Full-time Enrollment Requirements

A full-time degree-seeking graduate student must take at least 9 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters, with 12 semester hours being the maximum load. A half-time load is defined as enrolled in at least 4.5 credit hours in fall and spring terms. During the summer term, full-time is 6 credit hours and half-time is 3 credit hours. There are two exceptions to this policy:

1. For master's students pursuing a thesis option, full-time enrollment is defined as 3 hours per semester of thesis course work (XXX 6971), after completion of all course work and until graduation.
2. For doctoral students who have passed the candidacy exam and are registered for doctoral dissertation (XXX 7980) hours only, full-time is 3 hours per semester until graduation. Such students must continue to enroll in at least three dissertation hours each semester (including summers, without skipping a semester) until they successfully complete the dissertation and graduate.

University financial resources are to be used to support full-time, degree-seeking graduate students who maintain good academic progress. Graduate students receiving assistantships, tuition support, and fellowships must be enrolled full-time.

Entry Semester and Subsequent Semesters
Fall	9 graduate hours
Spring	9 graduate hours
Summer	6 graduate hours

NOTE:

All international students on F or J visas must maintain full-time, degree-seeking status, regardless of financial support received from the university. F and J visa holders should contact the International Services Center (ISC) to ensure that their enrollment conforms to the full-time definition for their visa status. International students should not change their course schedule or drop classes without advisement from the International Services Center. All international students who enroll in less than 9 hours per term must submit to ISC a Reduced Course Load Form that explains the nature of the reduced hours and must obtain approval from ISC (see www.intl.ucf.edu for Reduced Course Load Form). This requirement also applies to international students who are enrolled in less than 9 hours per term in thesis or dissertation hours.

Students who receive financial support from outside UCF and who have loan obligations are responsible for enrolling in the number of credit hours that meet the full-time or half-time criteria specified by the funding source. Enrollment certification is provided by the Registrar's Office based upon the UCF definition of full-time graduate status.

Nondegree-seeking students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours or more to be considered in full-time status.

Students who do not satisfy these full-time enrollment requirements may have to start repaying student loans and will not qualify for graduate assistantships, fellowships or tuition support. Students receiving financial aid should refer to the Program Eligibility Charts on the Office of Student Financial Assistance website (http://finaid.ucf.edu) under "Receiving Aid" to determine their specific enrollment requirements. Students receiving veterans benefits should contact Veteran's Affairs (www.va.sdes.ucf.edu) for additional information about course loads.

Exceptions to these enrollment requirements are granted only in cases of documented medical hardship. Requests for an exception should be directed to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, in writing.

Student's Responsibility

It is the student's responsibility to keep informed of all rules, regulations, and procedures required for graduate studies. Graduate program regulations will not be waived or exceptions granted because students plead ignorance of the regulations or claim failure of the adviser to keep them informed.

Classroom Responsibility

Students are responsible for maintaining classroom decorum appropriate to the educational environment. When the conduct of a student or group of students varies from acceptable standards and becomes disruptive to normal classroom procedures, the instructor has the authority to remove the offending party from the room and refer the student to the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 155) for disciplinary action.

Student Conduct

Students are subject to federal and state laws and local ordinances as well as regulations prescribed by the University of Central Florida and the Florida Board of Governors. The breach or violation of any of these laws or regulations may result in disciplinary action. Behavioral breaches of state law, UCF requirements, or program expectations are grounds for dismissal from the program of study and the university. Detailed conduct regulations and procedures are presented in The Golden Rule (www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu).

A person applying for admission to UCF who has declared an adjudication of a violation of conduct policies at a previous college or university or a violation of the law that resulted in probation, community service, a jail sentence, or the revocation or suspension of their driver's license (including traffic violations that resulted in a fine of $200 or more) will have circumstances of the case reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 155) to consider eligibility for admission.

Religious Observances

It is the policy of the University of Central Florida to reasonably accommodate the religious observances, practices, and beliefs of individuals in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments. A student who desires to observe a religious holy day of his or her religious faith will notify all of his/her instructors and be excused from classes to observe the religious holy day.

The student will be held responsible for any material covered during the excused absence, but will be permitted a reasonable amount of time to complete any work missed. Where practicable, major examinations, major assignments, and university ceremonies will not be scheduled on a major religious holy day.

Students who are absent from academic or social activities because of religious observances will not be penalized. A student who believes that he/she has been unreasonably denied an educational benefit due to his/her religious belief or practices may seek redress under the Student Grievance Procedure, located in The Golden Rule.

University Closings

In the event of some extraordinary event (such as a natural disaster or prolonged power outage), the President shall determine whether it is necessary to cancel classes and approve administrative leave for employees in affected areas. Department chairs, in consultation with their faculty and with the college dean, shall determine the effect on final examinations and other academic matters.

Professional Development Opportunities

As part of a program's professional development plan for students, full-time graduate students may be offered the opportunity to gain experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (or Associate or Grader; GTA), Graduate Research Assistant (or Associate; GRA), or Graduate Assistant. See Full-time Enrollment Requirements for a description of the policy regarding full-time enrollment.

Assignments to these professional development activities are intended to supplement the student's academic program of study in order to give the student professional experiences that will enhance the student's development and prepare him/her for post-graduation employment. While these activities provide the opportunity for students to be graduate assistants, their overriding purpose is to help develop the skills, abilities, and professionalization of the student.

All graduate assistants (GTAs and GRAs) must be assigned to at least a half-time appointment (0.25 fte assignment approximately equivalent to 10 hours per week). However, the standard assignment for graduate assistants is a full-time appointment (0.5 fte assignment approximately equivalent to 20 hours per week). Students who desire more than a full-time appointment during fall and spring semesters or more than 30 hours during the summer semester must complete a Supplemental Assignment Form (see www.graduate.ucf.edu for form). UCF Graduate Studies will only grant exceptions to this policy in rare circumstances and for compelling reasons related to the student's professional development. Exceptions are granted only rarely during the first year of a student's program of study. Decisions are based upon the student's academic record, the appointment fte, the relationship of the assignments to the student's program of study, support from the graduate program director, and related factors.

Student FICA exemption—Graduate assistants who are enrolled at least part-time (5 hours in fall, 5 hours in spring, or 3 hours in summer) will be exempt from FICA/Medicare taxes during pay periods that overlap with the academic term and during breaks of less than five weeks. Breaks longer than five weeks where graduate students are on a graduate assistant appointment but not enrolled will result in withholding FICA/Medicare taxes.

International Student Employment

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, graduate students who are on an F-1 or J-1 visa may accept employment on campus without prior USCIS approval as long as students are enrolled full-time and employment does not interfere with their studies. Off-campus employment, however, must be at locations affiliated with the university either through contractually funded projects or associated with the university curricula. Curricular training is authorized by the International Services Center only to students who qualify for Curricular Training for off-campus employment.

