Graduation Questions Answered: Master’s Degree Programs
Q: How do I graduate from a Master’s degree program?
A: You need to complete the Graduate Student Intent to Graduate Form (also known as the ITG), have it signed by your faculty advisor, and then turn it in to the Office of Student Services, ED 110. The form may be found through the link above or in our office: ED 110, Education Complex.
Q: When is it due?
A: You should turn in the completed form no later than the first week of classes during your final term of enrollment in the graduate program.
Q: How do I know that I’m ready to graduate?
A: It is your responsibility as the graduating student to verify that your audit (program of study) is complete and ready for graduation. Things to consider and look for that may prevent your graduation:
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a. |
Have all of your course requirements been met (do they have a “+” next to them) on your audit? If not, you’ll need to meet with your faculty advisor to have course substitutions approved in writing and submitted to the Office of Student Services. |
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b. |
Do you have more than 9 hours post-bac (courses completed before being admitted to the program) counting in your program of study? If so, you’ll need to complete and turn in a petition along with your ITG for College and university approval to use these courses for graduation. |
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c. |
Do you have any remaining unresolved grade changes? |
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d. |
Is your overall graduate GPA a 3.0 or above? |
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e. |
Is your graduate program of study GPA a 3.0 or above? |
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f. |
Have you earned more than two grades of “C”? No more than two grades of “C” may count in a graduate program. |
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g. |
Have you earned any grades less than a “C”? No grades less than a “C” may meet course completion requirements in a graduate program of study. |
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h. |
Are you registered during the term of intended graduation? Graduating students must be enrolled at UCF during the term of graduation. If you have completed all coursework for graduation but still have graduation requirements to meet (for example, comp exam or FTCE exam or thesis clean-up), you need to be enrolled in IDS 6999. Please contact the Office of Student Services to authorize your enrollment in this one hour graduation requirement. |
Waivers of the registration requirement are only granted to:
- Students who failed to meet graduation requirements in the preceding semester and have now completed all degree requirements before the end of the current late drop/add period.
- Traveling Scholars who received permission from the Division of Graduate Studies to complete their final semester at another institution.
- Students with extreme extenuating circumstances that may prevent their registration (e.g. hospitalization, severe illness, and so forth).
- Students completing an incomplete grade (“I”) in the term of graduation.
Q: Have you successfully met the comprehensive exam requirement?
A: Students generally sit for this exam in either their final term of study or the term before their final term of study. Some programs have alternative methods of meeting this culminating experience requirement (for example, writing a thesis or passing licensure exams), so be sure to check with your faculty advisor if this requirement has not been met on your audit.
Q: Is the FTCE (Florida Teacher Certification Exam) a graduation requirement for you?
A: Passing results on this state mandated exam are required of all initial teacher preparation programs in the College of Education. Information on taking this exam and the procedures for signing up are in our office, Student Services, ED 110, or can be found online at www.cefe.usf.edu > Standard Testing > Download Bulletins > 2006-2007 Bulletin to view/print.
Q: Will I be notified if there are problems with my graduation?
A: Once you’ve turned in your completed ITG to the Office of Student Services, a formal review of your audit will be performed. We will notify you by both letter and email several times during the semester whether your file is complete and ready for graduation OR if there are remaining graduation requirements for you to meet. As the graduating student, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to follow-up on these notices and resolve issues that may prevent your graduation.
Q: How will I receive my diploma?
A: Diplomas are mailed by the Division of Graduate Studies to the address you indicated on your ITG about 6 weeks after commencement.
Q: What if I don’t graduate by the semester indicated?
A: If you do not meet graduation requirements during the term indicated on your ITG, you must file a new form at the beginning of registration for the next term of anticipated graduation.
Graduation Questions Answered: Certificate Programs
Q: How do I graduate from a Certificate Program?
A: You need to complete the "Certificate Completion Form”, have it signed by your certificate program advisor, and then turn it in to the Office of Student Services, ED 110. The form may be found online at, www.graduatestudies.ucf.edu in the Forms and Files section, on this website under Graduate Students > Forms, or in our office in ED 110, Education Complex.
Q: When is it due?
A: You should turn in the completed form no later than the first week of classes during your final term of enrollment in the graduate certificate program.
Q: How do I know that I’m ready to graduate?
A: It is your responsibility as the graduating student to verify that your audit (program of study) is complete and ready for graduation. Things to consider and look for that may prevent your graduation:
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a. |
Can you verify the semester and year of your admission to the certificate program? Many students assume admission to the certificate programs. Enrolling in a non-degree seeking or Education Undecided status is not enrollment in or admission to a certificate program. |
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b. |
Have all of your course requirements been met (do they have a “+” next to them) on your audit? If not, you’ll need to meet with your faculty advisor or the Student Services staff to resolve why all of your certificate courses are not showing on your audit. |
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c. |
Do you have any remaining unresolved grade changes? |
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d. |
Have you earned any grades of “C”? Only grades of “B-“ and above may count in a certificate program. |
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e. |
Is your overall certificate program GPA a 3.0 or better? |
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f. |
Are you registered during the term of intended graduation? Graduating students must be enrolled at UCF during the term of graduation. |
Q: Will I be notified if there are problems with my graduation?
A: Once you’ve turned in your completed Certificate Completion Form to the Office of Student Services ED 110, a formal review of your audit will be performed. We will notify you during the semester whether your file is complete and ready for graduation OR if there are remaining graduation requirements for you to meet. As the graduating student, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to follow-up on these notices and resolve issues that may prevent your graduation.
Q: How will I receive my certificate?
A: Certificates of Completion are mailed by the Division of Graduate Studies to the address you indicated on your graduation form about 8 weeks after commencement.
Q: What if I don’t graduate by the semester indicated?
A: If you don’t meet graduation requirements during the term indicated on your Certificate Completion Form, you must file a new form at the beginning of registration for the next term of anticipated graduation.
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