usf phd requirements

Big achievements. Bold goals. Boundless futures.

• USF Campuses

Three Campuses — One USF

Each USF campus offers a one-of-a-kind college experience – all under the umbrella of a single Preeminent Research University.

Learn more about each campus below

If you crave the thrill of a large metropolitan university with endless events and activities, consider our sprawling Tampa campus.

St. Petersburg

Is a culturally rich waterfront city more your scene? You might be a natural for the stunning St. Petersburg campus.

Sarasota-Manatee

Prefer a tight-knit community where your professors know you by name? Find that hometown feel on the Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Three Campuses | One USF

Tampa Campus

Sprawling campus.

Packed with all the student amenities and resources of a large university, the Tampa campus is also just a short drive from downtown, historic Ybor City, theme parks and more.

Diverse Student Body

The culturally diverse students at the Tampa campus hail from more than 140 countries around the world.

Expansive Activities

The Tampa campus offers more than 600 clubs and organizations, 17 varsity sports, a thriving arts scene and frequent campus events, including concerts, comedy shows, lecture series and more.

Interdisciplinary Research

As early as freshman year, you can connect with a faculty mentor and join in cutting-edge, hands-on research.

St. Petersburg Campus

Downtown campus.

Located on beautiful Bayboro Harbor, the St. Petersburg campus is in the heart of the vibrant Innovation District of the City of St. Petersburg and within walking distance to cultural attractions, restaurants and concert venues.

Exciting New Dining and Residence Options

A new 375-bed residence hall with a full-service dining hall opened in July 2020, increasing on-campus housing by nearly 70 percent.

Outdoor Recreation

Take advantage of our stunning scenery with basketball, sand volleyball and an outdoor pool, or hit the water between classes on a kayak, canoe, paddle board or sailboat.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

As early as your freshmen year, you’ll have the opportunity work alongside professors on innovative research or pursue your own projects through experiential learning.

Sarasota-Manatee Campus

Experiential learning.

Learn at the world-renowned Mote Marine Laboratory and the Culinary Innovation Lab, a fully equipped teaching center for students in the Hospitality Management program.

Flexible Study Options

Full-time, part-time, online and on-campus class options are designed to fit your schedule.

Small Classes

With the lowest student-faculty ratio of all USF campuses, you get more personalized academic support.

On-Campus Activities

Explore a variety of clubs and organizations, plus student recreation, such as a fitness center, yoga and more. 

Student Life

Don’t just earn a degree. make incredible memories along the way., discover why graduate students choose usf.

From our stunning campus locations and amenities to our diverse culture and exceptional resources, you’ll discover numerous reasons graduate students love calling USF home. With the academic and support opportunities available, you’ll benefit today when you start your degree program and tomorrow when you step into your career.

Get a Head Start Outside the Classroom

Our metropolitan region boasts a strong business climate anchored by multiple Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups. Whether you're looking for internships, employment or career connections, our dynamic location offers a natural advantage.

Find Your Fit

At USF, we emphasize a balanced approach to your education that doesn’t end with academics. Stay physically active with award-winning recreation centers, swimming pools, fitness classes, watersports and more. We feature on-campus medical clinics and counseling services to keep you healthy inside and out. Plus, we feature numerous other services, such as career counseling, tutoring and financial education, to ensure you finish your degree ready to take the next big step.

Choose Excitement — Choose USF

Your average day at USF is anything but average. Across our three locations, you’ll enjoy 1,000+ on-campus events each year, from concerts and celebrity guest lectures to movies and art exhibits. This includes special cultural events where we come together to celebrate USF's global diversity and learn about our rich student body made up of students from across the world. All USF students also receive free admission to 18 men’s and women’s varsity sports, including football.

See more student life highlights at each campus:

Discoveries happen all the time at usf. will you be a part.

RESEARCH AT USF

Where Passion Drives Discovery

You want to change the world. USF gives you the opportunity. As the first university in Florida to create a research-specific strategic plan, USF has always made discovery and innovation a priority. We offer graduate students the opportunity to work alongside internationally renowned faculty and researchers in pursuit of solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges.