During the fall and spring semesters, on-campus employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. During the summer enrollment periods, on-campus employment is limited to no more than 30 hours per week for enrolled students (enrollment must be full-time). Such employment may be full-time (40 hours per week) during vacation periods (including summer) when students are not enrolled in classes, provided that the student is eligible and intends to register for the subsequent academic term. All graduate assistants during the summer must enroll in a full-time course load.

On-campus employment is not permitted after completion of the program of study, unless the student is issued a Form I-20A-B to begin a new program and intends to enroll for the next regular academic year, term, or session.

Students who received a bachelor's degree at one school and will start a master's degree at UCF are eligible to work during the summer at either the original school or UCF as long as a Form I-20A-B was issued for the new master's program.

International students on an F-1 visa are eligible to apply for one year of optional practical training after completion of their program.

For more information about the employment of international students, contact the International Services Center at 407-823-2337 or www.intl.ucf.edu.

English Competency for Graduate Teaching Assistants

The English-speaking skills of graduate students with English as a second language who plan to serve as graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) will be evaluated using the SPEAK test provided by the Educational Testing Service. This requirement applies to all students from countries where English is not the native language; however, such students will be exempt if they have completed a previous degree from an accredited U.S. college or university. Only exempted students and those who have attended the required GTA Training and satisfactorily passed the evaluation of their English-speaking skills may have GTA appointments.

The SPEAK test will be administered as part of the GTA Training that is offered at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters each year by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. All students who will serve as GTAs for the first time are required to attend the GTA Training and take the SPEAK test. Students who pass the test will be allowed to serve as GTAs.

Students who do not pass the SPEAK test will not be allowed to serve as GTAs unless they complete course work designed to improve English-speaking skills and pass the post-training administration of the test. This course work and post-training evaluations will be administered through the Center for Multicultural Multilingual Studies. As needed, the university will provide each student one or two month-long sessions with post-training evaluations. If students achieve a satisfactory test score following the first session, they may be employed as GTAs. Otherwise, students must complete a second session and a second post-training evaluation. Students who require more than two sessions to speak English effectively will have to rely upon personal or department resources to pay for additional course work and post-evaluations.

Limited Nondegree Students Enrolling in Graduate Classes

All students who wish to enroll as limited nondegree students at the graduate level will be accepted as nondegree-seeking students at the graduate level. Students wishing to enroll should complete the online graduate application, pay the application fee, provide transcripts from previous institutions, and complete residency forms.

UCF Graduate Studies will make available the one-page nondegree graduate application form to those faculty who are meeting classes for the first time at an off-campus site or regional campus. Those meeting classes should collect the appropriate information and forms. These materials should be returned directly to UCF Graduate Studies, where they will be processed and students will be registered.

Students will be placed on hold for the following semester's registration, awaiting the transcript from a previous institution that verifies the bachelor's degree.

Non-Discrimination Policy (including sexual harassment)

The University of Central Florida values diversity in the campus community. Accordingly, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, parental status, or veteran's status is prohibited.

Employees, students, or applicants for employment or admission may obtain further information on this policy, including grievance procedures, from the Equity Coordinator. The Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs is the campus Equity Coordinator responsible for concerns in all areas of discrimination. The office is located on the main campus, in Millican Hall 330, Orlando, FL 32816-0030. The phone number is 407-UCF-1EEO. Policies and guidelines are available online at http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~eeo/.

Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is the university's policy regarding nonacademic discipline of students and limited academic grievance procedures for graduate (grade appeals in individual courses, not including thesis and dissertation courses) and undergraduate students. Information concerning The Golden Rule can be found at www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/. Section 11, "Student Academic Behavior," addresses appeals of graduate program actions or decisions.

Academic Grievance Procedure

UCF Graduate Studies allows for petitions of university requirements and their academic matters. Academic matters are those involving instruction, research, or decisions involving instruction or affecting academic freedom.

The academic grievance procedure is designed to provide a fair means of dealing with graduate student complaints regarding a specific action or decision by a faculty member, program or college, including termination from an academic program. Academic misconduct complaints associated with sponsored research will invoke procedures outlined by the Office of Research.

Students who believe they have been treated unfairly may initiate a grievance. The procedure provides several levels of review, and at each level of review the participants are further removed and have a broader outlook than where the grievance originated. Procedures for initiating an academic grievance can be found at The Golden Rule www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/ (see section 11).

Petitions of Graduation Requirements Procedures

Students have the responsibility to familiarize themselves with policies and procedures of the university, college, and program. Students are responsible for knowing the degree requirements and following the policies that govern the academic program. However, when unusual instances arise, making it appropriate for students to request exceptions of existing graduation requirements for graduate students, graduate students may petition the appropriate unit for an exception to this requirement. The procedures are:

• The graduate student completes a petition form (located at www.graduate.ucf.edu), specifying the requirement and the exception desired to the graduate program director.
• The graduate program director may ask the program graduate committee to examine the necessary information. The program graduate committee will recommend a response to the petition to the graduate program director.
• The graduate program director will consider the input of the program graduate committee and make a recommendation about the exception at this level. The graduate program director will consider the input of the unit graduate committee and make a recommendation to the unit head about the grievance. The unit head will then make a final unit decision about the grievance at that level. If the exception requested is only a program requirement, then the petition decision is final at this level.
• Should the graduate student wish to appeal the decision of the program, either because the requirement is a college, school, or university requirement or further evidence is now available that would cause the program decision to be reconsidered, the student or program may request in writing to the college or school graduate coordinator (if this is the next most appropriate unit) or the Division of Graduate Studies (if this is the next most appropriate unit) that the petition be considered at this level. The college or school graduate coordinator may ask the college or school graduate committee to examine the information and consider the petition at a scheduled meeting. The college or school graduate committee will recommend a response to the petition to the college or school graduate coordinator.
• The college or school graduate coordinator will consider the input of the college or school graduate committee and make a recommendation about the exception at this level. The college graduate coordinator will consider the input of the college graduate committee and make a recommendation to the college dean about the grievance. The college dean will then make a final decision about the grievance at that level. If the exception requested is only a college, school, or program requirement, then the petition decision is final at this level.
• Should the graduate student wish to appeal the decision of the college or school either because the requirement is a college or university requirement or further evidence is now available that would cause the college or school decision to be reconsidered, the student may request consideration at the university level by submitting the petition form to the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. The Vice Provost and Dean may ask the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council of the Faculty Senate to examine the information and consider the petition at a scheduled meeting.
• The Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies will consider the input of the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council and make a final decision about the petition for the university.

Traveling Scholars

The university participates in the Board of Education Traveling Scholar Program (6C-6.07) enabling a graduate student to take advantage of special resources available on another campus but not available on the home campus (for example, special course offerings, research opportunities, unique laboratories, and library collections). A Traveling Scholar is a graduate student who, by mutual agreement of the appropriate academic authorities in both the sponsoring and hosting institutions, receives a waiver of admission requirements of the host institution and a guarantee of acceptance of earned resident credits by the sponsoring institution.

