uf phd education

University of Florida

Graduate Degrees

Information about this page.

• Doctoral degree listings and requirements:  See the Ph.D. and other doctoral degree requirements section of this catalog for standards governing graduate offerings at the doctoral level, including information about the transfer of credit, graduate minors, leaves of absence, supervisory committee structure, language requirements, campus residency stipulations, admission to candidacy, the dissertation, graduate degree certification, and the qualifying/final examinations.
• Master degree listings and requirements:  Specifics about the master degree offerings can be viewed by expanding the listings below and by reviewing the sections related to the Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees. 
• Sequence of the page: On the list to follow, doctoral degrees appear first, then master's degrees, with the Specialist listed last. Expand the listings to reveal available majors and concentrations followed by the guidelines specific to the degree.
• Expanding subheadings and printing/saving to PDF:  To view all subheadings on a page or to print/save the fully expanded PDF of the page, please use the print options button on the orange toolbar at the top of each page. 

Ph.D. and other Doctoral Degree Requirements

Minimum Course Requirements: Course requirements for doctoral degrees vary from field to field and from student to student. In all fields, the Ph.D. degree requires at least 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. All master’s degree credits counted toward the minimum must be earned in the last 7 years.

Transfer of credit : No more than 30 credits of a master’s degree from another institution will be transferred to a doctoral program. If a student holds a master’s degree in a discipline different from the doctoral program, the master’s work will not be counted in the program unless the academic unit petitions the Dean of the Graduate School. All courses beyond the master’s degree taken at another university to be applied to the Ph.D. degree must be taken at an institution offering the doctoral degree and must be approved for graduate credit by the Graduate School of the University of Florida. All courses to be transferred must be graduate-level, letter-graded with a grade of B or better and must be demonstrated to relate directly to the degree being sought. All such transfer requests must be made by petition of the supervisory committee no later than the third term of Ph.D. study. The total number of credits(including 30 for a prior master’s degree) that may be transferred cannot exceed 45, and in all cases the student must complete the qualifying examination at the University of Florida. In addition, any prior graduate credits earned at UF (e.g., a master’s degree in the same or a different discipline) may be transferred into the doctoral program at the discretion of the supervisory committee and by petition to the Graduate School. The petition must show how the prior course work is relevant to the current degree.

Major: A Ph.D. student does the major work in an academic unit specifically approved for offering doctoral courses and supervising dissertations. See Graduate Programs. At least a B (3.00 truncated) is needed for courses included in the major.

Minor: Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major. If an academic unit contributes more than one course (as specified in the curriculum inventory and/or the Graduate Catalog) to the major, the student is not eligible to earn a minor from the contributing academic unit. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit.

With the supervisory committee’s approval, the student may choose one or more minor fields. If one minor is chosen, the supervisory committee member representing the minor suggests 12 to 24 credits of courses numbered 5000 or higher as preparation for a qualifying examination. If two minors are chosen, each must include at least 8 credits. Competency in the minor is demonstrated by written examination by the minor academic unit, or by the oral qualifying examination.  

Leave of Absence

A doctoral student who ceases to be registered at UF for more than 1 term needs prior written approval from the supervisory committee chair for a leave of absence for a stated period of time. This approved leave is kept on file in the student’s departmental record. It does not need Graduate School approval. The student must reapply for admission on returning. See Readmission and Catalog Year.

Supervisory Committee

Supervisory committees are nominated by the academic unit chair, approved by the dean of the college concerned, and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The committee should be appointed as soon as possible after the student starts doctoral work and no later than the end of the second term of equivalent full-time study. The Dean of the Graduate School is an ex-officio member of all supervisory committees.

Duties and responsibilities of the supervisory committee:

• Inform the student of all regulations governing the degree sought. This does not absolve the student from responsibility for being informed about these regulations. See General Regulations .
• Meet immediately after appointment to review the student’s qualifications and discuss and approve a program of study.
• Meet to discuss and approve the proposed dissertation project and the plans for carrying it out.
• Give the student a yearly evaluation letter in addition to S/U grades earned for research courses 7979 and 7980. The chair writes this letter after consulting with the supervisory committee.
• Conduct the qualifying examination (or participate in it if administered by the academic unit).
• Meet when at least half the work on the dissertation is complete to review procedure, progress, and expected results; and to make suggestions for completion.
• Meet with the student when the dissertation is completed and conduct the final oral examination to assure that the dissertation is a piece of original research and a contribution to the body of knowledge. The supervisory committee chair or cochair is generally present with the candidate for the examination. Other committee members may attend remotely if necessary and allowed within posted guidelines. Individual academic units must have established guidelines when addressing exceptions, applying this policy consistently in all cases.  Only the actual supervisory committee may sign the ETD Signature Page, and they must approve the dissertation unanimously. See Examinations in General Regulations .

Membership: The supervisory committee for a doctoral candidate comprises at least four members selected from the Graduate Faculty. At least two members, including the chair, must be from the academic unit recommending the degree. At least one member serves as the external member and must be from a different educational discipline, with no ties to the home academic unit. One regular member may be from the home academic unit or another unit.

If a minor is chosen, the supervisory committee includes at least one Graduate Faculty member representing the student’s minor. If the student elects more than one minor, each minor area must be represented on the supervisory committee. Therefore, committees for students with two minors must have a minimum of five members.

Special appointments: People without Graduate Faculty status may be made official members of a student’s supervisory committee through the special appointment process. Appropriate candidates for special appointments include

• Individuals from outside UF with specific expertise who contribute to a graduate student’s program of study
• Tenure-track faculty not yet qualified for Graduate Faculty status
• Non-tenure-track faculty or staff at UF who do not qualify for Graduate Faculty status

Limitations for special appointments:

• They do not hold Graduate Faculty appointments
• They have a special appointment that is specific only to an individual student’s committee
• They may not serve as a supervisory committee chair, co-chair, external member, or minor representative.

For official recognition and tracking by the Graduate School, the student’s supervisory committee chair requests the special appointment, briefly explaining what the special appointment contributes to the supervisory committee. A special appointment is made for a specific supervisory committee. If a student changes to a new degree or major and the committee chair wishes to include the special member on the new supervisory committee, another request must be submitted to the Graduate School for the new committee.

External member:

• Represents the interests of the Graduate School and UF
• Knows Graduate Council policies
• Serves as an advocate for the student at doctoral committee activities.

If the academic unit’s committee activity conflicts with broader University policies or practices, the external member is responsible for bringing such conflicts to the attention of the appropriate governing body. Therefore, the external member is prohibited from holding any official interest in the doctoral candidate’s major academic unit. Faculty holding joint, affiliate, courtesy, or adjunct appointments in the degree-granting academic unit cannot be external members on a student’s committee.

Minor member: The Graduate Faculty member who represents a minor on a student’s committee may be appointed as the external member if they do not have a courtesy graduate appointment in the student’s major academic unit.

Cochair: To substitute for the chair of the committee at any examinations, the cochair must be in the same academic unit as the candidate.

Substituting members at qualifying and final examination: If a supervisory committee member cannot be present at the student’s final defense, a Graduate Faculty member in the same academic area may substitute for the absent committee member. The substitute should sign the Final Examination form on the left side, in the space provided for committee members, noting the name of the absent member.

The chair of the student’s major academic unit also must indicate the reason for the absence and state that the absent member agreed to this substitution at the final examination.

The substitute should not sign the ETD signature page. The original committee member must sign.

No substitutes are allowed for the chair or external member of the committee. Changes to the supervisory committee may be entered online in GIMS before the qualifying examination.

The Graduate Council wants each supervisory committee to function as a University committee (not a departmental committee), applying University-wide standards to the various doctoral degrees, notwithstanding exceptions noted within this catalog.  

Language Requirement

Any foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. is established by the major academic unit with approval of the college. The student should check with the graduate coordinator of the appropriate academic unit for specific information. The foreign language departments offer classes for graduate students starting to study a language. See the current Schedule of Courses for available languages. All candidates must be able to use the English language correctly and effectively, as judged by the supervisory committee.

Enrollment Requirement

The total number of credits (including 30 for a prior master’s degree) that may be transferred cannot exceed 45, which means doctoral students must complete a minimum of 45 of 90 total credits required for the doctoral degree at the University of Florida. An academic unit or college may establish and monitor its own more-stringent requirement as desired.

Qualifying Examination

All Ph.D. candidates must take the qualifying examination. It may be taken during the third term of graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree.

The student must be registered in the term the qualifying examination is given.

The examination, prepared and evaluated by the full supervisory committee or the major and minor academic units, is both written and oral and covers the major and minor subjects. Except for allowed substitutions, all members of the supervisory committee must attend the oral part (even if through remote means). The candidate and the supervisory committee chair or cochair generally are physically present together at the same location. However, academic units may establish consistent policy to allow attendance via remote means as exceptions to this tradition in rare incidences.  For all guidelines regarding physical presence at the defense examinations, please see the  Physical Presence Policy  on the Graduate School website.  

At the time of the qualifying examination,  the supervisory committee is responsible for deciding whether the student is qualified to continue working toward the Ph.D. degree.  For all guidelines regarding physical presence at the defense examinations, please see the  Physical Presence Policy  on the Graduate School website.  

If a student fails the qualifying examination, the Graduate School should be notified. A re-examination may be requested, but it must be recommended by the supervisory committee. At least one term of additional preparation is needed before re-examination.

Time lapse: Between the oral part of the qualifying examination and the date of the degree, there must be at least 2 terms. The term the qualifying examination is passed is counted, if the examination occurs before the midpoint of the term.

Registration in Research Courses

Advanced Research (7979) is open to doctoral students not yet admitted to candidacy (classified as 7 and 8). Students enrolled in 7979 during the term they qualify for candidacy will stay in this registration unless the academic unit elects to change their enrollment to Research for Doctoral Dissertation (7980), which is reserved for doctoral students admitted to candidacy (classified as 9).

Admission to Candidacy

A graduate student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree when the student is granted formal admission to candidacy. Such admission requires the approval of the student’s supervisory committee, the academic unit chair, the college dean, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The approval must be based on:

• The academic record of the student
• The supervisory committee’s opinion on overall fitness for candidacy
• An approved dissertation topic
• A qualifying examination as described above

The student should apply for admission to candidacy as soon as the qualifying examination is passed and a dissertation topic is approved by the student’s supervisory committee.

Dissertation

Each doctoral candidate must prepare and present a dissertation that shows independent investigation, and that is acceptable in form and content to the supervisory committee and to the Graduate School. The work must be of publishable quality and must be in a form suitable for publication, using the Graduate School’s format requirements. The student and supervisory committee are responsible for the level of quality and scholarship. Graduate Council requires the Graduate School Editorial Office, as agents of the Dean of the Graduate School, to review theses and dissertations for acceptable format and to make recommendations as needed.

Doctoral dissertation requirements: Before presentation to the Editorial Office, the dissertation should be virtually complete and completely formatted (not in a draft format). Students must be completely familiar with the format requirements of the Graduate School and should work with one of the consultants in the Thesis and Dissertation Support Center to troubleshoot the dissertation before attempting to make a first submission to the editors in the Graduate School Editorial Office. Students who fail to first meet with one of the T&D Lab Consultants often find their document rejected upon first submission to the Editorial Office, for not meeting the minimum submission standards, required for an editorial review.  In order to set an appointment with the support center, students should visit their website and select the option to "Book an Appointment" from the menu on the left. 

Dissertation Format Requirements: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/about-us/offices/editorial/format-requirements/

Doctoral Dissertation Checklist: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/media/graduate-school/pdf-files/Doctoral-Checklist.pdf

Graduate School Editorial Office: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/about-us/offices/editorial/thesis-and-dissertation/

Thesis and Dissertation Support Center: https://helpdesk.ufl.edu/application-support-center/

Gatorlink email requirement: UF requires all students to maintain access to their Gatorlink email.

Dissertation First Submission: Before presentation to the Editorial Office, the thesis should be virtually complete and completely formatted (not in a draft format). Students must be completely familiar with the format requirements of the Graduate School and should work with one of the consultants in the Thesis and Dissertation Support Center to troubleshoot the dissertation before attempting to make submission to the editors in the Graduate School Editorial Office. Students who fail to first meet with one of the Lab Consultants often find their document rejected upon First Submission to the Editorial Office, for not meeting the minimum submission standards required for an editorial review.

Should the document pass the submission requirements and appear acceptable for review, the Editorial Office will email the student, using their Gatorlink email address, confirming the submission and responding with an acceptance email. Should the document not pass first submission requirements, a denial email will instead be sent, advising the student of their options at that time. This notice must be addressed immediately. Once a successful first submission has been achieved and the document has been reviewed by one of the Graduate School’s editors, another email is sent, providing editorial feedback to the student and committee chair. The student is responsible for retrieving the dissertation, review comments, and resolving any deficits related to the format requirements. Students should promptly make all required changes.

Uploading and submitting the final pdf for Editorial Final Submission: After changes have been made to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee, the Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (ETD) Signature Page is submitted electronically to the Graduate School Editorial Office, via the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS) . This must be completed by the Editorial Office’s Final Submission Deadline. Once submitted, the student should upload and submit the final pdf of the electronic thesis, using the Editorial Package portal found within the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS) . The document will undergo a final review by one of the Graduate School Representatives. The Editorial Office ensures that the format is acceptable, that all indicated changes were made, and that all of the hyperlinks work within the document. The Graduate School Representative then emails the student regarding the status of the ETD. If accepted, no further changes are allowed. If changes are still required, the student should resubmit the corrected document as soon as possible. All documents must be confirmed with final approval emails from the Graduate School Editorial Office by the Final Clearance deadline. This deadline is firm, and no exceptions can be granted. When all changes have been made and approved, the Editorial Office will email the Committee Chair and the student with a message, indicating the student has achieved Editorial Final Clearance with the Graduate School’s Editorial Office.  

