Thank you for your interest in the Computer Science department’s graduate programs. Please be sure that you refer to the section that applies to you, depending upon whether you are a US Applicant or an International Applicant. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Brown or Sarah Jahnke at cs-gradadvisor [at fsu dot edu].
You may also use this inquiry tool: Connect With Us!
Application Deadlines
| Starting Term | Students Seeking Assistantships & International Students | Domestic Students Not Seeking Assistantship | Application Review Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | January 1st | April 1st | January 14th |
| Spring Semester | July 1st | November 1st | September 3rd |
All students interested in support from the department should complete their applications before the deadline for assistantship consideration. Incomplete applications or applications completed after the department deadlines may be denied. There is no deferring of admission or assistantship offers.
Application Instructions (Domestic & International)
Please see this page for minimum admission requirements for different degree programs.
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- Submit the Florida State University Online Application: https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/ with the required attachments (See 2-4 below).
- Statement of Purpose: Must be uploaded in the Online Application.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Must be uploaded in the Online Application.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: Within the Online Application, there is a section where applicants will input the names and contact information of those who will be writing the letters. Recommenders will receive e-mails asking them to upload their letters directly to the application.
- Application Processing Fee of $30.00: You will receive an e-mail from the Office of Graduate Admissions requesting the fee within two business days after submitting your application.
- Official Graduate Records Exam (GRE) score: Competitive scores vary from semester to semester based on what is in the review at that time. It is permissible to self-report test scores for the admissions review, but if you are recommended for admission please request ETS to send your official test scores to the university. Our institution code is 5219.
The GRE requirement has been waived for Master’s applicants through the end of 2026. PhD applicants are still required to submit the GRE as part of their admissions packet, unless a GRE Waiver is approved. If an MS applicant already has a GRE score and would like to submit it, they will still be used as part of the admissions review. Preference will not be given to MS applicants who submit GRE scores. However, if an applicant is a borderline case, the scores can help give strength to the candidate’s profile. - English Proficiency test scores (if you are an international student): We accept any of the following English Proficiency test scores for admission consideration:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum score of 80
- International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): Minimum overall score of 6.5
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Minimum overall score of 55
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Level: Minimum overall score of 180 (Fall 2022 and Forward)
- Michigan Language Assessment: Minimum overall score of 55 (Fall 2022 and Forward)
***As of the Spring 2026 admission term, FSU is no longer accepting the Duolingo test.***
Please request for the testing organization to send your test scores directly to the university. Our institution code is 5219. The department code is not required.
The ability to lecture in English will be a major consideration in the selection of students for Teaching Assistantships. Please note that in order to satisfy the English Proficiency requirement for Teaching Assistantships, students must have a TOEFL speaking score of 26 or higher, or will have to pass FSU’s internal English speak test upon arriving at FSU.
The English Proficiency requirement can be waived for applicants that are US citizens or permanent residents, or have a 4-year Bachelor’s or a graduate degree from an accredited university in an English-speaking country.
- Transcript(s): For every US college or university attended, a transcript(s) is required. Unofficial transcripts from US institutions can be accepted for admissions review. Transcripts are considered official when they are sent directly from a college or university to the FSU Office of Admissions and contain an official seal and/or signature. If you are or were an FSU student, and all of your transcripts from previous institutions are on file, then you will not need to submit transcripts.
Credential evaluation of transcript(s) (if applicable): For every non-US college or university attended, a NACES credential evaluation of every transcript is required. A list of the NACES organizations can be found here. The evaluation(s) must be official documents submitted by the organization directly to FSU. Evaluations uploaded by the applicant are not accepted in place of official evaluations. Official transcripts and credential evaluations should be mailed directly to the FSU Office of Admissions at the following address:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Florida State University
314 Westcott Bldg.
Tallahassee, FL. 32306-1410
USA Phone: (850) 644-3501
FSU Graduate Admissions e-mail: graduateadmissions@admin.fsu.edu
URL: https://gradschool.fsu.edu/prospective-students/graduate-admissions
All supporting documents MUST be submitted via the Online Application, with the exception of official transcripts and test scores (mailed to the Office of Admissions). An application must be complete before it can be considered for admission which includes the receipt of all supporting documentation. Unofficial transcripts and scores uploaded through the FSU application can be used for admissions review. If admitted, official documents sent directly from the institution or testing organization will be required.