College of Health and Public Affairs
The College of Health and Public Affairs offers seven graduate programs: the Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice, the Master of Science in Health Services Administration, the Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, the Master of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Physical Therapy, the Master of Public Administration, and the Master of Social Work, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs. The mission of the College of Health and Public Affairs is to provide undergraduate and graduate education, to foster the development and transmission of knowledge, and to provide graduate education that exceeds national standards while meeting the research and service needs of the local community.
Departments and schools within the college provide professional education, emphasizing the relationship between policy, practice, and the importance of research. By focusing on the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, students receive an education that prepares them for a lifetime of professional and personal achievement.
For more information, visit the College of Health and Public Affairs website.
College Administration B. R. McCarthy, Ph.D..................................Dean M. J. Sweeney, Ph.D.........................Associate Dean J. E. Dorner, M.N...........................Assistant Dean Faculty Department of Communicative Disorders C. Nye, Ph.D...........................Chair and Professor G. Brutten, Ph.D.................................Professor D. L. Ratusnik, Ph.D.............................Professor D. B. Ingram, Ph.D.....................Associate Professor T. A. Mullin, Ph.D.....................Associate Professor J. Ryalls, Ph.D........................Associate Professor A. E. Brice, Ph.D......................Assistant Professor J. Dutka, Ph.D.........................Assistant Professor H. Parker, M.A.........................Assistant Professor K. Rivers, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor L. Rosa-Lugo, Ph.D.....................Assistant Professor H. A. Utt, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor M. Vanryckeghem, Ph.D..................Assistant Professor Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies B. J. McCarthy, Ph.D...................Chair and Professor B. R. McCarthy, Ph.D....................Dean and Professor B. Bohm, Ph.D....................................Professor D. Fabianic, Ph.D................................Professor R. Surette, Ph.D.................................Professor D. Bishop, Ph.D........................Associate Professor D. Hall, Ph.D..........................Associate Professor S. Mahan, Ph.D.........................Associate Professor R. Pyle, Ph.D..........................Associate Professor J. Sanborn, Ph.D.......................Associate Professor B. Applegate, Ph.D.....................Assistant Professor C. Bast, J.D...........................Assistant Professor D. Becker, M.S.........................Assistant Professor P. Griset, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor S. Holmes, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor M. Lanier, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor K. Lucken, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor F. Ravitch, J.D........................Assistant Professor R. Remis, J.D..........................Assistant Professor D. Slaughter, J.D......................Assistant Professor K. M. Reynolds.........................Assistant Professor K. Cook, J.D........................Internship Coordinator M. Eastep, M.S..................................Instructor J. Flagg, J.D...................................Instructor L. Gonzalez Otero, M.S..........................Instructor R. Lynch, J.D...................................Instructor Health Professions and Physical Therapy G. H. Frazer, Ph.D.....................Chair and Professor L. J. Acierno, M.D...............................Professor S. Douglass, M.S.......................Associate Professor T. Edwards, Ed.D., RT(R)...............Associate Professor E. Hamby, D.B.A., P.T..................Associate Professor A. Liberman, Ph.D., M.H.A., M.Ed.......Associate Professor J. S. Lytle, M.S., M.P.H...............Associate Professor T. S. Mendenhall, Ph.D., M.B.A.........Associate Professor J. A. Valentine, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.P.H..Associate Professor L. T. Worrell, M.P.H...................Associate Professor L. Chase-Beasley, Ph.D., P.T...........Assistant Professor T. Rotarius, Ph.D., M.B.A..............Assistant Professor C. J. Barr, M.S.................................Instructor G. Bertetta, M.S................................Instructor M. Diesen, M.S., M.Ed...........................Instructor K. B. Enchelmayer, M.P.T., O.T.R................Instructor T. Falen, M.S...................................Instructor V. J. Hudson, M.P.T., M.B.A., A.T.C.............Instructor J. Ludy, M.A....................................Instructor P. Welker, M.A., RT(R) (CT).....................Instructor Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology R. N. Gennaro, Ph.D....................Chair and Professor O. M. Berringer, Ph.D............................Professor M. J. Sweeney, Ph.D...........Associate Dean and Professor R. S. White, Ph.D................................Professor J. F. Charba, Ph.D.....................Associate Professor D. W. Washington, Ph.D.................Associate Professor K. Chai, Ph.D..........................Assistant Professor D. Chakrabarti, Ph.D...................Assistant Professor R. Chakrabarti, Ph.D...................Assistant Professor C. Fernandez-Valle, Ph.D...............Assistant Professor S. Naser Ph.D..........................Assistant Professor D. F. Hitchcock, M.S............................Instructor F. Loguidice, M.S...............................Instructor School of Nursing E. Stullenbarger, DSN, RN...........Director and Professor M. L. Sole, Ph.D., RN, CCRN............Associate Professor D. Wink, Ed.D., RNC....................Associate Professor J. Dorner, M.N., RN.Assistant Dean and Associate Professor A. Bushy, Ph.D., RN..............................Professor M. Bear, Ph.D., RN.....................Associate Professor K. Dow, Ph.D., RN, FANN................Associate Professor G. Giovinco, Ph.D., Ed.D., RN..........Associate Professor R. Gropper, Ph.D., RN..................Associate Professor J. Kijek, Ph.D., RN....................Associate Professor F. Smith, Ed.D., RN....................Associate Professor V. Browne-Krimsley, Ed.D., RN..........Assistant Professor N. Crigger, Ph.D., RN..................Assistant Professor J. Gichia, Ph.D., RN...................Assistant Professor L. Holcomb, DSN, RN....................Assistant Professor E. Kiehl, Ph.D., RN....................Assistant Professor J. Peterson, Ph.D., RN.................Assistant Professor L. Hennig, Ed.D., RN............................Instructor M. Ramey, M.N.Ed., RN...........................Instructor M. Covelli, M.A., RN............................Instructor S. Pelliccio, M.S.N., RN........................Instructor Department of Public Administration TBA..................................................Chair P. W. Colby, Ph.D................................Professor R. A. Shapek, Ph.D...............................Professor J. D. Jurie, D.P.A.....................Associate Professor W. C. Lawther, Ph.D....................Associate Professor K. Tom Liou, D.P.A.....................Associate Professor E. Berman, Ph.D........................Assistant Professor G. Gianakis, Ph.D......................Assistant Professor Jo Marie Rios, Ph.D....................Assistant Professor Xiao Hu Wang, Ph.D.....................Assistant Professor M. Rogers, M.P.A................................Instructor School of Social Work TBA....................................Chair and Professor I. C. Colby, DSW.................................Professor D. Poole, Ph.D...................................Professor K. Kazmerski, DSW......................Associate Professor E. K. Suh, Ph.D........................Associate Professor S. Oziegielewski, Ph.D........Visiting Associate Professor E. M. Abel, M.S.W......................Assistant Professor C. E. Green, Ph.D......................Assistant Professor A. Leon, Ph.D..........................Assistant Professor L. Davis, M.S.W...............Coordinator, Field Education G. Jacinto, M.S.W......................Clinical Instructor M. Sauer, M.S.W........................Clinical Instructor
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs
W. C. Lawther, Ph.D.....................Program Coordinator Office: HPB 202, Phone: (407) 823-5361 e-mail: lawther@pegasus.cc.ucf.eduThe Ph.D. program in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida is a multidisciplinary program with concentrations in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Health Services Administration, and Social Work. The principal goal of this program is to enable graduates to (1) administer public or private agencies in any of the fields noted above; (2) advance their careers within their respective organizations; (3) conduct research; and (4) teach at the community college, college, or university level.