Editorial Final Clearance: Among other requirements (see Checklist above), the final thesis must be confirmed as accepted, by email, by 5:00 p.m. on this deadline. This deadline only applies, if all other posted deadlines for the term have been appropriately met. Because there are hundreds of students in this process, most students complete all requirements well in advance.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have achieved Final Clearance status by the Final Clearance Deadline for the term in which they intend to graduate. This can be confirmed via GIMS.

Publication of dissertation: The work will be accessible through the University's Institutional Repository (IR). Students who began their graduate program in the fall of 2001 or later must submit their final dissertations electronically to the IR (not on paper).  All dissertation students must submit a publication agreement to ProQuest even if they elect not to send the full dissertation to ProQuest for publication; after University restrictions have expired, the abstract of the document will be retained in ProQuest archives. 

Copyright: The student is automatically the copyright holder, by virtue of having written the dissertation. A copyright page should be included immediately after the title page to indicate this. The Editorial Office does not accept copyright registration requests. Registering copyright is not required and does not benefit most students. Any students who wish to register a copyright can do so themselves ( http://www.copyright.gov ).

Dissertation language: Dissertations must be written in English, except for students pursuing degrees in Romance or Germanic languages and literatures. Students in these disciplines, with the approval of their supervisory committees, may write in the topic language. A foreign language dissertation should have the Acknowledgments, Abstract, and Biographical Sketch written in English. All page titles before Chapter 1 should also be in English.

Journal articles: Dissertations may include journal articles as chapters, if all copyright considerations are addressed appropriately. In such cases, Chapter 1 should be a general introduction, tying everything together as a unified whole. The last chapter should be general conclusions, again tying everything together into a unified whole. Any chapter representing a journal article needs a footnote at the bottom of the first page of the chapter: “Reprinted with permission from … ” giving the source, just as it appears in the list of references. The dissertation should have only 1 abstract and 1 reference list.

Guidelines for Restriction on Release of Dissertations

Research performed at the University can effectively contribute to the education of our students and to the body of knowledge that is our heritage only if the results of the research are published freely and openly. Conflicts can develop when it is in the interests of sponsors of university research to restrict such publication. When such conflicts arise, the University must decide what compromises it is willing to accept, taking into account the relevant circumstances.

Final Examination

While submitting the dissertation and completing all other work prescribed for the degree, the candidate is given a final examination, oral or written or both, by the supervisory committee. The candidate and the supervisory committee chair or cochair generally are physically present together at the same location. However, academic units may establish consistent policy to allow attendance via remote means as exceptions to this tradition in rare incidences.  For all guidelines regarding physical presence at the defense examinations, please see the  Physical Presence Policy  on the Graduate School website.  

The defense should be no more than 6 months before the degree is awarded and must have occurred within no more than one term in advance of that degree award. All forms should be signed at the defense: the candidate signs and posts the UF Publishing Agreement to GIMS, after discussing their choices with the supervisory committee chair(s);  the entire supervisory committee signs the ETD Signature Page and the Final Examination Report at the defense. If dissertation revisions are requested, the supervisory Committee Chair or their designee should withhold posting the ETD Signature Page to GIMS until all committee members are satisfied with the dissertation. However, this form must be submitted electronically, via GIMS, by the Final Submission Deadline for the Graduate School Editorial Office, during the term of the student's intended degree award.

Satisfactory performance on this examination and adherence to all Graduate School regulations outlined above complete the requirements for the degree.

Time limitation on the Qualifying Exam:

All work for the doctorate must be completed within 5 calendar years after the qualifying examination, or this examination must be repeated.

Doctoral Degree Offerings

Doctor of audiology (au.d.) n.

• Audiology N 

Doctor of Audiology Degree Requirements

The College Public Health and Health Professions offers a program leading to the degree of Doctor of Audiology. The Au.D. degree is awarded after a 4-year program of graduate study. Foreign languages are not required. The program leading to the Au.D. degree is administered by the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, the college, and the Graduate School.

See the Ph.D. and general doctoral requirements section of this catalog for the standards governing all doctoral offerings, such as further information regarding transfer of credit, graduate minors, leaves of absence, supervisory committee structure, language requirements, campus residence requirements, qualifying and final examinations guidelines, admission to candidacy, the doctoral dissertation, and graduate degree certification. Statements apply to both the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees, unless stated otherwise. .

Admission: To be considered for the Au.D. program, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A 3.00 junior-senior undergraduate grade point average and a program specific acceptable score on the GRE General Test,
• Evidence of good potential for academic success in at least three letters of recommendation, and
• Evidence of acceptable skills in written expression through a personal statement describing the motivation and skills applicable to graduate study and the profession of audiology.

Course requirements include 110 credits for students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited institution consisting of at least 70 credits of didactic instruction, 30 credits of applied practicum, and 3 credits of audiology research.

A 70-credit program leading to the Au.D. is offered for applicants holding an earned master’s degree in audiology from an accredited institution.

A 45-credit program leading to the Au.D. is offered for applicants holding an earned master’s from an accredited institution, certification and/or licensure in audiology, and at least 3 years of full-time experience in audiology.

Comprehensive examination, required for all Au.D. candidates, may be taken during the eighth term of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Both written and oral, this examination is prepared and evaluated by the supervisory committee, which is responsible for determining whether the student is qualified to continue work toward the degree by completing the clinical residency.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) T

• Marriage and Family Counseling T
• Mental Health Counseling T
• School Counseling and Guidance T
• Critical Study of Race, Ethnicity and Culture in Education T
• Educational Technology T
• Languages and Literacies in Education T
• Teachers, Schools, & Society T
• Educational Policy T
• Research and Evaluation Methodology T
• School Psychology T
• Special Education T

Doctor of Education Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree offers advanced professional training and academic preparation for the highest levels of educational practice. Programs are available in the School of Teaching and Learning, the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies, and the School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education.

A minimum of 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 60 credits beyond an accredited and awarded master’s degree formally documented via the Master’s Degree Acknowledgement (refer to process under Doctoral degree requirements) is required. Course requirements vary with the academic unit and with the student’s plan for research and/or professional pursuit. With the approval of the supervisory committee, the student may choose one or more minor fields of study. The Ed.D. requires a qualifying examination and a dissertation.

See the Ph.D. and general doctoral requirements section of this catalog for the standards governing all doctoral offerings, such as further information regarding transfer of credit, graduate minors, leaves of absence, supervisory committee structure, language requirements, campus residence requirements, qualifying and final examinations guidelines, admission to candidacy, the doctoral dissertation, and graduate degree certification. Statements apply to both the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees, unless stated otherwise. . 

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) N

• Choral Conducting N
• Composition N
• Instrumental Conducting N
• Performance N

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) T

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is a research degree and is granted on evidence of general proficiency, distinctive attainment in a special field, and particularly on ability for independent investigation as demonstrated in a dissertation presenting original research with a high degree of literary skill. Consequently, doctoral programs are more flexible and varied than those leading to other graduate degrees. The Graduate Council does not specify what courses are required for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. General requirements: the program should be unified in relation to a clear objective, the program should have the considered approval of the student’s entire supervisory committee, and the program should include an appropriate number of credits of doctoral research.  For guidance, please consult the  Policy on PhD Programs .  

• Clinical and Translational Science T
• Geographic Information Systems T
• Global Systems Agroecology T
• Hydrologic Sciences T
• Wetland Sciences T
• Agricultural Education and Communication T
• Toxicology T
• Tropical Conservation and Development T
• Anatomical Sciences Education T
• Domestic Animal Genomics T
• Reproductive Biotechnology T
• Domestic Animal Genomics
• Reproductive Biotechnology
• Historic Preservation T
• Women’s/Gender Studies T
• Art History T
• Astronomy T
• Biostatistics T
• Accounting T
• Information Systems and Operations Management T
• Insurance T
• Management T
• Marketing T
• Quantitative Finance T
• Real Estate and Urban Analysis T
• Chemical Engineering T
• Imaging Science and Technology T
• Classical Studies T
• Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering T
• Communication Sciences and Disorders T
• Computer Engineering T
• Computer Science T
• Counseling Psychology T
• Criminology, Law, and Society T
• Critical Study of Race, Ethnicity and Culture in Education
• Science Education T
• Architecture T
• Geographic Information Systems
• Hydrologic Sciences
• Landscape Architecture T
• Urban and Regional Planning T
• Economics T
• Cancer Epidemiology T
• Genetic Epidemiology T
• Gero-Epidemiology T
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology T
• Psychiatric Epidemiology T
• Ecological Restoration T
• Natural Resource Policy and Administration T
• Agroforestry T
• Geomatics T
• Climate Science T
• Climate Science
• Clinical and Translational Science
• Health Behavior T
• Recreation, Parks and Tourism T
• Sport Management T
• Environmental Horticulture T
• Horticultural Sciences T
• Human-Centered Computing T
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering T
• Anthropology T
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology T
• Business Administration T
• Chemistry T
• Civil Engineering T
• Entomology and Nematology T
• Environmental Engineering Sciences T
• Family, Youth and Community Sciences T
• Farming Systems T
• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences T
• Food and Resource Economics T
• Food Science T
• Forest Resources and Conservation T
• Foundations of Education T
• Geography T
• Health and Human Performance T
• Mathematics T
• Microbiology and Cell Science T
• Nuclear and Radiological Engineering T
• Philosophy T
• Political Science T
• Sociology T
• Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Science s T
• Statistics T
• Veterinary Medical Sciences T
• Wildlife Ecology And Conservation T
• Linguistics T
• Health Outcomes and Implementation Science
• Biomedical Informatics T
• Medical Physics T
• Composition T
• Music History and Literature T
• Music Education T
• Pharmaceutics T
• Pharmacodynamics T
• Ethics of Technology T
• Plant Breeding T
• Clinical and Health Psychology
• Health Services Research T
• One Health T
• Social and Behavioral Sciences T
• Communication and Swallowing Sciences and Disorders T
• Neuromuscular Plasticity T
• French and Francophone Studies T
• Early Childhood Studies T
• Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology T

Doctor of Plant Medicine (D.P.M.) N

• Tropical Conservation and Development N

Doctor of Plant Medicine Degree Requirements

Campus program:  The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers an interdisciplinary program leading to the degree of Doctor of Plant Medicine (D.P.M.). The D.P.M. degree is awarded after a 3- to 4-year program of graduate study. Foreign languages are not required. The program leading to the D.P. M. degree is administered by the Entomology and Nematology Department, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Graduate School.

Admission entrance requirements:

• B.S. or B.A. degree, preferably in biological, agricultural, or health science.
• A 3.00 grade point average in upper-division courses.
• Applicants from countries where English is not the native language must also achieve a satisfactory score on one of the following: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language: paper=550, web= 80), IELTS (International English Language Testing System: 6), MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery: 77) or successful completion of the University of Florida English Language Institute program.
• Evidence of good potential for academic success in at least three letters of recommendation.
• Evidence of acceptable skills in written expression through personal statements briefly describing their backgrounds, reasons, and career goals for studying plant medicine.

Course requirements: Students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree must earn 100 credits. This includes at least 85-86 credits of course work and 15-16 credits of internship. Students entering the program with a master’s degree in a related area may be allowed to transfer up to 30 credits in graduate courses corresponding to those required by the D.P.M. degree program. All D.P.M. students must complete two substantial 3-credit internships. Signed approval by a student’s Committee and the D.P.M. Director is required prior to registering for substantial internship credits.

Comprehensive examination: Both written and oral comprehensive examinations are required of all D.P.M. students. The written examination has three sections: entomology/nematology, plant pathology, and plant/soil science. Faculty from the appropriate disciplines are appointed by the D.P.M. Program Director and D.P.M. Competency Exam Coordinators to develop and grade the final written examination. The three sections of the written exam may be taken independently throughout the program at the discretion of the supervisory committee and the D.P.M. Director. Students are encouraged to complete the exam prior to the last full year of the D.P.M. program and their anticipated semester of graduation. Students should also complete the D.P.M. Competency Area Exams before the completion of a substantial internship. After a student passes all three sections of the final written examination (80% or higher is considered a passing grade), the supervisory committee administers an oral examination that tests the student’s ability to diagnose and manage plant health problems. A student who fails to pass a comprehensive examination may retake an exam once with the recommendation of their supervisory committee.

Distance program: The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers a distance education program leading to the D.P.M. degree for highly qualified students. The D.P.M. degree is awarded after a 3- to 4-year program of graduate student. Foreign languages are not required. The distance education program leading to a D.P.M. degree is administered by the Entomology and Nematology Department, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Graduate School.

• A graduate degree (Master’s or Doctoral) with a concentration in plant health science, plant pathology, agronomy, horticulture, environmental horticulture, forestry, entomology, nematology, soil science or a similar field.
• A passing score for the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) exam administered by the Agronomy Society of America (ASA).
• Completion of at least two years of full-time work in a professional job associated with the Plant Doctor (DPM/H) profession. Examples of professional jobs associated with the Plant Doctor profession include: crop consultant, industry scientist, extension specialist, diagnostician, identifier, survey specialist, plant pest risk analyst, plant health technician, or instructor.
• A minimum score of a 300 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE should be approximately 150 each. Exceptions to the minimum may be considered by the DPM admissions committee.
• International applicants must also have a TOEFL score above 80.
• A graduate (Master’s or Doctoral) grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• A passing score (80% or higher) on the Plant Pathology Written Comprehensive Exam. The exam must be completed in Gainesville, Florida.

