Are students only accepted in the Fall semester?
How does online learning work?
How long does it take to complete my degree?
How much time should I expect to spend on a course each week?
What accreditations does this program have?
Can I participate in UF student activities or use UF academic resources?
Will my diploma or transcript indicate that I am an online student?
No, your transcripts and diploma will not have any indication that the degree or courses were completed online.
Are students only accepted in the Fall semester?
Students are accepted year-round, so you can apply for the semester that is most convenient for you.
How does online learning work?
After you complete the application and course registration process, you can access online courses by logging into UF’s e-Learning website at any time. Go to http://elearning.ufl.edu/ and select “e-Learning Login” to enter your Gatorlink username and password.
You will not be able to access your course until the start date listed in the course registration materials. Some course content will not be immediately available to you. Instructors may open and close access to lessons according to the schedule posted in the course syllabus.
Courses will be delivered via a blended/hybrid mechanism (both synchronously and asynchronously). Content will be delivered within modules that are conceptually grouped. Some modules, due to the complexity of the content, will be longer than other modules.
Assignments will be given during each module and are due by the completion of the module on a designated date. The course will be completed within a semester time frame. Modules will include a combination of readings, recordings, webinars, group discussions, and student research projects.
Our instructors are available via Canvas or email to answer and questions, comments, or concerns you may have. Their preferred method of contact is often listed on the syllabus.
How long does it take to complete my degree?
Students average 2 – 3 years to complete the master’s degree, but have up to seven years to complete coursework. Coursework taken as a nondegree student is also part of the seven-year time-frame. If the degree is not completed within seven years the coursework taken prior will expire.
Students average 1 year to complete the certificate program but have up to seven years to complete.
Do these courses require any travel to Florida? Do I need to log in to the course at any specific times?
Courses do not require any travel to Florida. The program can be completed fully online. There are elective lab courses in Gainesville, Florida, as well as an elective study abroad in Botswana, but they are not required.
For some courses, you will need to attend Adobe Connect webinar sessions where you can speak with an instructor or view a classmate’s presentation. Adobe Connect sessions are always recorded so you can listen at your convenience if a live session is scheduled at a time that is inconvenient for you.
How much time should I expect to spend on a course each week?
Students report spending between 10 to 20 hours a week on course activities. Each course has different requirements and due dates indicated in the course syllabus. You may want to note these key due dates on your calendar at the beginning of the semester and plan accordingly.
Students are considered full-time at 9-12 credits per semester.
I am not a University of Florida (UF) student. Will the credits be transferable to my home institution and count toward my degree there?
Each university has their own policies regarding credit transfer or dual enrollment. Therefore, it is your responsibility to check with your home institution to complete any paperwork that may be required to transfer the credits and ensure that they can be applied toward your degree. (Note: UF requires students to complete paperwork BEFORE they register at another university and this may be the same for your home institution.) The University of Florida is a public university in the State of Florida and credits should be accepted by other universities in the United States. If you need a letter, signature, or form completed, please contact the course coordinator.
After completion of the course, you can have an official transcript with your grade sent to your home institution. Official, sealed transcripts can be ordered and mailed to you or your home institution for a small fee (approximately $6.00) using the Student Self Service system. Non-official transcripts can be printed through Student Self Service for free.
What accreditations does this program have?
SACSCOC
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of Florida.
The University of Florida’s accreditation is reaffirmed by SACSCOC every 10 years. SACSCOC is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.1
All program and courses are approved by the University of Florida Graduate School and must meet the same academic standards and rigor as any other class, irrespective of whether it is taught online or on campus.
The university’s reaffirmation process includes reports demonstrating compliance with SACSCOC principles and standards and a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). In addition to the reports, the reaffirmation process includes extensive evaluation of compliance by an off-site peer review, an on-site peer review and the final review by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees.
Can I participate in UF student activities or use UF academic resources?
Participation in student activities and engagement with resources will enhance your student experience, even when you are a distance student. From internship/job search resources to conflict mediation, UF provides online students with a variety of resources to support your academic journey. Visit the Student Resources page to view the extensive listing of support resources available to those receiving an education at a distance.