The complex social issues that threaten the health and welfare of the citizens of Central Florida and the nation require a new breed of professionals educated to think and work across traditional boundaries with colleagues similarly committed to tackling the complex social challenges of tomorrow. This interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Public Affairs aims to fulfill that need and to meet the challenges of the future.
More specifically, the program brings together four disciplines that address important and interrelated social problems that confront all communities. Currently, the interrelated problems of crime and justice, health services and social welfare delivery, and the administration of public agencies that deal with these problems are approached in a disciplinary-specific and fragmented way. This approach often results in the duplication of efforts and a waste of scarce resources. In addition, it frequently exacerbates community problems rather than helping to resolve them. By integrating knowledge bases and intervention approaches, more effective and efficient resolutions to social problems can be achieved.
The flexibility needed to solve increasingly complex issues of service delivery faced by state and local public managers can be provided by the tools and skills obtained by students graduating from this program. This flexibility can be viewed as occurring along a continuum. At one end can be found highly specialized, narrowly focused methodological skills reflected by specialists who focus on, for example, evaluating specific aspects of a public program. At the other end are highly generalized upper management skills reflected by generalists that lead teams of managers and analysts who try to implement improved ways of solving a problem or delivering a service.
The program will match the career goals of the students through the interdisciplinary nature of the course content, the interaction with faculty from all four disciplines, and the flexibility inherent in the choice of electives. Those seeking advancement within public agencies or nonprofit organizations can choose a greater mix of electives, while those seeking to teach at the college or university level can concentrate their course work more within one discipline.
Program Requirements
Students must complete 57 hours beyond the master’s degree, including fourteen courses (42 credit hours) above the master’s level distributed in the following manner: (1) a five-course, 15-credit interdisciplinary core; (2) a two-course, 6-credit research tool; and (3) a seven-course, 21-credit interdisciplinary specialization component that will be tailored to meet students’ individual goals. It is expected that all core courses will be team taught by professors from more than one discipline. A 15-hour dissertation is also required.To ensure that students more fully experience the interdisciplinary nature of the program, completion of no more than five elective courses from one discipline will be permitted. Among the elective choices offered to students will be a choice of specialized research tools that will also be interdisciplinary.
Admission
Applications for admission into the Ph.D. program in Public Affairs will be submitted to the UCF Office of Graduate Studies. The deadline for fall admission is March 1. For those students who wish to be considered for assistantships, the deadline is February 7. Admission decisions will be made only once per academic year.A complete packet for admission includes all of the following:
- An official admission application form
- Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Official results of the Graduate Record Examination (taken within the last five years)
- A narrative statement of 1000 words or less describing the applicant’s educational expectations, career aspirations, level of computer skills, and any special qualifications or experiences that may enhance the overall learning environment of the program
- A current resume
- Three letters of reference from professionals who can assess the applicant’s ability to succeed in a doctoral program
- Special qualifications or experiences that may enhance the overall learning environment of the program
It is important that applicants return all materials in the single packet to facilitate admission decisions.
Application Deadlines:
Fall admission (priority): February 7*
Fall admission: March 1
* Students applying for fellowships or assistantships must apply for the fall semester by the priority date.
Financial Support
A limited number of teaching and research assistantships will be available for each year. Additional financial support may be available in the form of internships and research opportunities with public and nonprofit agencies. Students wishing to obtain financial support must apply by February 7.
Transfer Credit
No course work will be accepted for transfer unless it has been approved as part of the plan of study for another doctoral program either at UCF or at another college or university. The transfer credit accepted will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the director. A maximum of six hours can be transferred.
Assignment of Faculty Advisors
Upon acceptance of a student into the program, the graduate program coordinator for Public Affairs will provide an initial orientation and general advising session. Based on the information obtained in this session, the graduate program coordinator will identify a faculty advisor from among the four disciplines that comprise the program that could best serve the advising needs of the student. During the student’s first semester, the student and his or her faculty advisor will create a specific plan of study tailored to meet the specific career needs and goals of the student.The Qualifying Examination
Following successful completion of the seven required foundation courses, a student is required to pass a qualifying examination. This examination will test the student’s knowledge of the material in the seven foundation courses only. The examination will be given once each semester.The Candidacy Examination
Students who pass the qualifying examination, once all of their course work has been completed, are admitted into doctoral status and are entitled to write and defend a dissertation proposal. The defense of the dissertation proposal constitutes the candidacy examination for this program.NOTE: This catalog describes the intended curriculum at the time of publication.
