Master's Admission Requirements

Admission to a master's degree program requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, or recognized foreign institution, and a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate studies, or a score of at least 1000 on the combined verbal-quantitative portion of the GRE or a score of at least 450 on the combined verbal-quantitative portion of the GMAT, or a master's degree from an accredited institution and GRE or GMAT scores.

A GRE or GMAT (Business Administration) exam score is required of all applicants. Admission to the university does not constitute admission to a master's program. Meeting minimum university admission standards for graduate status may not satisfy master's program admission requirements. Programs often require additional or higher criteria. An applicant's character, integrity and general fitness to practice a particular profession may also be considered in the admission process. The university encourages applications from a diverse population and values diversity in our graduate programs.

Course Requirements

The course requirements for a master's degree include lectures, seminars, discussions, independent study, independent research, and thesis research. A minimum of 30 semester hours (combined course work and thesis) is required, although many programs require more. The program of study must include at least 30 credit hours of post-baccalaureate, graduate course work (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. For the thesis option, at least 24 semester hours of course work must be earned exclusive of thesis. For the nonthesis option, at least 50 percent of the credits offered for the degree must be in a single field of concentration. A research report, capstone course, comprehensive exam, or other culminating experience is required in a nonthesis option master's program that demonstrates that graduate students have engaged in independent learning. An explanation of how the culminating experience promotes independent learning is required in each program's curricular description.

Independent Study Hours

A maximum of three courses may be taken as independent study, for a total of no more than six semester hours.

Residence Credit

The master's degree program must include at least 21 semester credit hours taken at UCF. Residence credits may be earned through enrollment in courses physically offered on the main campus; or at the UCF regional campuses (Brevard, Daytona Beach, and Downtown); or at geographical locations where UCF courses are being taught by regular UCF faculty members. Residence credits may also include UCF courses offered through the web or courses taken as a Traveling Scholar if prior approval is obtained.

Transfer of Credit

Master's transfer credits typically consist of hours completed at an accredited institution (including UCF) BEFORE a student is given graduate status in his/her master's program at UCF. Only graduate-level or higher courses may be accepted as transfer credits. Similarly, only courses with a grade of "B-" or higher may be transferred into a program of study. Except as noted in the bullets below, no more than a combined total of nine semester hours of credits may generally be transferred into a master's program of study. The acceptance of transfer credits must be recommended by the program director of the student's major. Students may petition their program department for exceptions to the limits given below. Transfer course work for master's programs may come from any of the following sources, with the limitations noted:

• Work taken as an undergraduate student at UCF. Graduate Graduate programs are permitted to accept up to nine hours of graduate course work taken at UCF while an undergraduate student was enrolled in an undergraduate program of study. The use of these hours of graduate course work in a graduate program of study is at the discretion of the graduate program director and graduate college coordinator. Not all graduate programs permit students to use graduate credit hours for a graduate program of study, if the hours have also been used for an undergraduate degree. It is the student's responsibility to obtain advisement from the graduate program director of the specific program before registering in graduate-level courses. This does not apply to undergraduate course work taken while an undergraduate student. (See also the section on Senior Scholars.) Undergraduate hours taken as an undergraduate student are not transferable into a graduate program of study.
• Work taken as a graduate student at other accredited institutions. No more than nine semester hours of graduate course work and no undergraduate course work may be transferred into a graduate program from other regionally accredited institutions. Transfer credits from other institutions will only be accepted if the institutions are fully accredited by a regional accrediting association of the Commission on Accreditation (e.g., the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).
• Work taken while in graduate status at UCF. No more than nine semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred into the graduate program from UCF post-baccalaureate work (5000 level or higher of graduate courses taken while in nondegree status). Similarly, no more than nine semester hours of graduate course work may be transferred into the graduate program from courses taken as part of another graduate degree earned at UCF. For those students who may have completed graduate-level courses taken while in graduate status in another major at UCF where a degree was not earned, up to 9 hours of graduate course work may be credited toward a new degree program with the consent of the new program. Decisions regarding the appropriateness and acceptance of such credits into a program are at the discretion of the program into which transfer is requested. All of the hours taken in a graduate certificate program can be used in a graduate degree program with the consent of the program. These hours are not subject to the nine-hour limit.
• Work taken as a Traveling Scholar. Students who wish to take graduate course work elsewhere while enrolled as a student at UCF must apply and be accepted as a Traveling Scholar. Graduate credits earned as a Traveling Scholar are considered "resident" credits that are earned at UCF and are applicable to the program of study without being subject to the nine-hour limit. Consult the section on Traveling Scholars in the Graduate Catalog for more information.

Accelerated Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Some programs combine undergraduate and graduate course work in a more seamless educational experience for students, reducing the time spent working on both degrees and providing a challenging educational experience to outstanding undergraduates. These accelerated bachelor's and master's (4+1) programs usually provide about five years of work toward both degrees and are intended for only the most highly qualified undergraduate students.

While students are classified as undergraduate students, they are subject to undergraduate policies. Similarly, when classified as graduate students, they are subject to graduate policies and may qualify for graduate financial support.

The undergraduate requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog for specific programs are for informational purposes only. The official requirements are detailed in the Undergraduate Catalog and take precedence over what is described here.

Senior Scholars

UCF undergraduates who meet departmental eligibility requirements may enroll in UCF graduate courses and use them toward their undergraduate degree and their graduate program of study upon admission to a UCF graduate program. As Senior Scholars they are entitled to use up to nine graduate credit hours toward a UCF graduate degree or certificate, provided they have received advisement and written approval to do so from the graduate program director. This permission must be obtained before enrolling in the graduate courses. In addition to approval from the graduate program director, undergraduates must consult their undergraduate adviser to ensure that registration in graduate-level course work will meet their bachelor's degree requirements. The student must receive college and university approval to interrupt the residency requirement. The University Waiver Form can be obtained from the undergraduate department office. Tuition and fees for graduate-level courses are different from undergraduate courses, and it is the student's responsibility to consult with the Office of Student Financial Assistance (http://finaid.ucf.edu/) regarding adjustments that might be needed for Bright Futures and other scholarship funding.