$535.4 million

in research contracts and grants awarded in 2020

among all universities worldwide in generating new patents Intellectual Property Owners Association/NAI, 2020

new patents, 98 license/options and 11 new startup companies in fiscal year 2021

Programs of Study

With over 150 degree programs at the graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, usf provides you with the resources and opportunities to make a difference in your community and the world..

• Specialty Programs

Get ready to pursue your passions and hone your expertise.

At USF, you can find a degree path and program that empowers you to reach your goals.

Concurrent Degrees

Our concurrent degrees mean you don't have to choose between dreams.

Online Programs

Did you know USF ranks as a national leader in online education?

Graduate Certificates

Choose from 100+ graduate certificates, including fully online, partially online and on-campus options.

Student Success

Student success isn’t just a support unit at usf. it’s a promise..

• Student Services

Health Services

From administering influenza vaccinations to communicating about disease outbreaks and other potential health concerns, USF supports you with the medical care you need.

Counseling Services

At USF, we believe in supporting students inside and out. Our Counseling Center offers a variety of free services for students, including individual, group and couples counseling.

Academic Support

You can expect to be challenged with our rigorous graduate programs. But you can also expect many academic support services and resources to ensure your success, including access to USF's tutoring centers, libraries and scholar commons.

Career Services

At USF, we’re invested in your future. From picking a major to securing an internship to landing a job in your field, USF Career Services offers all the assistance you need to go from the classroom to the office.

See more student success highlights at each campus:

Explore a world of opportunity. we’ll give you a secure place to start..

• Campus Safety

Your Safety Is Our Priority

USF is committed to maintaining a secure, friendly and welcoming campus community. With our University Police Department, emergency Blue Light Phones around campus, text messaging notifications and other on-campus resources, you can stay focused on your grad school experience, confident you’re protected by our sweeping safety measures.

Admission to USF

Step into the career you want with a graduate degree from a world-class university..

• Admission Requirements

We Want You at USF

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.00 GPA in completed college coursework. Some programs may require additional materials, such as test scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose or a resume. If you are unable to take standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT due to COVID-19, please contact your proposed program of study for possible extensions or waivers.

Campus Selection

On your application, you can select Tampa, St. Petersburg or Sarasota-Manatee as your home campus. No matter where you study, you’ll earn a degree from Florida’s only Preeminent State Research University located in a metropolitan area. Not sure which campus offers your graduate program? Reach out to your program contact for assistance.

See Why Graduate Students Choose USF

USF Notice of Nondiscrimination

The University of South Florida encourages applications for admission from qualified students regardless of race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected group status in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws on nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

You Can Apply to USF in Six Easy Steps

Complete and submit the online application at admissions.usf.edu/application .

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.

Submit your official college transcript(s) to USF.

Submit any test scores required by your program (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc.).

Standardized tests must have been taken within five years of the desired term of entry.

Submit any additional items required by your program.

Answer the Conduct Clearance questions of the graduate application.

Statistics and Tuition

The numbers don’t lie. see how they add up to incredible education value for graduate students at usf..

• Educational Value

A World-Class Education. An Affordable Cost.

We keep tuition low and value high. Even if you live out of state, costs for graduate students often are competitive with the rates at your local university.

College in 2021 The Princeton Review, 2020

among the 50 Most Affordable In-State Public Universities AffordableColleges.com, 2020

Best Values in Public Colleges Kiplinger's Personal Finance, 2019

College in 2020 The Princeton Review, 2020

• Cost of Attendance

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2022-23: Living on Campus

Out-of-state, graduate scholarships, find out how we help you keep the cost of our graduate programs low. with scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and more available to offset the cost, an affordable graduate degree from a world-class institution has never been more in reach..

• USF Scholarship Options

Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships

At USF, we don’t believe finances should be a barrier to your future. Graduate students can take advantage of numerous USF and federal scholarship and fellowship opportunities to offset the cost of master’s and doctoral programs. This includes our STARS scholarship database for USF awards and the USF Foundation, which awards over $5 million in free privately funded scholarships each year.

