Programs and Partnerships

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UCF is a powerhouse in graduate education, making waves nationally with its groundbreaking community partnerships, world-class faculty, and pioneering research opportunities. As one of the fastest-growing research universities in the U.S., nestled in the heart of the vibrant and ever-evolving Orlando, Florida, the university plays a key role in driving the region’s economic growth. By fostering industries crucial to Central Florida’s future, UCF ensures students gain valuable real-world experience, setting them up for success after graduation.

UCF College of Graduate Studies’ commitment to aligning our teaching, research, and services with the region’s dynamic economy spans fields like simulation and training, optics and lasers, hospitality management, video game production, business, education, and healthcare. We believe that innovation thrives when diverse perspectives unite, and together, we’re ready to unlock our fullest potential and shape the future.

UCF Mobile App Graduate Experience

This year, we launched a new Graduate Experience within the UCF Mobile App to provide graduate students with tailored, easy-to-access information that supports them throughout their academic journey. Created to help students quickly connect with essential services and resources, the Graduate Experience features a wide range of curated content, including Graduate Orientation, ETD Services, Graduate Student Life, and many other graduate-specific tools.

Since its launch, the Graduate Experience has served more than 4,000 visitors and generated over 560,000 content views, highlighting its value as a centralized hub for student success. Graduate Student Life emerged as the most-viewed section, with more than 140,000 views, underscoring the app’s role in strengthening connection and community among UCF’s graduate students.

Knightbot

In July 2024, we launched Knightbot, an AI chatbot designed to field questions and direct users to the appropriate information, on the College of Graduate Studies website. Since last August, Knightbot has responded to more than 1,000 inquiries, connecting students with the information they need and supporting their academic success. Common questions include inquiries about graduate program application deadlines and requirements, requests for information about graduate assistantships and fellowships, and thesis and dissertation guidance.

Knight Research Scholars Program

This past Spring, the offices of Graduate Student Life, Postdoctoral Affairs, Undergraduate Research, and Research Development launched a new initiative to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and expand research opportunities for the UCF community. The Knight Research Scholars Program (KRSP) connects undergraduate students to impactful projects and offers graduate students and postdoctoral scholars the opportunity to lead a team of undergraduates while advancing their own research. 

Through this program, our graduate knights gain valuable mentorship skills and leadership experience. Team leaders may also become a Certified Knight Research Scholar, a recognition awarded each semester to those who complete the program, which signifies their commitment to advancing research. 

Student Research Week

In partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Research, we hosted UCF’s annual Student Research Week earlier this year, achieving a record-breaking turnout. More than 800 students participated in events throughout the week. The premier event, the Student Scholar Symposium, featured a two-day research exhibition in the Pegasus Ballroom. Graduate and undergraduate students from across disciplines showcased their work during multiple poster sessions, giving the UCF community an inspiring look at the innovative research happening across campus.

Graduate Student Association

Under new leadership, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) was reinstated as a Registered Student Organization in 2025. It held a successful election and attracted a wide range of students hoping to make a difference in the campus community.

GSA has provided a platform for graduate students from across the university to discuss campus initiatives, voice concerns, and stay connected through meetings, events, and digital communications.

Interdisciplinary Programs

The interdisciplinary nature of graduate study and research has a longstanding presence in UCF graduate education. Faculty and students reach beyond organizational structures to engage with others who share similar research interests and can provide complementary expertise and perspective to the research work. The College of Graduate Studies houses four graduate programs: Interdisciplinary Studies MA or MS, Nanotechnology MS, and the graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems.

These programs take advantage of the diverse courses and research work on campus, unleashing the potential of each student and researcher. Interdisciplinary investigation creates innovative solutions to changing workforce needs, societal demands, and global problems.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary studies offer graduate students a unique opportunity to go beyond traditional academic structures to achieve their educational and research goals. Through the College of Graduate Studies, faculty and students collaborate across various disciplines, learning and researching alongside others with shared interests.

The master’s program in Interdisciplinary Studies enables students to combine multiple fields of study, allowing them to explore emerging knowledge or develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Additionally, the program serves as an incubator, assisting UCF in assessing student interest in new degree offerings across various colleges and departments.

In 2024-25, Interdisciplinary Studies hosted welcome and graduation celebrations in both Fall and Spring semesters. Members of the faculty advisory committee, the program director and coordinator, and the interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies welcomed and congratulated students at each milestone of their Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies.