Course requirements: Students enter the program with a Master’s or Doctoral degree and must earn 60 credits. Transfer of graduate credits from another graduate degree are not allowed for the distance education program. All D.P.M. students must complete two substantial 3-credit internships. Signed approval by a student’s Committee and the D.P.M. Director is required prior to registering for substantial internship credits.

Comprehensive examination: Both written and oral comprehensive examinations are required of all D.P.M. students. The written examination has three sections: entomology/nematology, plant pathology, and plant/soil science. Faculty from the appropriate disciplines are appointed by the D.P.M. Program Director and D.P.M. Competency Exam Coordinators to develop and grade the final written examination. Students enrolled in the distance education program must pass the plant pathology written competency area exam prior to admission. The two remaining sections of the written exam may be taken independently throughout the program at the discretion of the supervisory committee and the D.P.M. Director. Students are encouraged to complete the exam prior to the last full year of the D.P.M. program and their anticipated semester of graduation. Students should also complete the D.P.M. Competency Area Exams before the completion of a substantial internship. After a student passes all three sections of the final written examination (80% or higher is considered a passing grade), the supervisory committee administers an oral examination that tests the student’s ability to diagnose and manage plant health problems. A student who fails to pass a comprehensive examination may retake an exam once with the recommendation of their supervisory committee.

Master Degree Requirements

The master’s degree is conferred only on completing a coherent and focused program of advanced study. Each academic unit sets its own minimum degree requirements beyond the minimum required by the Graduate Council.

General Regulations for Master’s Degrees

Graduate School regulations are as follows. Colleges and academic units may have additional regulations beyond those stated below. Unless otherwise indicated in the next sections on master’s degrees, these general regulations apply to all master’s degree programs at the University.   The University of Florida’s Policy regarding examinations for master’s level degrees can be found by following this link: Supervisory Committees and Final Examinations for Master Level Degree Programs Policy . 

Course requirements: Graduate credit is awarded for courses numbered 5000 and above. The program of course work for a master’s degree must be approved by the student’s adviser, supervisory committee, or faculty representative of the academic unit. No more than 9 credits from a previous master’s degree program may apply toward a second master’s degree. These credits are applied only with the written approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.

Major: Work in the major must be in courses numbered 5000 or above. For work outside the major, 6 credits of courses numbered 3000 or above may be taken if part of an approved plan of study.

Minor: Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major. If an academic unit contributes more than one course (as specified in the curriculum inventory and/or the Graduate Catalog) to the major, the student is not eligible to earn a minor from the contributing academic unit. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits of work are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with the major academic unit’s permission. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit.  

Degree requirements: Unless otherwise specified, for any master’s degree, the student must earn at least 30 credits as a graduate student at UF. No more than 9 of the 30 credits (earned with a grade of A, A-, B+, or B) may be transferred from institutions approved for this purpose by the Dean of the Graduate School. At least half of the required credits (not counting 6971) must be in the major.

Transfer of credit: Only graduate-level (5000-7999) work with a grade of B or better, is eligible for transfer of credit. A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed. These can include no more than 9 credits from institution/s approved by UF, with the balance obtained from postbaccalaureate work at the University of Florida. Credits transferred from other universities are applied toward the degree requirements, but grades earned are not computed in the student’s grade point average. Acceptance of transfer of credit requires approval of the student’s supervisory committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Academic units must submit petitions for transfer of credit for a master’s degree during the student’s first term of enrollment in the Graduate School.

The supervisory committee is responsible for using established criteria to ensure the academic integrity of course work before accepting graduate transfer credits.

Supervisory committee: The student’s supervisory committee must be appointed as soon as possible after the student is admitted to the Graduate School and no later than the second term of graduate study.

Supervisory committees for graduate degree programs are initiated by the student, nominated by the respective academic unit chair, approved by the college dean, and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School is an ex-officio member of all supervisory committees. Only Graduate Faculty may serve on a supervisory committee. If a student takes fewer than 12 credits in the first term, the deadline is the end of the term during which the student has accumulated 12 or more credits or the end of the second term. If a minor is designated for any degree, a representative from that minor is needed on the supervisory committee. If two minors are designated, two representatives are needed.

The supervisory committee for a master’s degree with a thesis should consist of at least two Graduate Faculty members, unless otherwise specified. If a minor is designated, the committee must include a Graduate Faculty member from the minor department.  See  Supervisory Committees and Final Examinations for Master Level Degree Programs Policy  for guidance. 

For a master’s degree without thesis, oversight is at the academic unit/department/college level only. Non-thesis programs may choose to have a formal committee or an alternate structure as determined by the program’s graduate faculty and consistent with academic unit policies. The oversight authority will be considered as the supervisory committee. Units are able to enter their internal information into GIMS as a convenience. Any student with a minor must have the name of the graduate faculty member overseeing the minor entered into GIMS.

Changes to existing supervisory committee: A student, in consultation with their academic unit, may seek changes to an existing supervisory committee. Changes to a student’s committee are allowed until midpoint of the term of degree award if the defense has not occurred. No changes are allowed after the defense. For procedural details, contact the major academic unit.

Language requirements:

• Each academic unit determines whether a reading knowledge of a foreign language is required. The requirement varies from one academic unit to another, and the student should check with the appropriate academic unit for specific information.
• All candidates must be able to use the English language correctly and effectively, as judged by the supervisory committee.

Examination: Each candidate must pass a final comprehensive examination. Some programs use different terminology, such as capstone course . This examination must cover at least the candidate’s field of concentration. It must occur no earlier than the term before the degree is awarded.

Time limitation: All work (including transferred credit) counted toward the master’s degree must be completed within 7 years before the degree is awarded.

Leave of absence: Any student who will not register at UF for a period of more than 1 term needs prior written approval from the supervisory committee chair for a leave of absence for a designated period of time. This approval remains in the student’s departmental file. The Graduate School does not require notification. The student must reapply for admission on return. See Readmission and Catalog Year .

Master’s thesis requirements: Each master’s thesis candidate must prepare and present a thesis that shows independent investigation. It must be acceptable, in form and content, to the supervisory committee and to the Graduate School. The work must be of publishable quality and must be in a form suitable for publication, guided by the Graduate School’s format requirements. The academic unit is responsible for quality and scholarship. Graduate Council requires the Graduate School Editorial Office, as agents of the Dean of the Graduate School, to briefly review theses and dissertations for acceptable format, and to make recommendations as required.

• Format requirements and example pages: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/about-us/offices/editorial/format-requirements/
• Checklist: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/media/graduate-school/pdf-files/Masters-Checklist-.pdf
• Thesis and Dissertation Support Center/Electronic Theses and Dissertation Lab: https://helpdesk.ufl.edu/application-support-center/
• Graduate School Editorial Office Information: http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/graduation/thesis-and-dissertation

Gatorlink email requirement: UF requires students to maintain access to their Gatorlink email accounts. Accordingly, the Editorial Office only communicates with students through official Gatorlink email.

Thesis first submission: When first presented to the Graduate School Editorial Office, the thesis must be successfully orally defended. Therefore, the final examination data must be posted by the academic unit into the Student Information System (SIS), prior to the student attempting to submit their thesis document for review by the Graduate School’s editorial staff; accordingly, the defense must occur prior to the first submission deadline for the student’s intended term of degree award. Directly following the oral defense, the Academic Unit must submit the Final Exam Form through SIS, and the student must submit their UF Publishing Agreement through the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS).  Should additional revisions be required by the committee to the thesis document itself, the ETD Signature Page should be held by the academic unit from posting until the issues are fully resolved.  Please be aware, however, the student will remain unable to submit their final thesis for review by the Editorial Office until the ETD Signature Page is submitted; in turn, this should be posted by the final submission deadline within the student’s intended term of degree award. 

Uploading and submitting the final pdf for Editorial Final Submission: After changes have been made to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee, the Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (ETD) Signature Page is submitted electronically to the Graduate School Editorial Office, via the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS) . This must be completed by the Editorial Office’s Final Submission Deadline. Once submitted, the student should upload and submit the final pdf of the electronic thesis, using the Editorial Package portal found within the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS) . Once submitted, the document will undergo a final review by one of the Graduate School Representatives. The Editorial Office ensures that the format is acceptable, that all indicated changes were made, and that all of the hyperlinks work within the document. The Graduate School Representative then emails the student regarding the status of the ETD. If accepted, no further changes are allowed. If changes are still required, the student should resubmit the corrected document as soon as possible. All documents must be confirmed with final approval emails from the Graduate School Editorial Office by the Final Clearance deadline. This deadline is firm, and no exceptions can be granted. When all changes have been made and approved, the Editorial Office will email the Committee Chair and the student with a message, indicating the student has achieved Editorial Final Clearance with the Graduate School’s Editorial Office.  

Editorial Final Clearance: Among other requirements (see Checklist above), the final thesis and all accompanying forms must be confirmed as approved, by email, by 5:00 p.m. on this deadline. This deadline only applies if all other posted deadlines for the term have been appropriately met. Since there are hundreds of students concurrently completing the process, most students complete all requirements well in advance, in order to ensure they do not face the chance of not graduating within their intended term.

Copyright: The student is automatically the copyright holder, by virtue of having written the thesis. A copyright page should be included immediately after the title page to indicate this.

Thesis language: Theses must be written in English, except for students pursuing degrees in Romance or Germanic languages and literatures. Students in these disciplines, with the approval of their supervisory committees, may write in the topic language. A foreign language thesis should have the Acknowledgments, Abstract, and Biographical Sketch written in English. All page titles before Chapter 1 should also be in English.

Journal articles: A thesis may include journal articles as chapters, if all copyright considerations are addressed appropriately. In such cases, Chapter 1 is a general introduction, tying everything together as a unified whole. The last chapter contains the general conclusions, once again tying everything together into a unified whole. Any chapter representing a journal article requires a footnote at the bottom of the first page of the chapter: “Reprinted with permission from … ” giving the source, just as it appears in the list of references. The thesis must have only 1 abstract and 1 reference list.

Change from thesis to non-thesis option: Permission of the supervisory committee is needed to change from thesis to non-thesis option. This permission must be forwarded to the Graduate School by midpoint of the final term via the Graduate Information Management System (GIMS). The candidate must meet all the requirements of the non-thesis option as specified above. A maximum of 3 credits earned with a grade of S in 6971 (Research for Master’s Thesis) can be counted toward the degree requirements only if converted to credit as A, A-, B+, or B in Individual Work. The supervisory committee must indicate that the work was productive in and by itself and that the work warrants credit as a special problem or special topic course.

Supervisory committee: The student’s supervisory committee should be appointed as soon as possible after the student is admitted to the Graduate School and no later than the second term of graduate study. Supervisory committees for graduate degree programs are initiated by the student, nominated by the respective academic unit chair, approved by the college dean, and appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School is an ex-officio member of all supervisory committees. Only Graduate Faculty may serve on a supervisory committee. If a student takes fewer than 12 credits in the first term, the deadline is the end of the term during which the student has accumulated 12 or more credits or the end of the second term. If a minor is designated for any degree, a representative from that minor is needed on the supervisory committee. If two minors are designated, two representatives are needed.

Thesis final examination: When most of the student’s course work is completed, and the thesis is in final form, the supervisory committee must examine the student orally or in writing on:

• the thesis,
• the major subjects,
• the minor or minors, and
• matters of a general nature pertaining to the field of study.

It is traditional but not required that the candidate and the supervisory committee chair or co-chair are physically present together at the same location. Individual academic units must have established guidelines when addressing exceptions, applying this policy consistently in all cases.  For all guidelines regarding physical presence at the defense examinations, please see the  Physical Presence Policy  on the Graduate School website.  

If a supervisory committee member cannot be present at the student’s final defense, a Graduate Faculty member in the same academic unit may substitute for the absent committee member. No substitutions are allowed for the Chair.

The substitute should sign the Final Examination form in the space provided for committee members, noting the name of the absent member. The chair of the student’s major academic unit also must indicate the reason for the absence and state that the absent member agreed to this substitution at the final examination. The substitute should not sign the ETD signature page. The original committee member should sign that form.

The defense date must be fewer than 6 months before degree award. All forms should be signed at the defense: the candidate submits the UF Publishing Agreement form into GIMS; and the entire supervisory committee signs the ETD Signature Page and the Final Examination Report. If thesis changes are requested, the supervisory Committee Chair or the Committee’s designee may hold the ETD Signature Page, until all requirements are met regarding the thesis. Once all stipulations of the Committee members are satisfied, and before the Editorial Office’s Final Submission deadline for the term of intended degree award, verification of completion of this form must be submitted electronically via GIMS.

Non-thesis final comprehensive examination: Non-thesis students must pass a comprehensive written or oral examination on the major and on the minor if a minor is designated. This comprehensive examination must be taken no more than 6 months before the degree is awarded.

Master of Arts and Master of Science Degree Requirements

The general requirements for the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees also apply to the following degrees: Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Mass Communication, Master of Science in Construction Management, Master of Science in Pharmacy, and Master of Science in Statistics. There are additional requirements for specialized degrees.

Course requirements: A master’s degree with thesis requires at least 30 credits including up to 6 credits of Research for Master’s Thesis (6971). All thesis students must register for an appropriate number of credits in 6971.

