UCF Expands Master’s & Ph.D. Programs

By Sara Bridget Au

UCF is discussing the establishment of a graduate college. This reflects a new level of investment by UCF in its graduate programs, both in the quality of education as well as its service to the community during the next decade and beyond.

“A graduate college enhances the university-wide perspective on research, scholarship, and graduate education at UCF,” states Patricia Bishop, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at UCF. “The formation of a graduate college facilitates the creation of a true, university-wide graduate community of learners, scholars and educators.”

In addition, Bishop says, a graduate college promotes efficiency and increases interdisciplinary efforts, scholarly growth, and scholarship opportunities. “It’s self-reinforcing: attracting, retaining and graduating better students improves faculty productivity, which then leads to a greater ability to attract outside funding, making it easier to attract and retain good students.”

WHY A GRADUATE DEGREE?

Education is more valuable than ever before. Currently only about one quarter of the adult population has a master’s degree and less than 5% has a doctoral degree. The number of Americans seeking advanced degrees has increased considerably over the last few years and the National Center for Education Statistics projects those seeking graduate degrees will rise faster in the next decade than those seeking bachelor’s degrees.

Traditionally, graduate enrollment picks up as the economy worsens, because people want to improve their skills or change careers in order to be more employable. Bishop says having an advanced degree not only provides a more interesting, and often a more flexible, job, but also teaches the skills one needs to improve job performance. “Having a graduate degree sets people apart from others in terms of education and makes managerial jobs available to them earlier in their careers. It is well-known that those with graduate and professional degrees will make substantially more money over their lifetimes than those with bachelor’s degrees.”

DEGREES IN BURGEONING FIELDS

As Orlando continues to stake out its position as a world leader in the biomedical, biotechnology, simulation and optics fields, UCF is strategically expanding master’s and Ph.D. offerings.

One of their most exciting programs for fall is the MS in Biotechnology with an option to pursue an MBA. “This degree combines biotechnology skills and knowledge with communication skills, an understanding of the regulatory environment, and an opportunity to spend a third year in the full-time MBA program, at the end of which students graduate with two degrees,” enthuses Bishop.

Dr. Henry Daniell, program director, explains its strengths: “There are only ten MS biotech/MBA degree programs in the U.S. Experts from Florida’s more than 50 biotech companies, along with UCF’s new College of Medicine, the VA and other hospitals, and the Burnham Institute, will offer valuable hands-on training opportunities, an industrial perspective and an understanding of product development.”

The graduate program in Optics also stands out. One of only three in the country to focus on this discipline, UCF has more than 100 full-time graduate students, nearly all from outside the state. “They are attracted to the large laser and optics business community in central Florida and many find employment here after they graduate,” says Bishop. “Only about 20% of all who apply are accepted, but those who are enjoy very fine laboratories, a strong graduate student organization, and able faculty to guide them in their research and studies.”

ONLINE OFFERINGS

Dean Bishop says, “We are encouraging our faculty to provide even more online master’s programs to serve the growing population of working professionals who want the quality of a large state university and the convenience that their lives demand.”

Three new master’s programs available this fall are online, including the MA in Applied Learning and Instruction, the MS in Digital Forensics, and the MS in Technology. Several master’s programs are fully online, including Career and Technical Education, Criminal Justice, Exceptional Education, Forensic Science, Instructional Technology, Nonprofit Management, and Nursing. In addition, there are 12 graduate certificate programs available completely online, mostly in Education, but also in Nursing, Nonprofit Management, and Professional Writing.

UCF Graduate Studies

Millican Hall, Suite 230

Orlando, FL 32816

407-823-2766

www.graduate.ucf.edu