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Graduate Academic Policies

General Advising

  • Advising for graduate students are handled by CECS faculty members due to the in-depth knowledge needed to customize your program and electives to match your research interest(s).
  • Non-thesis students are typically advised by their Graduate Program Director (https://grad.cecs.ucf.edu/academic-programs/departments-and-key-contacts/), except for CECE students.
  • CECS Graduate students take courses in the Summer C Session, beginning in May and ending in August.
  • Registering for Thesis Credits (XXX 6971) for the first time
  • Registering for Dissertation Credits (XXX 7980) for the first time

6000/7000 – Level Courses

    • Half of all credit hours must be at the 6000 or 7000 level to graduate.
    • For MS programs this is 15 credit hours.
    • For PhD programs this is 36 credit hours.

Transfer Work

  • Officially transferred with official transcripts and by listing them on your Program of Study.
  • Must be formal course work.
  • Must be a B- or better (unless stipulated as a B or better).
  • No more than half of your total program can be transfer work.
  • Internal Transfer Work – course work completed at UCF:
    • Limited to 15 hours completed in another or Non-Degree program graduate program at UCF.
    • Limited to 9 hours completed as an undergraduate student at UCF, unless you were part of the BS to MS Program.
  • External Transfer Work – course work NOT completed at UCF:
    • Limited to 9 hours

Active Student Policy

  • Students can miss 2 consecutive semesters without being administratively discontinued from their program.
  • If you plan on missing more than 2 semesters, you will need to submit a Special Leave of Absence request.
  • If do you not submit the Special Leave of Absence and are administratively discontinued from the program, you will have to reapply for admission.
  • The associated university policy is available here.

Satisfactory Progress

  • All course work should be a B or better for use. However, after admitted, you can earn two C graded courses and remain eligible for graduation provided that your Graduate Status and Overall GPAs are a 3.000.  Your C graded course work cannot be transfer course work.
  • Graduate Status GPA – all graduate courses completed since admitted into your graduate program. Classes cannot be removed from this calculation. This GPA must be a 3.000 or better for satisfactory progress and eventual graduation.
  • Overall Program of Study GPA – all graduate courses used toward your degree program. Classes may be removed from this GPA. This GPA must be a 3.000 or better for satisfactory progress and eventual graduation.
  • If you earn a 2.999 Graduate Status GPA, you have an additional 18 hours to increase your GPA to a 3.000 or you will be dismissed from your graduate program.  You must create a Probation Plan with your Graduate Program Director.
  • If dismissed, you must either sit out for a calendar year and then reapply to the same program or be accepted to another graduate program.

College of Engineering and Computer Science – Policy on Dissertation/Thesis Defenses

The dissertation/thesis defense must be open to the public and announced two weeks prior to the date of the defense. You can submit your notice to www.grad.cecs.ucf.edu/graddefense.

Virtual dissertation/thesis defenses (off-campus defenses) are permitted. When entering your defense information, please enter your building as “Virtual” and the room area should be your Zoom link.  Face-to-Face defenses are still an option for students and their committees.

Requests to deviate from the above policies due to extenuating circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Formal requests for exceptions (especially if the two-week lead time for the announcement was missed) should be sent by the student’s advisor to Dr. Ali Gordon at ali@ucf.edu.