A non-thesis Master of Arts or Master of Science degree requires at least 30 credits. No more than 6 of those credits can be from S/U courses. Non-thesis students cannot use Research for Master’s Thesis (6971).

For all master’s programs, at least half the required credits (not counting 6971) must be in the major. One or two minors of at least 6 credits each may be taken, but a minor is not required by the Graduate School. Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major.

Non-thesis M.S. engineering programs: Students in engineering, if working at off-campus centers, must take half the course work from full-time UF faculty members and must pass a comprehensive written examination by a committee recommended by the Dean of the College of Engineering. This written comprehensive examination may be taken at an off-campus site.

Other Master’s Degrees

Although the general requirements for the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees also apply to the following discipline-specific degrees, there are some important differences. For detailed requirements, see the Majors Section of this catalog . In addition, the Graduate School monitors the following requirements for these specialized degrees.

Master of Accounting

The M.Acc. program offers three options: concentration in Auditing, concentration in Taxation, or no concentration.

The recommended curriculum to prepare for a professional career in accounting is the 3/2 five-year program with a joint awarding of the Bachelor of Science in Accounting and the Master of Accounting degrees on satisfactory completion of the 150-credit program. The entry point into the 3/2 is the start of the senior year.

Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree in accounting may enter the 1-year M.Acc. program, which requires 34 credits of course work. At least 20 credits must be in graduate-level accounting, excluding preparatory courses. All students must take a final comprehensive examination. For details about requirements, see General Regulations for master’s degrees.

M.Acc./J.D. program: This joint program culminates in both the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree awarded by the College of Law and the Master of Accounting (M.Acc.) degree awarded by the Graduate School. The program is for students with an undergraduate degree in accounting, who are interested in advanced studies in both accounting and law. About 20 credits fewer are needed for the joint program than if the two degrees were earned separately. The two degrees are awarded after completing curriculum requirements for both degrees. Students must take the GMAT and also the LSAT before admission and must meet the admission requirements for the College of Law (J.D.) and the Fisher School of Accounting (M.Acc.).

Master of Agribusiness

The Master of Agribusiness (M.AB.) is a one-year, thirty-credit hour non-thesis degree program designed for students with no educational background in economics and offers advanced study for students seeking careers in sales, marketing, and management with organizations that operate mainly in the food industry and agribusiness sector. The courses complement the student’s undergraduate education and prepare them for careers in private industry, state and federal government, education at secondary and post-secondary institutions, entrepreneurial pursuits, professional schools, financial analysis, agricultural production and marketing, food and consumer goods, and sales firms. The program includes a diversity of students from areas such as Animal Science, Food Science, Horticulture, Agricultural Education and Communication, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Turfgrass Management, Business Administration and Agronomy.

Contact the Graduate Program in 1170 McCarty Hall for information.

Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) is an accredited graduate degree meeting the professional requirements of the National Architectural Accrediting Board for students who wish to qualify for registration and practice as architects. Candidates are admitted from architectural, related, and unrelated undergraduate backgrounds; professional experience is encouraged but not required.

The M.Arch. requires at least 52 credits, including no more than 6 credits in ARC 6971 Research for Master's Thesis (1-15 cr.) or ARC 6979 Master's Research Project (1-10 cr.) . Course sequences in design history and theory, structures, technology, and practice must be completed. Students are encouraged to propose individual programs of study (outside of required courses), and interdisciplinary work is encouraged.

Master of Arts in Education

Although the general requirements for the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees also apply to the following discipline-specific degrees, there are some important differences. For detailed requirements, see the Majors Section of this catalog .

Master of Arts in Mass Communication

The College of Journalism and Communications offers the Master of Arts in Mass Communication through two tracks-the Pro Master’s Track or the Ph.D./Research Track. There is also an available online Master’s program. In either track, students may choose from the following specializations: Journalism, Public Relations, Telecommunication, International/Intercultural Communication, or Science/Health Communication.

Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Science in Teaching

These degrees (M.A.T., M.S.T.) combine graduate study in a discipline with selected education courses and a teaching internship, providing flexible curricula that prepare students for a variety of options including teaching and further graduate work.

Requirements for the degrees are as follows:

• A reading knowledge of one foreign language if required by the student’s major.
• Satisfactory completion of at least 36 credits while registered as a graduate student, with work distributed as follows:
• At least 18 credits in the major and 6 credits in the minor.
• Six credits in an academic unit internship in teaching (6943 Internship in College Teaching). Three years of successful teaching experience in a state-certified school may be substituted for the internship requirement, and credits thus made available may be used for further work in the major, the minor, or in education.
• At least one course selected from three or more of the following: social and/or psychological foundations of education; education technology; counselor education; special education, and community college curriculum. Other areas may be added or substituted at the discretion of the supervisory committee. These courses may be used to comprise a minor.
• Off-campus work: At least 8 to 16 credits (at the academic unit’s discretion), including at least 6 credits in one term, must be earned on the Gainesville campus. Beyond that, credits earned in off-campus UF courses approved by the Graduate School are accepted if they are appropriate to the student’s degree program as determined by the supervisory committee.
• The student must pass a final comprehensive examination (written, oral, or both). This examination covers the field of concentration and the minor.

At degree completion, the student needs at least 36 credits in the subject area for teaching certification purposes.

Master of Education

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree program meets the need for professional personnel to serve a variety of functions required in established and emerging educational activities of modern society. A thesis is not required.

All M.Ed. programs require at least 36 credits, with at least half of these credits earned in courses in the College of Education. Up to 6 credit earned from 3000- and 4000-level courses taken outside the academic unit may be counted toward the minimum requires for the degree provided they are part of an approved plan of study. (See also General Requirements for Master’s Degrees .)

At least 16 credits must be earned while the student is enrolled as a graduate student in courses offered on the Gainesville campus of the University of Florida including registration for at least 6 credits in a single term. This requirement may deviate where distance education programs are considered.

Master of Engineering

Students may choose a thesis or non-thesis option for the Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree. To be eligible for admission to the M.E. program, students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited college or they must complete articulation work for equivalence. Admission requirements of the Graduate School must be met. The College of Engineering may use the Fundamentals of Engineering examination in lieu of the GRE for admitting students into the non-thesis master’s degree programs. Students who do not meet the ABET requirement may be admitted to the Master of Science program (see section on Master of Arts and Master of Science).

The non-thesis M.E. degree is a 30-credit course-work-only degree (practice-oriented project or capstone course may be included in the 30 credits). At least 15 credits must be in the student’s major at the 5000 level or higher. For work outside the major, courses numbered 3000 or above (not to exceed 6 credits) may be taken if they are part of an approved plan of study. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits are required. Two 6-credit minors may be taken. At the discretion of individual engineering academic units, an oral or written examination may be required.

The thesis option requires 30 credits of course work, including up to 6 credits of 6971 (Research for Master’s Thesis). At least 12 credits (not counting 6971) must be in the student’s major. Courses in the major must be at the 5000 level or higher. For work outside the major, up to 6 credits of courses numbered 3000 or above may be taken if part of an approved plan of study. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits are required. Two 6-credit minors may be taken at the discretion of the academic unit. A comprehensive oral and/or written final examination is required.

An off-campus (distance learning) student who is a candidate for the non-thesis M.E. degree must take half the course work from full-time UF faculty members and must pass a comprehensive written examination administered by a committee from the academic unit. If the student has a minor, the committee must include a member representing that minor.

Master of Fine Arts

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree is offered with majors in art, creative writing, and theatre. Requirements are the same as for the Master of Arts with thesis, except the M.F.A. requires at least 60 credits (54 for creative writing), including 6 to 9 credits in 6971 (Research for Master’s Thesis). Students in art and theatre substitute 6973 (Individual Project) creative work in lieu of the written thesis.

Admission: Applicants requesting admission to any of the programs should have an earned baccalaureate degree in the same or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Students must fulfill the admission requirements of their disciplines and the Graduate School’s admission criteria. In cases where the undergraduate degree is not in the area chosen for graduate study, the student must demonstrate a level of achievement fully equivalent to the bachelor’s degree in the chosen graduate field. A candidate deficient in certain areas must remove the deficiencies by successfully completing appropriate courses.

Art or theatre candidates also must submit a portfolio of the creative work, or must audition, before being accepted into the program. Creative writing candidates must submit 2 short stories, 2 chapters of a novel, or 6 to 10 poems. Three years of work in residence are usually needed to complete degree requirements. If deficiencies must be removed, the residency could be longer. See the Majors Section of this catalog for Art, English, and Theatre.

Art: The M.F.A. degree with a major in art involves advanced visual research for those who wish to attain a professional level of proficiency in studio work. Specialization is offered in the studio areas of art + technology, ceramics, creative photography, drawing, graphic design, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. For studio work, the M.F.A. is generally the terminal degree and is often the required credential for teachers of art in colleges and universities.

In addition to the general requirements above, students must take at least 60 credits. Requirements include 42 credits in studio courses (24 in specialization, 12 in electives, and 6 in ART 6973C Individual Project (1-10 cr.) ); 6 credits in art history; 3 credits in teaching art in higher education (required if the student is to accept a teaching assistantship); 3 credits in aesthetics, criticism, or theory; and 6 credits of electives. The College requires the student to leave documentation of thesis project work for purposes of record, exhibition, or instruction.

Creative writing: The M.F.A. in creative writing develops writers of poetry and fiction through series of workshops and other courses, including seminars. Candidates are required to produce a thesis (a manuscript of publishable poetry or fiction) at the end of the 3-year program. The degree requires 11 courses (4 workshops, 3 seminars, 1 forms course, and 3 electives); a reading tutorial; and a thesis, along with 9-18 research/thesis hours: 54 credits in all. Students typically take at least 1 workshop each Fall/Spring term for the first two years. The electives may be seminars, approved independent studies, or additional workshops. No coursework is expected in summer.

Theatre: The M.F.A. degree with a major in theatre is for those interested in production-oriented theatrical careers and teaching. Two specializations are offered: acting and design. The craft skills encompassed in the program are later applied in public and studio productions. The program requires 60 credits, including 18 credits of core classes, 17 credits of specialty training, an internship, and a project in lieu of thesis.

Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

The non-thesis Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (M.F.A.S.) program trains students in the technical aspects of fisheries and aquatic sciences emphasizing written and oral communication of scientific information. Requirements are the same as for the Master of Science degree with the non-thesis option, except that the minimum credit requirement is 32 credits, of which at least 26 graduate credits of graded course work (at least 16 in the major), and a technical paper. The final draft of the technical paper must be submitted to all supervisory committee members for approval at least 3 weeks before the scheduled date of the oral and written final examination.

Master of Forest Resources and Conservation

The Master of Forest Resources and Conservation (M.F.R.C.) degree is for additional professional preparation rather than primary research. Requirements are the same as those listed for master’s degrees, except that the M.F.R.C. requires GRE scores of at least 500 verbal and 500 quantitative.

Work required: At least 30 credits of letter-graded course work with at least 12 credits of graduate course work in the major are required. A thesis is not required, but the student must complete a technical project in an appropriate field. This project may take various forms, such as a literature review, extension publication, video, training manual, or curriculum. The M.F.R.C. requires a final examination covering the candidate’s entire field of study. The student must present the work to the supervisory committee in an on-campus public forum before the final examination.

Master of Health Administration

The Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.), offered by the College of Public Health and Health Professions, trains qualified individuals to become managers and leaders of health care organizations. The degree provides a core of business and analytical skills, concepts and knowledge specific to health administration, opportunities for application and synthesis, and exposure to the field of practice. The M.H.A. program admits students only in the fall term and requires full-time study for 2 years, plus a summer internship between the first and second years. The program requires a total of 57 credits.

Master of Health Science

The Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) degree, offered by the College of Public Health and Health Professions, provides exposure to health research and meets the need for leadership personnel in established and emerging health care programs. The College currently offers a program in Environmental and Global Health with or without a concentration in One Health.  The M.H.S. concentration program in One Health is part of the portfolio of training programs available through the Environmental and Global Health Department in the College of Public Health and Health Professions. The program requires 39 credits to complete.

Master of Historic Preservation

The University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning offers a Master of Historic Preservation degree using an interdisciplinary variety of coursework in the basic and applied skills and arts of historic preservation, anthropology, archeology, architecture, building construction, cultural tourism, history, interior design, landscape architecture, museum studies, and urban and regional planning. The coursework totals 42 hours. Students must take 12 hours of core courses, 6 hours of pre-approved history electives, and may choose from pre-approved and specially approved electives from across the campus. A true thesis to meet Graduate Requirements relating to historic preservation is required.

The Master of Integrated Sustainable Development

The Master of Integrated Sustainable Development (M.I.S.D.) is a 30-credit interdisciplinary graduate degree program offered by the University of Florida (UF) College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) Sustainability and the Built Environment (SBE) Program. MISD is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree delivering education within the planning, design, construction, and operations of more sustainable and resilient built environments. Through a mix of pedagogical approaches (e.g., from research to collaborative studio projects), MISD students will learn the skills and strategies to facilitate a quadruple bottom line of ecological, cultural, social, and economic sustainability across local, state, national, and international scales. 

Master of Interior Design

The Master of Interior Design (M.I.D.) allows students to direct their attention to a variety of topics including design pedagogy and processes; sustainable, safe, and secure environments; creative performance and innovation; and built heritage conservation.

Work required includes at least 36 credits (no more than 6 thesis credits). Required preparatory courses are in addition to the minimum credits for graduate work.

Master of International Business

The Master of International Business (M.I.B) is a non-thesis interdisciplinary graduate business program designed to enhance a student’s knowledge and understanding of global business trends and problems.