More Scholarship and Fellowship Details

Ready to see how affordable your graduate degree can be? Start browsing our scholarship databases to find out how much you could save on a graduate program at USF.

INTERNSHIPS AND CO-OPS

Get a career foothold before you complete your program, graduate financial support at usf includes supporting you as you gain hands-on skills by working in the field, making professional employment connections and entering the workplace. find out how usf supports you with a variety of internship and cooperative education (co-op) opportunities that give you the momentum you need to seamlessly transition from the classroom to a career..

• More Scholarship Support

USF Assistantships

Our support for graduate students doesn’t end with scholarships and fellowships. Many colleges and departments at USF employ students as graduate assistants on a competitive basis to teach (TA), conduct research (RA), or carry out other relevant tasks that contribute to the student’s professional development (GA).

Scholarship Resources

Don’t miss other ways to cut your college costs. Check out our scholarship articles on the Admit-A-Bull blog for advice on how to successfully find and earn lucrative awards that can make your graduate degree more affordable.

Graduate Student Employment

Scholarships, fellowships and assistantships aren’t the only ways we support graduate students. Discover the jobs available to help offset your costs. As a large metropolitan university, USF offers both on- and off-campus employment options you won’t find at other universities. Our strong connection to the Tampa region’s thriving business community can help lay the groundwork for your successful transition from a graduate program to a lucrative career.

Your future as a graduate student at USF awaits. See the important dates for starting your journey.

Important Dates for Starting at USF

Masters and Educational Specialist Degrees

February 15.

Final summer semester application deadline for masters and educational specialist degrees

Final fall semester application deadline for masters and educational specialist degrees

Final spring semester application deadline for masters and educational specialist degrees

*Refer to specific major for priority deadline. Applications received by the priority deadline will receive maximum consideration.

Doctoral Degrees

Final spring semester application deadline for doctoral degrees

Final summer and fall semester application deadline for doctoral degrees

Tour USF — Online or On Campus

We could tell you all about life at usf, but we’d rather show you discover all the places usf bulls learn, eat, sleep, study and play with a virtual or on-campus tour..

• Application Process

See the steps to complete the application process, including how to submit the application fee, official test scores and official transcripts.

• Research at USF
• How To Apply To USF
• Internships and Co-Ops
• Dates and Deadlines
• Virtual Tour

University of South Florida

Office of Graduate Studies

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Main Navigation

Graduate majors contact information for the 2023/2024 graduate catalog.

The Department offers graduate majors leading to the M.S.M.E. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. 

Research opportunities are available in the following areas:  Mechanism Design, Kinematics, System Dynamics and Vibrations, Mechanical Controls, Tribology, Mechanical Design, Robotics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Composite Materials, Solid Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, Thermal Energy Systems, Microelectronic Device Thermal Management, Clean and Renewable Energy Systems, Micro and Nano scale materials and systems, MEMS, Biosensors, Biofluids, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Education,   Mechanotransduction and Biomaterials, Autonomy, Control, Information, and Systems.

Department facilities include the following laboratories: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Computational Solid Mechanics, Computer-Aided Design, Dynamic Systems, Hydraulics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Robotics, Biofuel cells and Biomimetics, Nanomaterials and Thin Films, Advanced Materials Processing and Characterization, Biofluids and Biosensors, Microelectronic Thermal Management and Heat Transfer, and Compliant Mechanisms.

Accreditation The department is ABET accredited.

Major Research Areas Robotics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Controls, Solid Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, Micro, and Nanoscale materials and systems Biomedical Engineering, and Engineering Education.

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field preferred.
• Students without a M.S.M.E. or with an M.S. in another field may also be admitted on a case-by-case basis.
• GRE required, with minimum percentile rank of 60% on the quantitative portion and a minimum average percentile rank of 60% in verbal and quantitative.
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00/4.00 for the last two years of coursework from an ABET accredited engineering major for admission. Graduates of non-ABET accredited majors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• A minimum of three recommendation letters is required.
• A one-page Statement of Purpose/Research Interest must also be included in the application package.
• The following prerequisite courses must be successfully completed before admission to the Ph.D. Program: Calculus I, II, III, Differential Equations, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, and Machine Design.

