Master’s and Specialist Degrees

Visit our Degree Requirements page to learn more about this program.

Application Deadlines

Fall: July 1
Spring: November 1
Summer: March 1

Admission to the Master of Science in Information or the Specialist in Information is highly competitive. The decision is made based on a holistic review of the application, including:

  • Work experience
  • Prior academic experience
  • Waiver of Graduate Admissions Entrance Examination scores (GRE, MAT, LSAT, or GMAT): To request a waiver, complete the online Entrance Exam Waiver Request Form. Entrance exam can be waived for master’s and specialist applicants who meet ONE of the following criteria:
    • A completed Master’s, JD, MD, or PhD degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from a regionally accredited institution;
    • Two years of professional experience working in the information or information technology field and a 3.0 or higher upper‐division undergraduate GPA from a regionally accredited institution; or
    • FSU undergraduate students with an upper‐division information technology GPA of 3.2 or higher and an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher.
  • English Language Proficiency exam (TOEFL, IBT, or IELTS – required of international applicants ONLY).  NOTE:  If you have 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, this test requirement may be waived.

For more information, please submit an information request.

Application Requirements

The process of starting an online education is involved, but it can be easy. Everything can be done online — from applying to planning the course of your education.

Step 1 – Apply to Florida State University

Submit the online University Graduate Application for the ‘Information Studies’ Plan (Major).

Students will be required to apply to the University and pay an application fee (online). With your University Graduate Application, you will be required to include the following:

  • Upload a copy of your current resume
  • Upload a Statement of Purpose
    • Please discuss (in approximately 1 page, single-spaced) your motivation for graduate study in this field, your professional plans after completing this degree program, and how this degree program will help you achieve your goals. If there are additional details about your professional, academic, or personal history you wish to be considered as part of the application process, please include them in this document.
    • NOTE: If you have previously submitted the iSchool Supplemental Application, this will suffice for the Statement of Purpose.
  • Upload a writing sample (Specialist Applicants Only): Submit a sample of substantive academic or professional writing (preferably recent). The paper should be lengthy enough to fully demonstrate your abilities.
    • Not to exceed 1200 words
    • May be an excerpt of a research paper or thesis
    • May be a summary and analysis of a research journal article on a topic of interest

Step 2 – Submit Official Graduate Admissions Entrance Exam Test Scores and Transcripts

An official copy of your graduate admission entrance exam test scores should be sent directly to the University Office of Admissions, as well as official transcripts from each college or university attended. If you previously attended FSU, you will not need to submit an official FSU transcript. All test scores and transcripts must be sent to:

Florida State University
Office of Admissions
282 Champions Way
PO Box 3062400
Tallahassee FL 32306-2400

NOTE: International Applicants should also request that official test scores from an approved English Language Proficiency Exam be sent to the University Office of Admissions address above.

Juris Doctor/Master of Science Degree Requirements

The Juris Doctor/MS joint graduate pathway leads to both a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree from the FSU College of Law and a Master of Science Degree from the FSU School of Information. Graduates of this program will be particularly suited to work in law libraries and other organizations involved with the creation and dissemination of legal information. Students in the joint graduate pathway will receive academic advising from both the College of Law and the School of Information. Students interested in pursuing the joint graduate pathway must apply to and be accepted by both the College of Law and the School of Information according to each school’s admission criteria. For this joint graduate pathway, the criteria for the College are the same as for the Master’s degree. Students pursuing the joint graduate pathway must first begin their study at the College of Law. Contact the FSU College of Law Admissions Office for application information.

How to Check Your Application Status

The Online Status Check tool is where applicants can monitor the progress of their applications. To enter, simply log in with your FSUID and password.