Admission: All admission requirements of the Graduate School must be met. Applicants must have a U.S. Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution, with a major or minor in Business. In addition, applicants must complete a statement of purpose and submit two letters of recommendation as well as a resume and all official transcripts and admissions scores.

Work required: Students must complete the 30-credit curriculum, which consists of 14 core credits and 16 elective credits, with a grade point average (major and overall) of 3.0 or higher. The curriculum includes a mandatory global immersion experience and a non-thesis capstone project.

Master of International Construction Management

The Master of International Construction Management (M.I.C.M.) is a non-thesis, distance education, advanced degree program with a research report/project requirement offered by the Rinker School of Construction Management. The M.I.C.M. allows students with computer and Internet access to attend classes at any time, any place and to interact with faculty and classmates via the Internet.

Admissions: Applicants for admission must have:

• An undergraduate degree,
• At least 5 years of meaningful, supervisory-level construction management experience,
• Acceptable GRE scores
• A grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale,
• If an international student, an acceptable score on one of the following: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language: paper=550, Internet=80), IELTS (International English Language Testing System: 6), or successful completion of the UF English Language Institute program, and
• Sponsorship by the employer.

Work required: The M.I.C.M. prepares students to assume upper-level construction management responsibilities in a multinational construction company. Specializations include sustainable construction, information systems, construction safety, and human resource management. In addition to 6 research-oriented graduate credits, the student selects 1 or 2 specializations and then takes the rest of the required 33 credits from the remaining courses and special electives. Students must pass a comprehensive oral and/or written examination on completing course work and the master’s research report/project.

Master of Landscape Architecture

The degree of Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) is the advanced professional degree for graduates with baccalaureate credentials in landscape architecture and is a first professional degree for the graduate from a non-landscape architectural background. Candidates are admitted from related and unrelated fields and backgrounds. An advanced professional life experience track is available for eligible candidates.

Work required: Candidates must complete at least 52 credits, including no more than 6 credits of thesis or project. For students without baccalaureate credentials in landscape architecture, required preparatory courses are in addition to the minimum credits for graduate work. For advanced professional life experience candidates, the minimum requirement is 30 credits, including thesis. At least 50% of all course work must be graduate courses in landscape architecture. Some areas allow a project (requiring 6 credits) in lieu of thesis, with permission of the academic unit’s Graduate Faculty.

Master of Latin

The Classics Department offers the non-thesis Master of Latin (M.L.) degree, a 30-credit program mainly for currently employed and/or certified teaching professionals who wish to widen their knowledge of Latin, broaden their education in the field of Classics, and enhance their professional qualifications. This degree can be attained by students in residence for fall/spring terms or by a program of summer course work at UF and by directed independent study and/or distance learning courses during the regular academic year.

Students registering during summer terms can complete the degree in 4 years by earning 6 graduate credits each summer (total = 24), plus two 3-credit independent study or distance learning courses during the intervening academic years. Those who already have some graduate credit in Latin, or who can take more credits during the year, can complete the degree more quickly.

Unlike the M.A. degree in Latin, the Master of Latin degree has no thesis requirement, does not prepare students for Ph.D. level studies, and is aimed specifically at currently employed and certified Latin teachers.

Admission: Contact the Department’s Graduate Coordinator or Distance Learning Coordinator before applying. Requirements for the admissions process are:

• Apply to UF’s Graduate School,
• Acceptable GRE scores,
• Three letters of recommendation, and
• Transcripts recording undergraduate courses (and graduate courses, if any; students must demonstrate the ability to take Latin courses at the graduate level).

Degree requirements include at least 30 credits as a UF graduate student. Of these, no more than 8 credits (grade of A, A-, B+, or B) may be transferred from institutions approved for this purpose by the Dean of the Graduate School. At least half of the 30 credits required should be from Latin language and literature courses (LAT or LNW courses at the 5000 level or above). UF graduate-level courses taken before admission to Graduate School (e.g., in the Latin Summer Institutes) may be applied to the 30 credits if approved by the Graduate School. The Department will work closely with individual students to determine how many previous graduate credits at UF or other institutions may be applied to this program.

The student may elect minor work in other academic units (e.g., history, philosophy, art history, religion) although there is no requirement to do so. If a minor is chosen, at least 6 credits are required in the minor field. Two 6-credit minors may be taken with departmental permission. A GPA of 3.0 is required for minor credit and for all work counted toward the degree. All work in a minor must be approved by the supervisory committee.

Examination: The supervisory committee administers a final oral and written comprehensive examination at completion of the course work. This examination includes:

• an oral component on Roman literary tradition and
• Latin sight translation and grammar,
• Roman history and civilization, and if applicable
• the minor, or minors.

As preparation for this examination, the student should read the required reading list of secondary works in English.

Language requirement: The Department for this degree plan does not require, but strongly recommends, at least a reading knowledge of one (or more) of the following: German, French, Italian, or Spanish. Such study will facilitate reading important secondary works not translated into English, enhance travel, and perhaps lead to teaching opportunities in the chosen language at the secondary school level.

Master of Music

The Master of Music (M.M.) degree is offered in music or music education. The music program offers the following concentrations: choral conducting, composition, electronic music, ethnomusicology, instrumental conducting, music education, music history and literature, music theory, performance, and sacred music. The M.M. degree prepares students for careers as teachers in studios, schools, and universities; performers; music historians; music critics; church musicians; composers; conductors; and accompanists. There is also an available online master’s program .

Admission: Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in music or a closely related area from an accredited institution. Students whose undergraduate degree is in another discipline must demonstrate a level of achievement fully acceptable for master’s level work in this discipline. Applicants normally complete at least 4 semesters of  music theory, two semesters of music history, and 3-5 semester of performance study. A candidate deficient in certain undergraduate areas must remove the deficiencies by successfully completing appropriate courses. If remedial work is needed, the residency (usually 4 terms of full-time study) may be longer. An audition or portfolio review is required for all students.

Work required includes at least 32 credits of course work (not counting prerequisite or deficiency courses) incorporating a core of 9 credits. The core in all emphases includes MUS 6716 Methods of Musical Research and Bibliography (3 cr.) ( MUE 6785 Research in Music Education (3 cr.) in the music education program), MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques (3 cr.) , and one MUH or MUL graduate course. A thesis or creative project in lieu of thesis is required.

The College of the Arts reserves the right to retain student work for purposes of record, exhibition, or instruction. For more information, see the Majors Section of this catalog .

Master Degree Offerings

Master of accounting (m.acc.) n, master of agribusiness (m.ab.) n, master of architecture (m.arch.) t.

• Sustainable Architecture T
• Sustainable Design T

Master of Arts (M.A.) T/N

• Historic Preservation T/N
• Tropical Conservation and Development T/N
• Digital Arts and Sciences T
• Art Education T/N
• Arts in Medicine N
• Marketing T/N
• Communication Sciences and Disorders T/N
• Criminology, Law, and Society T/N
• Digital Arts and Sciences T/N
• Econometric and Data Analysis N
• Financial Economics T/N
• English T/N
• French and Francophone Studies T/N
• Jewish Studies T/N
• Linguistics T/N
• Philosophy T/N
• Political Science - International Relations T/N
• Political Campaigning T/N
• Public Affairs T/N
• Psychology T/N
• Women’s/Gender Studies T/N
• Spanish T/N
• Women's Studies T/N

Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.) T

• Media and Digital Literacy Education
• Media and Digital Literacy Education T
• Teaching English as an Additional Language (K-12) T
• Early Childhood Education T
• Educational Leadership T
• Elementary Education T
• Mathematics Education T
• Program Evaluation in Educational Environments T
• Reading Education T
• Social Studies Education T
• Student Personnel in Higher Education T

Master of Arts in Mass Communication (M.A.M.C.) T/N

• Audience Analytics N
• Digital Strategy N
• Global Strategic Communication N
• Political Communication N
• Professional Communication N
• Public Interest Communication N
• Public Relations and Communication Management N
• Public Relations T
• Science and Health Communication T
• Social Media N
• Web Design and Online Communication N

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) N

• French and Francophone Studies N
• Mathematics N
• Political Science - International Relations N

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) N

• Business Analytics
• Competitive Strategy
• Human Capital
• Real Estate
• Supply Chain Management

Master of Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree gives students

• conceptual knowledge for understanding the functions and behaviors common to business organizations and
• analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills essential for effective management.

Emphasis is on developing the student’s capacities and skills for business decision making.

The traditional MBA curriculum is structured so that students may extend their knowledge in a specialized field. The program offers concentrations in business analytics, competitive strategy, finance, human capital, marketing, real estate and supply chain management.

Admission:  All program options require at least two years of full-time professional work experience, along with two professional recommendation letters, a resume, written essays, and official transcripts for all previous academic work. Applicants for admission into a Full-Time MBA program must submit official scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and are required to interview as part of the admissions process. If English is not your native language and you do not have a bachelor's degree or higher from a country where English is the official language, a TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB score must be submitted.

A diverse student body is seen as an important asset of the program. Accordingly, the backgrounds of students include a wide range of disciplines and cultures. With the exception our 32 credit programs, the curriculum requires no prerequisites in business coursework.

For more specific information on other aspects of the program, contact the UF MBA Program: 310 Hough Hall, P.O. Box 117152 Gainesville FL 32611-7152

or visit the website,  http://www.floridamba.ufl.edu

Course work: A minimum of 48 qualified credits of course work are required for the two-year option, and one-year All Major. The one-year Business Majors program requires a minimum of 32 credits. Credits cannot be transferred from another institution or program..

Traditional MBA Two-Year Option: This 48 credit program requires 4 terms of full-time study over two academic years. Students are admitted for the fall term only; many students spend the summer between academic years working at internships. This option requires at least two years of full-time, post-undergraduate work experience as well as a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year institution.

Traditional One-Year, All Majors: This 48 credit program starts in late spring/ early summer and students are expected to complete all coursework within 12 months. Successful candidates are expected to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year institution and two years of post-undergraduate work experience.

Traditional One-Year, Business Majors: This 32 credit program starts in mid-summer and students expected to complete all course work within 10 months. Applicants to this program are required to have a bachelor’s degree in business from a four-year accredited institution (conferred within the last seven years) and at least two years of post-undergraduate work experience. Students take primarily graduate business electives during summer B, fall, and spring terms and graduate in May.

Executive MBA Program: A 20-month program for working professionals, students attend classes four weekends per term (Saturday-Sunday). The program is divided into seven terms. The program starts in August, and includes a one-week two credit international experience. The international study tour is a program requirement; students travel abroad in May for a week of experiential learning through lectures or discussions with local business and government leaders. The tour will include a combination of lectures, group projects and/or site visits. This option requires eight years of post-undergraduate work experience, and students are expected to have people or project management responsibilities in their current positions.

Professional Two-Year MBA:  This 24-month program starts in August and January and is designed for professionals who work full time while pursuing their degrees part time. Students attend classes one weekend per month (Saturday-Sunday) and must complete an immersive experiential learning course for one week during their enrollment. This option requires two years of post-undergraduate work experience.

Professional One-Year MBA: For students with acceptable undergraduate degrees in business (completed within seven years before starting the program), this 16-month option starts in January. Students attend classes one weekend per month (Saturday-Sunday) and must complete an immersive experiential learning course for one week during their enrollment. In order to begin the One Year MBA program, students must complete and pass a Foundations Review course. This option requires two years of post-undergraduate work experience.

Online Two-Year MBA:  This 24-month program starts in August and January and allows students to earn their MBA primarily through asynchronous class lectures. Students interact with faculty and classmates via email, synchronous group discussion software, asynchronous class presentation software, and multimedia courseware. This option requires two years of post-undergraduate work experience.

Online One-Year MBA: For students with acceptable undergraduate degrees in business (completed within seven years before starting this program), this 16-month option starts in August and January and gives students and faculty the same interactive technology as the Online One-Year MBA. In order to begin the One Year MBA program, students must complete and pass a Foundations Review course This option requires two years of post-undergraduate work experience.

Professional MBA in South Florida: This 24 month program starts during the late summer, and is designed for professionals who wish to continue working full time while pursuing their degrees part time. This program includes a one-week two credit international experience. The international study tour is a program requirement; students travel abroad in June for a week of experiential learning through lectures or discussions with local business and government leaders. The tour will include a combination of lectures, group projects, and/or site visits. Students attend classes once every three weeks (Saturday-Sunday) at the UF MBA Center in Miramar, Florida. This option requires two years of post-undergraduate work experience.

M.B.A./Ph.D. in medical sciences program: Concurrent studies leading to the Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in cooperation with the College of Medicine. This 120-credit program trains research scientists to assume responsibilities as managers of biotechnical industries. Estimated time to complete both degrees is 5 to 7 years. Students must meet the admission and curriculum requirements of both programs. Requirements of the M.B.A. program are those in effect when an applicant is admitted to the program. Applicants are expected to have previous professional work experience prior to starting the MBA program.

MBA./J.D. program: A program of joint studies leading to the Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees is offered under the joint auspices of the Warrington College of Business Administration and the Levin College of Law. Current M.B.A. or J.D. students must declare their intent to apply for the second degree during their first year. Applications are then due according to admission schedules for that year. Both degrees are awarded after a 4-year course of study. Students must take both the LSAT and the GMAT/GRE before admission and meet the admission and curriculum requirements of both degrees. Requirements of the M.B.A. program are those in effect when an applicant is admitted to the program. Applicants are expected to have previous professional work experience prior to starting the MBA program.