Curriculum Requirements

Total Minimum Hours: 72 credit hours (post-bacc) 48 credit hours (post-masters)

• Core – 6 credit hours
• Other required courses – 6 credit hours
• Electives – 24 credit hours
• Dissertation – 20 credit hours
• Additional coursework or dissertation – 16 credit hours

Courses completed for a Master’s degree from another institution may count towards a maximum of 24 credit hours of coursework for the Ph.D. degree only if the transcript shows that the degree requirements were similar to USF and the student did not already get credit for the identical courses at USF.

Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

• EML 6105 Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Credit Hours: 3
• EML 6653 Applied Elasticity Credit Hours: 3

Other Required Courses (6 Credit Hours)

• EML 6069 Advanced Mathematics for Mechanical Engineers Credit Hours: 3
• EML 6060 Advanced Engineering Math II Credit Hours: 3

Electives (24 Credit Hours Minimum)

Minimum of 24 hours of elective coursework at the 6000 level without counting Independent Study or Graduate Internship or Directed Research or Dissertation Hours Courses.

Qualifying Examination

Successful passage of the Doctoral Qualifying (or Comprehensive) Examination is a requirement for admission to candidacy. The purpose of the exam is to measure the aptitude and capability of the student for productive independent research in mechanical engineering, as well as to demonstrate the student’s in-depth knowledge of their chosen research domain. The exam consists of a written research paper comprising an annotated literature survey in the student’s chosen research area, a discussion and comparison of the prior art in this field, and identification of a promising research area and problem domain(s) of interest to the student and advisor. The research paper is presented in a meeting to a Dissertation Supervisory Committee.

No student will be allowed to take the examination if the cumulative GPA of all courses taken at USF is below 3.00, if they have not chosen a major professor and formed a supervisory committee, or if they hold conditional or provisional admission status in the major. Students will be given a maximum of two attempts to pass the qualifying examination. Failure in the second attempt will result in being dismissed from the doctoral program.  

Dissertation (20 Credit Hours Minimum)

• EML 7980 Dissertation: Doctoral Credit Hours: 2-12

20 credit hours minimum

Additional Coursework or Dissertation (16 Credit Hours)

Students will select additional coursework or Dissertation hours to complete the remaining 16 credit hours.

Graduate Handbook

https://www.usf.edu/engineering/me/graduate/index.aspx

Please note that Internet Explorer is incompatible with this site.

We recommend upgrading to the latest Microsoft Edge , Google Chrome , or Firefox .

• Patient Care

MCOM Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs

Quick links, masters in medical sciences concentrations, master's admissions.

Thank you for your interest in our Medical Sciences graduate programs at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine! Our faculty committee members are eager to review your application. On this page, you will find detailed information on how to apply. We look forward to welcoming you to the USF Health graduate community! 

Application Process

Requirements.

Minimum admission requirements for our Master's Programs can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Links to the specific programs are included below. 

Medical Sciences

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Biotechnology

Please see the steps below for details about the application process.

How to Apply:

1. Complete the online USF  Graduate Application

• The MSMS in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program has a different application procedure and runs on an alternative calendar. Please see their website for details.

Please note, you can apply online, then submit supporting materials (e.g. transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation) after you have submitted your application. All documents must be submitted within 1 month of the application deadline.

2. Pay application fee ($30)  You will be prompted to pay as soon as you submit your application. If you are unable to pay when you submit, you can do so within 30 days by logging into your OASIS account at  my.usf.edu . 

3. Submit transcripts and test scores To upload documents to your application, log into the  application website , then navigate to My Workspace > My Documents.

Transcripts Unofficial copies can be uploaded directly to your application and can be used for our admissions review. If you are offered admission, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended (undergraduate and graduate). USF students do not need to submit official USF transcripts but should upload an unofficial copy with their application. 

