Last updated: Nov 19, 2025
Admissions & Deadlines
Q: What are the application deadlines for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026?
Q: Are application fee waivers available?
No. All applicants are required to pay the application fee. Contacting staff will not impact application fees.
Q: Can I request a GRE waiver?
No. The GRE is optional for MS and Ph.D. applicants to CISE.
Q: Are there student discounts or vouchers for GRE registration fees?
No.
Q: What is the English proficiency requirement?
See CISE graduate admissions. CISE’s requirement is higher than the Graduate School’s minimum.
Q: Other than transcripts, what materials are required?
Q: Do I need to send official transcripts/scores before a decision?
No. Uploading unofficial copies is fine for review.
Q: My GPA is below 3.0. What are my options?
See CISE graduate admissions. The UF Graduate School enforces a 3.0 minimum for graduate admission. Applications below this threshold cannot be considered.
Academics & Registration
Q: Is there a minimum number of credits each semester for part-time MS students?
CISE does not set a department-specific minimum for domestic part-time students without funding. Check Full-time enrollment-requirements.
Q: Can I take more than 9 credit hours in a semester?
No. Maximum is 9 credits/semester for CISE MS students. Exception requests (e.g., final semester only) are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Are CISE MS degrees 100% online? I’ll be working in another city.
No. CISE MS (CS and CE) are on-campus programs.
Q: Differences between the M.S. in Computer Engineering (CE) and M.S. in Computer Science (CS)?
The main difference is in the required 12 credits of core courses aligned to each program. See Master’s program degree requirements.
Funding, Tuition & Employment
Q: What funding options exist for MS students?
- TA/RA assistantships are for PhD students. Do not email the department to request a TA/RA if you are applying to or enrolled in the MS. We cannot accommodate these requests. RAs are made by individual faculty; TAs are assigned by the department.
- Grader/OPS roles may occasionally be available to strong MS students after demonstrating performance in initial courses. Grader/OPS positions do not include tuition benefits.
Q: Do graders receive tuition coverage?
No.
Q: My admission letter says I received the Achievement Award, but I do not see it on my account. Is there a problem?
No, everything is all right. The Achievement Award will not be added until AFTER the drop/add period. We are required to verify that you are in nine hours first before we can add it. It is typically added about 2-3 weeks after the end of drop/add.
Q: How much do I need to pay if I’m receiving the Achievement Award? Is there a payment plan?
You can either pay your full amount minus $1500, or you can pay the full amount, and once your Achievement Award is applied, you will receive a refund of your paid amount back (make sure you set up direct deposit on ONE.UF if you chose this option). For payment plan questions, please speak with the UF Bursar. Their contact is in the section below.
Q: Do I need to pay a tuition deposit?
No, tuition deposits are not required for graduate CISE students.
Q: Can the department provide the documentation needed for me to receive a loan?
It depends on what is needed, but generally, we can provide limited documentation. Please reach out to us at GAdvisors@cise.ufl.edu with your UFID and the specifics of the documentation you need.
Enrollment Logistics
Q: Can I defer my admission to a different semester?
Email gadvisors@cise.ufl.edu with your UFID to initiate a deferral review. Approvals are case-by-case and follow university policy.
Q: Can I arrive late, beyond the first day of classes (e.g., for a visa delay)?
No, students must arrive by the start of classes. If you cannot make it, you will need to defer to a future term where you can arrive by the first day of classes. International students should also coordinate with UFIC for status guidance and check-in requirements.
Q: Can the department provide me with any documentation to help speed up my visa/I-20 appointment or to appeal a denial of my visa/I-20?
No, the department cannot provide any documentation in either of these cases. You must handle the matter with the documentation already provided to you (admissions letter, initial I-20 application, etc.). If you cannot receive your visa/I-20 in time or are denied entry, you must defer or cancel your admission as soon as possible.
Research & Extras
Q: How do I get involved in research as a MS student?
Identify faculty whose work matches your interests and contact them directly with a concise email (CV + 3–5 sentence fit). Browse faculty profiles and research areas
Staff Contact
Q: I’ve read the FAQ and graduate admissions info for students and my question is not answered. How do I contact graduate staff?
Email gadvisors@cise.ufl.edu.