Application Instructions
The be enrolled in the International Development Engineering program, you should apply to the University of South Florida - Tampa campus. In regards to if you decide to use Peace Corps as your international field experience, on July 1, 2014, Peace Corps made changes to their recruitment, application and selection process which includes a shorter application, applicant choice of service locations and job, as well as making the process more transparent and clear with apply by and know by dates (New Application and Selection Process Press Release: http://1.usa.gov/1qb4fbQ). Students must apply to Peace Corps typically in during their first semester arrival at USF.
Below is information on applying to USF, for information about the Peace Corps application please go here.
USF Application Process
To apply to USF you must register using the FACTS.org website; there is a link posted below. Additionally, there are a number of requirements that are specified in the Application Checklist. Upon submitting your application, please notify Dr. Mihelcic as well. He can be reached at jm41 (at) usf.edu.
Apply to USF
Application Checklist
1. Graduate Application
2. Application Fee
3. Transcripts
4. Test Scores
5. Conduct Clearance Policy
6. Residency Policy
7. Application Documents Access/Forward/Return Policy
8. Requirements from the CEE Department
1. Applying to Graduate School
You can apply online through the USF Graduate School website.
You must submit the following materials to the Graduate School and pay your graduate application fee: 1) official application and 2) official university transcripts. You should have ETS forward your official GRE scores to Graduate Admissions. Applicants whose native language is not English or who have not earned a degree in the United States must also submit TOEFL scores to the Graduate School. We suggest you follow up with the USF Graduate School to ensure everything has arrived. They will want to know your name and “U” number you are provided when you apply. The Graduate School will provide you an email that includes contact information. Also let Dr. Mihelcic know you have submitted all your application materials.
Once your application has been processed by the graduate school, the CEE department will contact you requesting the following: 1) a CEE department intake form, 2) a brief statement of purpose, 3) a resume, 4) contact information for 2-3 references who will be requested to send letters of recommendation (do NOT have your references send these letters, we will contact them). We recommend that at least 2 of the letters come from faculty members who are familiar with you.
2. Application Fee
All applicants are required to submit an application fee of $30.00 for EACH graduate program (see USF Regulation USF4-0107: Special Fees, Fines and Penalties). If you attended USF as a former degree seeking student or non-degree seeking student then you will also be required to submit the application fee. Applicants have the option to pay their application fee by credit card (Discover, Master Card, Visa) or by E-Check (personal checking/savings account) through FACTS.org Graduate Online Application. The FACTS.org Graduate On-line Application will not be uploaded if the application fee is not paid. ALL APPLICATION FEES SUBMITTED ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
3. Transcripts
One (1) official transcript from all institutions of higher learning where the applicant has earned a degree is required, but applicants may provide unofficial copies of transcripts to expedite the processing of their applications. Any admissions granted using unofficial transcripts will not be finalized until official transcripts are received in a sealed envelope from the Office of the Registrar where they attended. All transcripts must be in English; it is the applicantÕs responsibility to have transcripts translated and evaluated* before submitting them as part of their graduate application packet. 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 bachelorÕs degree will be required if an applicant is admitted and enrolls. Do not submit USF transcripts if you have attended as a USF degree-seeking student.
4. Test Scores
GRE Scores
All applicants to programs requiring the GRE* must submit GRE test scores earned within five (5) years of the desired term of entry. Official scores must be submitted to USF directly from the Educational Testing Service, but applicants may provide unofficial copies of their test scores to expedite the processing of their applications. Any admission granted using unofficial scores will not be finalized until official scores from ETS are received. The institution code for USF is 5828 and applies to all tests administered by ETS.
*The GRE requirement may be waived at the discretion of individual graduate programs. Please contact your program of interest directly for additional information.
5. Conduct Clearance Policy
All graduate applicants are required to answer the Conduct Clearance questions of the graduate application. The applicant will not be notified of the admission decision until answers to the two questions have been received and cleared by the Vice President of Student Affairs or his/her designee (Associate Dean of Students), if warranted.
6. Residency Policy
Applicants desiring classification as Florida residents for tuition paying purposes must sign and complete the Florida Residents section of the Florida Residency Classification page of the Graduate Application. Incomplete or unsigned forms will be classified as non-Florida residents. The Office of Graduate Admissions will classify applicants as Florida residents if they have provided documentation that verifies they began living in Florida at least twelve months prior to the first day of classes of their admitted term of entry. Additional documentation other than what is required may be requested in some cases. All documentation is subject to verification. The student is responsible for checking their residency classification when admitted to the University of South Florida. The residency classification is noted on the official acceptance letter. If the student feels that their initial classification is in error, they have until the last day of the term to contact the appropriate admissions office and request a re-evaluation. After the student has completed their first semester of study they may seek to have their residency reconsidered. They may submit a Request for Reclassification Form with the Office of the Registrar. This must be filed by the 5th day of classes for the term being requested. More information on the residency policy can be found here.
7. Application Documents Access/Forward/Return Policy
No application, test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendations, or other documents submitted with the application packet will be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another institution/third party. The Office of Graduate Admissions applicant file is not to be released to the applicant or other third parties. Requests, subpoenas, or court orders are to be forwarded to the Office of the General Counsel after review by the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions. Applicants once admitted and enrolled during the term of admission may request access to their student file at the Office of the Registrar. Letters of Recommendation that the applicant has waived the right to view (indicated on Request for Recommendation Form) are not to be given, copied or viewed by the applicant or third parties. Requests for degree/enrollment verification information are referred to the Office of the Registrar. The Office of Graduate Admissions graduate application files may be copied and released to USF staff conducting legitimate University business.
8. Additional Requirements of Programs
As specified, the CEE requires the following, IN ADDITION to the materials listed above.
1) a CEE department intake form
2) a brief statement of purpose
3) a resume
4) contact information for 2-3 references who will be requested to send letters of recommendation (do NOT have your references send these letters, we will contact them). We recommend that at least 2 of the letters come from faculty members who are familiar with you.