M.B.A./Pharm.D. program in management and pharmacy administration: A program of concurrent studies culminating in both the Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees allows students interested in both management and pharmacy administration to obtain the appropriate education in both areas. Candidates must meet the entrance requirements and follow the entrance procedures of both the Warrington College of Business Administration and the College of Pharmacy. The degrees may be granted after 5 years of study. Requirements of the M.B.A. program are those in effect when an applicant is admitted to the program. Applicants are expected to have previous professional work experience prior to starting the MBA program.

Exchange programs: The Warrington College of Business has many partner institutions from which full-time MBA students may choose to study. Programs vary in length from one semester to a modular format similar to ours. Students who study abroad are able to select a variety of business courses and options depending on location. Students work closely with their academic advisors to develop a customized plan since careful consideration of the UF MBA curriculum and career planning is necessary to make a study abroad experience successful. For a complete list of exchange partners, see  https://warrington.ufl.edu/academics/go-global/

Master of Construction Management (M.C.M) N

• Hydrologic Sciences N

Master of Construction Management

The Master of Construction Management (M.C.M.) degree is for students pursuing advanced work in construction management, construction techniques, and research problems in the construction field.

General requirements are the same as for the Master of Science in Construction Management degree except that the M.C.M. requires at least 36 graduate credits. A thesis is not required. All candidates are required to pass a comprehensive examination at the completion of course work.

Joint Program:  The M.C.M./J.D. program is offered in conjunction with the Levin College of Law.

Master of Education (M.Ed.) N

• Educational Technology N
• Teacher Leadership for School Improvement N
• Teaching English as an Additional Language (K-12) N
• Early Childhood Education N
• Educational Leadership N
• Elementary Education N
• English Education N
• Marriage and Family Counseling N
• Mathematics Education N
• Mental Health Counseling N
• Reading Education N
• Research and Evaluation Methodology N
• School Counseling and Guidance N
• School Psychology N
• Science Education N
• Social Studies Education N
• Special Education N
• Student Personnel in Higher Education N

Master of Engineering (M.E.) T/N

• Aerospace Engineering T/N
• Geographic Information Systems T/N
• Hydrologic Sciences T/N
• Wetland Sciences T/N
• Biomedical Engineering T/N
• Chemical Engineering T/N
• Structural Engineering T/N
• Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering T/N
• Computer Engineering T/N
• Electrical and Computer Engineering T/N
• Data Analytics N
• Engineering Management N
• Human Systems Engineering N
• Operations Research N
• Productions and Service Operations N
• Materials Science and Engineering T/N
• Mechanical Engineering T/N
• Nuclear Engineering Sciences T/N

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) T

• Creative Writing T
• Design and Visual Communications T

Master of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (M.F.A.S.) N

• Ecological Restoration N
• Geographic Information Systems N
• Natural Resource Policy and Administration N
• Wetland Sciences N

Master of Forest Resources and Conservation (M.F.R.C.) N

• Agroforestry N
• Geomatics N

Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.) N

• Health Administration N

Master of Health Science (M.H.S.) N

• One Health N

Master of Historic Preservation (M.H.P.) T

Master of integrated sustainable development (m.i.s.d.) n.

• Integrated Sustainable Development N

Master of Interior Design (M.I.D.) T

Master of international business (m.i.b) n.

• Human Resources N

Master of International Construction Management (M.I.C.M.) N

• Construction Productivity N
• Historic Preservation N

Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) T

Master of latin (m.l.) n, master of music (m.m.) t/n.

• Composition
• Electronic Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Instrumental Conducting
• Music Business and Entrepreneurship
• Music Education
• Music History and Literature
• Music Theory
• Performance
• Piano Pedagogy
• Sacred Music
• Choral Conducting

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) N

• Biostatistics N
• Environmental Health N
• Epidemiology N
• Population Health Management N
• Public Health Practice N
• Social and Behavioral Sciences N

Master of Public Health Degree Requirements

The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) is a non-thesis degree program that prepares students to become effective public health practitioners, scientists, and educators. Graduates can contribute to the health of the local, national, and international communities through advancing public health knowledge and by designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies that prevent disease and promote health. Students have the opportunity to develop skills in 1 of 6 public health concentration areas:

• Biostatistics: Applying quantitative and analytical methods in public health research and evaluation
• Environmental health: Assessing risk levels and protecting the public from environmental threats to health
• Epidemiology: Studying the distribution and determinants of health In populations and communities
• Public health management and policy: Providing leadership in public health administration and developing policies to promote the public’s health
• Public health practice: Developing breadth in the field of public health by studying 2 or more of the other concentration areas
• Social and behavioral sciences: Exploring the unique issues faced by diverse groups and populations and acquiring skills to achieve social and behavioral change.

The M.P.H. degree program is a 48-credit program for individuals with bachelor’s degrees. Those with prior terminal degrees in health-related fields may take the M.P.H. in an accelerated 42-credit format. Several collaborative programs with professional and graduate degrees are available, including D.V.M./M.P.H., J.D./M.P.H., and Pharm.D./M.P.H. A combination degree program for seniors and a 15-credit certificate program also are offered. For additional information, visit http://www.mph.ufl.edu .

Admission: Applicants with any undergraduate major are considered for the program as long as they meet the Graduate School admission requirements and their interests match the program’s philosophy and curriculum.

Work required: In the 48-credit program, students take 16 credits of core public health course work and 5-8 credits of internship. Internships are designed to promote competency in the concentration area and contribute to the student’s career goals. The remaining 24-27 credits include required and elective course work in the concentration area chosen by the student. Specific course requirements vary by concentration area.

Students who have a relevant terminal degree in a health-related field may be eligible for the 42-credit accelerated program, pending M.P.H. admissions committee approval. This program requires completion of 16 credits of core public health course work, 21 credits of concentration course work, and a 5-credit internship.

Master of Science (M.S.) T/N

• Agroecology T/N
• Agricultural Education and Communication T/N
• Anatomical Sciences Education N
• Applied Data Science N
• Biobehavioral Science T/N
• Clinical Exercise Physiology T/N
• Exercise Physiology T/N
• Human Performance T/N
• Artificial Intelligence Systems N
• Astronomy T/N
• Biostatistical Methods and Practice N
• Health Data Science N
• Retailing T/N
• Chemistry T/N
• Computer Science T/N
• Endodontics T
• Operative and Esthetic Dentistry T
• Orthodontics T
• Periodontics T
• Prosthodontics T
• Epidemiology T
• Community Studies T/N
• Family and Youth Development T/N
• Nonprofit Organizational Development T/N
• Finance T/N
• Agribusiness T/N
• Nutritional Sciences T/N
• Agroforestry T/N
• Ecological Restoration T/N
• Geomatics T/N
• Natural Resource Policy and Administration T/N
• Genetics and Genomics N
• Health Education and Behavior T/N
• Environmental Horticulture T/N
• Horticultural Sciences T/N
• Agricultural and Biological Engineering T/N
• Agronomy T/N
• Anthropology T/N
• Architecture T/N
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology T/N
• Business Administration T/N
• Civil Engineering T/N
• Climate Science T/N
• Economics T/N
• Entomology and Nematology T/N
• Environmental Engineering Sciences T/N
• Family, Youth and Community Sciences T/N
• Farming Systems T/N
• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences T/N
• Food and Resource Economics T/N
• Food Science T/N
• Forest Resources and Conservation T/N
• Foundations of Education T/N
• Geography T/N
• Geology T/N
• Health and Human Performance T/N
• Landscape Architecture T/N
• Mathematics T/N
• Microbiology and Cell Science T/N
• Nuclear and Radiological Engineering T/N
• Political Science T/N
• Religion T/N
• Sociology T/N
• Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Science s T/N
• Statistics T/N
• Urban and Regional Planning T/N
• Veterinary Medical Sciences T/N
• Wildlife Ecology And Conservation T/N
• Zoology T/N
• Human Resources T/N
• Biomedical Informatics T/N
• Biomedical Neuroscience N
• Forensic Medicine T/N
• Genetics and Genomics T
• Medical Physiology and Pharmacology
• Health Outcomes and Implementation Science T/N
• Medical Physics T/N
• Molecular Cell Biology T
• Neuroscience T
• Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry N
• Microbiome in Health & Disease N
• Physics T/N
• Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology T
• Plant Pathology T/N
• Real Estate T/N
• Research Methods
• Research Methods T
• Natural Resource Recreation T/N
• Tourism T/N
• Veterinary Forensic Sciences
• Shelter Medicine T/N
• Veterinary Forensic Sciences T/N
• Wildlife Forensic Sciences and Conservation T/N

Master of Science in Architectural Studies (M.S.A.S.) T

• Themed Environments Integration T

Master of Science in Architectural Studies Degree Requirements

Admission: The Master of Science in Architectural Studies (M.S.A.S.) is a nonprofessional, research degree for students with undergraduate degrees in any field of study who wish to undertake advanced studies and research in architectural specialties. Specialization is offered in environmental technology, architectural preservation, urban design, history, and theory.

Work required includes at least 32 credits of course work incorporating up to 6 credits of ARC 6971 Research for Master's Thesis (1-15 cr.) (Research for Master’s Thesis). Most course work should be in the School of Architecture, but multidisciplinary electives in planning, history, law, engineering, art history, and real estate are encouraged. Students also may enroll in one of the School’s off-campus programs in Nantucket, in the Caribbean, in Hong Kong, or in Vicenza. A thesis is required.

Requirements for level and distribution of credits, supervisory committee, and final examination are the same as for the Master of Arts and Master of Science with thesis.

Master of Science in Business Analytics (M.S.B.A.) N

• Business Analytics N

Master of Science in Business Analytics Degree Requirements

Admission standards : The admission standards will be similar to those already established for the current M.S.I.S.O.M. program. In particular, students will need to submit (a) to transcript certifying a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0, (b) GMAT or GRE scores, (c) a current resume, and (d) three letters of recommendation. International students will also need to complete a personal interview and submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Details for admissions are included in the following : https://warrington.ufl.edu/master-of-science- in-information-systems-and-operations-management/admissions/.

Graduation requirements : Students will need to complete 36 credits consisting of 22 credits for required courses, an additional 14 credits of electives and satisfaction of all UF Graduate Council policies governing master level graduate degree programs (including but not limited to the requirements for graduate student oversight, a final comprehensive examination, time limitation, and a minimum 3.0 (truncated) GPA (in overall, major, and, where applicable, minor credits) in order to graduate.

Master of Science in Construction Management (M.S.C.M) T

• Sustainable Construction T

Master of Science in Construction Management Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Construction Management (M.S.C.M.) is a master’s degree which requires students to do original experimentation, write a thesis, and defend their thesis before a committee of professors. The MSCM requires nine courses plus three credits of Thesis Research, plus four leveling courses for those without a Construction Management bachelor’s degree from an ACCE accredited program, to complete the degree. The research involved with the degree creates a graduate who is an expert in the area of their thesis topic. That research is more complicated than merely completing coursework, and a sound thesis usually takes nine months of work to complete. Students must have a Rinker School professor guide them through their research, producing an approved research proposal prior to engaging in research. Fortuitously, the Rinker School has a wide array of faculty members with many areas of specialization, which allows students to research virtually any topic related to construction. 

Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (M.S.E) N

• Entrepreneurship N

Master of Science in Entrepreneurship Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (M.S.E.) program is a one-year, 36-credit, campus-based program designed for young and aspiring entrepreneurs and change-makers. Offered to both business and non-business majors alike, the program is a combination of classroom delivery and experiential learning activities with a focus on opportunity assessment, feasibility analysis, lean entrepreneurial concept testing, business plan development, entrepreneurial leadership, and the sourcing of capital. Students are exposed to cutting edge entrepreneurial theory, which they apply immediately by consulting for small business, commercializing UF technology, and creating their own businesses. The M.S.E. program is a non-thesis degree requiring a final exam in lieu of thesis.

Admission: All admission requirements of the Graduate School must be met. In addition, applicants must complete a statement of purpose, submit two letters of recommendation as well as a resume and all official transcripts and admissions scores, and conduct a program interview. Either a GMAT or GRE score will be accepted.

Work required: In order to graduate from the program students must:

• Complete 36 credits with a grade of “C” or better;
• Maintain an overall Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• Maintain a Major GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• Complete the program final exam: a portfolio of entrepreneurial experiences completed throughout the program demonstrating mastery of entrepreneurial competencies;
• Fulfill all program requirements.

Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Sciences (M.S.F.E.S) N

• Fire and Emergency Sciences N

Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Sciences Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Sciences (M.S.F.E.S.) is a non-thesis, distance education, advanced degree program with a research report/project requirement offered by the Rinker School of Construction Management. The degree focuses on Emergency Services/Disaster Management (ES/DM) and is designed for individuals who are seeking knowledge in emergency planning, hazard mitigation and preparedness, disaster response and recovery, and homeland security. The goal is to create broad experience that includes the many elements of current cases in ES/DM and emphasizes both the critical thinking and leadership skills necessary to advance in the field. Major research topics include interdisciplinary studies in material sciences, suppression systems, advanced planning and geographic systems, pre- and post-disaster mitigation planning, computer applications, and technological innovations.

Admission: All admission requirements of the Graduate School must be met. Applicants must have a U.S. Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. In addition, applicants must have:

• at least five years of meaningful supervisory and management related experience;
• a cumulative verbal and quantitative GRE score of 300 or higher;
• a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (preferred); and
• for international applicants a TOEFL score of 80 or higher on the Internet-Based exam (550 on the Paper-Based) or a 6 or higher on the IELTS.

