Completed Graduate Application

• Complete the Graduate Studies application to express your interest in becoming an FVSU Graduate Student. You can access a PDF copy of the application form here.
• Note: To enroll in Graduate Studies, you must have earned a baccalaureate/undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Non-refundable application processing fee

• Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee to complete their graduate application. (Application fees are not waived).
  • Domestic applicants – $20
  • International applicants – $75
• The application fee is devoted to the administrative cost of processing all applications received, and is not refundable under any circumstances, regardless of the outcome, the date of filing, the time of review, or if, for whatever the reason, the application is withdrawn.
• Did you complete a Graduate Studies application and need to pay the application fee? Pay here.

A Statement of Purpose

550-600 word Statement of Purpose should be in essay format and include personal characteristics/disposition, professional goals, your academic background, research, work/volunteer experience, and why you? What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program? Describe your area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.

• What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to contribute to this field?
• What additional information about your experience may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at FVSU?
• Why is the FVSU graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you to pursue your academic goals? If you are applying for a research master’s program, we encourage you to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.
• What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?

(3) Letters of Recommendation using the FVSU Recommendation for Admission Form

Recommendations should be requested from academic or business professionals who are able to comment on your qualifications for graduate study. It is strongly recommended that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work.

Letters of recommendation without the completed form will not fulfill the recommendation requirement for admission review. The required recommendation form can be found here.

The form must be completed in its entirety and submitted directly by the recommender to
graduatestudies@fvsu.edu. Recommendations from friends or relatives are not acceptable.

Official Transcript from each post-secondary institution (College/University) attended

Graduate Studies requires every degree-seeking applicant to request all official transcripts from every attended university or college. Failure to submit all official transcripts from each institution will delay admission. Coursework from one institution reported as transfer credit on another school’s transcript does not constitute an official transcript.

• Please note:
  • Transcripts bearing the stamp “Issued to Student,” hand-delivered transcripts, transcripts mailed or managed by the student, faxed transcripts, or transcripts issued to third parties cannot be accepted.
  • Transfer credit reflected on a transcript issued by another institution is not acceptable, you must submit a transcript from the institution at which the credit was earned.

    Electronic Delivery Method:

    Official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college/university to graduatestudies@fvsu.edu in a secure electronic format such as Student National Clearinghouse, or Parchment, which is the preferred method.

    Alternatively, Fort Valley State University will accept official mailed transcripts in the original, unopened, sealed, and stamped/signed envelope from the issuing institution to FVSU Graduate Studies and should be directed to:

    Traditional Mail Delivery Method:

    Fort Valley State University
    Office of Graduate Studies -Troup Building Room 319
    1005 State University Drive
    Fort Valley, Georgia 31030

    Please note that there may be a delay in processing transcripts that are sent via mail.

    Transfer work outside the U.S:

    If you have attended colleges or universities outside the 50 U.S. states or the District of Columbia, you must provide a foreign credential report which includes English translations and information showing detailed, course-by-course evaluations and appropriate U.S. degree equivalency.

    The foreign credential report MUST be an independent review prepared by an agency. These agencies are private enterprises that charge a fee for their services and that expense is the responsibility of the applicant. The following agencies are approved. Reports from any other agency will NOT be accepted.

    List of Professional Academic Credential Evaluation Agencies – Professional transcript evaluations of college/university transcripts must include a course-by-course evaluation with GPA calculation). Will not accept agencies not listed. 

    Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE)
    National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
    Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)
    WES World Education Services
    Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
    Scholaro

    Original or certified true copies of documents must be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Studies or submitted directly by the Professional Academic Credential Evaluation Agency to graduatestudies@fvsu.edu, which is the preferred method.

    Traditional Mail Delivery Method:

    Transcripts must be in the original envelope, sealed from the institution they are being requested from. They must be mailed to:

    Fort Valley State University
    Office of Graduate Studies – Troup Building Room 319
    1005 State University Drive
    Fort Valley, Georgia 31030

    Fort Valley State University may require you to submit a credential evaluation for certain college/university coursework. You will be notified if this is required.

    Please note that there may be a delay in processing transcripts that are sent via mail. Admission decisions will not be made based on copies, faxes, or other unofficial documents.

    FYI:

    • Additional requirements may be required by specific programs.
    • If applying to the MS in Biotechnology, please submit all official documents by July 1st for Fall or December 31st for spring.
    • If applying to the M.S. School Counselor Education program, please submit all application materials by April 15th for summer enrollment.
    • If applying to the School Counselor Education Ed. S program, please submit all application materials by June 15th for fall enrollment.

    Helpful Links

    Explore Graduate Programs 

    Apply for Graduate Admission

    Pay Graduate Admission Application fee (Domestic – $40 and International – $75)

    Check Your Graduate Admission Application Status

    Recommendation for Graduate Admission Form

    Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) School Code: 001566

    Instructions for completing a fillable PDF form using Adobe Reader