CS PhD Admission Requirements
• A strong undergraduate background in Computer Science or closely related areas (e.g. Software Engineering, IT, Computer and Electrical Engineering) • 3.0 GPA • GRE: No minimum but preferably Q:160, V:150 or above • TOEFL80/IELTS 7 (only for international students)
ECE PhD Admission Requirements
• Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Computer Engineering (BSCpE) with 3.0 or Greater GPA • GRE at Least 308 on the Quantitative & Verbal Sections: (Q+V)>=308 • Three Letters of Recommendation for PhD – from your professors • Résumé • A Statement of Educational, Research, & Professional Career Objectives
Industrial PhD Admission Requirements
• Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater • Official transcript • An official, competitive GRE score taken within the last 5 years • Three letters of recommendations • Resume • Goal Statement
Materials Science PhD Admission Requirements
• Earned a bachelor’s or master's degree • Earned a 3.0 GPA or better • GRE is required • Application form • Official Transcript • Resume • Personal statement • Three recommendation letters
MAE PhD Admission Requirements
• Resume • Personal Essay • 3 Letters of Recommendation • Transcripts • WES/Josep Silny Evaluations • TOEFL (>=80) and IELTS (>=6.5) for International Applicants
CECE PhD Admission Requirements
3.0 GPA – can submit 2 applicants with < 3.0 per program (domestic only) • 3.0 GPA – absolute for international applicants • No GRE required for admission; is required for some fellowships • Spring 2024 Admission: GRE will be required and the WES evaluation will not be required. • International transcripts evaluation by WES or Josef Silny required • TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or via UCFs ELI for international students from non-English speaking countries • Essay: 1.5 pages at most including why do you want to obtain the degree and what will it make you capable of that you can’t do with your current knowledge/credentials • 3 Letters of reference
CECE PhD Admission Requirements
3.0 GPA – can submit 2 applicants with < 3.0 per program (domestic only) • 3.0 GPA – absolute for international applicants • No GRE required for admission; is required for some fellowships • Spring 2024 Admission: GRE will be required and the WES evaluation will not be required. • International transcripts evaluation by WES or Josef Silny required • TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or via UCFs ELI for international students from non-English speaking countries • Screening Process for International Students delays admission process weeks or, sometimes, a month or two • Essay: 1.5 pages at most including why do you want to obtain the degree and what will it make you capable of that you can’t do with your current knowledge/credentials • 3 Letters of reference
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CS MS Admission Requirements
• A strong undergraduate background in Computer Science or closely related areas (e.g. Software Engineering, IT, Computer and Electrical Engineering) • 3.0 GPA • GRE: No minimum, but preferably Q:160, V:150 or above • TOEFL 80/IELTS 7 (only for international students) • Lacking the background, • a prospective applicant can take the following prerequisite courses as non-degree seeking and scoring “B” or better in all of these course: • EEL 4768C Computer Architecture • COP 4020 Programming Languages I • COP 4600 Operating Systems • COT 4210 Discrete Computational Structures • and/or related industry experience.
CECE MS Admission Requirements
• 3.0 GPA – can submit 2 applicants with < 3.0 per program (domestic only) • 3.0 GPA – absolute for international applicants • No GRE required for admission; for some fellowships but mostly those are for PhD students • Spring 2024 Admission: GRE will be required and the WES evaluation will not be required. • International transcripts evaluation by WES or Josef Silny required • TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or via UCFs ELI for international students from non-English speaking countries College of Engineering and Computer Science MS Admission • Essay: 1.5 pages at most including why do you want to obtain the degree and what will it make you capable of that you can’t do with your current knowledge/credentials • 3 Letters of reference
ECE MS Admission Requirements
• Hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Computer Engineering (BS-CpE) with 3.0 or Greater GPA • Two Letters of Recommendation • No GRE is required • Résumé • A Statement of Educational, Research, & Professional Career Objectives
Industrial MS Admission Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater • Mathematics through Calculus II (MAC 2312 or equivalent) • An undergraduate course in engineering probability and statistics • Familiarity with at least one programming language (such as Python, C, C++, Visual BASIC, Java, etc.) • Official transcripts • Two letters of recommendations • Resume • Goal Statement
Materials Science MS Admission Requirements
• Earned a bachelor’s degree • Earned a 3.0 GPA or better in all work attempted while registered as an undergraduate student • Application form • Official Transcript • Resume • Personal statement • Recommendation letters
Computer Vision MS Admission Requirements
• General UCF graduate application requirements • For admission, a 3.0 GPA and an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Mathematics is desirable but not required. Applicants without a strong undergraduate background in Computer Science must demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in the following undergraduate courses, by either taking these courses or by being tested on the material. 1. EEL 4768C Computer Architecture 2. COP 4020 Programming Languages I 3. COP 4600 Operating Systems 4. COT 4210 Discrete Computational Structures • Applicants who lack background in the above courses may show knowledge in the following: 1. CAP 4453 Intro to Robot Vision 2. COP 3503C Computer Science II 3. MAS 3105 Matrix Algebra (also need Calculus 1 and 2) 4. STA 4163 Statistical Methods I
Cyber Security MS Admission Requirements
• An earned Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a field related to cyber security, or have taken several basic computer or cyber security courses in Bachelor study, or have obtained one or two cyber security related professional certificates. • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in all work attempted as an undergraduate student or in the last 60 attempted hours for the Bachelor's degree. • A personal statement (essay) not exceeding 500 words describing the applicant's academic and professional experiences and goals. • One letter of recommendation assessing the applicant's potential to do master's-level work. • Résumé. • GRE is NOT required.
Digital Forensics MS Admission Requirements
• An earned Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. • A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in all work attempted as an undergraduate student or in the last 60 attempted hours for the Bachelor's degree, or, a graduate degree or professional degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited US institution in a field related to digital forensics • A personal statement (essay) not exceeding 500 words describing the applicant's academic and professional experiences and goals. • One letter of recommendation assessing the applicant's potential to do master's-level work. • Résumé.
Modeling and Sim MS Admission Requirements
• The GRE is not required for admission to this program. • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae • Goal statement: The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous academic, research, and/or teaching experience. • Two letters of recommendation: The letters of recommendation should: 1. Address the educational and career goals of the applicant. 2. Clearly address the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level study and research. 3. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
Modeling and Sim PhD Admission Requirements
• A competitive score on the GRE, taken within the past five years. • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae • Goal statement: The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous academic, research, and/or teaching experience. • Three letters of recommendation: The letters of recommendation should: 1. Address the educational and career goals of the applicant. 2. Clearly address the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level study and research. 3. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
Trasportation Engineering Admission Requirements
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
  • One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or another closely related engineering degree.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
The GRE is not required, however, taking the GRE is highly recommended for students wishing to pursue a thesis. In order to be considered for any fellowships, a GRE score is required. 

