MS LEI FAQs

The program is composed of 36 credit hours.

A full-time student who takes 4 courses each semester can complete the program in 3 semesters, which amounts to one academic year. A part-time student who takes 2 courses each semester can complete the program in 6 semesters, which amounts to two academic years.

The program is only available online.

Students can complete the program at their own pace by taking courses either part-time (3 or fewer courses) or full-time (4 courses).

All courses must be passed with a “B-” grade or better and students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout enrollment in the program. If a “B-” grade or better is not achieved in a course, the course must be repeated.

Currently, the program does not offer any graduate assistantships or fellowships. However, we encourage students to apply for foundation and campus-based scholarships by visiting our Financial Aid & Benefits page.

In-state tuition is $444.26 per credit hour plus distance learning fees variable by course. Information on current tuition costs can be found on the Student Business Services website.

Out-of-state tuition is $520 per credit hour plus distance learning fees variable by course. Information on current tuition costs can be found on the Student Business Services website.

FSU DL fees is determined based on a cost-recovery financial model, as allowed by Florida Statute and approved by the FSU Board of Trustees, and are therefore variable by course and/or program.

You can take any graduate electives from any department at FSU as long as the department allows non-majors to take their courses. Be sure to consult with your graduate advisor before enrolling.

Transfer of graduate courses not counted toward a previous degree from another regionally accredited U.S. graduate school (or comparable international institution) is limited to six semester hours, and transfer of graduate courses not counted toward a previous degree within Florida State University is limited to twelve semester hours, except when the departmental course requirement exceeds the thirty-hour University-wide minimum requirement. All transfer credit must: 1) be recommended by the major department; 2) be evaluated as graduate work by the Records Audit and Analysis in the Office of the University Registrar at Florida State University; and 3) have been completed with grades of 3.0 (“B”) or better.

This course is comprised of a research-based project that is a theoretical or applied research-driven work of scholarship that serves as a final example of the meaningful link between theory/research and practice/application. Appropriate topics for the project have the goal of developing a concept not normally covered in the curriculum but that can be reasonably approached within the expertise of the student and research mentor.

Students who earned a LEI master’s degree currently work in agencies such as the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State and Local Law Enforcement and other agencies who have full-time intelligence bureaus. Also, other students are in the military intelligence community.

All FSU students have access to the FSU Career Center’s online jobs database NoleNetwork as a resource for linking students and alumni directly with hiring employers and Career Center programs. FSU students have indicated that the FSU Career Center has been the #1 resource they have used to find employment for 8 years in a row.

Visit the Graduate Admissions webpage to complete and submit the University Admissions Office's Online Application Form.

Unfortunately, the Office of Admissions is unable to waive the application fee payment for graduate applicants. However, if you are an active-duty military member, please notify your Graduate Representative of your active-duty status to be assisted with your application fee.

The application payment system only accepts payments from 16-digit credit cards or e-check.  Please note that paying with an e-check can take 8-10 business days to be received and processed. If you need additional assistance with payments, you may contact Student Business Services at (850) 644-9452.

For summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025, GRE scores will not be required. If students choose during this time to not include GRE scores, it is important to have strong GPAs to be considered for admission.

A minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree.

The Upper-division undergraduate GPA includes the entire term in which you attempted your 60th credit hour and continues until completion of the baccalaureate degree. If you are experiencing difficulties reporting your upper-division undergraduate GPA, you may input your cumulative undergraduate GPA in that space in the meantime. Additionally, your graduate representative will calculate the Upper-Division GPA upon review of your application.

Yes, you must request a transcript from every post-secondary institution attended.

Applicants must submit an official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college and/or university attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions. Official transcripts for these credits must also be submitted. Transcripts are considered official when they bear an official seal and signature and are sent from the issuing college or university directly to Florida State. FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file will be obtained by the Office of Admissions.

The Graduate Admissions Office recommends that you have official transcripts sent to FSU electronically to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu. If this is not an option, you may submit an official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college and/or university attended directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Please note that there may be a delay in processing transcripts that are send via mail.

Office of Graduate Admissions address for submitting Official Transcripts: 

• Florida State University 
• Office of Graduate Admissions 
• 314 Westcott Bldg. 
• Tallahassee, FL. 32306-1410 
• USA
•  

A photo is not required on a resume/curriculum vitae. If a student chooses to include a photo, please consider the following dos and don’ts:

• Do: Choose a professional-looking photo. A front-facing headshot on a solid, light background.
• Don’t: Use a selfie or a posed, party or group photo taken down at the pub, club, or beach.
• Do: Ensure that the photo is well shot with a high resolution and isn’t blurry or out of focus.
• Don’t: Use an avatar, cartoon, or funny photo. It’s better to go without.
• Do: Make sure the photo fits in with, and complements, the overall impression of your career experience.
• Don’t: Use a dated or altered photo. Choose a current one that’s true to who you are today.

Recommendations from former professors, employers, and professional/organizational experience are preferred. Personal recommendations from relatives or friends will not be accepted.

No action is required. Distance Learning students are exempt from the requirement to show proof of immunizations. Contact our Office of Student Affairs at (850) 770-2170 for assistance.

The program does not offer visas as it is an online only program.

For more information on estimated costs of living and the I-20 process, please visit FSU's Center for Global Engagement.

he Graduate School offers fellowship and grant opportunities for graduate students. For current FSU students, the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards assists in identifying and applying for external funding opportunities. In addition, the Center for Global Engagement has more information about additional funding opportunities for international students.

All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.

To be considered "certified," documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted.

If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required.

Please read more about our general transcript requirements on our Graduate Admissions page.

International students should email the Center for Global Engagement to discuss regulations related to visas and online/remote learning. This Center will also provide you with ongoing support and a range of cultural activities for all FSU students.