Graduate Student Admission Status Types

Master's & Doctoral Programs:

Full-time or Part-time: In most cases, but not all programs, a student may attend either full-time (nine or more hours per term) or part-time (less than nine hours per term).

For federal financial aid purposes, full-time enrollment is defined as a minimum of nine credit hours per term for graduate students. Students who enroll in less than full-time may have their awards reduced, or in some cases, canceled.

Full Admission: Applicants who meet both the graduate admission requirements and those specific to the individual UNF graduate program are eligible to be fully accepted into the program.

Provisional Admission: Some programs have an exception policy and will provisionally accept applicants who do not meet the graduate admissions requirements. These applicants must meet the conditions stipulated by the graduate program by the end of the initial enrollment term. Such conditions might include, but are not limited to, successfully completing certain graduate courses. Applicants are encouraged to speak to the Graduate Program Director of their intended program for specific information.

Graduate Non-Degree

This option is reserved for students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor and wish to take graduate level coursework, but are not admitted into a degree seeking graduate program. The Graduate non-degree status does not automatically confer the right to take graduate courses. The person must receive prior approval and electronic permission from the director of the graduate program in which they wish to take courses.

Up to 12 hours of graduate course work taken in a Graduate Pre-requisites (non-degree) status may apply toward a UNF graduate degree if fully admitted to a graduate program.

Transient 

This option is reserved for students in good standing at other accredited institutions who wish to enroll at UNF as transient students for a limited period, on a space‑available basis. Transient students may enroll for one term, or for the duration of an approved special program, to complete coursework that will be transferred back to their home institution. Applicants must provide documentation verifying good standing from their home institution, such as an official transcript or a letter from the Registrar, and may be required to submit additional transient enrollment documentation by the graduate program. Enrollment as a transient student requires appropriate institutional approval and does not guarantee continued enrollment beyond the approved term. 

Microcertificates

This option is intended for students who wish to earn a graduate microcertificate through completion of a short sequence of graduate-level coursework focused on workforce-relevant skills.

Graduate microcertificates consist of 5-8 credits of approved graduate courses and are awarded as a digital badge upon successful completion. Students pursuing a graduate microcertificate must be admitted to UNF as a graduate degree-seeking student, admitted as a graduate non-degree-seeking student, or enrolled in an approved accelerated pathway that includes a graduate microcertificate.

Enrollment in a graduate microcertificate does not guarantee admission to a graduate degree or certificate program. Prior approval by the responsible graduate program is required, and all coursework must be completed as approved with no substitutions.

Certificate Programs

Credit-bearing; graduate certificate programs are comprised of related courses that constitute a coherent body of study within a discipline. Students pursuing a graduate certificate will be required to meet the same academic requirements as those defined for degree-seeking students to remain in "good standing," as per UNF Policy 2.0400P. Successful completion of the graduate certificate program will be noted on the student's official transcript separately from his or her degree program.

Readmission of Inactive Students

Students who have been accepted previously but have never enrolled or have not taken courses for one year (three consecutive terms, including summer) must apply for readmission to the Graduate School. They will be required to pay a new application fee and may be responsible for meeting any new general admissions requirements or program-specific requirements.