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.

Healthcare Systems Engineering Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or a closely related field with GPA of 3.0 or greater
  • Mathematics through Calculus II (MAC 2312 or equivalent)
  • An undergraduate course in engineering probability and statistics
  • Familiarity with at least one programming language (such as Python, C, C++, Visual BASIC, Java, etc.)
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendations
  • Resume
  • Goal Statement

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.


Computer Forensics Admission Requirements

Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Admission to the program is competitive on a space-available basis. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance and the applicant's potential for completing the certificate.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.

Project Engineering Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Quality Assurance Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Systems Engineering Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

  • In addition, applicants to this certificate must provide: Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc only.
Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.

For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Mixed Reality Engineering Admission Requirements
Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution recognized by UCF with a minimum GPA of 3.0. An application to the graduate certificate program and official transcripts must be submitted. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

In addition, applicants to this certificate must provide:

  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation.
  • Applications are accepted for the fall and spring terms only.
For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Guidance Control and Dynamics Admission Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
  • One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or closely related discipline with a minimum GPA 3.0
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
For international students interested in UCF Global Pathway Program (immersive English-language learning), please contact Dr. Ali P. Gordon for guidance.
Travel Technology and Analytics Admission Requirements
  • The GRE/GMAT is not required
  • A goal statement. This is your opportunity to outline in 500 words why you wish to join the program, what you think you will contribute to the program, and how you feel the program will enhance you both personally and professionally in the future.
  • Updated résumé.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
  • A computer-based TOEFL score of 220 or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL is required if an applicant is from a country where English is not the official language, or if an applicant’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, or if an applicant did not earn a degree in a country where English is the official language or a university where English is the official language of instruction. Although we prefer the TOEFL, we will accept IELTS scores of 6.5.
Systems Engineering Admission Requirements
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vita
  • Goal statement
    • The goal statement should discuss all relevant professional background and any previous research and/or teaching experience. The statement should explain the motivation behind the pursuit of an MSSE. Future educational and career goals after the completion of the applicant’s master study should be discussed.
    • If the applicant is interested in completing a Master thesis, then the applicant must clearly describe the particular area of research interest. The applicant should identify at least one UCF faculty member who shares a similar research focus and is believed to be best suited to serve as a potential thesis advisor. 
    • The goal statement should between 500 and 1,000 words.
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • The letters of recommendation should be from faculty members, university administrators, and employers with a supervisory role of the applicant. The letters, which must be current to the application and must not be for another degree program, should address the educational and career goals of the applicant. The letter writers should also know the applicant well enough to discuss the applicant’s capacity to perform, excel and succeed in a graduate program. Letters for Master’s thesis students must discuss the applicant’s ability to perform graduate-level research.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Data Analytics Admission Requirements
    • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
    • Résumé.
    • 2 Letters of recommendation
    • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

An undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Information Technology, or Computer Engineering is desirable but not required. Applicants without a strong undergraduate background in Computer Science and Statistics must demonstrate an understanding of the material covered in upper-division undergraduate courses listed under the Articulation Section of the Curriculum Information. Applicants may choose to demonstrate their knowledge of these courses by taking these courses as non-degree seeking and scoring “B” or better in all of them.

Biomedical Engineering Admission Requirements
  • A bachelor’s degree in Biomedical, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline. 
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Aerospace Engineering Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or closely related discipline.
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Mechanical Engineering Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
  • The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
  • Résumé.
  • Statement of educational, research, and professional career objectives.
  • Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only
Biomedical Engineering PhD Admission Requirements
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
  • Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
  • Résumé.
  • A written statement of experience and research, areas of current and future potential research interests, and future career goals.
  • Three letters of recommendation.