A Traveling Scholar must be recommended by his or her own graduate adviser, who will initiate a visiting arrangement with the appropriate faculty member of the host institution. After agreement by the student's adviser and the faculty member at the host institution, graduate deans at both institutions will be fully informed by the adviser and have the authority to approve or disapprove the academic arrangement. A student will register at the host institution and will pay tuition and/or registration fees according to fee schedules established at that institution. The Traveling Scholar Form (located at www.graduate.ucf.edu) must be used for documentation. This form must be completed by the student and approved by UCF Graduate Studies before any course work can be taken.

Each university retains its full right to accept or reject any student who wishes to study under its auspices. A Traveling Scholar will normally be limited to one term for a total of six credit hours taken as a traveling scholar at another institution.

A Traveling Scholar is not entitled to displacement allowance, mileage, or per diem payments. The home university, however, may at its option continue its financial support of the traveling scholar in the form of a fellowship or graduate assistantship with any work obligation to be discharged either at the home or at the host institution.

As part of the Traveling Scholars agreement, SUS institutions agree to accept one another's entrance requirements and credits. All Traveling Scholars are required to submit the Student Health History and immunization requirements according to UCF and Board of Governors policies. Credit is not automatically transferred into the graduate program of study. The student must request an official transcript be sent from the host institution to UCF Graduate Studies (Millican Hall 230, P.O. Box 160112, Orlando, FL 32816-0112; Phone 407-823-2766), and the graduate program director must complete the Program of Study so that the credits can be entered into the student database. Credits earned at another institution while in Traveling Scholar status will be considered resident credits and are not counted as "transfer" credits under the "nine-hour" rule. These hours may count toward UCF residency requirements if prior approval is obtained. Graduate students are not allowed to be traveling scholars in their final, or graduation, term except by prior approval of UCF Graduate Studies.

International graduate students who are registered at another educational institution besides UCF as a Traveling Scholar or transient student and therefore may not be enrolled full-time at UCF are required to complete a Reduced Course Load Form to satisfy SEVIS requirements of being enrolled full-time. International graduate assistants employed at UCF must be enrolled full-time at UCF.

International Visiting Scholars

The following policy and procedures allow departments to invite international visitors to study or participate in research activities at UCF. These scholars will be designated as Visiting Scholars or Visiting Research Scholars. The policy is directed to those who do not wish to earn a degree, but who may audit courses in the post-baccalaureate, nondegree-seeking status for professional development and who normally have complete financial support provided by some outside agency. These visitors will have J-1 Exchange Scholar Visa status, limited to one year, which can be extended. J-1 visa holders must return to their home country; they may not request to remain in the United States. Visitors seeking degrees will use regular UCF admission procedures and must qualify for an I-20 Certificate of eligibility for an F-1 Student Visa.

Visitors participating in the international scholars program who are required to audit courses at UCF must fill out the UCF application for admission as a nondegree student and pay the application fee. The deadline is about four months before the beginning of a term. A faculty member, as Faculty Sponsor, must accept the responsibility for recommending, advising, and directing the activities of the scholar. The procedure for extending an invitation is as follows:

1. All international scholars and employees should report to the International Services Center directly upon arrival at UCF to ensure immigration documents are in order.
   
   
2. If financial support will be provided to the visiting scholar using university resources, then the approval of the university must be obtained on all correspondence with the visiting scholar. Written arrangements should be made with the Vice President for Research for financial support prior to invitations to visiting scholars.
   
   
3. The Department Chair will submit a recommendation to the Dean specifying the Faculty Sponsor, documenting anticipated activities, and providing the following information on the Visiting Scholar:
   
   
1. Date of birth
2. City and country of birth
3. Country of residence if different from country of birth
4. Place of work (academic institution, business firm, etc.)
5. Current position held in country of residence
6. Academic background
7. Professional experience
8. Source and amount of financial support (recommended honorarium, if any)
9. English proficiency
10. Dates of visit
11. Statement of how the Visiting Scholar will participate in research and what will be accomplished
12. Office space, equipment, etc. which will be required for scholar's use
    
    
4. If arrangements are approved, the Dean will notify the Vice President for Research that the College is extending an invitation. The Chair's recommendation will be included with the notification. These will be sent to UCF Graduate Studies so that the invitation and application may be placed in the visiting scholar's official university file.
   
   
5. UCF Graduate Studies will then forward copies of the information to the International Services Center. A copy of the recommendation will also be sent to the Director of International Services Center asking that Form DS-2019 for the J-1 Visa be issued.
   
   
6. The Faculty Sponsor will then correspond with the visitor detailing the conditions of the visit, including whatever limited financial support and facilities will be provided and what is expected of the Scholar, with copies of this correspondence sent to the International Services Center and the Vice President for Research. The Scholar will be asked to write a brief report at the termination of the visit.

During each academic term of the visit, the Visiting Scholar may be required to audit one hour of XXX 6918, Directed Research, under the direction of the Faculty Sponsor and also may be permitted (or required) to audit regular courses. The Visiting Scholar will be admitted to post-baccalaureate status and will audit courses as directed and approved by the Faculty Sponsor. The Visiting Scholar will not be permitted to take courses for credit unless formally admitted to a degree program or upon written approval from the Dean of the college in which the student is studying.

The international visiting scholar will be appointed Visiting Research Scholar or Visiting Scholar in the College and may be given a modest honorarium. Such scholars will normally not be maintained on the College payroll, but are expected to have extended financial support.

Academic Common Market Scholars

The University of Central Florida is a participating institution in the Academic Common Market (ACM) program with other southern universities sharing unique academic programs on the undergraduate and graduate level. However, the University of Central Florida only participates at the graduate level.

The Academic Common Market offers students the opportunity to enter degree programs that are not available in their home state, while still being eligible to pay in-state tuition rates. Students taking part in this program must be admitted by a participating university (notifying that university of their planned attendance as an ACM Scholar), and will need to obtain a letter of certification from their respective ACM state coordinator.

The first step is to contact your respective state coordinator for information on how to apply for the Academic Common Market. Contact information for state coordinators can be found on the following website: www.sreb.org/programs/acm/participating/states.asp.

After making contact with your state coordinator, if you are eligible for the ACM, you can apply to the University of Central Florida online through the website at www.graduate.ucf.edu. When filling out the Florida Residency Classification section, select the option that states "I am a Florida Resident for tuition purposes" and fill out the entire section. Before saving the page, you will need to add an explanation for your Florida residency. Please select the letter "N," which states "I am a Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market graduate student."

Upon submission of your application, and your program's required admissions criteria, you will receive a decision from the program in which you have applied. If accepted, you can present that information to your state coordinator, who will then be able to provide UCF with a certification letter. With that letter, UCF will then be able to offer you Florida residency for tuition purposes.