Curriculum
Foundation Courses (Required) PAD 7XXX Foundations of Public Affairs 3 hours PAD 7XXX Social Justice and Public Policy 3 hours PAD 7XXX Ethics and Public Affairs 3 hours PAD 7XXX Policy Analysis in Public Affairs 3 hours PAD 7XXX Strategic Change and Management in Public Affairs 3 hours PAD 7XXX Advanced Research Methods in Public Affairs 3 hours PAD 7XXX Advanced Quantitative Research Methods in Public Affairs 3 hours Foundation Courses (Electives) PAD 7XXX Dissertation Seminar in Public Affairs 2 hours PAD 7XXX Seminar in Program Evaluation 3 hours PAD 7XXX Seminar in Survey Research 3 hours PAD 7XXX Seminar in Secondary Data Analysis in Public Affairs 3 hours PAD 7XXX Seminar in Qualitative Methods 3 hours Disciplinary Specialization Courses Criminal Justice CCJ 7930 Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy Analysis 3 hours CCJ 7457 Seminar in Criminal Justice Theory 3 hours CCJ 7XXX Special Issues in Criminal Justice 3 hours (Course may be repeated with different content.) + Any 6000-level courses in the catalog Health Services Administration HSC 7XXX Advanced Health Care Organization Theory 3 hours HSC 7XXX Special Issues in Health Services Administration 3 hours (Course may be repeated with different content.) HSC 6XXX Advanced Trends in Health Care Finance Theory 3 hours (Prerequisite: PHC 6160, Health Care Finance) + Any 6000-level courses in the catalog Public Administration PAD 7XXX Advanced Seminar in Public Administration 3 hours PAD 6934 Special Issues in Public Administration 3 hours (Course may be repeated with different content.) PAD 6XXX Advanced Public Human Resource Management 3 hours (Prerequisite: PAD 6417, Human Resource Management) PAD 6XXX Advanced Public Budgeting and Finance 3 hours (Prerequisite: PAD 6227, Public Budgeting and Financial Management) + Any 6000-level courses in the catalog Social Work SOW 7XXX Theory Building in Social Work 3 hours SOW 7XXX Seminar in Social Welfare Planning and Implementation 3 hours SOW 7XXX Special Issues in Social Work 3 hours (Course may be repeated with different content.) SOW 7XXX Advanced Administration in Social Welfare 3 hours + Any 6000-level courses in the catalog Dissertation PAD 7980 Dissertation Research 15 hours
Communicative Disorders Department
Thomas Mullin, Ph.D....................Program Coordinator Office:Research Pavilion Suite 200, Phone:(407) 384-2114 e mail: tmullin@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Professional education is offered in Communicative Disorders leading to the Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology. The program requires the equivalent of two years full-time attendance to complete and is designed to meet the certification requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The program is accredited by the Educational Standards Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Full-time registration (at least 6 hours) in the program is required.
The faculty is keenly aware of the need for combining clinical skills with theoretical foundations. Supervised student practica are offered in the Communicative Disorders Clinic on campus as well as in external settings. Selected outstanding professionals in Central Florida (physicians, speech/language pathologists) make up the clinical faculty, which supplements the clinical expertise of the regular faculty.
All students will enroll in SPA 6505 or 6506, Clinical Practica, or equivalents, each semester in attendance, with the exception of the semester they are enrolled in SPA 5553L, Differential Diagnosis in Speech and Language Laboratory, and the semester they are completing the thesis/non-thesis option. Students must complete 375 clock hours of practicum experience as outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association before graduation.
Admission Requirements for Communicative Disorders
Admission to graduate status in the Master of
Arts (M.A.) in Communicative
Disorders degree program is based on the following:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 attempted semester hours of credit earned for the baccalaureate degree, or a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE. In order to be considered every applicant must submit official GRE scores. These are minimum university requirements and do not guarantee admission to the graduate program.
- Three letters of recommendation, preferably from former instructors.
- A letter of intent, stating background and experience, interest in the field, future goals, and the semester in which admission is desired.
- A copy of all official transcripts from previously attended colleges and/or universities.
- A copy of the graduate application and official GRE score report.
It is important that applicants return these materials in a single packet to facilitate admission decisions. Admission into the graduate program will be determined for each semester. This program is highly competitive and meeting minimum university standards may not guarantee admission to the program.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: June 15
Spring admission: November 1
Summer admission: April 1
Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders
PrerequisitesB.A. in Speech and Hearing (Communicative Disorders) or special prerequisite courses to be arranged with the program coordinator. All students must take Statistical Methods II, or equivalent, and achieve a grade of “C” or better prior to, or during, their graduate program. This course is a prerequisite to SPA 5805, Research in Communicative Disorders.
Required Courses 39 Semester Hours
SPA 5327 Aural Habilitation - Rehabilitation 4 hours
SPA 5600 Administration and Management of
Communicative Disorders 3 hours
SPA 5805 Research in Communicative Disorders 3 hours
SPA 6410 Language Problems in Adults: Aphasia
and Other Symbolic Disorders 3 hours
SPA 5225 Fluency Disorders 3 hours
SPA 6553C Differential Diagnosis Speech
Language 3 hours
SPA 6132 Measurements in Speech Science 3 hours
SPA 6204 Advanced Studies in Communicative
Disorders: Articulation 3 hours
SPA 6211 Voice Disorders 3 hours
SPA 6403 Language Disorders: School Age Language 3 hours
SPA 5236 Speech Problems in Adults: Motor Speech
Disorders 3 hours
SPA 5404 Language Disorders: Pre-School 3 hours
Two seminars must be included in the Program of Study:
SPA 6407 Seminar in Language 2 hours
SPA 6526 Seminar in Speech Pathology 2 hours
SPA 6826 Seminar in Research 2 hours
Practicum credit toward degree: 6 Semester Hours
All students must register for three hours each semester while in attendance, with exceptions as noted in the graduate manual.
Thesis and Non-Thesis Options
Each student will complete a thesis or non-thesis option.
Thesis Option: 6 Semester Hours
Students selecting the thesis option will complete a
thesis in the area of
speech/language pathology for six semester hours of credit.
An advisory committee of three faculty
members, chaired by a departmental faculty member, will
be selected to guide the
student through the thesis requirements. An oral defense of
the thesis is required.
Non-Thesis Option: 7 Semester Hours
A student selecting the Clinical Internship option must
complete 6 semester hours of
Internship in Speech-Language Pathology. In addition, a student in
the Clinical
Internship option must register for one hour of Directed Research.
Examinations
Students must pass the National Examination for Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (NESPA) before
being considered a degree candidate. Students not passing the NESPA after three attempts will then be
required to pass a written comprehensive examination administered by the department before being
considered a degree candidate.
Minimum Hours Required for M.A.: 50 Semester Hours
Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department
Pamala Griset, Ph.D....................Program Coordinator Office:HPB 113, Phone:(407) 823-2603, e-mail: griset@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice offers students an in-depth exploration of the complex and changing world of criminal justice. The historical, political, economic, and philosophical forces shaping crime and punishment in the United States are examined. Students also learn valuable qualitative and quantitative research and computer skills.Federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies benefit from an informed and innovative work force that is aware of the many complexities of the criminal justice system. The importance of advanced education in criminal justice beyond the bachelor’s degree is increasingly being recognized by employers in Central Florida and throughout the United States.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed for a variety of students. Some are recent college graduates interested in pursuing a professional career in criminal justice. Others are employees of criminal justice agencies interested in learning more about their field and advancing their careers. Still, others enter the program as a first step toward a Ph.D. in criminal justice or a related field. Some may be driven simply by a desire to enrich their intellectual lives. Whatever their motivations and backgrounds, graduates of the master’s program will be better prepared to meet the many challenges facing the criminal justice system today.
Two plans of study are available. The first has a professional focus and is designed for students whose career goals include working in criminal or juvenile justice agencies. These students will be encouraged to focus on policy-oriented courses and to compile a professional portfolio of their graduate work. The second plan of study is designed for students who plan to enroll in a Ph.D. program when they complete the master’s program. These students will be encouraged to prepare a thesis and to focus on research-related courses.