Work required: At least 33 credits overall (at least 17 credits in the major) with a GPA pf 3.0 or higher, a final comprehensive exam, and a research report.

Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management (M.S.I.S.O.M) N

• Data Science N
• Information Technology N
• Supply Chain Management N

Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management (M.S.I.S.O.M.) degree program provides computing, analytical, and application skills to be used in a business setting. The primary areas of emphasis in the program are business intelligence and analytics, information technology, and supply chain management. Requirements span traditional academic disciplines to produce a multi-discipline focus. The M.S.ISOM program is a non-thesis degree program.  Depending on the concentration chosen and the previous business educational background of the student, the minimum credit requirements range from 36-42 credits, in order to allow the students without an undergraduate major in business to participate in an experiential learning experience at the graduate level. 

All admission requirements of the Graduate School must be met. There are no prerequisites for the program. However, students without a business background will need additional core business coursework in order to complete the degree.

Preparedness for graduation is based on

• Completing a minimum of 36 credits (including 18 in the major) and all course requirements for the designated track. Letter grades of C-, D+, D, D- or E are not considered passing at the graduate level and therefore any required course for which such grades have been assigned must be repeated.
• Being registered for at least two credits in the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
• Completing all degree requirements, including a minimum grade point average of B (3.00 truncated) in the major (i.e., only courses offered under the Department section of the graduate catalog) and in all work attempted in the graduate program, including a minor where appropriate
• Clearing all incompletes or other unresolved grades by the midpoint deadline published on the Graduate School’s Critical Dates web page.
• Filing a degree application with the Office of the University Registrar by the deadline published on the Graduate School’s Critical Dates web page. The degree application can be accessed on ONE.UF under “My Record.” Check the box “Master of Science” on the application.

Master of Science in Pharmacy (M.S.P.) T/N

• Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences T/N
• Clinical Toxicology T/N
• Forensic DNA and Serology T/N
• Forensic Drug Chemistry T/N
• Forensic Science T/N
• Individualized Medicine T/N
• Medication Therapy Management T/N
• Medicinal Chemistry T/N
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry T/N
• Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy T/N
• Pharmaceutics T/N
• Pharmacodynamics T/N

Master of Science in Pharmacy Degree Requirements

The College of Pharmacy offers the Master of Science in Pharmacy in Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as the following concentrations: Clinical Pharmacy, Clinical Toxicology, Forensic DNA and Serology, Forensic Drug Chemistry, Forensic Science, Medication Therapy Management, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Pharmacodynamics, and Pharmacy.

Master of Science in Statistics (M.S.Stat.) T

Master of science in statistics degree requirements.

The Master of Science in Statistics (M.S.Stat.) is essentially the same curricular requirements as the Master of Statistics degree.  However, students write a thesis as part of their master's degree program. Students may count up to six thesis credits (STA 6971 Masters Research) toward the master's degree. These credits can be used in place of two elective courses. Students must give copies of their theses to each member of their supervisory committee at least 10 days prior to their oral exam. The student must be registered for STA 6971 during the final semester of study. 

Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) N

• Astronomy N
• Chemistry N
• Climate Science N

Master of Science in Teaching  Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) degree is offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in a wide array of offerings.  Programs in Astronomy, Botany, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology all offer viable career training paths to a future in teaching. 

Master of Statistics (M.Stat.) N

• Statistics N

Master of Statistics Degree Requirements

The Master of Statistics (M.Stat.) degree requires at least 36 credits including at least 30 graduate credits in the major. Courses are selected in consultation with the supervisory committee chair and approved by the supervisory committee. Students must pass two examinations:

• a first-year examination, given by a committee designated for the purpose, on material covered in statistics courses for first-year graduate students and
• a final oral examination consisting of a presentation by the student on a statistical topic not covered in depth in the regular course work.

The student should consult with their adviser to choose a topic, and present a written report on that topic to the supervisory committee at least 1 week before the examination date. A typical report is 8 to 10 pages. During and after the presentation, the student’s committee may ask questions related to the topic of the presentation and related to other material covered in the student’s program of study.

Master of Sustainable Development Practice (M.D.P.) N

Master of sustainable development practice degree requirements.

The Master of Sustainable Development Practice (M.D.P.) at the University of Florida prepares development practitioners to address development challenges in creative and dynamic ways. The UF M.D.P. integrates the academic and development pillars of natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences and integrated management skills into a vigorous and innovative program curriculum.

The M.D.P. Degree requires 45 credits of course work, including 24 core credits and 21 elective credits, the latter through which a student focuses on a specialization (for example, entrepreneurship, agriculture, ecotourism, gender, community forest management, nonprofits, or M&E). The M.D.P. Program is a non-thesis degree. Each student must successfully complete a set of requirements, including a summer field practicum, the development of a poster presented in a public poster session, a final practicum report approved by their committee, and a public presentation and private defense with committee members of the final report. All students will be expected to meet defined learning outcome objectives, integrating knowledge, skills and desired professional behavior.

All admission and graduation requirements of the Graduate School must be met. Students are required to develop a study plan approved by the M.D.P. program Graduate Coordinator and by their supervisory committee. Please visit the M.D.P. Program website for additional information on the M.D.P. degree and curriculum http://mdp.africa.ufl.edu/ .

Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P) T

Master of urban and regional planning degree requirements.

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning offers the degree of Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.U.R.P.). The 52-credit graduate program is usually completed in two academic years. Students with a master’s degree in a related field may obtain approval from the Department to transfer up to 18 credit hours toward the 52-credit requirement. The Department encourages students with any undergraduate degree who are interested in the field of planning to apply for admission.

The M.U.R.P. degree is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board, a joint undertaking of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, for having achieved the highest applicable standards for graduate education in the field of planning. Graduates of the Department are prepared to practice urban and regional planning. 

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) N

  Specialist degree requirements:  An Ed.S. program develops competencies needed for a professional specialization. Specializations are offered in the School of Teaching and Learning, the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies, and the School of Human Development and Organizational Studies in Education. Ed.S. applicants must apply and be admitted to UF’s Graduate School. All work for the degree, including transferred credit, must be completed within 7 years before the degree is awarded.

The Ed.S. degree is awarded on completing a planned program with at least 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree or at least 36 credits beyond the master’s degree. All credits accepted for the program must contribute to the unity and the stated objective of the total program.

Students are tested (no more than 6 months before graduation) by written and oral examination. A thesis is not required; however, each program includes a research component relevant to the intended profession. With the academic unit’s approval, course work taken as part of the specialist program may count toward a doctoral degree.

Students who enter the program with an appropriate master’s degree from another accredited institution must complete at least 36 credits of post-master’s study to meet the following requirements:

• At least 36 credits in graduate-level courses
• At least 12 credits in graduate-level professional education courses

Students who enter the program with a bachelor’s degree only must (during the 72-credit program) meet these requirements in addition to the requirements of the Master of Education degree or its equivalent.

Only graduate-level (5000-7999) work, earned with a grade of B or better, is eligible for transfer of credit. A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed. These can include no more than 9 credits from institution/s approved by UF, with the balance obtained from postbaccalaureate work at UF. Credits transferred from other universities are applied toward meeting the degree requirements, but the grades earned are not computed in the student’s grade point average. Acceptance of transfer of credit requires approval of the student’s supervisory committee and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Petitions for transfer of credit for the Ed.S. degree must be made during the student’s first term of enrollment in the Graduate School. The supervisory committee is responsible for basing acceptance of graduate transfer credits on established criteria for ensuring the academic integrity of course work.

 Other Degree Combinations

All other degree combinations that involve a graduate degree as at least one component (not addressed in the above definitions) require a formal approval process through the academic units offering the degree programs and the Graduate School.  The primary/home academic unit must contact the Graduate School’s Student Records Unit for procedural details and deadlines. In all cases, each academic unit must submit appropriate programs of study to the Graduate School for review. Graduate School approval for participation must be obtained prior to the published Midpoint deadline of the term in which the first degree is to be awarded. Retroactive requests will not be considered. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the academic units to verify that all Graduate School approvals and deadlines have been met.

Nontraditional Combination Degree Programs

Combination , joint , concurrent , and dual degree programs are specialized pathways providing academically qualified students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience and strengthen their career preparation or readiness for future academic pursuits. Please refer to the  University of Florida Policy for Combination, Joint, and Dual Degrees  for the full policy; for additional guidance, please review the Dual Ph.D. Degrees: Principles and Policies  and  International Dual Degree Program Development  documents.

A combination degree program is one where the University of Florida awards more than one degree from an overlapping course of study. Combination degrees often allow a shorter time for completion due to the sharing of some coursework between the degree programs (these result in double-counted credits.  At the University of Florida, this type of program includes any combination of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.  See also Dual Degree and Joint Degree in the definitions section of this catalog.  Please also refer to the  University of Florida Policy for Combination, Joint, and Dual Degrees  for the full policy and to the  Combination Degree Programs: Principles and Policies  document for guidance.

Concurrent Graduate Programs: Any student interested in pursuing two master’s degrees in two different programs or two master’s degrees in the same program concurrently should discuss the proposed study with Graduate Student Records (392-4643, 116 Grinter) before applying. Written approval is needed from each academic unit and the Graduate School Dean. The student must be officially admitted to both programs through regular procedures. No more than 9 credits from the first program may be applied toward the second. Contact the academic unit(s) for details.

A dual degree program  (also called a dual academic award) is one whereby students study at the University of Florida and at another institution, and each institution awards a separate program completion credential bearing its own name, seal, and signature.  For more information, please see  Dual Ph.D. Degrees: Principles and Policies  and  International Dual Degree Program Development  for guidance.  Refer to the  University of Florida Policy for Combination, Joint, and Dual Degrees  for the full policy.

A joint degree program  (or joint academic award) is one whereby students study at the University of Florida and one or more participant institutions and are awarded a single program completion credential bearing the names, seals, and signatures of each of the participant institutions.  Joint programs established before January 1, 2003, may have other requirements.

Other State University System (SUS) Programs

Traveling Scholar program: By mutual agreement of the appropriate academic authorities in both the home and host institutions, traveling scholars’ admission requirements are waived and their earned credits are guaranteed acceptance. Traveling scholars are normally limited to 1 term on the host campus, and it cannot be their final term. The program offers special resources on another campus that are not available on the student’s home campus. To participate, graduate students need prior approval from their graduate coordinator, their supervisory committee chair, and the Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students should contact Graduate Student Records, 116 Grinter Hall.

Cooperative degree programs: In certain degree programs, faculty from other universities in the State University System hold Graduate Faculty status at UF. In those approved areas, the intellectual resources of these Graduate Faculty members are available to students at UF.

Full Expanded List of UF's Graduate Degree Programs

Degrees are listed in bold . Majors are listed in standard type, and concentrations are in italics . T designates the thesis/dissertation degrees, while an N designation indicates a non-thesis or a degree without a dissertation requirement.  Click the link to the right or the link to follow for the  entire expanded list of all UF graduate degree offerings .  

Updates to catalog pages:   The information in this catalog is current as of July 2023, with updates to the degrees listed as of August 2023. Please contact individual programs for additional updates.  To view all subheadings on a page and print/save the fully expanded PDF of the page, please use the print options button on the orange toolbar at the top of the page, reporting any revisions or discrepancies via email to [email protected] . 

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Black UF alums call for school to reinstate diversity programs - with private money

A coalition of Black University of Florida graduates is calling for the school to set aside millions of dollars in private donations to reconstitute diversity programs that the school gutted last month.

A new group calling itself the Coalition of Concerned Black University of Florida Alumni says the state’s flagship university needs to reinvest in racial diversity efforts to reverse its “swift and decisive retreat from core values and principles.”

The group, founded by UF graduate and former Florida Bar president Eugene Pettis, wrote in a letter to UF leaders last week that the school risks damage to its status if it does not do more to “maintain a diverse and inclusive learning environment.”

The coalition, which says it is comprised of more than 100 Black graduates of the school, calls for UF to:

• Dedicate $45 million from the school's $2.4 billion endowment to re-implement "diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives."
• Appoint a Black UF graduate to the school's Board of Trustees.
• Boost efforts to increase its declining Black student enrollment and hire more Black faculty.

The letter comes a month and a half after the University of Florida announced the elimination of all positions at the school dedicated to diversity efforts, including the school’s chief diversity officer.

The move, which saw the elimination of 13 full-time positions, was in response to a law signed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis that bars universities from using state or federal money for programs that "advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion" or "promote or engage in political or social activism.”

Asked to comment on the letter, a UF spokeswoman said that the university was required to "follow the law and the obligation to our students to make sure that everyone is welcomed."

"The University of Florida is – and will always be – unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity," university spokeswoman Cynthia Roldan said in an email.

NFL Hall of Fame's Emmitt Smith blasts UF's decision on diversity office

The university’s decision was met with loud criticism from civil rights groups and some prominent Black school alumni.

UF football legend and NFL Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith wrote last month that he was "utterly disgusted by UF's decision and the precedent it sets.”

More: Which Florida colleges have the biggest gender gaps in enrollment?

"Instead of showing courage and leadership, we continue to fail based on systemic issues and with this decision, UF has conformed to the political pressures of today's time,” he wrote on social media.

Days later, the NAACP called on Black student-athletes to boycott Florida universities.

"Florida's rampant anti-Black policies are a direct threat to the advancement of our young people and their ability to compete in a global economy,” Derrick Johnson, the NAACP's president and CEO, said in a letter to prospective college athletes. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are paramount ensuring equitable and effective educational outcomes.”