Test Scores Test scores (GRE, MCAT, DAT) are strongly encouraged but not required for admission. It is at the sole discretion of the applicant whether or not to submit a test score; we cannot confirm or deny what the outcome of your application will be before its submission. H owever, students with lower Science or Cumulative GPAs should consider taking the GRE to strengthen their application and chance of admission. Test scores must be earned within five years of your desired term of entry.

• Upload an unofficial copy of your GRE test scores from ETS. Official GRE scores should be sent through ETS to Graduate Admissions (school code: 5828). There is no department code. 
• Scores should be generated from the AAMC Score Reporting System. The PDF score report should include your AAMC ID and Verification Code to be verified as official. This information is generated at the top of your PDF score report. 
• Upload a copy of your test scores. Official scores should be sent to the main Office of Admissions. 

4. Submit additional required documents.  To upload documents to your application, log into the  application website , then navigate to My Workspace > My Documents. Please note that you can apply first and then upload additional items after submitting the application; the deadline to receive additional required documents is July 7th.

• Science GPA Calculator (not required for Bioinformatics or Biotechnology applicants)
• Jobs/Professional experience
• Volunteering 
• Extracurricular activities 
• Letters intended for professional schools may be used. 
• Applicants can use the “Recommendation Request” in the online application to send a link for your recommender to upload their letter to your online application. (Note: they will not receive the link until you submit the online application).
• Recommendations should come from faculty or other professionals familiar with applicant's academic performance or professional potential. 
• Letters of recommendation through a committee evaluation or an agency (e.g. Interfolio) may be e-mailed to our department: [email protected] .

5. Complete and submit your required MCOM Program Application. This application will be emailed to you within 7-10 days of submitting your application; you can preview the application through this link . If you do not receive the email, please contact us at [email protected] .

6. International applicants should review the section "Additional Requirements for International Students." 

Admission Averages

Average metrics of enrolled applicants.

The admission process for graduate programs can be a complex process. In order to be fair and unbiased in our review our staff is unable to advise prospective students on how to enhance their application or discuss chances of admission to our master's programs.  

Deadlines & Decision Timeline

Our application is currently open for Fall 2024 admission. 

The deadline for most of our programs is June 1st for fall admission. For additional details, please read the entirety of this section.

Official university deadlines can be found in the Graduate Catalog at the link below. The deadlines listed are the final deadlines for submission of the online application .

Though applications will not be reviewed before they are fully complete with all supporting materials (test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.),  you can submit the online application, then provide the required supporting materials as soon as possible after applying.   

Application Deadlines

Two items to note:

• The MSMS IMS concentration starts on an alternative calendar (mid-June). Interested applicants should apply by March 1. 
• The MSMS programs (including MSP 3 ) only admit for the Fall term. Students interested in these programs cannot apply for Spring or Summer. 

The deadlines listed in the catalog are for the online application. The department may accept and review supporting documents (e.g. pending test scores or grades) within a month after these deadlines on a space available basis. Applicants who complete the application and provide supporting documents by the deadline will have maximum consideration. 

Decision Timeline*

Applications for Fall are reviewed on a rolling basis from December - July. The best time to apply is when you feel your application is the strongest and before the June 1st deadline.

Highly competitive applicants may hear a decision within 2-4 weeks after completing their application. Please keep in mind that the committee may place some applications on hold as the applicant pool grows. Decisions can be made up until a month before the semester begins. 

*This information does not apply to the MSMS Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) program. Since this program starts on an alternative calendar in June, their deadline will be earlier. IMS applicants should apply before March 1. For questions regarding your IMS application, please reach out to Mr. Kevin Casey at [email protected] .