Students in both plans of study will be exposed to a wide variety of issues and problems within the discipline. They will study crime trends and theories of criminal behavior. They will analyze the administration of justice within the United States, including critical problems facing law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, and computer technologies in the criminal justice field will also be part of each student’s curriculum.
Students will select elective courses based on their program of study. These courses involve analysis of juvenile crime and the juvenile justice system; the relationship of law to social policy; individual and organizational strategies for change; the connection between popular culture, the mass media, crime, and criminal justice; and the future of corrections and law enforcement. A number of special topic courses will be offered as well.
Admission
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all graduate students.
Minimum requirements for regular admission are a grade point average (GPA)
of 3.0 for the last
60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate study; or a total score of
1000 or higher
on the verbal-quantitative sections of the GRE. Also, applicants
will be asked to submit a personal statement reflecting their
educational and
career goals. Individuals whose native language is other than English are
required to have
a minimum TOEFL score of 550.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: May 1
Spring admission: November 15
Summer admission: March 15
Degree Requirements
The M.S. program in Criminal Justice consists of 30 semester hours. Each student completes a core of
4 courses (12 semester hours) and advanced curriculum of 6 courses (18 semester hours) selected in
consultation with an advisor.
Minimum Core Requirements 12 Semester Hours
CCJ 5015 The Nature of Crime 3 hours
CCJ 5456 The Administration of Justice 3 hours
CCJ 5704 Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3 hours
CCJ 6706 Quantitative Methods and Computer
Utilization in Criminal Justice 3 hours
Advanced Curriculum 18 Semester Hours
Choose six of the following:
CCJ 5105 Foundations of Law Enforcement
CCJ 5305 Foundations of Corrections
CCJ 6106 Policy Analysis in Criminal Justice
CCJ 6217 Law and Social Control
CCJ 6485 Issues in Justice Policy
CCJ 6505 The Juvenile Justice System
CCJ 6705 Applied Criminal Justice Research
CCJ 6730 Planned Change and Innovation in Criminal Justice
CCJ 6908 Independent Study
CCJ 6934 Criminal Justice, Crime, and Popular Culture
CCJ 6938 Special Topics in Criminal Justice
CCJ 6946 Criminal Justice Practicum
CCJ 6971 Thesis
(A student may not take more than 6 hours total of Independent Study or Practicum.)
Minimum Hours Required for M.S.: 30 Semester Hours
Students may transfer up to six hours of related graduate course work toward the Master of Science degree. Only courses where the student earned a grade of "B" or above will be accepted for transfer from an accredited university or college.
Health Professions and Physical Therapy Department
Gregory H. Frazer, Ph.D.....Chair and Health Services Administration Program Coordinator Office:TR 534, Phone:(407) 823-2359, e mail: frazer@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu Eileen Hamby, D.B.A., P.T...........................Physical Therapy Program Coordinator Office:TR 544, Phone:(407) 823-3470, e mail: ehamby@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Master of Science in Health Services Administration
The Department of Health Professions and Physical Therapy offers a Master of Science in Health Services Administration. The program of study required for the Health Services Administration option is outlined below:
Admission
Admission to graduate status in the Master of Science in Health Services
Administration program is based on the following:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 attempted semester hours of credit earned for the baccalaureate degree, and a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 840 (a GMAT score of 400 may be used to satisfy this requirement); or a grade point average of at least 2.75 for the last 60 attempted semester hours and a GRE score of at least 1000 (a GMAT score of 500 may be used to satisfy this requirement).
- Submission of three letters of recommendation from individuals capable of assessing the applicant's ability to undertake graduate work.
- Completion of undergraduate course work comprising a knowledge of the U.S. health care systems, basic statistics, and personal computers.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: July 15
Spring admission: December 1
Summer admission: April 15
Required Courses 24 Semester Hours HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer Applications in Medicine HSA 6107 Health Care Organization and Management I HSA 6108 Health Care Organization and Management II HSA 6126 Principles of Managed Care HSC 6636 Issues and Trends in the Health Care Industry HSC 6911 Scientific Inquiry PHC 6160 Health Care Finance PHC 6420 Case Studies in Health Law Electives 15 Semester HoursStudents must choose a minimum of 5 courses in consultation with the advisor. Electives may include a research project, thesis, independent study or courses from such areas as business, public administration, engineering, computer science, or health services administration.
Comprehensive Examination
A final written examination is required of all students in the Program. The exam will be completed in the term in which the student expects to graduate. Examinations will receive an evaluation of "pass," "conditional pass," or "fail." If a student receives a "conditional pass" on the comprehensive examination, a written re-examination will have to be taken covering the area failed. A student failing the examination must repeat the entire examination. All students must successfully pass the comprehensive examination to graduate.
Thesis and Research Report Options
Students may choose to do a research project or thesis with the consent
of the
academic advisor. Normally, 3 semester hours is earned for the research project
and 6 for the
thesis. Students should discuss this with the advisor when the program of study
is completed.
Minimum Hours Required for M.S.: 39 Semester Hours
Master of Science in Physical Therapy
Program RequirementsThe program in Physical Therapy (M.S.) is a three-year professional program designed to prepare entry-level therapists to practice in a variety of settings. There is an undergraduate phase (five semesters) and a master’s phase (four semesters). Students must complete the entire three-year program at the University of Central Florida to graduate with a physical therapy degree and to be eligible to take the state licensure exam.
The mission of the program in Physical Therapy is to educate and train students to be entry-level practitioners of the art and science of Physical Therapy. The educational process enables students to possess the general skills for competent clinical management of patients. The intent of the curriculum is to enable students to assess, evaluate, and treat patients in the most efficient and appropriate manner possible.
Objectives of the Physical Therapy Program
- Preparation of a physical therapist who will practice as a broadly skilled, inquiring clinician in a variety of healthcare settings, with appropriate skill in education, communication, advocacy, management, and research.
- Preparation of a physical therapist who demonstrates a lifelong commitment to the profession and to their patients, through active participation in their communities, patient advocacy, and the ability to adapt to consumer needs and the changing healthcare environment
- Promotion of the scientific foundations of physical therapy practice and education with emphasis on outcomes and efficacy of treatment
- Promotion of interdisciplinary approaches to patient care
- Promotion of the physical therapy profession and the physical therapist as a unique and integral component of healthcare
Admission Requirements
Admission to graduate status in the Master of Science in Physical Therapy program is based on the
following:
- Successful completion of the first two years of the limited access physical therapy professional program at the University of Central Florida leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last 60 attempted semester hours of credit earned for the baccalaureate degree is required. In order to be admitted to the master’s portion of the curriculum, every applicant must submit official GRE scores. (A GRE of 1000 and/or a GPA of 3.0 is required.) The GRE must have been taken within five years.