The participating universities are located in the following states:

Alabama	Louisiana	Tennessee
Arkansas	Maryland	Texas*
Delaware	Mississippi	Virginia
Florida*	North Carolina	West Virginia
Georgia	Oklahoma
Kentucky	South Carolina

*Only Florida, North Carolina, and Texas participate at the graduate level.

For more information, please contact UCF Graduate Studies at 407-823-2766 (Millican Hall 230, P.O. Box 160112, Orlando, FL 32816-0112). Additional information on the Academic Common Market, including contact information for state coordinators and all available academic programs, can be found on the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) website, www.sreb.org.

Linkage Agreements

The State of Florida has established various linkage agreements to assist in the development of stronger economic and social ties between Florida and strategic foreign countries. Linkage Institutes are set up throughout the state and provide out-of-state tuition exemption to scholars from the foreign countries represented by the institutes. To participate in these exemptions, students must apply to the Linkage Institute for the country in which they reside to receive an out-of-state tuition award. Students participating are required to return home after their tenure of graduate study for a length of time equal to the exemption period. Each institute develops its own criteria for selection of students and typically supports the out-of-state fees for about 20 to 30 scholars a year. The institutes established in Florida are listed below with their contact persons.

Florida-Brazil Institute

Hannah H. Covert, University of Florida, 352-392-0375
April Burriss, Miami-Dade Community College, 305-237-3482

Florida-Canada Institute

Dr. Jean Kijek, University of Central Florida, 407-823-3648

Florida-Caribbean Institute

Christine Jarchow, Florida International University, 305-348-1913

Florida-China Institute

Dr. Henry O. K. Chen, University of West Florida, 850-474-2665
Francine Arrington, Brevard Community College, 321-433-7342
Dr. Miriam B. Stamps, University of South Florida, 813-974-6205

Florida-Costa Rica Institute

Joan Cassels, Florida State University, 850-644-7823

Florida-Eastern Europe Institute

Dr. Jean Kijek, University of Central Florida, 407-823-3648
Dr. Charles Mojock, Lake-Sumter Community College, 352-365-3523

Florida-France Institute

Joan Cassels, Florida State University, 850-644-7823
Dr. Christine Probes, University of South Florida, 813-974-8081

Florida-Israel Institute

Dr. William B. Stronge, Florida Atlantic University, 561-297-2833
Dr. William Greene, Broward Community College, 954-201-2206
Dr. Nancy Q. Rosen and Dr. Benjamin Popper, Florida Atlantic University, 954-236-1056

Florida-Japan Institute

Dr. Mark Orr, University of South Florida, 813-974-8081
Ms. Shigeko Honda, University of West Florida, 850-474-3108

Florida-Mexico Institute

Christine Jarchow, Florida International University, 305-348-3593

Florida-West Africa Institute

Anges Coppin, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 850-599-3562
Dennis Gayle and Betty Flinchum, University of North Florida, 904-620-1950
Dr. Brenda Simmons, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, 904-633-5895

Proprietary and Confidential Information

If thesis or dissertation work is supported by a contractual agreement with an outside sponsoring agency, and provision was made in the agreement to delay disclosure of the study's results for the purpose of filing a patent or copyright, then this section describes procedures for handling the thesis/dissertation. (See also Patent and Invention Policy in the Graduate Catalog for explanations of rights associated with patents and copyrights.)

1. Only for those theses and dissertations where a prior written agreement was made with an outside sponsoring agency or where the university wishes to pursue a copyright/patent may publication of the thesis/dissertation be delayed. Review and delay of disclosure of the thesis/dissertation will normally not exceed one year.
2. The review by the outside sponsoring agency or by the university for the purpose of copyright or patent will follow the oral defense of the document. If it appears that the review process will delay certification of the degree or if the delay of disclosure is exercised, the certification process will be completed prior to deposit. The document will be held on the Library server and deposit in the Library will take place following the delay.
3. No graduate degree will be awarded when the thesis or research report, after a reasonable interval, is not available to the public. If material is sensitive, classified, or will be or has been patented, it may be held on the Library server for a specified period.
4. Contractual agreements that contain provisions for review and delay of disclosure shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Research, and exceptional cases shall be considered by the Graduate Council. Exceptional cases include a delay of disclosure for more than one year and/or review prior to the oral defense.
5. The student and the student's Advisory Committee shall be informed of the possibility of the delay of disclosure at the time of appointment of the Advisory Committee.

Patent and Invention Policy

The "Patent and Invention Policy" for graduate students is included here in its entirety. Departments and colleges should discuss this policy with graduate students at orientations.

PREMISE: UCF has three fundamental responsibilities with regard to graduate student research. They are to (1) support an academic environment that stimulates the spirit of inquiry, (2) develop the intellectual property stemming from research, and (3) disseminate the intellectual property to the general public. UCF owns the intellectual property developed using university resources. The graduate student as inventor will according to this policy share in the proceeds of the invention.

1. University Authority and Responsibilities: Department of Education (6C7-2.029 Copyrights and Patents, pp. 1461 and 1462) authorizes the university to take any action necessary to secure letters of patents, copyrights, and trademarks on any work produced by a graduate student's research done in a thesis or dissertation, or in connection with dissertation problems.



2. Definitions: For the purposes of this policy the following definitions shall apply:



1. A work includes any copyrightable material (other than journal articles) such as printed material, computer software or databases, audio or visual materials, circuit diagrams, architectural and engineering drawings, lectures, musical or dramatic compositions, choreographic works, pictorial or graphic works, and sculptural works.
2. An Invention includes any discovery, invention, process, composition of matter, article of manufacture, know-how, design, model, technological development, strain, variety, culture of any organism, or portion, modification, translation, or extension of these items, and any mark used in connection with these items.
3. Instructional Technology Material includes motion pictures, film strips, photographic and other similar visual materials, live video and audio transmissions, computer programs, computer-assisted instructional course work, programmed exhibits, and combinations of the above materials, which were prepared or produced in whole or part by a graduate student, and which are used to assist or enhance instruction.
4. University Support includes the use of university funds, personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, or technological information, and includes such support provided by other public or private organizations when it is arranged, administered, and/or controlled by a university.
5. Student-generated Effort means that the ideas come from the graduate student alone outside the field or discipline for which the graduate student is employed by the university, the work was not made with the use of university support, and the university is not held responsible for any opinions expressed in the effort.
6. Research means the inquiry or examination in some field of knowledge undertaken to establish facts or principles that are true. Research, as used in this policy, does not include work done in an internship or coop setting where new knowledge in a field is not actively sought, but rather a setting that offers a real life experience for the graduate student.


