SPM Ph.D. Program Admissions Requirements

Application Deadline

Admission for Fall 2025: December 1, 2024 for non-US Residents and priority funding consideration, March 1, 2025 for US Residents

Note: Late applications may still be considered for review depending on the number of applications received. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

For students who wish to be eligible for Graduate School Fellowships, all application materials should be submitted by the end of January. This prestigious funding opportunity requires a faculty sponsor and nomination. Applicants must coordinate with their advisor to complete the necessary paperwork by the deadline. Self-nominations will not be accepted. More information about funding opportunities can be found below.

Admissions Requirements

• A recognized baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution. 
• A minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours.
• For applicants from countries where English is not the official language, UF requires proficiency in spoken and written English and accepts the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  • Minimum scores acceptable for admissions are:
    • TOEFL: 550 (paper test); 80 (internet based)
    • IELTS: 6
    • MELAB: 77
  • International applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if enrolled for one academic year in a degree-seeking program at a recognized/regionally accredited university or college in a country where English is the official language prior to your anticipated term of enrollment at UF, or if you are from one of the following countries.
• International Students: Please refer to the UF International Center for information regarding the I-20 process.

Applications are evaluated individually by the department faculty. Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria:

• Academic history, TOEFL score (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Compatibility of applicant’s education, experience and research interest with the mission of the program
• Compatibility of the applicant’s background and interests with those of an available advisor
• Teaching, research and other departmental needs in cases where departmental financial support is requested

During the application process, please look through the research interests of individual faculty members and directly contact those who you would be interested in working with. A graduate faculty member MUST accept Ph.D. applicants prior to admission. Any specific questions regarding the application process should be directed to the graduate coordinator: SPMGRAD@hhp.ufl.edu

Graduate students already at UF who are applying for the PhD program:

• Please draft a new SOP that includes the date you anticipate receiving your master’s degree.
• You must request 3 new letters of recommendation and one letter must be from your current advisor addressing your potential as a PhD student.
• You must submit an online application (details provided below), communicating with spmgrad@hhp.ufl.edu if questions arise.

How to Apply

Submit an online application which will include:

1. Statement of Purpose

• Tell us why you want to attend our graduate program, what you want to do after your degree and any relevant experience you have.
• Please include the name of a faculty member to work with as your advisor.  Please also indicate whether you have spoken with them already, and if they have agreed to be your advisor.

2. Transcripts

• Arrange to have official transcripts sent to the UF Office of Admissions from each postsecondary institution attended.
• Mail original transcripts to Graduate Admissions located at 201 Criser Hall, PO Box 114000, Gainesville FL 32611-400.
• If you attended UF as your postsecondary institution, you do not have to order a transcript from the Office of the University Registrar.
• International applicants must submit official transcripts, mark sheets, and examination certificates in the native language for all secondary and/or postsecondary coursework, along with certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English.

3. Test Scores (TOEFL if applicable)

• Arrange to have the testing facility send official test scores to institutional code 5812.
• TOEFL scores are only valid for two years from date they were taken.

4. Letters of Recommendation (3 required)

• The department prefers that at least 2 of these letters of recommendation come from academic sources. The third letter can be from someone known to you in a professional or academic capacity.
• Letters can be submitted electronically through the online application or mailed directly to the department.
• If sending letters directly to the department, please use the recommendation form found here.

5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Application Information:

• College: HH
• Program: Health & Human Performance
• Concentration: Sport Management

To expedite your application process, email unofficial copies of application items listed above (e.g. unofficial transcripts, letters of recommendation) as attachments to SPMGRAD@hhp.ufl.edu

Contact Information

SPM Department

352-392-1642
SPMGRAD@hhp.ufl.edu

For more information about Graduate Education at UF, please click here.