Acceptance to the Physical Therapy program as a junior is limited, and candidates must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to the program:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in all prerequisites, which must be completed prior to application to the baccalaureate program (see the description of the Health Sciences degree in the undergraduate catalog for a list of prerequisite courses)
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Completion of all general education and foreign language requirements prior to enrollment in the program
- Completion of 200 hours of volunteer/work experience (at least four exposures of 50 hours each in different settings and/or practice areas)
- Reference forms completed by the supervising physical therapists in the four different volunteer/work settings
- Completion of a biographical essay
- An interview of the top applicants (required)
Since this program is limited in enrollment, meeting minimum requirements may not guarantee acceptance.
Plan of Study
The baccaluareate degree in health sciences will be awarded at the end of the fifth semester when
program requirements are met, and students will then be reclassified as graduate students. The Master of
Science in Physical Therapy degree will be awarded on completion of the total program of study. If
students do not complete the entire professional physical therapy program, they will not be permitted to
sit for the physical therapy state licensing exam.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of undergraduate course work in their
junior/senior years and an additional 51 semester hours of graduate course work, for a total of 171
semester hours.
NOTE: This catalog describes the intended curriculum at the time of publication.
Undergraduate Course Work Semester 1 - Fall 12 Semester Hours PHT 3XXX Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience I 2 hours PHT 3XXXL Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience I Lab 3 hours PHT 3XXX Physiology of Therapeutic Exercise 2 hours PHT 3XXXL Physiology of Therapeutic Exercise Lab 2 hours PHT 3XXX Patient Care Skills 2 hours PHT 3XXXL Patient Care Skills Lab 1 hour Semester 2 - Spring 13 Semester Hours PHT 3XXX Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience II 2 hours PHT 3XXXL Gross Anatomy/Neuroscience II Lab 3 hours PHT 3XXX Physical Assessment 1 hour PHT 3XXXL Physical Assessment Lab 2 hours PHT 3XXX Clinical Kinesiology 3 hours PHT 3XXXL Clinical Kinesiology Lab 2 hours Semester 3 - Summer 10 Semester Hours PHT 4XXX Pathology/Pharmacology 3 hours PHT 4XXX Therapeutic Exercise I 2 hours PHT 4XXXL Therapeutic Exercise I Lab 1 hour PHT 4XXX Foundations of Physical Therapy I 2 hours PHT 4XXXC Functional Rehabilitation 2 hours Semester 4 - Fall 12 Semester Hours PHT 4XXX Theories and Procedures I 3 hours PHT 4XXXL Theories and Procedures I Lab 1 hour PHT 4XXX Therapeutic Exercise II 2 hours PHT 4XXXL Therapeutic Exercise II Lab 1 hour PHT 4XXX Neurological Physical Therapy 2 hours PHT 4XXXL Neurological Physical Therapy Lab 1 hour PHT 4XXX Clinical Education I 2 hours Semester 5 - Spring 13 Semester Hours PHT 4XXX Theories and Procedures II 2 hours PHT 4XXXL Theories and Procedures II Lab 1 hour PHT 4XXX Orthopedic Physical Therapy 2 hours PHT 4XXXL Orthopedic Physical Therapy Lab 2 hours PHT 4372 Gerontology in Physical Therapy Practice 2 hours PHT 4XXXC Pediatric Physical Therapy 2 hours PHT 4XXXC Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy 2 hours Bachelor of Science in Health Science awarded 120 Semester Hours Graduate Course Work Semester 6 - Summer 15 Semester Hours PHT 5XXX Foundations of Physical Therapy II 3 hours PHT 5XXX Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy 2 hours PHT 5XXXL Advanced Orthopedic Physical Therapy Lab 2 hours PHT 5XXX Information Management and Communications in Physical Therapy 3 hours PHT 5XXX Research Methods in Physical Therapy 3 hours PHT 5XXX Advanced Clinical Applications I 2 hours Semester 7 - Fall 17 Semester Hours PHT 6XXX Research Applications in Physical Therapy I 3 hours PHT 6XXX Physical Therapy Integration I 2 hours PHT 6XXXL Physical Therapy Integration I Lab 1 hour PHT 6XXX Trends and Issues in Physical Therapy 3 hours PHT 6XXX Health Promotion/Wellness in Physical Therapy 3 hours PHT 6XXX Advanced Neurological Physical Therapy 2 hours PHT 6XXXL Advanced Neurological Physical Therapy Lab 1 hour PHT 6XXXC Prosthetics/Orthotics 2 hours Semester 8 - Spring 16 Semester Hours PHT 6XXX Management of Physical Therapy Services 3 hours PHT 6XXX Research Applications in Physical Therapy II 3 hours PHT 6XXX Physical Therapy Integration II 2 hours PHT 6XXXL Physical Therapy Integration II Lab 2 hours PHT 6XXX Gender Health Issues in Physical Therapy 3 hours PHT 6XXX Advanced Clinical Applications II 3 hours Semester 9 - Summer 3 Semester Hours PHT 6XXX Advanced Clinical Applications III 3 hours Master of Science in Physical Therapy awarded 171 Semester HoursThe transition to the three-year professional physical therapy program culminating in a Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree is contingent upon approval from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
Examinations
This non-thesis program requires a final comprehensive examination on course work in the program of
study. In addition, comprehensive examinations will be required at the end of each year of the
three-year program.
Molecular Biology and Microbiology Department
R. N. Gennaro, Ph.D...................Program Coordinator Office:BIO 330, Phone:(407) 823-5932, e mail: gennaro@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology
AdmissionThe minimum requirements for consideration for graduate status in the M.S. Program in Molecular Biology and Microbiology are a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for the last 60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate study and a score of at least 1000 on the combined quantitative-verbal sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Additionally, the department requires three letters of recommendation plus a written statement of past experience and research, area of interest, and immediate and long-range goals. Personal interviews are helpful but not required. The department requires international students and students whose native language is not English to have a minimum TOEFL score of 550.
Applicants who fail to meet either the minimum program GPA or GRE requirement may occasionally be accepted if there is other convincing evidence of potential for high achievement and success. Applicants failing to satisfy minimum program criteria should submit a GRE Subject Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Test score at or above the 50th percentile. In no case will GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, or advanced) older than five years be accepted.