3. Work(s)



1. Student-generated Effort—A work made solely by the graduate student, outside the field or discipline for which the graduate student is employed by the university, is the property of the graduate student, who has the right to determine the disposition of such work and the revenue derived from such work.
2. University-supported Efforts—If the work was not made solely in the course of student-generated efforts, the work is the property of the university, and the graduate student shall share in the proceeds therefrom.
3. Disclosure
1. Upon creation of a work that is potentially patentable, and prior to any publication, the graduate student shall disclose to the Vice President for Research, or representative, any work made in the course of university-supported efforts, together with an outline of the project and the conditions under which it was done.
2. The Vice President for Research, or representative, shall gather information to assess the relative equities of the graduate student and the university in the work.
3. Within sixty days after such disclosure, the Vice President for Research, or representative, will inform the graduate student whether the university seeks an interest in the work.
4. The graduate student and the university shall not commit any act which would tend to defeat the university's or graduate student's interest in the work and shall take any necessary steps to protect such interests.


4. Invention(s)



1. Student-generated Efforts
   All inventions made outside the field or discipline in which the graduate student is employed by the university and for which no university support has been used are the property of the graduate student.



2. University-supported Efforts
   An invention made in the field or discipline in which the graduate student is employed by the university, or receiving university support, is the property of the university and the graduate student shall share in the proceeds therefrom.



3. Disclosure



1. A graduate student shall fully and completely disclose to the Vice President for Research, or representative, all inventions which the graduate student may develop or discover while a graduate student of the university, together with an outline of the conditions under which it was done. With respect to inventions made during the course of approved outside employment, the graduate student may delay such disclosure, when necessary to protect the outside employer's interest, until the decision has been made by the outside employer whether to seek a patent.
2. If the university wishes to assert its interest in the invention, the Vice President for Research, or representative, shall inform the graduate student within 120 days of the graduate student's disclosure.
3. The division of proceeds generated by the licensing or assignment of an invention, shall be according to the established royalty division set forth in the patent policy of the university, pp. 1461-2, paragraph (c).
4. The graduate student and the university shall not commit any act which would tend to defeat the university's or graduate student's interest in the invention and shall take any necessary steps to protect such interests.



5. Release of Rights
   
   At any stage of making the patent applications, or in the commercial application of an invention, if it has not otherwise assigned to a third party the right to pursue its interests, the Vice President for Research, or representative, may elect to withdraw from further involvement in the protection or commercial application of the invention. At the request of the graduate student in such case, the university shall transfer the invention rights to the graduate student, in which case the invention shall be the graduate student's property, and none of the costs incurred by the university or on its behalf shall be assessed against the graduate student.



6. University Policy



1. The university has a policy addressing the division of proceeds between graduate students and faculty when the research is done and results in a dissertation, Department of Education (6C7-2.029 Copyrights and Patents, pp. 1461 and 1462). The university also has a policy addressing the division of proceeds between faculty and the university. It is contained in the Patents and Copyrights Policy of the Office of Research. This same division of royalties will apply in the disbursement of royalty income to graduate students, unless this has been negotiated in a contractual agreement at the start of research.
2. All research done by graduate students enrolled at the university for and with companies must have a contractual agreement negotiated at the start of that research.
3. Dissertation or thesis dissemination can be delayed because of patent concerns. This can only occur when a prior contractual agreement has been entered into including provisions for review and delay for dissertation purposes. (See Proprietary and Confidential Information in the Graduate Catalog.)

University Admission Standards

The university seeks to enroll students of the highest quality. In addition, the university encourages applications from a diverse population and values diversity in our graduate programs. Admissions decisions are made by the academic programs on the basis of a wide variety of information submitted as part of the student's application package. Admissions committees consider factors such as students' academic qualifications, research and work experiences, professional goals and skills, match with program objectives and professional qualifications, the number of openings available in the program, and the resources available to support the student. An applicant's character, integrity and general fitness to practice a particular profession may also be considered in the admission process. Admission is limited and, in most programs, not all qualified students can be admitted.

In general, graduate admission to the university requires that students must have obtained (prior to the start of the term for which the student is admitted) the equivalent of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution or from a recognized foreign institution. Students without the equivalent of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution or a recognized foreign institution are not admitted to graduate degree programs, graduate certificate programs, or graduate nondegree status. All applicants for graduate admission must submit official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (or General Management Admission Test [GMAT] for selected programs) and official transcripts for all academic work. The College of Business Administration requires that all degrees must have been earned from a regionally accredited institution or a recognized foreign institution. In addition to the above, all admitted students must submit evidence to document their attainment of the following minimum requirement.

Minimum UCF Requirement

• 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (calculated for the last 60 attempted semester hours of baccalaureate degree), or
• Graduate Record Examination score of 1000 (combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE), or
• General Management Admission Test score of 450 (for programs that require it).

NOTE: Official test scores must be submitted regardless of grade point average.

Test of English as a Foreign Language

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required when an applicant is from a country where English is not the official language or when an applicant's bachelor's degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution. The minimum UCF requirement for the TOEFL is:

• TOEFL score of 220 (computer test or equivalent score on the paper test) or IBT (Internet Based TOEFL) score of 80.

Individual programs may have additional admission requirements, as listed in other sections of this catalog.

Student Status

Based upon the applicant's wishes and qualifications, students who are approved for taking graduate classes may be classified in several ways. Those classifications are defined as:

Regular Graduate Student—-a student who has been accepted into a graduate degree program with no conditions or provisions and is seeking a graduate degree. (Graduate certificates are not degree programs.)

Provisional Graduate Student—a degree-seeking student who does not meet Board of Governors (BOG) criteria for grade point average or GRE/GMAT requirements, but for other reasons is accepted as a degree-seeking student by a program. Conditions will be attached to the admission that will have to be fulfilled in the first nine hours of a graduate program before the student can be made a Regular Graduate Student. Only 10 percent of all new students in any degree program may be Provisional.

Conditional Graduate Student—a degree-seeking student who meets BOG criteria for admission, but has not submitted all required official documents. Conditions must be met by midterm of the first semester in order to register for future semester classes.

Restricted Graduate Student—a degree-seeking graduate student who meets BOG criteria, but does not meet program requirements to be accepted as a Regular Graduate Student. Restrictions will be attached to the admission that will have to be fulfilled before the student is made a Regular Graduate Student.

Nondegree-seeking Student—a student who has not been accepted into an academic program and is not seeking a graduate degree. Some students in this category are completing application requirements for a graduate program. Students who are allowed to take graduate courses in this category can only transfer nine credit hours into a graduate program with approval from their graduate adviser.

Graduate Certificate Student—a student, either a degree-seeking graduate student or a nondegree-seeking student, enrolled in a graduate certificate program. If accepted into a graduate program, students in this status may, at the discretion of the program adviser, transfer the credit hours from a graduate certificate program into a graduate degree program.

Probationary Graduate Student—a degree-seeking student who fails to maintain sufficient academic progress, such as a graduate status GPA that drops below 3.0. Once placed into this category, probationary students will have up to 9 hours of graduate course work in which to raise their graduate status GPA above 3.0.