Additional Requirements for International Students

1. A course-by-course foreign credential evaluation from a NACES accredited evaluation service. 

• Accepted evaluation services include, but are not limited to: 
• World Education Services
• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
• Academic Evaluation Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• A copy of the original document that was evaluated and an English translation (if applicable) must be included with the evaluation. If you cannot provide a foreign credential evaluation when you apply, you may submit the documents outlined below and we can conduct a preliminary review based on this information. Documents should be uploaded to the online portal within the application. (Please note, it is still best to submit a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation if you are able to).
• Unofficial college transcript (must be in English)
• You may use a free online resource such as Scholaro or WES
• Must be your cumulative undergraduate GPA
• It is at the discretion of the Office of Graduate Admissions to determine if a 3-year degree may be deemed equivalent to a 4-year Bachelor's degree.

Formal admission to the university will not be granted until an official course-by-course foreign credential evaluation is provide d, but this can be submitted after an applicant is reviewed if necessary.

2. Proof of English language proficiency .  

Additional information for international students can be found at the link below. 

Immigration & Financial Documentation

If you have any questions about our master's programs, how to apply, or the status of your application, please contact us at (813) 974-4181 or  [email protected] .

For questions about  RESIDENCY  qualifications please contact Graduate Admissions at (813) 974-8800 or  [email protected]

For questions about prior  CONDUCT  documents to report please contact Student Conduct & Ethical Development at [email protected] .

Office of Graduate Certificates

University of South Florida 140 Seventh Avenue South, PNM 102 St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Web address:  https://www.usf.edu/graduate-studies/graduate-certificates/ Phone: 727-873-4657 Email: [email protected]

Individual Graduate Certificate Contacts

Graduate Certificate Policies

The Graduate Certificate is a focused collection of typically 9-12 graduate credit hours, but no more than 15 graduate credit hours.  These courses comprise a credential that, when completed, affords the student some record of distinct academic accomplishment in a given discipline. See University Definition of Graduate Certificate.

Applicants often pursue a Graduate Certificate to support continuing education or career enhancement, as well as to prepare for potential admission into a graduate degree at USF.

Graduate Certificates are developed by the faculty within a Department/School and approved through the standard curriculum process by the Department/School, College, Graduate Council, and Office of Graduate Studies.

Student Eligibility and Admission Criteria

Students must apply and be admitted into the Graduate Certificate to be eligible to receive a Graduate Certificate. All requirements must be successfully completed for the Graduate Certificate to be awarded.  Students are encouraged to contact the Graduate Certificate Director prior to applying. The Graduate Certificate is not a guaranteed means of entry into a graduate major. However, the courses comprising the Graduate Certificate may be used as evidence in support of a student’s application for admission into a graduate major and these courses may be transferred into the Major with Departmental/School approval.

University Admission Requirements for Graduate Certificates 

Applicants must meet University Admission Requirements   , including minimums for English Proficiency.  For programs that lead to licensure, the associated Graduate Certificates may have additional requirements (e.g. standardized tests, letters of recommendation, pre-requisites, etc.)   Questions about the admission requirements may be directed to the Department offering the Graduate Certificate, or the Office of Graduate Studies.

Application Applicants who wish to pursue a Graduate Certificate should apply for admission to the Graduate Certificate through the Office of Graduate Studies as soon as possible for maximum benefit, but must apply to the Graduate Certificate and complete required coursework within five years of taking the first course applicable to the Certificate.  

Admission Deadlines and Procedures

• Fall Semester:  August 1
• Spring Semester: December 1
• Summer Semester: April 15

​ Non-degree seeking applicants should submit their application by the Admission Deadline post in the Graduate Catalog.  Applications received after the University deadline will be considered on a space available and time permitting basis for the next available semester.  Check with the Graduate Certificate Office or the Graduate Certificate Director for availability or to discuss options for admission.

Active degree-seeking students should complete and submit a  Graduate Certificate Application Form  (the certificate admissions form for degree-seeking students)  during, or prior to the completion of, their first graduate certificate course. However, this form must be submitted to the Department offering the Graduate Certificate by the deadline to apply for graduation (the end of the fourth week) of the semester inwhich the graduate degree will be conferred to be eligible to share coursework between their graduate degree and the Graduate Certificate.  

Student Classification

Non-degree seeking students admitted to a Graduate Certificate will be classified as “Graduate Certificate Students.” As such, they are not eligible for financial aid and will receive a later registration date than degree-seeking students.   