Applicants need not have an undergraduate degree in molecular biology or microbiology but are expected to have the equivalent of 16 semester hours credit in biological sciences including a course in general microbiology, plus one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, basic university mathematics and statistics, and laboratory skills equivalent to the minimum required of our own undergraduates. Minor deficiencies may be remedied after acceptance by enrollment at the first opportunity in an appropriate course.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission (priority): March 15*
Fall admission: July 15
Spring admission: December 1
Summer admission: April 15
* Students applying for fellowships or assistantships must apply for the fall semester by the priority date.
Examinations
A comprehensive examination is required of all students in the M.S. program.
The comprehensive exam must be taken no later than the fourth week of that semester
after the one in which the student completes all course work in the program of study.
If a student fails the comprehensive examination, a minimum of four weeks must
elapse before re-examination. The comprehensive exam may be taken a maximum of two times.
In addition, an oral thesis defense is required. A minimum of four weeks must
elapse between the comprehensive and thesis defense examinations.
Degree Requirements
The course and credit requirements will consist of a minimum of 30 semester
hours of credit, including six credits of Thesis, two credits of Graduate Seminar,
and such other courses as specified by the student's graduate committee in the approved
Program of Study.
Molecular Biology and Microbiology MCB 5205 Infectious Processes 3 hours MCB 5225 Molecular Biology of Disease 3 hours MCB 5487 Current Topics in Molecular Biology 3 hours MCB 5505 Virology 3 hours MCB 5654 Applied Microbiology 3 hours MCB 6407C Laboratory Methods for Molecular Biology 5 hours MCB 6417C Microbial Metabolism 3 hours MCB 6938 Seminar 1-2 hours MCB 6971 Thesis 1-6 hours PCB 5026 Signal Transduction Mechanics 3 hours PCB 5235 Immunopathology 3 hours PCB 5239 Tumor Biology 3 hours PCB 5806 Endocrinology 3 hours ZOO 5745C Essentials of Neuroanatomy 4 hoursSummary of M.S. Degree Requirements
Admission
- 3.0 G.P.A. Last 60 attempted semester hours at the undergraduate level and 1000 on GRE (quantitative and verbal).
- Three letters of recommendation.
- TOEFL of 550.
- 16 semester hours in biological sciences, including one course in general microbiology, plus one year of organic chemistry, one year of physics, basic university math and statistics, and lab skills equivalent to the minimum of undergraduates at UCF.
- Comprehensive covering all course work in program of study.
- Final thesis defense.
Minimum of 30 semester hours, including six (6) semester hours of Thesis, and two (2) semester hours of Graduate Seminars (one-half at 6000 level).
Nursing Department
Mary Lou Sole, Ph.D., RN, FAAN.........Program Coordinator Office:HPB 410, Phone:(407) 823-2744, e mail: msole@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Master of Science in Nursing
Administration: 36 Semester HoursFamily Nurse Practitioner (FNP): 43 Semester Hours
The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) programs are designed to build upon the student’s baccalaureate nursing education and professional experience. The goals of the programs are to prepare advanced nurse practitioners and administrators to assume leadership positions in a variety of health care settings. Students are only admitted to the programs in the fall semester. The Master of Science program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
The program will prepare the student to:
- Analyze theories as they apply to the profession, health care system, and political systems.
- Analyze social, economic, ethical, legal, and political issues influencing nursing practice and health care delivery.
- Synthesize advanced knowledge from the sciences, the humanities, and nursing theories to support advanced nursing practice.
- Participate in research and disseminate research findings.
- Use nursing research findings to improve nursing practice.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in planning, evaluating, and changing the delivery of health care.
- Develop and implement leadership, management, and teaching strategies for the improvement of health care.
- Collaborate with others to improve the quality of professional nursing practice and the health care system.
- Assume responsibility for improving the delivery of health care and influencing health policy.
- Practice in an advanced nursing role. (Graduates of the FNP program are eligible to sit for the ANA certification examination and apply for licensure as an ARNP in Florida.)
Admission Requirements
Requirements for admission to the program include the following:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an NLS-accredited program
- An overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for upper-division undergraduate work (usually the last 60 hours)
- A minimum combined GRE score of 1000 on the verbal/quantitative sections.
- Licensure as a Registered Nurse in Florida
- One year (or equivalent) experience as a Registered Nurse
- Completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and health assessment
- A personal statement describing interest in the field and career goals
- A resume (no longer than 2 pages) stating background and experiences
- Three references; at least one should be from a former faculty member
- TOEFL score of 500 or passing score on CGFNS (international students only)
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: February 15
Daytona Beach campus only
Fall admission: February 15
Spring admission: September 15
Nursing (post-baccalaureate)
Fall admission: June 1
Spring admission: October 15
Degree Requirements
Graduate students must complete a minimum of 36-43 semester hours of
graduate-level course work, depending on major. Either a thesis or research
utilization project is
required.
Required Courses for All Students 15 Semester Hours
NGR 5110 Theoretical Bases in Nursing 3 hours
NGR 5195 Issues in Nursing and Health Care Policy 3 hours
NGR 5810 Research Methods in Nursing 3 hours
NGR 6840 Statistical Methods in Nursing Research 3 hours
NGR 6971 Thesis OR 3 hours
NGR 6813 Research Utilization Project 3 hours
Requirements for Nurse Practitioner Majors 43 Semester Hours
NGR 5002C Advanced Health Assessment 3 hours
NGR 5141 Pathophysiological Bases for Advanced
Nursing Practice 3 hours
NGR 5155 Health Promotion Across the Lifespan 3 hours
NGR 6192 Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing
Practice 3 hours
NGR 6600C Family Nurse Practitioner I 4 hours
NGR 6601C Family Nurse Practitioner II 4 hours
NGR 6602C Family Nurse Practitioner III 4 hours
NGR 6603C Family Nurse Practitioner Practicum 4 hours
Required courses (listed above) 15 hours
Requirements for Nursing Administration Majors 36 Semester Hours
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer
Applications 3 hours
HSA xxxx Elective (HSA or Business Administration
graduate course) 3 hours
NGR 5720 Organizational Dynamics 3 hours
NGR 6722 Financial Management and Resource
Development 3 hours
NGR 6723 Nursing Administration I 4 hours
NGR 6724 Nursing Administration II 5 hours
Required courses (listed above) 15 hours
RN to MSN Track in Nursing Administration
Accelerated track for students who are licensed as an RN in the state of Florida and meet general education requirements and prerequisites. (This program may not be offered every year. Check with the School of Nursing.)
Admission Requirements—Limited Access
Acceptance to the university does not constitute admission to the
accelerated RN-MSN track. Separate information packets are available
from the School of Nursing with explanations of the courses of study.
