University Admission Standards
Admission to graduate status requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited
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. Additional or
higher criteria may be required by the college or department. 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.
Applicable Credits and Courses
Total Hours Required
A minimum of 30 semester hours (combined course work and thesis) is required,
although many programs require more. For the thesis option, at least 24 semester
hours of course work must be earned exclusive of thesis. For the non-thesis
option, at least 50 percent of the credits offered for the degree must be in
a single field of concentration. A research report or other culminating experience is required in a non-thesis
option master's program.
Course Levels
6000-Level Courses—A minimum of fifteen credit hours (including thesis hours)
of an individual's program of study must be in 6000-level courses, which are
designed for graduate students.
Directed Independent Studies Courses
A maximum of three courses may be taken as independent study, for a total of
no more than six semester hours.
Residence Credit
At least 21 semester credits must be UCF credits. Residence credits may be
earned through enrollment in courses physically offered on the main campus;
or at the UCF area campuses (Brevard, Daytona Beach, and Downtown); or at geographical
locations where UCF courses are being taught by regular UCF faculty members.
Residence credits also include UCF courses offered through the web.
Transfer of Credits Taken Before Enrolling at UCF
Work taken at an accredited institution BEFORE a student is given graduate
status at UCF may be transferred into the student's program of study. Transfer
course work may come from the following areas:
- Work taken as a post-baccalaureate student at UCF
- Work taken at institutions within the State University System (SUS)
- Work taken at other accredited institutions not in the SUS
- Work taken while in graduate status in another major while at UCF
- Work taken in a graduate certificate program at UCF
No more than nine semester hours total of graduate credit may be transferred
into the graduate program from UCF post-baccalaureate work or from other accredited
institutions. 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.
Graduate programs are permitted to accept up to nine hours of graduate course
work taken at UCF while an undergraduate student as part of an undergraduate
program of study. Oversight of the appropriateness of and discretion for accepting
such courses into a graduate program of study will be provided by the instructor,
graduate program coordinator, and graduate college coordinator. The use of these
hours of graduate course work in a graduate program of study is at the discretion
of the college and graduate program. Not all graduate programs permit students to use graduate credit hours for a graduate program of study, if they have been used for an undergraduate degree. It is the student's responsibility to obtain advisement from the graduate program coordinator 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 "Senior Scholars" below.)
Institutions not in the State University System must be fully accredited by
a regional accrediting association of the Commission on Accreditation (e.g.,
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).
Students who wish to take course work elsewhere while enrolled as a student
at UCF must apply and be accepted as a Traveling Scholar. Credits earned as
a Traveling Scholar are considered "resident" credits that are earned at UCF.
Consult "Traveling Scholars" in the Policies section of 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 (3+2 or 4+1) programs usually provide about
five years of work toward both degrees.
While students are classified as undergraduate students, they are subject to
undergraduate policies. Similarly, those who are classified as graduate students
are subject to graduate policies.
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 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, provided they have received advisement and written approval to do so from the graduate program coordinator. This permission must be obtained before enrolling in the graduate courses. In addition to approval from the graduate program coordinator, 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 regarding adjustments that may 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.
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 two major semesters
[spring/fall], excluding summers) 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 Examination
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.
Appointment of Committee or Adviser
It is the responsibility of the appropriate academic Dean of the college or
the coordinator of the program to (1) determine whether an advisory committee
or an adviser will be used and (2) approve the necessary appointments. The Academic
Adviser is normally necessary when there is considerable flexibility in course
work, or where the student is conducting research and working with a thesis
adviser who is not a UCF faculty member. Both thesis and non-thesis programs
may find it useful to appoint an Academic Adviser.
Thesis
The thesis is the culminating or comprehensive experience for those who conduct
an original research study. The thesis consists of a common theme with an introduction
and literature, 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 with copies of the approved thesis
being prepared in accordance with program, college, and university requirements.
The UCF Thesis and Dissertation Manual describes formatting requirements
for theses and outlines the steps graduate students must follow to submit their
theses to UCF Graduate Studies for binding. Graduate students can
obtain the manual from www.graduate.ucf.edu.
Additionally, the Thesis/Dissertation Editor maintains online workshops to
inform graduate students about procedures, deadlines, and requirements associated
with preparing a thesis (www.graduate.ucf.edu).
Beginning in Fall 2003, thesis students will have the option of submitting their thesis electronically rather than producing paper copies that will be bound. Electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) submissions will be archived by the UCF library in digital format and will be more widely accessible. In addition, students will have the opportunity to use video and audio clips as well as other formats that may be appropriate for their 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 (http://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 turn in their final unbound copies 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. This committee
will recommend to the Dean of the college 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 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. Only one adjunct or visiting faculty member may serve
as a member of a thesis advisory committee. An adjunct or visiting faculty may
not serve as the chair, but may serve as a co-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.
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 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.
Enrollment Requirement
Master's level students who are engaged in thesis or research report-related
activity must be enrolled for at least one credit hour of thesis (or research
report) each semester continuously after completion of regular course work and
required minimum thesis hours. This requirement does not negate other regulations
regarding full-time enrollment or the requirement that all graduate students
be enrolled in the term they graduate. (See "Registration in Term of Graduation"
in the Course Requirements section of 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
to not 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 with students.
At the discretion of the Chair of the 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.
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Graduate Students