Time Limitation for Degree Completion

The student has seven years from the date of admission (prerequisite, articulation, and foundation courses are exempt) to the master's program to complete the degree. In addition, no course older than seven years at the time of graduation may be used in the Program of Study for a master's degree. Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment (missing enrollment at the university for a period of three consecutive semesters) must file for readmission to the university, although seven years is measured from when the student was first admitted to the program.

Examinations

Evaluation

All examination procedures and other evaluations of a student's progress shall be the province of the individual department or appropriate unit operating within the framework of the college (or colleges for interdisciplinary programs).

Comprehensive Culminating Experience

An appropriate culminating academic experience is required of all master's degree students. It may include a thesis defense, written or oral examination, research report, capstone course, presentation and defense of a portfolio of student work, or other appropriate scholarly activity of a type that has been approved by the Graduate Council that demonstrates that graduate students have engaged in independent learning. An explanation of how the culminating experience promotes independent learning is required in each program's curricular description.

Appointment of Committee or Adviser

It is the responsibility of the director of the master's program to (1) determine whether an advisory committee or an adviser will be used and (2) approve the necessary appointments. The appropriate academic Dean of the college must also approve committee appointments. The Academic Adviser is normally necessary when there is considerable flexibility in course work. Both thesis and nonthesis programs may find it useful to appoint an Academic Adviser.

Thesis Requirements

The thesis is the culminating or comprehensive experience for those who conduct an original research study as part of a thesis-option program. The thesis consists of a common theme with an introduction and literature review, details of the study, and results and conclusions. Since the work is original, it is very important that care is taken in properly citing ideas and quotations of others. Academic dishonesty in thesis, research report and dissertation work may result in reversion to post-baccalaureate status or termination from the degree program.

An oral defense of the thesis is required. The approved thesis must be written and prepared in accordance with program, college, and university requirements. The UCF Thesis and Dissertation Manual describes formatting requirements for theses and outlines the steps that graduate students must follow in order to submit their theses electronically to UCF Graduate Studies. 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.

Thesis students are required to submit their thesis electronically. Electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) submissions are archived by the UCF library in digital format that is widely accessible. The electronic thesis may include video and audio clips as well as other formats that are appropriate for the field of study.

All theses 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. Graduate students and the faculty that supervise them are required to attend training on IRB policies, so this needs to start well in advance of the research start date. 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). Click on "Compliance" and the IRB Policy and Procedures Manual is available. In addition, should the nature of the research or the faculty supervision change since the IRB approval was obtained, then new IRB approval must be sought. 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 to UCF Graduate Studies by the dates shown in the Academic Calendar.

Thesis Advisory Committee Composition

A student writing a thesis must have a Thesis Advisory Committee consisting of at least three members, who are approved graduate faculty with qualifications to serve on thesis committees (www.graduate.ucf.edu/CurrentGradCatalog/content/gradfaculty/). This committee will recommend to the Dean of the college regarding the student's program of study, provide continual guidance for the student, and be the principal mechanism for the evaluation of the student's thesis and performance in any general examinations. At least two members of the Thesis Advisory Committee must be qualified regular faculty members from the student's department (or college, if a college-wide program) at UCF, one of whom must serve as the chair of the committee. Adjuncts, visiting faculty members, courtesy appointees, or qualified individuals from outside the university may serve as a member or co-chair of a thesis advisory committee if otherwise qualified, but may not serve as the chair.

Program areas may specify additional committee membership beyond the minimum of three. Qualifications of additional members must be equivalent to that expected of UCF faculty members. UCF faculty members must form the majority of any given committee. Additional information regarding the criteria for serving as a member, co-chair, or chair of a Thesis Advisory Committee is provided in UCF Faculty Senate Resolution 2004-2005-3.

Committee membership must be approved by the Dean or designee of that college. All members must be in fields related to the thesis topic. UCF Graduate Studies reserves the right to review appointments to a Thesis Advisory Committee, place a representative on any Thesis Advisory Committee, or appoint a co-chair. A student may request a change in membership of the Thesis Advisory Committee.

All committee members vote on acceptance or rejection of the thesis proposal and the final thesis. The thesis proposal and final thesis must be approved by a majority of the committee.

Thesis Enrollment Requirement

Master's level students who wish to be considered full-time and who are engaged in thesis or research report-related activity must be enrolled for at least three semester credit hours of thesis (or research report) each semester continuously (including summers) after completion of regular course work. This requirement does not negate other regulations regarding full-time enrollment or the requirement that all graduate students be enrolled in the term in which they graduate. (See Registration in Term of Graduation in the Graduate Catalog.)

Thesis Defense

Thesis defenses will be approved by a majority vote of the Thesis Advisory Committee. Thesis committee members who do not approve of the thesis may choose not to sign the thesis approval sheet. Further approval is required from the Dean or Dean designee and UCF Graduate Studies before final acceptance of the thesis in fulfilling degree requirements.

Public Access

Students, faculty, staff, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend thesis final defense sessions. Notices providing date, time, and location of such meetings must be distributed to all academic departments.

These sessions are educational and informative for graduate students and provide an opportunity for colleagues to observe the work of their peers. At the discretion of the Chair of the Thesis Advisory Committee, questions may be invited from the audience. That part of the session involving committee discussion leading to a vote on the acceptance of the work will be closed. Sessions may be recessed briefly to excuse visitors and the candidate before this stage begins.