Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies

The University of Central Florida strives to promote interdisciplinary cooperation across all aspects of the institution in order to create new and innovative partnerships that effectively respond to societal needs and appropriately prepare graduate students for a dynamic work environment. Currently, interdisciplinary graduate studies are offered in optics, gender studies, gerontology, and Maya studies.

School of Optics

The School of Optics offers a graduate program in optics, photonics, and laser education and research. It is one of only three independent optics academic departments in the nation. The School of Optics offers interdisciplinary graduate programs leading to master’s and doctoral degrees in optics. The School also offers three graduate certificate programs in optics, lasers, and optical communications designed for working professionals as well as for science and engineering graduate students. The Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) is integrated in the school as its research arm. The School of Optics and faculty are the primary resources for the optical physics option in the M.S. and Ph.D. program in Physics and the electro-optics option in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Electrical Engineering. These two option programs are offered in partnership with academic departments. The faculty also actively participate in undergraduate and graduate teaching in the Physics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE), and Chemistry Departments.

For more information about graduate programs in optics, refer to the School of Optics section of this catalog. For additional description of the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, see the “Research Opportunities” chapter in this catalog.

Women's Studies Program

In coordination with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Department of English, the Women’s Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in gender studies. This program provides a foundation in feminist theory and research focusing on the study of gender as a demographic and social variable affecting systems of meaning and the formation of social institutions. The program is open to both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking graduate students. Most courses are offered at times that will accommodate part-time and working students.

Gender Studies Faculty

Program Coordinator: Shelley M. Park, FA 201H, (407) 823-2269
E-mail: spark@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Gender studies faculty are affiliated with the Women’s Studies Program and include faculty in Art, English, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology, and Women’s Studies. For a full list of affiliated faculty, visit the website for the Women’s Studies Program at http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~womenst.

Graduate Certificate in Gender Studies

The graduate certificate in gender studies requires 15 semester hours at the graduate level, including courses from both the humanities and the social sciences. Admission is through application to Graduate Studies for admission to a certificate program. For details of the program, please refer to the program description in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.

Gerontology

In recognition of the special needs of elderly citizens, the University of Central Florida offers an interdisciplinary program leading to a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. The Graduate Certificate in Gerontology is administered by the School of Social Work.

The program may be of particular interest to people presently employed in the aging field who have a baccalaureate or higher degree and who wish to increase their knowledge of gerontology. Graduate students who are enrolled in health sciences, psychology, social work, nursing, communicative disorders, or sociology, as well as in other areas, such as liberal arts, music education, physical education, or art education, may also find the certificate valuable.

Gerontology Faculty

Graduate Program Coordinator: Margaret Sauer, M.S.W.,
School of Social Work, HPA 204, (407) 823-2114
E-mail: msauer@mail.ucf.edu
Phone: (407) 823-2215 • Fax: (407) 823-5697

Gerontology faculty specialize in this field and are from the Department of Social Work in the College of Health and Public Affairs.

Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The graduate certificate in gerontology requires 12 semester hours (4 courses) at the graduate level. Admission is through application to Graduate Studies for admission to a certificate program. For the details of the program, please refer to the program description in the College of Health and Public Affairs section of this catalog.

Maya Studies

Maya studies focuses on an area of growing local, national, and international concern—the ancient and contemporary peoples of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. The program is interdisciplinary with cognate offerings from History, Political Science, and Spanish. The program is further strengthened by a community partnership with the Orlando Museum of Art. The Maya Studies Graduate Certificate Program provides detailed and specialized knowledge of the ancient and contemporary Maya through a series of well-integrated courses.

Maya Studies Faculty

Graduate Program Coordinators:
Diane Chase, HFA 406F, (407) 823-2227, Fax (407) 823-3026.
E-mail: chase@mail.ucf.edu
Jay Corzine, HFA 402, (407) 823-2227, Fax (407) 823-3026.
E-mail: hcorzine@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Arlen F. Chase, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology
Diane Z. Chase, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology
Marcela Del-Rio, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Jose Fernández , Ph.D., Professor of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Professor of History, and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Waltraud Morales, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science
Allyn Stearman, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology and Dean of the Honors College
Diana Velez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History
Bruce Wilson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science
Elayne Zorn, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Andrea Kalis, M.A., Curator, Orlando Museum of Art

Graduate Certificate in Maya Studies

The graduate certificate in Maya studies requires 15 semester hours (5 courses) at the graduate level. Admission is through application to Graduate Studies for admission to a certificate program. For details of the program, please refer to the program description in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Graduate Program Coordinator: Consuelo Stebbins, HFA 523, (407) 823-0087.
E-mail: stebbins@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

The College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education offer an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This program provides a strong foundation in language acquisition, use, and pedagogy. The curriculum incorporates the five required courses for the ESOL Endorsement and offers electives in applied linguistics, research, and multicultural education. Graduate students also expand their knowledge of technology by utilizing the multimedia language classroom equipped with the latest software programs for second language learners.

For more information about the graduate program in TESOL, refer to the program description provided by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures in the College of Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.

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