Planning Your Path 

You’ll next want to set yourself up for success by creating a Plan of Study with your Graduate Program Director or advisor, which will serve as your own personal roadmap through your degree.   You’ll want this completed no later than the end of your second semester, but the sooner the better! 

The Program of Study (POS)

You should meet with your Graduate Program Director or advisor soon after arriving at UCF. While all students must complete the same requirements, the path to completing them can vary. Advising is a crucial part of this process, helping you stay on track and achieve your goals.  

Things to talk about with your advisor or Graduate Program Director:  

Graduate student proudly showing her research

Are you interested in transferring credit?

Transfer credits are courses (at UCF or elsewhere) you completed before you were admitted to your degree program. These credits have specific rules that must be followed, so don’t assume they will automatically count toward your degree.
Discuss your plans with your Graduate Program Director or advisor! If you decide to use transfer credits, you’ll need to request official transcripts from the original institution. If they are international credits, an official evaluation will also be required.   

Transfer Credit Information

Are you interested in pursuing other programs?

Many students choose to add certificates to their programs. Some certificates may align closely with your program, while others may not. Your program will likely be aware of the most commonly pursued certificates, but you can also explore the certificates UCF has to offer. It’s important to discuss your interest in certificates early, as they could add courses and time to your degree.

Keep in mind that all certificates have a separate admission process, and you will need to apply separately. Additionally, UCF has overlap rules; just because a course is used in multiple programs, doesn’t mean it can be counted in all of them. A maximum of 9 hours can be shared between two programs only.  

Man filling out form
Music and the arts depicted as a career interest.

What are your academic and professional goals and interests?

It’s important to discuss your reasons for pursuing your program and what you hope to achieve. Some master’s programs offer both thesis and non-thesis options, and your choice may depend on your long-term goals! This decision will also help guide your elective course selections.  

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits cannot be used to meet more than 50 percent of the credits needed for a degree program.

For example, if your master’s degree requires 30 hours, transfer credits cannot be more than 15 hours. You must take at least 15 graded hours at UCF to earn your degree. For more detailed information, visit the Transfer of Credit policy in the Graduate Catalog.

Undergraduate coursework (1000-4000 level) is NEVER permitted to be used in a graduate program.  

Transfer credits must be requested by the end of your second semester at UCF in your program. It is your responsibility to initiate the request for transfer credit consideration.

To begin the process, you must: 

  1. Contact your Graduate Program Director. If approved, they will initiate the formal request to the College of Graduate Studies.
  1. Confirm your official transcripts were sent to Graduate Admissions by reviewing your Slate portal or contacting Graduate Admissions directly.
  1. Gather the relevant syllabi. The syllabus is how a program can determine that the course is equivalent to the class taught at UCF, it is not just based on the title. 
  1. Talk to your Graduate Program Director or advisor about if/how the credits may be used in your degree program.
  1. Complete a Program of Study (POS) document with your Graduate Program Director or advisor. Make sure your transfer classes are listed on the POS document that you complete. 
  1. Review your GPS once your POS Checklist is satisfied to make sure the credits apply correctly.