Overview
The UCF College of Graduate Studies coordinates the admission process with each of the graduate program directors to admit prospective students to graduate study. The College of Graduate Studies also admits students who are applying as nondegree-seeking students.
In order to enroll in graduate classes, students must have obtained a baccalaureate or higher degree, prior to the start of the term for which the student is admitted, from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or from a recognized foreign institution. Students without a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a recognized foreign institution are not admitted to graduate degree programs, graduate certificate programs, or graduate nondegree status. The College of Business Administration requires that all degrees must have been earned from a regionally accredited U.S institution or a recognized foreign institution.
Admission to the University
The admission process begins with the receipt of the Graduate Online Application for Admission along with all application requirements. In order to be considered for admission to a graduate program, the following information must be submitted and on file in the UCF College of Graduate Studies by the stated application deadline: application, residency, and any application requirements specified by the program. These documents become part of UCF's files and will not be returned to or copied for the applicant. All application requirements, aside from transcripts and test scores, must be submitted together with the online application. Transcripts and test scores must be official.
For specific graduate program information, refer to the appropriate program descriptions in the Graduate Programs section of this catalog. Program application deadlines are listed for each graduate program. Some programs require a pre-application and may require additional documents as part of this process.
NOTE: All graduate programs require that all application requirements (application form, residency form, recommendations, essay/personal statement, resume) be submitted online simultaneously by the stated application deadline. Official test scores (if required) must be sent directly from ETS/Pearson Vue to the UCF College of Graduate Studies (institution code 5233 for GRE and TOEFL; institution code RZT-HT-58 for GMAT). Official transcripts should be sealed in an envelope by the registrar of the former institution and sent directly to the UCF College of Graduate Studies, P.O. Box 160112, Millican Hall 230, Orlando, FL 32816-0112.
Once the online application and all application requirements are received, the UCF College of Graduate Studies will send you an e-mail notifying you of its receipt. Actual processing of the application, however, is not initiated until the application fee and other application requirements are received in the UCF College of Graduate Studies. The College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Optics and Photonics require a pre-application to their graduate programs prior to beginning the university application process. Please refer to the graduate program's admissions information in order to become familiar with the procedures specific to each program.
When all application requirements are received by the stated deadline and processed by our office, the appropriate graduate program reviews it in order to make an admission recommendation. Acceptance into a graduate program will be granted by the UCF College of Graduate Studies.
Nondegree-seeking applicants will receive notice of acceptance to the university and registration information from the UCF College of Graduate Studies. Admission as a nondegree student does not constitute admission to a graduate program or graduate certificate program.
Readmission to the University
A regularly admitted student who has not been registered for three consecutive semesters must apply for readmission to the same graduate program through the UCF College of Graduate Studies. Students can complete the online application. All application requirements should be submitted online as well. An application processing fee is required. Please refer to the Graduate Programs section to ensure that you have not missed the deadline for your program. Readmissions are not guaranteed.
Reactivation of Your Application
Applicants that are not granted admission for a specific term/program must complete a new online application if they wish to be considered for a new term/program. Those applicants that are admitted but do not enroll in their first term will also need to complete a new online application if they wish to be considered for a new term or program. An application fee is required. Application requirements such as resumes, essays and letters of recommendation should be resubmitted online if more than 12 months have elapsed since the last application. GRE/GMAT scores received will remain on file and are valid for 5 years from the test date; TOEFL/IELTS scores received will remain on file and are valid for 2 years from the test date. Transcripts received by our office will never expire. Please refer to the Graduate Programs section to ensure that you have not missed the deadline for your program. Reactivations are not guaranteed.