Degree-seeking students who simultaneously pursue a Graduate Certificate will retain the degree-seeking classification, but will also have the Graduate Certificate classification added to the student record. Degree-seeking students may be eligible for financial aid for certificate coursework that also applies to their graduate degree. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Academic Policies and Requirements

For academic policies and procedures refer to the Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog.  In addition to those policies, Graduate Certificate students also must comply with the following policies specific to Graduate Certificates:

• Good Standing - Students pursuing a graduate certificate and a graduate degree program are required to meet the same academic requirements as those defined for degree-seeking students to remain in “good standing” to avoid being academically dismissed from the Graduate Certificate.  Students enrolled in only a graduate certificate (non-degree seeking) are required to maintain a 3.00 GPA in the Graduate Certificate coursework to be eligible for completion and to avoid being academically dismissed from the Graduate Certificate.
• Courses - Graduate Certificate seeking students may only share one graduate course with another Graduate Certificate.  A graduate course that is shared may only be applied to a maximum of two graduate certficiates. 
• ​Application of Credit - s hould a graduate certificate student subsequently apply and be accepted to a graduate major, the University’s Application of Internal Credit Policy applies. Any application of such credit must be approved by the degree-granting college and must be appropriate to the Major. No courses taken outside of USF may be transferred into a Graduate Certificate at USF.

Graduate Certificates are comprised of a focused collection of typically 9-12 graduate credit hours, but no more than 15 graduate credit hours.  At least one structured graduate course is required in common for all students in the Graduate Certificate.  Requirements may not include directed research, thesis, internship (unless the internship is for a Certificate designed to pursue State Certification or licensure), etc.

Probation/Withdrawal/Dismissal

Graduate Certificate student are held to the same policies that apply to all graduate students.  See the appropriate section in Academic Policies     for information.

Graduate Certificate seeking students must submit their Graduate Certificate Completion Form to the Certifiate Program by the deadline to apply for graduation (the fourth week) of the semester in which they will complete the final course(s) for their Graduate Certificate. 

• For Graduate Certificate seeking students concurrently enrolled in a Graduate Degree, the student must be admitted into the Graduate Certificate prior to conferring their concurrent Graduate Degree. 
• For Graduate Certificate seeking students not concurrently enrolled in a Graduate Degree, a Completion Form must be submitted no later than five years after starting the first course applied to the Graduate Certificate. 

All students must be currently active at the time the Graduate Certificate Completion Form is submitted.   

The Department/School offering the Graduate Certificate will certify the student for the Graduate Certificate once the requirements are successfully completed. The Graduate Certificate Completion Form is approved by the Department/School, College, and Office of Graduate Studies. Courses may not be applied to a Graduate Certificate once the degree is conferred, unless an approved application for the Graduate Certificate is on file before the last day of classes in the semester when the graduate degree is conferred. 

Career Chats in the Career Cubes are closed for the remainder of the spring semester but will resume May 13th. Virtual or in-person appointments will continue through the summer.

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Internal Revenue Service

Pathways recent graduate program web producer (12 month roster).

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IRS Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Selected applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. In addition, the IRS implemented the new IRS Forward Recent Graduate Program that includes an additional year of formal development, training, networking, project teams, and may include rotational assignments.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career/career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to:

• Successful completion of at least 1 to 2 years of continuous service depending on the position;
• Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training;
• Mentorship;
• Demonstration of successful job performance; and
• Meet the qualification position standards.

Conversion to the competitive service is not implied or guaranteed.

If selected, you will be placed in a developmental position as a Pathways Recent Graduate Program Web Producer (12 Month Roster), GS-0301-09 with promotion potential to GS-12 in one the division(s) listed below:

Online Services

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-division

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

• Use analytical and evaluative techniques to research web traffic, customer feedback and other metrics using tools such as Google Analytics and Foresee to identify trends in content production, and website use; provide advice enhancing customer experience.
• Identify improvements to the web content management system for ease-of-use and troubleshoot system and content errors. Effectively manages multiple independent projects to maintain a steady flow of productivity with a strict adherence to deadlines and publishing accuracy.
• Test and troubleshoot website and web content management system performance as part of system upgrades.
• Build, edit, and publish web pages and content blocks using a Dupal-based web content management system; ensure content and design adhere to web standards such as accessibility, plain language, editorial style and other published standards and guidelines.