Program of Study

A Program of Study is a listing of course work agreed to by the student and the degree program specifying course degree requirements. A specific Program of Study, which may vary from student to student, must be formulated jointly by the student and the appropriate committee or adviser in the program area and approved by the college prior to the second term of full-time enrollment. For a graduate student carrying a reduced load, the establishment of a program of study may be delayed up to the registration for the ninth graduate semester hour. A Program of Study form (either a SASS audit or written form) can be obtained from the graduate program director or college graduate coordinator. This form should be prepared and signed by the adviser and student, then given to the graduate program director for review and filing in the student's permanent file. It must comply with the catalog current at the time it is proposed.

The program of study must include at least 30 credit hours of 5000-level or higher courses, which must be taken as part of an approved graduate program of study. At least half of the program of study must be at the 6000 level. Courses transferred into the program of study may only include graduate-level courses with a grade of "B-" or higher. No graduate-level course with a grade of D+ or lower may be used to satisfy degree requirements. However, because there is no grade forgiveness at the graduate level, all grades received in all graduate courses from the start of the program will be calculated into the student's GPA.

All graduate programs of study must include independent learning as part of course and other assignments. This may be accomplished by research papers and reports, evidence of reflective learning in individual portfolios, creation of original works, and/or demonstration of integration of knowledge as part of course work and other requirements for the degree.

The student and his/her advisory committee may make changes in the program of study at any time with approval of the graduate program director. However, once established, the program of study cannot be altered solely due to poor academic performance of the student.

Grade System

The university uses an alphabetic system to identify student grades and other actions regarding student progress or class attendance. This system, with a grade point equivalent per semester hour, is as follows:

Grades	Grade Points Per Semester Hour of Credit
A	4.00
A-	3.75
B+	3.25
B	3.00
B-	2.75
C+	2.25
C	2.00
C-	1.75
D+	1.25
D	1.00
D-	0.75
F	0.00
NC	- No Credit -

Other Actions

I	Incomplete
N	No grade reported by instructor
R*	(followed by grade) Repeated course (Grade Forgiveness)
S	Satisfactory (with credit)/Satisfactory Progress (Research, Thesis, or Dissertation)
T*	(followed by grade) Subsequently repeated (no credit)
U	Unsatisfactory (no credit)
W	Withdrawn
WF	Withdrawn Failing
WH	Health Form Withdrawal
WM	Medical Withdrawal
WP	Withdrawn Passing
X	Audit (no credit)

* "R" and "T" actions only apply to undergraduates.

The designation of "N" will be temporarily assigned by the Registrar's Office only in the case when a grade has not been submitted by the faculty by the "grades due" deadline. The designator will be replaced by the earned letter grade at the earliest opportunity in the semester that immediately follows. The "N" designator may not be assigned by faculty.

Grade changes other than medical withdrawals will be considered only during the semester immediately following the one in which the grade was assigned, except that grades assigned during the spring semester may be changed during either the following summer term or fall semester. A change in grade must be approved by the dean of the college or school. A grade will not be changed after a degree has been conferred.

Course Requirements

Course Levels of Graduate Work

7000-Level Courses—courses designed for doctoral students. Master's students are not permitted to enroll in 7000-level courses; students must be in doctoral status.

6000-Level Courses—courses designed for graduate students. Post-baccalaureate or nondegree-seeking students should check with the colleges about their ability to enroll in 6000-level courses. Students in accelerated undergraduate/graduate programs should check with their academic adviser before registering for 6000-level courses. Undergraduate registration in 6000-level courses is allowed only in special situations with prior approval by the college. Undergraduate students must be within nine hours of graduation, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and not register for more than a total of twelve hours in that term. See also the catalog section on Senior Scholars.

5000-Level Courses—courses designed for graduate students. Courses at the 5000 level are taken to satisfy graduate degree requirements. However, nondegree-seeking students and seniors may enroll in 5000-level courses with permission from the program.

Split-Level Classes

Although generally discouraged, UCF does allow departments to offer split-level undergraduate and/or graduate classes. In such cases, two courses approved for different levels of instruction (e.g., a 4000- and 5000-level course) are offered together in the same room, at the same time, and with the same instructor, but under two different course numbers. In limited cases, one of the courses may be from the undergraduate level and one from the graduate level. In general, split-level classes are restricted to situations where the enrollment in one of the courses would be insufficient to allow the course to be offered on a stand-alone basis. When such split-level classes are scheduled, the following conditions must be maintained:

• Both the graduate and the undergraduate courses must have been approved previously through the established university process for approving courses so that there are two separate and complete syllabi for each course, and the syllabi clearly demonstrate more advanced subject matter and expectations for the graduate course than the undergraduate course.
• Split-level classes must only be assigned to faculty members who meet the university-wide minimum qualifications for teaching graduate-level courses.
• Courses may not be combined into a split-level class if the course numbers of the two courses are more than one level apart. For example, 4000- and 5000-level courses may be combined into a split-level class; 4000-level courses may not be combined with 6000-level courses.
• No student may register to take for credit both the undergraduate and graduate courses concurrently.
• The graduate and undergraduate courses must have clearly different requirements and performance expectations. Graduate students must have course requirements or assignments that require more in-depth analysis and understanding of the topics, provide broader coverage of the content area, demonstrate higher knowledge and skills, and/or show greater independence of thought and application of concepts than what is typically required of undergraduate students. The level and amount of learning by graduate students must be equivalent to what is typically expected in 5000-level or higher courses. The different requirements and expectations must be spelled out clearly in the course syllabi for the respective courses.
• Documentation of split-level class offerings must be maintained in the college dean's office in expectation of future audits and reviewed by the Undergraduate and Graduate Deans before the courses can be taught as split level. Each time a new split-level class is offered, copies of both syllabi should be collected by the colleges and provided to the Undergraduate and Graduate Deans.

Language Requirements

Foreign language requirements shall be at the option of the individual departments or appropriate units consistent with their college regulations.

Credit by Examination or Waiver

Students who believe they have mastered the content of a graduate-level course should present a portfolio to the graduate program director documenting the learning experience. If the committee after examining the portfolio believes the student has mastered the content presented in a graduate-level course, the student should be allowed to demonstrate that mastery through examination. Examination credit may be used to satisfy program course requirements, but not credit hour requirements. Certain program requirements or courses may be waived at the discretion of a program, although the total hours required for the program must be satisfied.

Correspondence courses are not acceptable toward a graduate program of study; however, credit-bearing extension or continuing education courses may be accepted. The acceptance of courses from unaccredited agencies or institutions threatens the integrity and value of the graduate degrees awarded by UCF. Graduate-level course work demands the mastery of skills, theories, and concepts at a much higher level than undergraduate-level course work. Therefore, the university will not allow students to transfer course work from professional societies, independent agencies, employees, or companies unless they are ACE (American Council on Education) certified.