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate of a state-approved or accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program
- Licensed as an RN in Florida
- Completion of UCF general education requirements or AA degree from a Florida school
- Completion of prerequisites for the RN-BSN and MSN nursing track
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Letter of intent to pursue accelerated master's (RN-MSN track)
- Interview with School of Nursing to assess interest, motivation, and ability to succeed in graduate school
- Completion of one year of clinical experience as an RN prior to the first graduate clinical course
- Completion of the GRE by the end of the second semester in the program.
Admission Requirements for Graduate Nursing Phase
(To be met by the end of the third semester of enrollment.)
- Accepted as a student into the upper-division/professional phase at the UCF School of Nursing
- Completion of all UCF School of Nursing course work to date with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- A minimum combined GRE score of 1000 on the verbal/quantitative exams
- A resume
- Three references
- Interview with faculty
Plan of Study
BSN Courses
NUR 3065 Health Assessment 3 hours
NUR 3809 Transitional Concepts in Nursing I 3 hours
NUR 4635C Scientific Theories of Nursing VI 6 hours
NUR 4836 Professional Development Seminar 3 hours
NUR 4836L Directed Nursing Practicum
In Administration 2 hours
HSA/BA Elective 3 hours
Validated credit for previous nursing courses 28 Semester Hours
BSN/MSN Shared Courses
NGR 5195 Issues in Nursing and Health Care Policy 3 hours
NGR 5720 Organizational Dynamics 3 hours
NGR 5810 Research Methods in Nursing 3 hours
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer
Applications in Medicine 3 hours
MSN Courses
NGR 5110 Theoretical Bases in Nursing 3 hours
NGR 6722 Financial Management and Resource
Development 3 hours
NGR 6723 Nursing Administration I 4 hours
NGR 6724 Nursing Administration II 5 hours
NGR 6840 Statistical Methods in Nursing Research 3 hours
HSA XXXX Elective 3 hours
NGR 6971 Thesis OR 3 hours
NGR 6813 Research Utilization Project 3 hours
The baccalaureate degree will be awarded at the end of the fourth semester when
program requirements for the BSN are met and students have completed a minimum of
120 hours of credit. Students will then be reclassified as graduate students.
The MSN will be awarded on completion of the total program of study.
Students who do not meet ongoing program requirements or decide not to continue in
the program may withdraw from the RN-MSN track and complete course work for the
BSN degree.
Sample Plan of Study for the RN-MSN Track
Semester 1 - Fall 9 Semester Hours
NUR 3065 Health Assessment 3 hours
NUR 3809 Transitional Concepts in Nursing I 3 hours
NUR 4836 Professional Development Seminar 3 hours
Semester 2 - Spring 9 Semester Hours
NGR 5810 Research Methods in Nursing 3 hours
NUR 4635C Scientific Theories of Nursing VI 6 hours
Validated Credit 28 Semester Hours
Semester 3 - Summer 6 Semester Hours
NGR 5195 Issues in Nursing and Health
Care Policy 3 hours
HSA/BA XXXX Elective 3 hours
Semester 4 - Fall 8 Semester Hours
NGR 5720 Organizational Dynamics 3 hours
HSA 5198 Information Systems and Computer
Applications in Medicine 3 hours
NUR 4838L Directed Nursing Practicum
in Administration 2 hours
BSN Awarded
Semester 5 - Spring 7 Semester Hours
NGR 5110 Theoretical Bases in Nursing 3 hours
NGR 6723 Nursing Administration I 4 hours
Semester 6 - Summer 6 Semester Hours
NGR 6722 Financial Management and Resource
Development 3 hours
NGR 6840 Statistical Methods in Nursing
Research 3 hours
Semester 7 - Fall 8 Semester Hours
NGR 6724 Nursing Administration II 5 hours
HSA XXXX Graduate Elective 3 hours
Semester 8 - Spring 3 Semester Hours
NGR 6971/6813 Thesis/Project 3 hours
MSN Awarded
Additional Information
Information about tuition, fees, and length of nursing program can be obtained from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014; phone: (800) 669-9656, ext. 153.
Public Administration Department
TBA...........................Program Coordinator Office:HPB 202, Phone:(407) 823-2604
Master of Public Administration
The Department of Public Administration's Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree program provides opportunities for students to prepare for employment or advance their careers as public administrators. Our intention is to produce graduates equipped with the public management skills and analytical techniques needed for successful careers in government, nonprofit, and closely related business fields.
Admission
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all graduate students.
Minimum requirements for regular admission are (1) a grade point average (GPA) of
3.0 for the last 60 attempted semester hours of undergraduate study, (2) a grade point average
of 3.0 in a previous graduate degree, or (3) a total score of 1000 or higher on the
verbal-quantitative sections of the GRE. A limited number of students who do not
meet these requirements but who do have at least a 2.5 GPA and an 800 GRE score may be admitted
on a provisional basis. These students must demonstrate proven public sector
leadership experience, present strong recommendations from either academic or
professional advisors, and provide a clear statement of education goals. More specific information
on provisional admissions may be obtained from the department. Individuals whose
native language is other than English are required to have a minimum TOEFL score of
550. Students are expected to be computer literate upon entry to the program or are
expected to obtain these skills immediately upon admission to the program.
Application Deadlines
Fall admission: July 1
Spring admission: December 1
Summer admission: April 1
Degree Requirements
The M.P.A. Program consists of 36-42 hours. Each student completes a core of
eight courses (24 hours), an advanced curriculum of three courses (9 hours)
selected in
consultation with the advisor, and a capstone experience equivalent to
one course (3 hours). Those students without practical administrative experience
in the public sector must
complete an internship (3 hours). Finally, a research report option is available
for
students wishing to complete a more substantial research project than might be
accommodated
in the other courses.
Minimum Core Requirements 24 Semester Hours
PAD 6053 Public Administrators in the 3 hours
Governance Process
PAD 6035 Public Administration in the Policy Process 3 hours
PAD 6700 Analytic Techniques for 3 hours
Public Administrators I
PAD 6701 Analytic Techniques for 3 hours
Public Administrators II
PAD 6037 Public Organization Management 3 hours
PAD 6227 Public Budgeting and Financial Management 3 hours
PAD 6417 Human Resource Management 3 hours
PAD 6335 Strategic Planning and Management 3 hours
Advanced Curriculum 9 Semester Hours
An advanced curriculum of at least three courses that concentrate on a specific
area germane to the practice of public administration may be taken within the
Department
of Public Administration or from other departments. Those elective courses offered
within the Department will provide an emphasis on state and local government;
however,
other emphases may be developed in consultation with the advisor.
Capstone Experience: 3 Semester Hours
Students will engage in a capstone experience intended to bring together the
various areas of knowledge and skills covered in the MPA program. Students will
complete
this requirement through enrollment in PAD 6062, Advanced Concepts and
Applications
in Public Administration. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Internship: 3 Semester Hours
Required of students with less than one year of continual full-time paid
employment in
a public or nonprofit sector supervisory or exempt position, the internship will
provide
an opportunity to apply theory and methodology in a practical setting.