Requirements

Conditions of employment.

• Telework Eligible Positions : Telework eligible positions do not guarantee telework. Employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements (e.g., reporting at least twice a pay period to your assigned Post of Duty (POD) ) and supervisor’s approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. Employees must also be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. As a reminder – If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
• Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to “Get Your Tax Record” at http://www.irs.gov/ ( https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript ) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9 . Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies .

Qualifications

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis.

To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

In order to qualify, you must first meet Pathways Recent Graduate Program eligibility:

You must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associate, bachelor, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; or intended graduation is no more than 9 months from date of application;

Veterans (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108) who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran’s eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

Secondly, you must meet any basic requirements of the position and the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service: Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience analyzing, evaluating and making recommendations to problems affecting large websites. Experience planning and analyzing policy in the assessment and improvement of management processes and systems. Experience using web publishing technologies, to create and publish content using a WYSIWYG editor or equivalent. Experience with web best practices including user experience, responsive platforms and accessibility standards to ensure the website is optimized for the user experience. Experience producing and formatting web content with attention to detail to perform quality assurance reviews. Experience developing websites and to discuss and report problems with appropriate experts, and to follow procedures governing the planning and delivery of web products. Experience with oral and written communication to articulate findings and prepare reports.

2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in any field of study. OR A L.L.B or J.D., if related.

A combination of graduate education and experience equivalent to that described above.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM’s Qualifications Standards .

This position has an education requirement. You MUST submit dated documentation showing completion or intended completion (if graduation is no more than 9 months from the date of application) of all educational requirements (e.g. letter from the registrar, unofficial transcripts). An official transcript will be required if you are selected. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

CERTIFICATE: If you are qualifying based on a certificate program, please refer to Treasury’s Pathways Program for more information on qualifying certificate programs. A Certificate Program is a post-secondary educational program in a qualifying educational institution, equivalent to at least one full-time academic year of study, that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational or business school curriculum. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year of full-time study. IF you are applying with a completed IT or Business Professional Certification you must submit a dated transcript or letter issued by the Academic Institution detailing your completed coursework and credit hours completed. If your Academic institution calculates a full-year of academic studies with fewer hours, or academic credits are expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from the conventional hours, please have your academic advisor provide a letter certifying the Certificate program meets the regulatory definition.

For more information on education requirements go to Treasury’s Pathways Program.

Additional information

• Pathways in an Excepted Service Appointment, Schedule D, 5 CFR Part 362. Selected applicants who occupy positions in the Competitive Service must acknowledge the outcome of voluntarily leaving the Competitive Service prior to accepting an Excepted Service Appointment in a Pathways Program. See 5 CFR 302.102(b)(2).
• All selectees must sign a Participant Agreement.
• An official transcript must be provided to confirm degree completion prior to appointment to the position.
• Subject to a 1-year trial period (unless already completed).
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.
• The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages .
• This is a bargaining unit position.
• Tour of Duty: Day Shift
• Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.
• Relocation expenses – No

I f the position(s) are no longer needed prior to the closing date, this announcement may be closed early. This is an open continuous announcement which will be used to fill vacancies in the locations listed as they become available for the next 12 months contingent upon funding and space requirements. Applicants must apply and/or update their applications by 11:59 pm ET at the close of the following cutoff dates to be considered: Cutoff date(s): Two Months . This announcement may be amended to include additional cut-off dates within the 12- month period if needed, not later than 10 days prior to the additional cut-off date(s). Eligible applicants who apply by the initial cut-off date, will be referred in score order. If additional vacancies exist, remaining applicants will be considered in score order as needed. Selections from this announcement may be made no later than (NLT) 5/09/2024 .