Prospective Students

Click here to apply now. There is a $30.00 application fee required, which can be paid online. The fee must be paid before your application can be seen by the Admissions Committee. A fee waiver may be requested if you qualify by being part of one of the programs listed on the fee waiver request form. Please email the waiver form directly to marinescience@usf.edu, if you qualify. Please note that the College of Marine Science graduate programs are listed under “USF Tampa” on the application, although we are located in St. Petersburg. You must select the Tampa campus to apply for our degree programs.

Please use this MS Word Application Information / Research Interest Essay template. This essay should address the research interests that you wish to pursue if accepted into a degree program the College of Marine Science. Please also include which faculty members or labs you are interested in joining. Use this linked MS Word template to create your essay. Applications are considered incomplete without this completed template. Save it as a PDF and upload it as the “Essay” in the online application portal.

We encourage all applicants to review the CMS research pages ahead of time to learn more about our faculty and their research. Please list on your Research Interest Essay all faculty members that you are interested in working with.  Do NOT submit a term paper, thesis, article, or other writing sample in lieu of or addition to your research essay. Please only submit the research essay and personal statement described here. Additional writing samples will be discarded from the application.     

Whereas the research essay should focus on your research interests, the personal statement is where you provide context to your application. Tell us about your passion, background, skills, challenges, obstacles overcome, inspiration, and aspirations as a future scientist. There is no template for the personal statement, but please limit it to no more than three pages. Save it as a PDF and upload as the “personal statement of purpose” in the online application portal.

Do NOT submit a term paper, thesis, article, or other writing sample in lieu of or addition to your personal statement. Please only submit the research essay and personal statement described here. Additional writing samples will be discarded from the application.     

One transcript from all institutions of higher learning where you have earned a degree is required. Applicants may provide unofficial copies of transcripts to expedite the processing of their applications, which can be uploaded directly to the online application. Any admissions granted using unofficial transcripts will not be finalized until official transcripts are received in a sealed envelope or electronically by USF’s Office of Admissions. If you are applying while still completing an undergraduate degree, you must submit transcripts of at least six (6) semesters of completed undergraduate work. Final transcripts showing the award of a bachelor’s degree will be required if an applicant is admitted and enrolls. If you have attended USF as a degree-seeking student, you do not have to submit your USF transcripts.

International Transcripts
All transcripts must be in English; it is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign transcripts translated before submitting them as part of their graduate application packet. Please visit the International Graduate Admissions website for more English proficiency options and information.

Office of Admissions (Tampa campus)
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, SVC 1036,
Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Phone Number: 813.974.3350
Email: gradadmissions@usf.edu
University of South Florida School Code 001537

Please note: The marinescience@usf.edu address cannot receive electronical transcripts. Please click here for more information on how to submit electronic official transcripts to USF Graduate Admissions. 

Applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation as part of the admissions application. The applicant will be asked to enter in the contact information of each recommender as part of the Admissions Application. Each recommender will receive an email with a link to the recommendation upload site. At this site, the recommender can then type in the recommendation letter or attached a PDF file. Alternatively, recommendation letters can also be emailed directly to marinescience@usf.edu. The letters should address the “Admissions Committee.”

Letters of recommendation should include the following elements: be on letterhead, have a signature, and uploaded or emailed as a PDF. If emailed, it is preferred that the letter be sent directly by the letter writer from their professional email address.

You may submit your application before your letters of recommendation are received. We will add your letters to your application as they are submitted. 

Your CV should provide a summary of your academic history, research interests, relevant work experience, honors, accomplishments, etc. A CV is preferred, but a resume is also acceptable. Save it as a PDF and upload it as the “Resume” in the online application portal.

International students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate English proficiency. The most common ways to meet English proficiency requirements is earning a qualifying score on the TOEFL or DuoLingo, although other tests are accepted. Please visit International Graduate Admissions website for more English proficiency options and information.

Submitting GRE scores with your Master’s or doctoral program application is optional.