University of Central Florida

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university-of-central-floridaDegree Programs at the University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Great College Deals: Master of Public Administration Online.

Earning a college degree can be difficult for those who have work, family or social obligations that prevent them from attending traditional classes. The University of Central Florida offers many programs that are available both on campus and online, providing flexible options for non-traditional students.

The Bachelor of Arts in International and Global Studies at the University of Central Florida requires 120 credit hours. It prepares students to be tomorrow’s leaders in an increasingly interconnected world. The program provides an understanding of:

  • diplomacy
  • international organizations
  • multinational corporations
  • governmental agencies
  • other environments

Students also gain skills in:

  • critical thinking
  • research
  • writing

It provides them with an understanding of how countries interact along with global issues that cross national boundaries. These may include:

  • the environment
  • migration
  • interdependence

The program has been named one of the top degree programs in the country by US News & World Report.

The Master of Science in Forensic Science requires 32 to 34 credit hours and is available both online and on campus. The program provides an understanding of methods used to impact crime resolution. It explores how science and technology can be leveraged to resolve crimes. Students may choose from three concentrations including:

  • Forensic Analysis
  • Forensic Biochemistry
  • Forensic Professional

The program is available in both a thesis and non-thesis option. Students gain an understanding of modern forensic topics as well as technologies used in forensic investigations. The program was named one of the most innovative in the country by US News & World Report.

The University of Central Florida offers a Graduate Certificate in Fundraising designed to provide students with methods for funding non-profit organizations. The program covers innovative methods. It also looks at ways to improve public awareness and advocacy for organizations that provide important services to the community. The program also includes instruction in nonprofit resource development and nonprofit governance. It creates graduates who have a profound impact on nonprofit organizations and the initiatives they support. The program was also named one of the most innovative in the country by US News & World Report.

About the University of Central Florida

Governor Farris Bryant signed Legislative Bill 125 in 1963, creating what would become the University of Central Florida. Although a site was chosen almost immediately after the signing of the bill near the Orange and Seminole County lines, it took several years for funding to come through for the new campus.

In 1965, classes at the University of Central Florida began, held above a drugstore in downtown Orlando. At the time, the school was known as the Florida Technological University. In 1966, the legislature approved funding for the first buildings on the selected campus grounds. Construction began in 1967. A research grant from NASA for $12,500 was awarded in 1968.

Fires in 1971 destroyed 1,200 acres of property, coming close to burning the theater department’s tent. Witnesses claimed they saw two men in a pickup setting the fires and two brothers were arrested. The arson was related to the school’s fight against developers to preserve green areas surrounding the campus.

The school became the University of Central Florida in 1978. Today, UCF is the second-largest university in the country with more than 61,000 students enrolled. It has been ranked as one of the country’s most innovative universities by the U.S. News & World Report. It was named one of the nation’s best values for college education by both Kiplinger and the Princeton Review.

University of Central Florida Accreditation Details

The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Accreditation indicates that the school undergoes a periodic voluntary evaluation to confirm they continue to offer programs that are of the highest quality. In addition, specific programs have been accredited by the following specialized accrediting agencies:

  • Accreditation Committee of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
  • Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education
  • American Chemical Society
  • American Medical Association
  • American Psychological Association
  • Association of University Programs in Health Administration
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing
  • Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
  • Computing Accreditation Commission
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Engineering Accreditation Commission
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education Association of American Medical Colleges
  • National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • National Association of School Psychologists
  • National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration/Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

University of Central Florida Application Requirements

Applicants who have not earned college credit after high school graduation must provide official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores.

Applicants who have earned college credit must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Those with 30 or fewer transferrable credits must also meet freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 GPA in all college courses attempted. Applicants with 30 or more but fewer than 60 credits must have completed English composition with a “C” or better. They must demonstrate competency in a world language that may include American Sign Language. Applicants with 60 or more credits must have completed two English composition courses as well as two college-level math courses with a “C” or better.

Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must provide official transcripts from each college or university attended. They must also provide official GRE or GMAT scores. Applicants for the Master of Science in Forensic Science Non-Thesis Option must be employed in an operational forensic laboratory. They could also have worked in one for a minimum of three years. Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation and a one-page statement describing why they want to pursue the degree. Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Fundraising program must provide a current resume and statement of goals.

University of Central Florida Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the Bachelor of Arts in International and Global Studies program is $179.19 for Florida residents and $715.80 for non-residents. Tuition for the Master of Science in Forensic Science, as well as the Graduate Certificate in Fund Raising, is $327.32 per credit hour for residents and $1,151.72 for non-residents.

To qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The form must be renewed annually. Currently, 75 percent of students receive some type of assistance which may be offered in the form of:

  • grants
  • scholarships
  • loans
  • work-study.

The University of Central Florida is a preeminent research university providing education to a diverse student body. It uses flexible formats that enable non-traditional students to achieve their higher education goals.

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