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Academics 

Graduate Programs

  Application Now Open!

The Graduate application is open for Fall 2025 entry. Admission is rolling while space is available.

 

Our masters programs position students for success, whether they plan to advance their career or further their studies. Florida Poly represents one of the most innovative investments in American public higher education and research. Our small class sizes and high-quality faculty bring industry expertise and significant research portfolios, ensuring that our students receive the foundational depth needed to grow academically and professionally.

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Graduate Programs

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Graduate
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Graduate

 

   

 

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Undergraduate/Graduate

 

Pathways

In the admission process, students select a thesis or course-only pathway which determines degree completion requirements and the student’s timeline to graduation. Students pursuing Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering can choose between two pathways: the thesis pathway and course-only pathway. The Master of Science in Engineering Management does not have a thesis pathway, and all students follow the course-only pathway.
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Thesis Pathway

Thesis students typically graduate in 24 months and must complete and defend their thesis to graduate. Thesis students are also eligible for graduate assistantships but must make consistent and notable progress on their research to continue in the program.
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Course-Only Pathway

Course-only students usually complete the program at an accelerated pace in about one year – a Fall and Spring Term and one Summer Term. Course-only students can also slow down their progression and complete in 16-24 months if they are working full-time or prefer a slower pace. Students in this pathway are eligible for merit scholarships, but not graduate
assistantships.
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Thesis and Research Opportunities

Students who enroll in the thesis pathway are required to abide by specific timeline and guidelines, at the direction of the Office of Graduate Studies and the respective department. Upon entering the thesis program at Florida Poly, students may be assigned a temporary advisor until an appropriate faculty member has been identified as the thesis advisor. After a thesis advisor is identified with department chair approval, that faculty will assume all related advising responsibilities.

Students submit their thesis in their final semester. For submission, students must adhere to the directions provided in the updated Thesis Format Manual (which may be found at the bottom of this page under "Graduate Resources"). Students should also seek guidance from their thesis advisor for any additional submission guidelines or questions.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are an opportunity for graduate students to engage in research, be
mentored by faculty, and complete their degree with minimal expenses. Graduate assistants
(GAs) are financially supported in exchange for hours worked, with an expectation of notable and
consistent thesis progress throughout their time in the program.

•Full-time tuition waived
•Competitive stipend of up to $4,000 * per semester (including a summer term). Stipend is paid biweekly across each semester in exchange for 10 hours of instructional support.
•Research mentorship and guidance from faculty
*New GAs, beginning their program fall 2023 and forward, will receive the maximum $4000 per
semester stipend

To remain eligible as a graduate assistant, students will need to stay on track for the thesis
pathway and graduate on time. Students are expected to dedicate significant time to their research
throughout the program.
 
The assistantship also requires a commitment of ten (10) hours per week of instructional support as
assigned by the academic department. Students are also allowed to work no more than an additional
ten (10) hours per week on campus at an hourly rate.
 
More information regarding graduate assistantship eligibility and policies can be found in the
graduate catalog and handbook.

Graduate assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis during the admission process.
Students interested in a graduate assistantship should speak with the Associate Director of Graduate Admissions, Shelley Esker, and indicate their interest in the thesis pathway on their application. Graduate assistantships, each evaluated by a faculty committee, are highly competitive and limited in number each year. Students working full-time are ineligible for graduate assistantships.

 

Meet the Graduate Department Chairs

matt bohm

 

MS Mechanical Engineering 

Dr. Matt Bohm, Department Chair

 
shahram taj
MS Data Science, MS Engineering Management

Dr. Shahram Taj, Department Chair

 

Dr. Asaithambi

 

 

MS Computer Science, MS Electrical Engineering

Dr. Asaithambi, Department Chair

 

 

 

Want to be a Phoenix? Get in touch with Admissions.