Academic Advising

What is the difference between a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science?
The Bachelor of Arts requires students to take one year in any foreign language in addition to the standard program requirements. The Bachelor of Science requires students to take six credit hours in technical electives.

Who is my assigned advisor?
Your assigned advisor is listed within your myUCF account. You can also find out which advisor manages your degree program above.

When and how do I submit my intent to graduate?
The intent to graduate request should be submitted the semester prior to your expected graduating term. To file your intent to graduate form, log into myUCF and go to the Student Self Service menu tab. Click on the dropdown box labeled “Other Academic,” select “Intent to Graduate: Apply” and click on the icon to start your application.

How do I know what courses to register for?
Students can review their program requirements in their myUCF account. The myKnight audit provides a record of the student’s academic progress toward completion of their program. Students can also email or schedule an appointment with their assigned advisor to discuss their plan of study.

Can I complete my program fully online?
While most courses are offered both face-to-face and online, there are a few courses that require students to come to campus.

When can I register for classes?
All dates and deadlines, including registration times, can be found in the UCF Academic Calendar. Students can also check log into myUCF to look for their specific enrollment appointment date.

Do I have to complete an internship?
Students enrolled in a bachelor’s program are required to complete PAD 4942: Internship Orientation and PAD 4941: Internship. Students can choose between a 3- or 6-credit-hour internship.

If I am not declared in a program within the School of Public Administration, can I still take PAD courses?
Yes; however, the request will not be considered until a week or two prior to the start of the upcoming semester. Please note that enrollment is not guaranteed and is based on available seats. Students declared in a program within our school have priority for enrollment into any PAD course.

Do I need a GRE to apply for a graduate program?
A GRE score is only required for the Public Affairs PhD program.

Do I have to submit multiple applications for a dual-degree program?
To apply to one of our dual-degree programs students should only submit one application specific to their selected dual program. Our dual degree programs include, Public Administration MPA and Criminal Justice MSCJ, Public Administration MPA and Nonprofit Management MNM and Public Administration MPA and Public Affairs PhD.

Do I need to complete an internship as a graduate student?
Only students in the emergency and crisis management master’s program are required to complete an internship. The internship requirement may be waived for individuals with relevant public service experience; however, those students must take an additional elective to satisfy credit hours. Students complete their internship during the same semester they are enrolled in the internship course and must remain enrolled in the internship for the entire semester to receive credit.

What electives can I take for my graduate program?
Students enrolled in the public administration or nonprofit management master’s programs are permitted to take unrestricted electives from across UCF’s graduate catalog. Talk to your advisor to find out which courses are best for your program.

Students enrolled in urban and regional planning, public policy, and emergency and crisis management programs may select elective courses listed in their program’s plan of study.

Do I have to complete a graduate thesis?
In lieu of a traditional graduate thesis, graduate programs include a summative capstone course. Students complete this course during the final semester of their program.

Can I transfer credits from another university’s public affairs graduate program to UCF?
Students with existing credits in a comparable accredited graduate program from another university may be eligible to transfer credits as equivalent core courses or unrestricted electives. Please refer to UCF’s transfer credit policy and contact your advisor for more information.

Where can I find information about graduate enrollment and registration?
General information about graduate enrollment can be found at the Graduate Catalog website and the UCF Registrar’s Office.

How do I search for courses?
The UCF Center for Distributed Learning provides resources for students on searching for courses via Webcourses.

How do I enroll in multiple terms?
The UCF Registrar’s Office provides information on multi-term enrollment for students.

How do I submit my Intent To Graduate?
The intent to graduate request should be submitted the semester prior to your expected graduating term. To file your intent to graduate form, log into myUCF and go to the Student Self Service menu tab. Click on the dropdown box labeled “Other Academic,” select “Intent to Graduate: Apply” and click on the icon to start your application.