The student will
be required to submit a summary and critique paper to the departmental internship
coordinator at the end of the internship.
Exit Requirements
Students must achieve a GPA of 3.0 in all courses listed under minimum core
requirements.
Research Report (Optional): 6 Semester Hours
Six semester hours of credit may be earned by completing an independent
investigatory research report which results in a report acceptable to the
department's graduate
committee. Three of the six hours credit for the research report may substitute
for three hours
of the advanced curriculum requirement. This option is available only by
permission of
the graduate program coordinator.
Basic Requirements (Core, Advanced Curriculum, Capstone Experience): 36 hours Basic Requirements plus Internship: 39 hours Basic Requirements plus Research Report: 39 hours Basic Requirements plus Internship plus Research Report: 42 hours Exit Requirements Minimum Hours Required for M.P.A.: 36-42 Semester Hours
School of Social Work
Dennis Poole, Ph.D.....................Program Coordinator Office:TR 542 Phone:(407) 823-2114, e mail: dpoole@ucf1vm.cc.ucf.edu
Master of Social Work
The master’s degree program in Social Work (M.S.W.) is focused on the study of preventive, developmental, supportive, and remedial interventions aimed at reducing the impact of social problems on children, adults, and families. This advanced degree in social work prepares students for advanced social work practice.The UCF program prepares students for clinical specialist practice functions, particularly in urban settings. Clinical Specialist Practice Functions consist of (a) stregthening client social functioning through individual, family, and group interventions, and (b) preventing psychosocial problems.
The M.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Admission
Students begin course work in social work in the fall semester only. Potential
students make application to the Office of Graduate Studies at UCF and take the
GRE test.
UCF requires the following of all applicants to the M.S.W. program:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Good standing with institution last attended.
- A 3.0 or better Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 attempted semester hours of college studies or at least 1000 on the required verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.
- One official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate course work attempted and/or completed.
- A resume that outlines work experience.
- Three references (one academic, one employment, and one appplicant's choice other than a family member). If an employment reference is not available, then a personal reference may be submitted in support of graduate study. If a person graduated more than five years ago, that applicant may substitute work or personal references in place of academic references.
- One college-level course in each of the following six areas: biology, English or communications, culture, statistics, psychology, and sociology.
- A medical history report on the UCF health form.
- A typed Personal Statement. Directions for completing this statement may be obtained from the School of Social Work. In the statement the applicant describes reasons and experiences leading to the choice social work as a profession, professional goals and interests, and strengths and limitations related to the practice of social work. Applicants also discuss an issue facing social work from the perspective of the role and responsibility of the profession in relation to that issue.
- If you are an international student: a confidential financial statement on the form provided by the Graduate Studies Office; and TOEFL test results of 550 or higher.
Students in the program are expected to demonstrate initiative, dependability, social concern, self awareness, appreciation for diversity in others, problem solving ability, ease in relating with others, skill in writing and speaking, and professional ethics. It is important that applicants return all the materials in the application packet in one mailing to Graduate Studies to facilitate admission decisions.
Full-time Study
The full-time program includes two years of full-time study in residence.
The first year
of study includes 24 semester hours in class work and 6 semester hours in field
education.
The second year of study includes 22 semester hours in class work and 8 semester
hours in the field.
Advanced Standing
If the criteria for admission are met, applicants with baccalaureate
degrees in social
work from a CSWE-accredited school/program are invited to apply for Advanced
Standing
admission to the Master of Social Work program. Admission with advanced standing
is limited to those who demonstrate the potential to meet the academic demands of
the program and adequate preparation for M.S.W. practice with only one year of
graduate study.
In advanced standing admission, a maximum of 30 undergraduate credits may be accepted as transfer credits to the M.S.W. program. These credits are accepted to meet specific foundation year M.S.W. requirements, which consist of courses in human behavior and the social environment, policy, research, social work practice, and social work field placement. A student admitted into advanced standing moves directly into second-year specialization study.
To be considered for advanced standing admission, the bachelor's degree must have been completed within six (6) years of the time of initial enrollment in the master's program.
Part-time Study
Applicants may be considered for admission as part-time students only in the advanced standing program.
Carefuly advanced planning is required to ensure that all requirements will be met. Part-time students
must follow an educational plan that provides for the appropriate sequencing of courses. Part-time study must
be completed within the time specified by the School of Social Work.
Field Education
Field instruction is an integral part of graduate social work education.
It provides the student with an opportunity to test classroom knowledge as well as to develop
and refine foundation and advanced practice skills. Decisions regarding field
assignment are determined by the Field Coordinator. Only agency sites
approved by the School of Social Work may be used for field instruction. First-year M.S.W.
students complete a minimum of 448 hours in the field; advanced students complete
a minimum of 608 clock hours in the agency.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisites: 18 Semester Hours
Introductory college-level courses or equivalents are required before
admission into the program.
Biology English or Communications
Psychology Statistics
Sociology Culture
Foundation: Generalist Social Work Practice 30 Semester Hours
SOW 5305 Social Work Practice I: Generalist Practice 3 hours
SOW 5306 Social Work Practice II: Interventions 3 hours
SOW 5105 Human Behavior and Social Environment I:
Individuals 3 hours
SOW 5106 Human Behavior and Social Environment II:
Social Systems 3 hours
SOW 5404 Social Work Research 3 hours
SOW 5432 Evaluating Social Work 3 hours
SOW 5235 Social Welfare Policies and Services 3 hours
SOW 5132 Diverse Client Populations 3 hours
SOW 5532 Field Education I: Generalist Practice
(224 clock hours) 3 hours
SOW 5533 Field Education II: Interventions
(224 clock hours) 3 hours
Advanced: Clinical Specialist 30 Semester Hours
SOW 6348 Clinical Practice with Individuals 3 hours
SOW 6324 Clinical Practice with Groups 3 hours
SOW 6612 Clinical Practice with Families 3 hours
SOW 6123 Psychosocial Pathology and Differential
Diagnosis 3 hours
SOW 6246 Policy Analysis and Social Change 2 hours
SOW 6914 Advanced Research Project in Clinical
Practice 2 hours
SOW 6535 Field Education III: Clinical Practice--
Individuals and Families (304 clock hours) 4 hours
SOW 6536 Field Education IV: Clinical Practice-Groups
(304 clock hours) 4 hours
Practice Elective 3 hours
Practice or Approved General Elective* 3 hours
Minimum Hours Required for M.S.W.: 60 Semester Hours
* Approved general elective in consultation with student's advisor and M.S.W. program coordinator.
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