In March, Interdisciplinary Studies hosted the 2025 Individualized Interdisciplinary Major Programs Network conference, where Dr. Elizabeth Smock and Dr. Patricia Carlton co-led a workshop, and Dr. Sharon Woodill from UCF’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies delivered the keynote address. The following October, Smock and Carlton also co-led a workshop at the 50th annual conference of the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs, where interdisciplinary studies thesis student Sarah Swiersz presented her research on the Everglades.

Interdisciplinary Studies also met with Faculty Cluster Initiative leads during the summer and continues to actively highlight faculty research and student accomplishments through conferences, social events, and newsletters.

Graduate Programs

Graduate education is a cornerstone of UCF, with over 10,000 students pursuing advanced degrees from our more than 200 graduate degree programs and certificates. The true measure of any institution’s reputation lies in the achievements of its students, faculty, and alumni. At UCF, our graduates lead in their fields, driving innovation and advancing creative scholarship that enriches lives and transforms communities.

University Graduate Achievements

UCF’s Master of Emergency and Crisis Management program ranks No. 1 in the nation.
– U.S. News & World Report

UCF’s Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy graduate game design program was ranked No. 1 in the world for the fourth time in five years. – The Princeton Review and PC Gamer.

UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management was ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 4 in the world for hospitality management and tourism. – ShanghaiRanking.

Four of UCF’s graduate programs rank in the top 25. – U.S. News & World Report

Nine of UCF’s graduate programs placed in the top 50 nationally, including five in public affairs, three in education and one in health. – U.S. News & World Report

UCF has ranked in the top 20 overall Best Online Programs for the past seven years. – U.S. News & World Report

Four of UCF Online’s graduate programs rank in the top 50 in the nation, including programs in criminal justice, nursing, computer information technology, and engineering. – U.S. News & World Report

*Based on Enrollment

Top Feeder Schools

Top Feeder States

1. Florida
2. New York
3. Georgia
4. Pennsylvania
5. California

UCF Online

The College of Graduate Studies facilitates the application process for UCF’s high-quality distance learning graduate degree offerings through UCF Online, spanning numerous academic disciplines. Applicants may choose from more than 70 fully online graduate programs, including master’s, doctoral, and certificate options. In the 2024-2025 academic year, 3,846 graduate students enrolled in UCF’s online programs. 

The College of Graduate Studies keeps stakeholders informed of state and national developments in online graduate program offerings and supports online program curriculum development. We work closely with UCF Online and the Center for Distributed Learning to ensure compliance with academic policies and identify opportunities for new program growth.

Top UCF Online Graduate Programs Based on Enrollment

1. Social Work MSW
2. Hospitality Management MS
3. Health Care Informatics PSM
4. Engineering Management MS
5. Criminal Justice MS

International

With 96 countries represented on campus, UCF welcomes the rich diversity and perspectives of our international students. The university has a wide range of study and research agreements with institutions around the world—providing learning and research opportunities for students and faculty in countries from across the globe.  Furthermore, the College of Graduate Studies serves as the initial point of contact for placement advisers with the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and works closely with graduate program directors and faculty to recruit Fulbright scholars to UCF.  The College of Graduate Studies received a total of 24 applications for Fall 2024 admission from Fulbright Scholars around the world.   

Top 10 Feeder Countries for New International Students Fall 2024

Top Enrolled Programs for International Students

1. Computer Science MS
2. Computer Science PhD
3. Electrical Engineering PhD
4. Civil Engineering PhD
5. Optics and Photonics PhD
6. Mechanical Engineering PhD
7. Computer Engineering PhD
8. Hospitality and Tourism Management MS
9. Physics PhD
10. Interactive Entertainment MS

University Support and Resources

UCF offers various services and programs to support graduate students throughout their academic journey and beyond. The University Writing Center partners with the College of Graduate Studies to offer Graduate Writing Groups to help students strengthen their writing skills. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides individual counseling, virtual care, and hosts a Graduate Support group that offers a dedicated space for students to discuss common concerns and receive mental health support.

UCF Libraries delivers extensive services for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, including research consultations, workshops, and librarians who specialize in supporting the graduate community. Students can also access UCF theses and dissertations through the STARS repository.

The Office of Prestigious Awards (OPA) offers competitive funding opportunities, such as fellowships, research programs, and Fulbright grants, to support graduate students’ success. The College of Graduate Studies collaborates with UCF Global on initiatives including the Fulbright program, international student support, and various events and workshops.

The Office of Research partners with the college on events like Student Research Week and provides guidance throughout the research process, from proposal development to IRB submission.