Ph.D. Admission Requirements

Requirements for Admission Consideration

For consideration to admission in the doctoral program, applicants must fulfill these requirements:

  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university

  • A 3.25 GPA or higher for the final two years of undergraduate study or a 3.25 GPA or higher for all masters coursework*
  • GRE scores submitted via ETS directly to FSU; OR an approved GRE waiver (more information below).
    • Most students accepted into our program who have taken the GRE have GRE scores between 148 and 160 on both the verbal and quantitative tests. Please note that the GRE score is one element of your application and the program will consider your entire portfolio before making a determination of admission.

  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors familiar with your academic qualifications

  • A roughly 500-word statement (longer is acceptable if needed) that describes your areas of research interest in criminology and criminal justice. Where possible, please describe your prior research experience, the College faculty with whom you would like to work, and what you see as your ultimate career goals.  

  • International students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score at least 600 on the paper-based test, or at least 250 on the computer-based test, or at least 100 on the new Internet-based ibTOEFL test. Applicants may be asked to confirm their scores by retaking the exam when they arrive at FSU.

  • International students whose native language is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at an English-speaking University must provide a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores for acceptable exams are as follows: 

    • 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL examination (taken before January 21, 2026) or 4.0 (if taken on or after January 21, 2026)
    • 6.5 on the IELTS examination
    • 55 on the PTE Academic examination
    • 180 on the Cambridge English Language Assessment
    • 55 on the Michigan Language Assessment
    • 125 on the Duolingo
    • Successful completion of the Level 8 (Advanced Level) at Florida State University's Center for Intensive English Studies
      The English test requirement may be waived if the student has received a bachelor's degree or master's degree from a U.S. institution or other institution where English is the required language of instruction. All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. For more international applicant information, including financial responsibilities, degree equivalency, etc. visit: gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions
  • International students expecting to receive appointments as teaching assistants are required to pass the SPEAK test which evaluates the English-speaking ability of non-native speakers of English and is administered at Florida State University. A score of 50 or higher on the SPEAK test, or 26 or higher (taken before January 21, 2026) or 5.0 or higher (if taken on or after January 21, 2026) on the speaking portion of the IBTOEFL, certifies a student to serve in all TA categories.

  • GRE Waiver Information

The GRE admission requirement will be waived for those highly qualified students who meet at least one of the criteria listed here:

  • Upper-division undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher, OR
  • A GPA of 3.5 or higher for all masters coursework, OR
  • 9 hours of on-campus coursework completed in the FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice master’s program.

International and domestic applicants with degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through a NACES-approved evaluator. For your GRE waiver request to be reviewed, a course-by-course credential evaluation of your transcript must be uploaded to the document upload section of the GRE waiver request form. Otherwise, the transcript is unable to be reviewed, and the request will not be processed.

Applicants interested in receiving the waiver should fill out the Criminology GRE Waiver Request form. Within this form, applicants must provide evidence to satisfy the applicable criteria. Note: Applicants with a competitive GRE score will still be able to apply to the program and will not be held to these additional criteria.

For waiver consideration, please be sure to indicate the criterion/criteria that fit(s) your case, along with providing supporting documentation.

If you do not submit the GRE waiver request and accompanying evidence, you must submit scores from the GRE. All decisions on the applicability of the waiver are at faculty discretion and decided at the admissions review stage.

Application Materials

To apply for admission, please submit the following materials online. To be considered for funding, apply for admission by January 15. Applications are accepted until July 1.

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

  • Official GRE scores – FSU institution code is 5219. Check the GRE website, for additional information.

  • Three letters of recommendation (preferably academic references).

  • Statement of roughly 500 words describing your areas of research interest in criminology and criminal justice (where possible, please describe your prior research experience, the College faculty with whom you would like to work, and what you see as your ultimate career goals).

  • Completed graduate application

  • Application fees can be paid online.

  • Completed area paper or thesis*

  • International students must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Check the TOEFL website for additional information.

*Students entering with a master’s degree must have a completed master’s thesis, area paper, or equivalent research paper submitted by June 1 in order to be eligible to enroll in courses.