Thesis, Research, Report, and Dissertation Grades

For thesis (XXX 6971 or 6973), doctoral dissertation (XXX 7980), and research report (XXX 6909) courses, satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U) grades are used to reflect student progress in these courses. Should a student in a given term be given an incomplete (I), then this grade should be changed to an S or U, upon completion of the work. Other grades may not be assigned in these courses. Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress in their research, as determined by their thesis or dissertation advisory committee, may be placed on probationary status.

Academic Progress and Performance

Review of Academic Performance

The primary responsibility for monitoring academic performance standards rests with the degree program. However, the college and UCF Graduate Studies will monitor a student's progress and may dismiss any student if performance standards or academic progress as specified by the program, college or university are not maintained. Satisfactory academic performance in a program includes maintaining at least a 3.0 graduate status GPA in all graduate work taken at UCF. Satisfactory performance also involves maintaining the standards of academic progress and professional integrity expected in a particular discipline or program. Failure to maintain these standards may result in dismissal of the student from the program.

The Program of Study

A program of study must be established prior to enrollment in the second term for a full-time graduate student. For a graduate student carrying a reduced load, the establishment of a program of study may be delayed up to the registration for the ninth graduate semester hour. The Program of Study must comply with the catalog current at the time it is proposed. Once established, it cannot be altered solely due to poor academic performance by the student.

The program of study must include at least 30 credit hours of post-baccalaureate, graduate courses (5000-level or higher), which must be taken as part of an approved graduate program of study. At least half of the program of study must be at the 6000 level. Courses transferred into the program of study may only include graduate-level or higher courses with a grade of "B-" or higher. No graduate-level course with a grade of "D+" or lower may be used to satisfy degree requirements. However, because there is no grade forgiveness at the graduate level, all grades received in all courses from the start of the program will be calculated into the student's GPA.

All graduate programs of study must include independent learning as part of course and other assignments. This may be accomplished by research papers and reports, evidence of reflective learning in individual portfolios, creation of original works, and/or demonstration of integration of knowledge as part of course work and other requirements for the degree.

The student and his/her advisory committee may make changes in the program of study at any time with approval of the graduate program director.

Graduate GPA

The university computes an overall graduate GPA based upon all graduate courses taken by the student at UCF. All graduate courses taken at UCF and the corresponding overall GPA will be shown for informational purposes on the student's academic audit. In addition, a graduate status GPA will be calculated on the courses taken as part of the program of study for the degree program in which the student is enrolled. This graduate status GPA will be established and calculated by an audit of the student's progress in the program. In most instances, the overall graduate GPA and the graduate status GPA will be equivalent. However, for students who change programs or move from a completed master's program into a doctoral program, the two computations will be somewhat different. The university requires that students must maintain a graduate status GPA of at least 3.0 or higher in order to maintain graduate student status, receive financial assistance, and qualify for graduation. The graduate status GPA is the cumulative GPA of graduate courses taken since admission to the degree program. This graduation requirement for a minimum 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses completed since admission into the graduate program cannot be waived.

The university also computes a term GPA on all courses attempted in a given academic term. When a graduate student's term GPA falls below 3.0, the Division of Graduate Studies will notify both the student and the graduate program director that the two should schedule an advising meeting before the student registers for classes for the next semester.

Probationary Status

If a student's graduate status GPA drops below 3.0, the student will be automatically changed to academic probationary status by the Division of Graduate Studies for a maximum of nine semester hours. Students will receive a notice of probation at the beginning of the probation and this notice of probation will be imprinted on the student's advising transcript. The graduate program will also be notified at the time of probation and given the opportunity to formally submit an "appeal for retention" during the 9-hour probationary period. This allows the program, in consultation with the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council, to formulate an acceptable Conditional Retention Plan before dismissal should the student fail in their probationary remediation.

Unsatisfactory performance may also be indicated by a "U" grade in graduate course work. Under such circumstances the program may elect to place the student on academic probation and to provide a plan to rectify the situation.

If the student has not attained a graduate status GPA of 3.0 at the end of the nine semester hours, she/he will be dismissed from the graduate program if the program has not formulated an approved Conditional Retention Plan. Programs have one semester following the last semester of probation in which to submit an "appeal for retention." Appeals for retention submitted during the summer may be delayed until the first Appeals Subcommittee meeting in the fall semester. Students with a graduate status GPA of less than 3.0 seeking admission to a different graduate program should be admitted under Restricted Status with conditions attached.

If a student wishes to appeal a change in status, an appeal should be filed with the graduate program director. (See Academic Grievances in the Graduate Catalog.)

Students who are dismissed from their graduate program will not be able to enroll in graduate courses unless they have been admitted to another graduate program.

International students placed on probationary status will be sent to the International Services Center for advisement regarding the immigration status implications of this action.

Graduate students whose graduate GPA falls below 2.0 will be dismissed from the degree program immediately and will not be able to enroll in graduate courses unless they have been admitted to another graduate program.

NOTE: Individual graduate programs may have more stringent grade requirements. Students must abide by the academic performance standards of their graduate program.

Maximum Hours of Unsatisfactory Grades

A student may earn a maximum total of six semester hours of "C" (C+, C, C-) or lower grades. A course in which a student has received these grades may be repeated to provide a better grade. However, both grades will be used in computing the GPA. There is no forgiveness policy on graduate grades. Exceeding six semester hours of unsatisfactory grades ("C+" and below or unresolved "I" grades) is reason for dismissal from the degree program. The final program of study may not contain unresolved "I" grades.

Nondegree-seeking students who have earned more than six semester hours of unsatisfactory grades (C+ and below or unresolved "I" grades) will be blocked from taking additional graduate courses.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of "I" (incomplete) is assigned by the instructor when a student is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances, and when all requirements can clearly be completed in a short time following the close of regular classes. In all circumstances where an "I" grade is received, the student and faculty member must complete an agreement form that specifies how and when the incomplete grade will be made up. This agreement form is submitted with the instructor grade rolls at the end of the semester, and a copy of this agreement is given to the college for further follow-up. For those students on financial assistance such as loans, the incomplete (I) must be made up by the agreement date. Failure to complete course requirements by that date may, at the discretion of the instructor, result in the assignment of an "F" grade, or a "U" grade for thesis, dissertation, or research report hours. It is the student's responsibility to arrange with the instructor for the changing of the "I" grade.

Grades of "I" must be resolved within one calendar year or prior to graduation, whichever comes first. Incompletes in regular course work left unresolved will be changed to "F" if not changed in the allowed time period, and this time period may be sooner for those receiving financial assistance. The exception to this is enrollment in thesis (XXX 6971) and dissertation (XXX 7980) hours where the incomplete grade will be allowed to continue until graduation. Incomplete grades cannot be used on the program of study. Students cannot receive an incomplete grade while supported on a UCF fellowship and continue to receive the fellowship. Grade changes will not be processed after a student has graduated.

