Why USF?

Why USF for Graduate Students?

USF is committed to the success of talented graduate students like you. We’ve got your back from the first moment you step onto campus to the moment you walk across the stage at graduation. Is USF the right fit for you? Get to know us a little better and discover what it means to be a Bull.

At USF, you'll have access to...

A graduate degree is a huge committment, and we believe you should love where you live while you study. Whether you prefer to live in a city or by a sea, USF has you covered with our three beautiful campuses. No matter which campus you're on, you have access to all the resources of a Preeminent Research University.

• USF Tampa is our largest campus, located in Tampa’s booming Uptown District.
• USF St. Petersburg is on the waterfront in artsy downtown St. Petersburg.
• USF Sarasota-Manatee is a tight-knit, coastal campus community in stunning Sarasota.

Explore Our Campuses

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Pursue your precise academic passion! At USF, you can choose from over 146 doctoral and 260 master degree programs, transformative research experiences, exhilarating study abroad experiences and top-notch student resources that support your success.

Discover Our Programs

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As one of America’s top public research universities, USF empowers students to create global change. Bulls are advancing the frontiers of medicine, science, engineering and the arts. Your passion will have real impact here.

Our university is a leader in the treatment of brain diseases, veteran reintegration, sustainability, infectious disease, photovoltaic technologies (using cells to convert sunlight to energy) artificial intelligence and so much more. Visit the Office of Research and Innovation to learn more about how we're moving from inspiration to transformative results.

As a graduate student, your academic progress will be supported by valuable resources like research symposiums, funding opportunities, networking groups and a database of theses and dissertations.

Do the Research on USF Research

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Take a break from your dissertation with a quick trip to the beach. In Tampa Bay, you don't need a multi-day road-trip to enjoy the sand and surf: you can see the coast in less than an hour's drive. We can't imagine a better way to unwind. Explore the sun-drenched, subtropical paradise that the University of South Florida calls home.

Soak Up the Sunshine

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With one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, generous fellowships and scholarships and plenty of assistantship and funding opportunities, USF is an outstanding value. Even if you live outside Florida, our tuition rates are competitive with many of your local universities. Reach your education goals at a price that won’t break the bank.

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At USF, we believe in helping you find your perfect career match. 

• Career Coaching offers career exploration, resume writing guidance and more to help you discover your career interests and find employment.
• Cooperative education integrates paid, hands-on, career-related work experience through your academic program and provides you with valuable training in your chosen career field.
• Internships offer an opportunity to perform hands-on work in your desired field and are often shorter in duration than a co-op.
• Job search prepares you for the post-graduation career search with a suite of services, including resume and cover letter preparation, employer research, networking tips, interview skills and tips on proper attire.
• Professional Development Certification Program provides workshops and events that help you sharpen your professional skills and network with other USF graduate students.

Career Services

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We support every Bull, but military-connected students enjoy specialized support services at USF. As one of the nation's most veteran-friendly schools, USF offers a number of special programs and resources for military-connected students, including veterans, eligible dependents, active duty service members, and members of the Selected Reserve. Our large population of student veterans means you'll have a built-in community, not to mention ongoing support from our Office of Veteran Success.

We offer an out-of-state tuition waiver for any qualified veteran, dependent or active duty personnel who enrolls in our university. Count on our Pathways program to walk you through the admission process and help you use the GI Bill benefit effectively.

Office of Veteran Success

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From surfing to basketball to eSports, our over 70 intramural and club sport options allow you to find activities that interest you. Our other recreation and fitness offerings include:

• Gyms on all three campuses
• Equipment rentals on all three campuses
• Adventure Trips for all students
• Pools on the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses
• Group fitness at the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses
• Hiking trail on the Tampa campus
• USF Challenge Course on the Tampa campus

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Need a break from all that world-changing research you're working on? Meet us at the game! USF’s 21 NCAA Division I teams compete throughout the year, achieving excellence in football, basketball, softball and more. During each season, USF students enjoy many perks, including:

• Free admission to every game (including football)
• Fan rewards
• Free transportation to watch the Bulls play football at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Soon, students will cheer on the Bulls at our very own on-campus stadium.

We'll see you (and our back-to-back national championship-winning cheerleading team) there. Go Bulls!

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LEARN MORE ABOUT USF

We're ready to answer your questions about what USF offers and how you can become a Bull.

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