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Doctoral Programs

Admission is competitive; consequently, applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not assured admission. There is no formula, yardstick or scoring, the college qualitatively and quantitatively evaluates applicants and makes selections based on performance, personal qualifications, and evidence of potential for success. We strive to identify future students with tremendous professional outlook. Our admission process takes into consideration both your professional and academic accomplishments. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Term Dates Preferred Deadline
Fall 2023 August 21, 2023 - December 10, 2023 June 21, 2023
Winter 2024 January 3, 2024 - April 28, 2024 November 3, 2023
Summer 2024 May 6, 2024 - July 28, 2024 March 6, 2023

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. To ensure evaluation for the desired starting term, applications and all required documents must be ready for review at least two months prior to the start of the term. Late applications that cannot be processed in time for the desired starting term will be considered for the next available term.

  1. An earned bachelor’s or master’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.20 from a regionally accredited institution and with an appropriate major. (see program-specific admission requirements under individual programs). 
  2. Online application and non-refundable $50.
  3. Essay.
  4. Sealed official transcripts from every institution ever attended.
  5. Three letters of recommendation from three people who are familiar with your academic and/or professional capabilities and able to assess your intellectual abilities, maturity, and motivation. Recommendations from your professors are preferred. Recommendations are unacceptable if they are from family members, friends, those without experience in the research-based doctorate, or from those unable to evaluate your academic potential to succeed in the program to which you are applying. Letters of recommendations are requested and submitted electronically after you submit your online application.
  6. A resume/curriculum vitae (CV) that provides a short account of your academic background and professional experience.
  7. Proficiency in the English language. (Ph.D. students are expected to write numerous papers and a dissertation. Grammatical errors, spelling errors, and writing that does not express ideas clearly will affect a student’s grades and the completion of his or her degree. The faculty will not provide remedial help concerning grammatical errors or other writing problems. Applicants who are unable to write correctly and clearly are urged to seek remedial help before applying to any of the college’s programs.)

The college may request additional documentation to support the application. In addition, the applicants may submit standardized test scores or any additional documentation to strengthen their application.

You may request official transcripts and/or test score reports to be sent by mail to the address below:

Nova Southeastern University
Attn: Enrollment Processing Services (EPS)
3300 S. University Drive
P. O. Box 299000
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328-2004

Your previous institution may submit an official electronic transcript to: electronictranscript@nova.edu

Once you have submitted your application, you may view your supplemental items on your profile account and upload certain documents. If you want to upload additional documentation that are not listed, please inform the Office of Admissions. 

  1. Our doctoral programs do not offer a full-time, on campus format. Therefore, an I-20 cannot be issued for our doctoral programs. Please confer with the Office of International Students and Scholars for details about your status as an international student. 

  2. If the degree was completed outside of the United States, it must be equivalent to a regionally-accredited United States master's degree in a related field with an equivalent GPA of at least 3.25. To enable the school to determine equivalencies, applicants must have their degrees evaluated by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course transcript evaluation with a GPA calculation is required. For current information on evaluation agencies visit www.naces.org/members.html.

  3. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency. The following standardized tests satisfy the university's English requirement for nonnative English speakers. Minimum scores must be met. Official test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to Nova Southeastern University. Institution codes for sending official scores are listed respectively. 

An applicant can qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria is met:

    • Successful completion of at least a bachelor's degree at a regionally-accredited U.S. institution of higher education.
    • Passing Level 9 at Talk International Language School.
    • Completion of a degree at an institution in one of the following countries: Australia, English speaking Canada, Ghana, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.

For more information on obtaining a student visa or an I-20 and other requirements for international students, please visit the university's Office of International Students and Scholars.

Apply Online Now

If you have already submitted an application, please contact the Office of Admissions first before submitting another one. Otherwise, you will be charged and responsible for an additional $50 application fee.

To start your online application, click the "Apply Now" button above. First time users will need to create a graduate account. Please remember your login email address and password as they will be required should you need to complete your application in more than one session. Additionally, with this account you can return to this site to view a summary of your application, a checklist of items needed to complete your application, and where you can upload documents to complete your application. 

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