamps and signatures, or presented in-person inside the institution’s sealed and stamped envelope.
Credentials are mailed directly to the UF Office of Admissions at:
Office of Admissions
201 Criser Hall
PO Box 114000
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
United States of AmericaReturn of credentials
All documents submitted with your application become property of the University of Florida. The Office of Admissions is unable to honor requests to return transcripts or provide transcript copies to you or a third party. Do not mail diplomas or academic credentials that are only issued once. An attested or certified copy (by the institution’s registrar), or originals presented in-person are accepted in such circumstances.
The English Language Skill Requirement
English Proficiency
All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency and meet the minimum score requirements. The university does not accept scores compiled from multiple tests to meet English proficiency requirements. UF’s TOEFL and GRE school code is 5812.
Minimum acceptable scores:
- TOEFL (iBT & Home Edition): 80
- TOEFL (PBT): 550
- IELTS Academic: 6.0*
- Verbal GRE: 140
- For graduate programs that require a GRE score, the verbal GRE must be a minimum of 140 in addition to TOEFL or ILETS.
- UF ELI Exit Certificate
* UF is registered to receive IELTS scores using the IELTS Results Service E-Delivery. Scores should be sent to the University of Florida, which only accepts scores from this E-delivery service. UF does not accept paper Test Report Forms or unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from students. Applicants should contact the IELTS test center where they took the IELTS to request their official test results be sent to our account name: The University of Florida. An institution code is not required.
The address associated with our IELTS Results Service account is:
The University of Florida
201 Criser Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611
United StatesExemptions are granted if applicants:
- Have successfully completed one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in the United States or a country where English is the official language.
- Hold an earned equivalent of associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree from a recognized/regionally accredited college or university in the United States or country where English is the official language.
Visit our International Admissions page for a list of countries exempt from English proficiency requirements: https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/international