Continuous Attendance

The following policies specify the university's requirements regarding continuous attendance at the university. The first policy below deals with the continuing status as a graduate student. The second requires thesis and dissertation students to be enrolled continuously. The third applies specifically to international students. The fourth affects the student's option to fulfill degree requirements under any UCF catalog in force during the student's most recent period of continuous attendance.

1. Students are expected to maintain enrollment and to complete their graduate study expeditiously. A Special Leave of Absence should be requested when students will not be enrolled for 3 consecutive major semesters or more. If students are not enrolled in the university for a period of three consecutive major semesters (spring/summer/fall) and do not obtain Special Leave of Absence approval for such interruptions in their programs of study, they may not be guaranteed continuing graduate status in the university. Students who have not obtained Special Leave of Absence approval and who have had three or more consecutive major semesters of program interruption must apply for readmission, at which point the program will review the students' records to determine if they will be continued in graduate status. Readmission is not guaranteed.
2. Students taking thesis or dissertation hours are required to be continuously enrolled until the thesis or dissertation is completed. Special Leave of Absence is not available for students in this category.
3. Because of U.S. government regulations, international students must be enrolled every fall and spring semester. For students in this category, Special Leave of Absence is only available for documented medical reasons.
4. Graduation policy allows a student to fulfill degree requirements as listed in the student's official program of study on file in the office of the student's major. The program of study should use the catalog associated with the entry semester/year into graduate status of the student as long as the student maintains uninterrupted, continuous attendance. A student will be considered to have interrupted continuous attendance only if the interruption is for three or more consecutive major semesters (spring/summer/fall) and Special Leave of Absence approval has not been obtained. Under these circumstances, a student will lose the option of fulfilling the degree requirements originally listed in his/her official program of study already on file, and will instead fulfill the degree requirements listed in the graduate catalog in effect at the time the student resumes his/her attendance.

Special Leave of Absence

A Special Leave of Absence may be granted to a student in order to temporarily waive the continuous attendance requirement (this is not applicable to the period of required continuous enrollment in thesis and dissertation credits). A student may request such a leave in cases where the student can demonstrate good cause (e.g., illness, family issues, financial difficulties, personal circumstances, employment issues). The specific reason for the Special Leave of Absence request must be indicated by the student on the Special Leave of Absence Form (see www.graduate.ucf.edu for form). A Special Leave of Absence will be granted only after approval from the Graduate Program Director for the student's program of study, College Graduate Coordinator, International Services Center (required for international students), and Division of Graduate Studies. The normal time limit for a Special Leave of Absence is three consecutive major semesters. Application for a Special Leave of Absence must be filed by submitting the Special Leave of Absence Form no later than the end of the first semester of absence. Time spent in a Special Leave of Absence will not reduce the total time limitation for degree completion (see the policy regarding Time Limitation for Degree Completion in the master's, specialist, and doctoral policies). If a student fails to enroll in the semester following the last term in the approved Special Leave of Absence, the student will have failed to maintain continuous enrollment and must apply for readmission to the university.

Readmission

To file for readmission, students must complete a new application, submit the application fee, and update their residency information and health history (if applicable). Students should apply for readmission if they were previously admitted and enrolled in a graduate program but have been absent for three major semesters. For more information on readmission, please visit the Graduate Students website.

Degree or Certificate Completion

Application for Graduate Degree

Students planning to graduate in the next term must complete the Application for Graduation in their college during Registration for their last term (see www.graduate.ucf.edu for form). Students who have not applied for graduation by the last day of classes in the term preceding the graduation semester may not be listed in the Commencement Program. If the student does not graduate in that term, a new form must be filed at the beginning of registration for the term of anticipated graduation. Graduating students must be enrolled at UCF during the term of graduation. Graduates may contact the Registrar's Office for Commencement ceremony and guest ticket information.

Assuming that the student is in good standing at the university, degrees will be awarded only after successful completion of the degree requirements stated in the Graduate Catalog under which the student plans to graduate and final recommendation from the faculty and dean of the respective college.

Application for Graduate Certificate

In order to be processed for completion of a graduate certificate program, students must file a Graduate Certificate Completion form with the office that offers the certificate program. The Graduate Certificate Completion form should be filed by the time that the student is registering for the final course in the certificate program, and such forms must be filed no later than the end of the semester in which the student enrolls in the last course required for the certificate program. Forms can be found on the UCF Graduate Students website (www.graduate.ucf.edu).

Thesis and Dissertation Requirements

An oral defense of an original thesis or dissertation is required with the approved thesis or dissertation being prepared in accordance with program, college, and university requirements. Academic dishonesty in thesis, research report and dissertation work may result in reversion to post-baccalaureate status or termination from the degree program. Our emphasis on academic honesty requires quotations or ideas of others to be accompanied by appropriate citations. The Graduate Studies Thesis and Dissertation Manual describes UCF's formatting requirements for theses/dissertations and outlines the steps graduate students must follow to submit their thesis or dissertation electronically. Graduate students can obtain the manual from the Graduate Students website (www.graduate.ucf.edu).

Additionally, the Thesis/Dissertation Office maintains online workshops to inform graduate students about procedures, deadlines, and requirements associated with preparing a thesis and dissertation.

All theses and dissertations that use research involving human subjects, including surveys, must obtain approval from an independent board, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), for this prior to starting the research. It is imperative that proper procedures are followed when using human subjects in research projects. Information about this process can be obtained from the Office of Research (www.research.ucf.edu). Failure to obtain this prior approval could jeopardize receipt of the student's degree.

Students who wish to complete their degree requirements in a given semester must take their oral defense and submit their final electronic copy by the dates shown in the Academic Calendar. All students are required to submit their thesis or dissertation electronically.

Certification of Degree Completion

The college of the degree program must certify through the College Dean that all program and college requirements have been met. Degree certification forms (SASS audit forms or program of study with approval signatures) are forwarded to UCF Graduate Studies for final determination that all program, college, and university requirements have been met. Graduate students who have completed all the requirements for the degree and have successfully completed the required thesis or dissertation may request a letter to that effect prior to the receipt of the degree. Such letters will be issued by UCF Graduate Studies.

Certification of Graduate Certificate Completion

The college of the graduate certificate program must certify through the College Dean that all program and college requirements have been met. Completed Graduate Certificate forms (available at www.graduate.ucf.edu) are forwarded to UCF Graduate Studies for final determination of program, college, and university requirements. For each certificate program, the graduate program director will certify successful completion of the program's academic requirements. UCF Graduate Studies will arrange for recording the completed certificate on the student's transcript. The certificate is mailed to the student unless the student or the graduate program requests other arrangements. Certificate recipients are not recognized at commencement.

Registration in Term of Graduation

A student must be registered in any term in which UCF faculty or administrative and professional time will be required (e.g., for review of thesis or research report by faculty or editorial staff, for completion of internships, or for comprehensive or other examinations). Therefore, unless the graduate program certifies to UCF Graduate Studies by the end of add/drop that no UCF resources will be utilized, a student must be registered in the term of graduation.