Percentage of Black students at UF dropped by half since 2010

The elimination of DEI efforts at UF comes amid a long-running drop in Black enrollment at the state’s flagship university. The percentage of undergraduate students at the school who identify as Black has dropped nearly by half, from 9% in 2010 to 5% today, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The closure of UF’s DEI programs is one of the most high-profile examples of a wave of attempts around the country to rein in such programs, which conservative critics say promote discrimination against white and Asian students.

Dozens of bills attempting to restrict them have been filed in states across the country, and they have gone into effect in 12 states, including Florida and Texas, according to the New York Times.

"If you look at the way this has actually been implemented across the country, DEI is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion and indoctrination," DeSantis said as he signed the anti-DEI bill into law last year. "And that has no place in our public institutions."

At the same time, many companies seem to be retreating from their DEI efforts, which spiked after the 2020 murder of George Floyd prompted a wave of anti-racism protests around the country.

The number of DEI-related job postings on online job sites has plummeted this year and last after a spike in 2020 and 2021, The New York Times reported, and some organizations are rebranding their diversity efforts to distance themselves from the polarizing connotations of the term DEI.

In its letter, the coalition called UF's decision to close its diversity office "short-sighted, unimaginative, and embarrassing to many of us in the Gator Nation."

It contrasted UF's actions with that of other state universities, which it said used "innovative approaches to safeguarding the progress their institutions have made to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities of learning."

"This is a moment that requires leadership, and UF must lead," the letter stated. "History has its eyes onUF."

Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected] .

Vanderbilt University chancellor: Why we want to build a graduate campus in West Palm Beach

The vanderbilt campus would be built on 7 acres of government-owned land formerly slated for a university of florida graduate campus..

Vanderbilt University wants to open a campus in downtown West Palm Beach that would feature a business school as large as its existing one in Nashville, plus a college for computer science and artificial intelligence, Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier told The Palm Beach Post.

"We have been thinking for a while about a potential second campus, and it became clear that South Florida, and West Palm Beach and Palm Beach, would be a great location," Diermeier said in an exclusive interview Wednesday.

The campus would be built on seven acres of government-owned land formerly slated for a University of Florida graduate campus.

Diermeier's comments followed his April 1 visit to Palm Beach County , where he met with several government officials to drum up support for the Vanderbilt campus in West Palm Beach.

During the evening of April 1, Diermeier attended a fundraiser at the Palm Beach home of billionaire Stephen Ross. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also attended the gathering, according to the governor's public schedule.

The Palm Beach event raised $100 million out of the $300 million sought by the university for the expanded campus, the sources said. Diermeier would not comment on the fundraising details.

But Diermeier was eager to talk about why Vanderbilt wants a campus in two of the nation's fastest-growing cities, Nashville and West Palm Beach.

University campus expected to capitalize on Wall Street South

A West Palm Beach campus would capitalize on Palm Beach County's growing reputation as Wall Street South and provide students jobs in finance companies. A Vanderbilt campus also would "turbocharge" the creation of new businesses established by students, creating an innovation industry, Diermeier said.

Diermeier lauded the sophistication of Palm Beach's residents, whose business and financial acumen, as well as their deep pockets, could invest in and guide companies created by graduates of the business and computer schools. Having a university of Vanderbilt's caliber is needed "to unlock the full potential of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County," Diermeier said.

The Vanderbilt West Palm Beach campus would provide graduate degrees geared to the finance, data and technology industries and enroll roughly 1,000 students, he said.

The Vanderbilt campus is being pitched for two acres owned by the City of West Palm Beach and five adjacent acres owned by Palm Beach County. The properties are along South Tamarind Avenue, from Datura Street south to Fern Street, in a section of the city dubbed Government Hill.

The land is the same property that both the county and the city had planned to donate for free to UF for a graduate campus in business and artificial intelligence.

But the deal fell apart last year after efforts to secure an adjacent five acres from Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene failed. The Vanderbilt campus would not need the Greene land.

Diermeier said he was aware of the former UF campus plan, and he was approached by someone about the downtown land during a Vanderbilt football game.

Vanderbilt's top ranking and its strong alumni network

While not an Ivy League school, Vanderbilt is known as a “Southern Ivy” because of its selective admissions process and strong academic reputation.

Vanderbilt is ranked No. 18 among national universities, and its business school, the Owen School of Management, is No. 27 in the nation in a three-way tie with the University of Texas-Dallas and the University of Rochester, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Current enrollment at Vanderbilt's business school is 617 students, a university spokesman said. The business school has 97 faculty members, and the annual cost of attendance is about $103,000.

Vanderbilt boasts a $10 billion endowment and counts many wealthy alumni and business leaders among its supporters.

These supporters include Vanderbilt trustee Jon Winklereid, a Hobe Sound resident and chief executive of TPG Holdings/TPG Capital LP, an asset management firm with a market value of $16 billion.

There's also Cody Crowell, a Vanderbilt University graduate, a managing partner at Frisbie Group in Palm Beach and a key figure in the Vanderbilt deal. During a recent talk before a Palm Beach chamber meeting, Crowell was credited with coming up with the idea of bringing Vanderbilt to West Palm Beach.

Vanderbilt has more than 1,100 alumni in Palm Beach County and in the northern part of neighboring Broward County, according to the university.

The West Palm Beach campus plan, in the works for about a year, is being advanced by Ross'  Related Cos. , a global real estate developer, and the  Frisbie Group . Both companies are building offices, condominiums and apartments in  West Palm Beach.

In a March interview, Related Urban Chief Executive Ken Himmel said having a Vanderbilt University business school campus in West Palm Beach would transform the city into a major destination.

"Every single city we've worked in has been anchored by a great university," Himmel said.

How would Vanderbilt get control of the taxpayer-owned land?

Diermeier said Vanderbilt would only build a sizable West Palm Beach campus if it received support from the business community — and government officials. He said that Vanderbilt officials have not discussed receiving state money for the venture, "although we would welcome that."

Diermeier said he met with some but not all county commissioners on April 1. He said there was interest in the campus plan, which he said is still in the early stages. He added there were discussions about the government-owned land and how the university could "have access to it."

Diermeier said Vanderbilt did not ask for anything at this point. But he was vague when asked if Vanderbilt would be willing to pay for the seven acres of taxpayer-owned land.

Vanderbilt would only open a West Palm Beach campus "if the community wants us," Diermeier said. "One way to demonstrate that is by co-investing. We 100% need that … This is a marriage that has to work for us."

People familiar with the Vanderbilt campus plan say its backers want the city and county to donate the land for free. Private money raised for the venture would go toward the university's endowment, which generates income that finances the university's programs.

But not every business leader is on board with handing over taxpayer land, especially to a university with a $10 billion endowment.

More: Is University of Florida's grad school campus in West Palm Beach in peril?

Some business officials, who asked not to be named, said any effort to attract an out-of-state private university using public land should be done via a public request for proposals, not a behind-the-scenes deal with one institution.

Two county commission members said the meeting with Diermeier was introductory and didn't get into specifics.

"I’m very proud that a prestigious university like Vanderbilt is considering building a graduate school in Palm Beach County. This was really a just-get-to-know-me meeting," said Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Sachs.

"This was all very preliminary," Commissioner Gregg Weiss said. "It's getting to know what Vanderbilt is about. There is a real workforce need for the business school graduates that would be attending this school. The details still need to be worked out, but it is a step in the right direction."

Palm Beach County's uneven record on public land donations

Ambitious ventures involving free taxpayer land have a mixed record in Palm Beach County.

To lure California-based Scripps Research Institute to Jupiter in 2006, $580 million in state and county money went to Scripps to create its Florida campus.

In addition, 70 acres in public and private land was leased to Scripps after Scripps officials promised that a "biotech village" of companies and jobs would be built on the vacant Palm Beach Gardens property. The land is next to the Alton community on Donald Ross Road.

The land was to be conveyed to Scripps after a 15-year contract between the county and Scripps was up. While the county staff said Scripps met the contract requirement to create 545 jobs and operate in the county for 15 years to be eligible for the land transfer, the biotech village never materialized .

Nevertheless, in 2022 the 70-acre parcel was transferred to Scripps for $1, as per the agreement with the county. UF Health now controls the land as part of its acquisition of Scripps Florida.

Meanwhile, the UF graduate school in downtown West Palm Beach didn't go as planned for Florida taxpayers, either.

The 12-acre campus, first announced in 2021, was supposed to offer graduate-level programs in business, engineering and law with a focus on financial technology, or fintech, and cybersecurity.

More: Much-touted UF campus plan for downtown West Palm Beach dies, leaving huge disappointment

In 2022, the Florida Legislature awarded UF $100 million for the West Palm Beach campus. But the legislation contained a giant loophole.

If the West Palm Beach campus didn't happen, the $100 million could stay with UF to use as it sees fit elsewhere in the state in a location outside Palm Beach County.

The campus didn't happen, and UF kept the money anyway.

Soon after the UF deal showed signs of dying, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James said talks were afoot to bring a top, private, out-of-state university to the downtown land.

More Vanderbilt meetings planned with public officials

Diermeier said he plans to return to Palm Beach County during the next month to meet with more county commission members about the Vanderbilt campus.

He said Vanderbilt is skilled at having good relationships with state and local officials in Tennessee, and he expressed confidence that county and city government leaders in Palm Beach County would feel comfortable working with the university, too.

He also believes the more people learn about Vanderbilt's plans for the West Palm Beach campus, the more they will be supportive.

In addition to a doubling of Vanderbilt's business school size, the West Palm Beach campus also would feature degrees in the university's newest college, the College of Connected Computing.

This just-created interdisciplinary college would feature computer science, AI, data science and related fields. It also would collaborate with all of Vanderbilt’s schools and colleges.

Diermeier likened the potential effect of a Vanderbilt West Palm Beach campus to the effect that Stanford University had on Silicon Valley — and the resulting explosion of innovative technology companies that emanated from there.

"The impact that research universities can have on a community is very significant," Driemeier said.

Before becoming chancellor at Vanderbilt, Diermeier formerly was an assistant professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, then held key leadership positions at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.

Staff writer Mike Diamond contributed to this report.

Alexandra Clough is a business writer and columnist at the  Palm Beach Post . You can reach her at  [email protected] . Twitter:  @acloughpbp .  Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

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Two-thirds of colleges mandate DEI courses for graduation, report finds

A report by speech first found dei is still embedded in colleges and universities, even where banned.

DEI theology is greatest mass peer pressure event since Spanish Inquisition: Rep. Greg Murphy

Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., discusses the new bill aimed to ban DEI in medical schools and the impact the ideology will have on patient care in the future.

A new report released Thursday by the group Speech First finds that nearly two-thirds of colleges and universities reviewed have requirements for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) courses to satisfy graduation requirements.

The report, titled "No Graduation Without Indoctrination: The DEI Course Mandate," investigated 248 colleges from all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and found that 67% of the institutions reviewed mandate DEI courses to satisfy general education requirements. Of the 165 institutions identified that enforce DEI requirements, 59% were taxpayer-funded public institutions and 41% were private institutions.

Speech First Executive Director Cherise Trump — no relation to the former president — spoke with FOX Business' Lydia Hu about the report and said that the idea to look into DEI graduation requirements came about through conversations with college students.

"We had heard about some of the trainings through freshman orientations and some of the online modules," she explained. "But we had not heard that you have to take full semester-long courses in order to graduate, so we wanted to look more into this and that's when we started digging."

FORMER NYU, YALE OFFICIAL PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING MONEY MEANT FOR EQUITY PROGRAMS

A report by Speech First found that two-thirds of colleges and universities have DEI courses as requirements for students to graduate. (J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The investigation by Speech First, an organization that was founded as a nationwide community of those who support free speech on college campuses , found that the curriculum of DEI courses required for graduation often advocates far-left ideological perspectives and can also encourage students to engage in political activism on those issues.

"Looking at some of the courses that the students are required to take in order to satisfy these requirements, we realized that this is actually going to take a lot more effort by the states to actually disentangle DEI from campus," Trump told FOX Business. 

"However, once we take them off campus, you're turning the spigot off, but you're not essentially disentangling all of what they've been building for the last decade or so since they've been on there pushing this with millions of dollars of funding."

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS TOOK A HIT IN 2023

Speech First found that some colleges still have DEI policies and requirements on campus despite state laws aimed at their elimination. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Trump added that while states may succeed in enacting anti-DEI legislation aimed at rooting out requirements on college campuses, lawmakers have to ensure that colleges fully comply with the law by auditing courses and policies to verify that such requirements have been removed.

"It's really a matter of states, once they pass these laws, to really stay on top of the schools, properly investigate them, properly audit their policies, and just understand that they can't simply pass the law and just leave it at that," she explained. "They actually have to enforce the laws."

GOOGLE, META, AND OTHER TECH GIANTS SLASH DEI-RELATED JOBS, RESOURCE GROUPS IN 2023: REPORT

Speech First says that states need to ensure colleges comply with DEI laws. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Trump noted that despite Florida's broad-reaching laws on DEI at public campuses, Speech First still found "five universities in Florida that require, to some extent, a DEI course or DEI elective in order to graduate."

"Granted, some of these universities may not have updated their websites since the law just recently went into effect this year. But ultimately, if it is the case that they're trying to circumvent and dodge these policies, Florida needs to go in and really hold them accountable," she explained.

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Trump said that students she has talked to about required DEI courses on their campuses have generally either expressed a grudging willingness to sit through courses to satisfy the degree requirement, or in some cases skip the classes despite spending tuition dollars on them.

FOX Business' Lydia Hu contributed to this report.