While all FIU students are required to possess a high school diploma or GED, freshmen are also required to have earned 18 units of college preparatory courses, including four units of English, three of which must include writing; three units of math, Algebra 1 or higher; three units of science, two must include labs; three units of social sciences; two units of the same foreign language; and three units of electives. Other requirements are submitting an application and fees and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores.
Transfer students must submit an application and fees and transcripts from other attended institutions. If the student is transferring from a college or university in Florida, test scores from the College Level Academic Test (CLAST) must also be submitted. If the student is transferring with fewer than 60 credits, he must also submit high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores.
Students who have earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from a public community college in Florida is guaranteed admission as a junior. Guaranteed admission is not available for limited access programs that have other admission requirements.
FIU Online offers undergraduate programs in finance, international business, human resource management, management, public administration, criminal justice, and a registered nurse (RN) to bachelor of science, nursing (BSN) program. Graduate degrees are available in hospitality management, occupational therapy, public health, forensic science, construction management and criminal justice.
Some courses will not require students to set foot on campus and may even conduct exams online. Some courses may require proctored exams or at least one visit to campus. It is important to check course requirements when registering.
To successfully complete online classes at FIU, students must meet necessary computer requirements. Students should have at minimum moderate computer skills and be familiar with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Power Point. Students should own a computer with Internet connection via DSL or cable, Microsoft Office, an email address, and have installed an anti-virus program. System requirements include a PC with at least Windows 98 or higher, a Macintosh system with 9.2 or higher, Pentium 600, 64 MB of RAM, 6Gb hard drive, CD-Rom capabilities, sound card and speakers.
Tuition costs for FIU depend on whether the student is a Florida resident or not. In 2009, Florida residents in an undergraduate program could expect to pay anywhere from $128 per credit hour to $142 per credit hour, plus online course fees of about $66 per credit hour. Graduate courses for Florida residents in 2009 were $326 to $415 per credit plus the online course fee. Non-Florida residents enrolling in an undergraduate program in 2009 could expect to pay $541 to $556 per course, plus the online fee, and graduate courses ranged from $830 to $876 per credit hour, plus the online fee.