Frequently Asked Questions
What is the student to professor ratio?
The student to professor ratio varies. In our core courses, it’s typically 20:1.
Remember, the M&S Graduate Program is interdisciplinary, which means students are allowed to take elective courses from any department/college across UCF, so long as they are related to the student's research topic. It is impossible to anticipate which elective courses our student intend to enroll in, so the electives class sizes in other departments will vary.
What percentage of graduates gain employment in their field immediately upon graduation?
Nearly all of our graduates gain employment in their field after graduation. We estimate 90% to account for a small percentage who (a) were already retirees, (b) went on to Ph.D. studies instead, or (c) needed more time to get employment after MS completion.
What is the attrition and retention rate?
We have a very low attrition rate for the MS program. Because it is so flexible, nearly all students are able to make a plan of study for themselves that seems relevant and interesting. Additionally, many courses can be taken at a distance, so even if someone is transferred for work, they typically still find a way to finish the degree online.
Why do students leave the program?
For the small number of students who leave the program, it is often because they have other personal commitments (i.e., family obligations, job changes, etc.) that do not allow them the time needed to pursue grad school. Further, some Ph.D. attrition can be attributed to issues with readiness to conducted dissertation-level research.
Can I go part-time or full-time?
We do not have a preference. Students can pursue the program at their own pace. However, there is a requirement that students pursue their program efficiently – within a maximum of 7 years.
What is the estimated time to complete the program?
Program completion times vary. It strongly depends on how quickly students progress through both their coursework and research.
Master's Program: Full-time M.S. students can often finish in 4-5 semesters depending on whether they are pursuing the thesis or non-thesis option.
Doctoral Program: Full-time Ph.D. students who already have a master's degree, can typically finish in 3-4 years depending on their research progress; longer for part-time students. Full-time doctoral students who enter straight from their bachelor's degrees can typically finish in 5-7 years depending on their research progress; longer for part-time students. need to consider how long it will take them to conduct their dissertation research.
Tip: The most efficient way to pursue the Ph.D. program is to have some idea of your dissertation topic upon admission. Then, fuse your topic into your papers/assignments for each course so that you build your literature review and other future dissertation chapters.
Visit our Academics page for more details on minimum credit hour requirements for your degree of interest.
What characteristics does the graduate program look for in considering admitting a student?
The whole package. Our admissions committee looks for strong candidates who are a good fit for the program. We carefully review each applicant's GPA, resume, letters of recommendation, goal statement, and record of research.
What is the academic reputation of the department?
We intentionally do not belong to a department to keep our program truly interdisciplinary – we belong just as much to one as another. In general, the UCF M&S Graduate Program has a fantastic reputation. There are ~10 other M&S programs across the U.S., and ours is the only one that is interdisciplinary. We boast the most graduates and we are conveniently situated in Orlando, FL which is the national center of excellence for Modeling, Simulation, and Training.
What kind of flexibility in scheduling is there? Can some of these courses be taken online?
This will vary by course – and again, we cannot anticipate which electives students will want to take. Core courses are taught in both mixed-mode (partly online, partly in person) or fully online mode. If requested, we can work with students to strategize electives that can be taken at a distance too.
Is there a GRE waiver? If so, what are the eligibility requirements?
No. Though, the GRE is only required for our Ph.D. Program; not required for our MS program.
ETS, the test administrator, offers The GRE® Fee Reduction Program for those with financial need. It is available for those who qualify. Visit https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/fees/reduction/ for requirements.
What kinds of employment are possible for students graduating from this program?
The M&S Graduate Program at UCF is interdisciplinary, so this will vary. Possible jobs include positions as faculty members, instructional designers, psychologists, engineers, software designers, IT managers, training managers, etc. For more information, see our Alumni Page where we list all UCF M&S graduates and link their names to their LinkedIn profiles.
Where are past students employed?
Since M&S is a truly interdisciplinary field, alumni are currently placed in many different jobs in government, industry, non-profit, and academia. For more information, see our Alumni Page where we list all UCF M&S graduates and link their names to their LinkedIn profiles.
You are also welcome to view our associates on our social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. (Search "UCF Modeling and Simulation")
I have more questions, where can I get more answers?
We'd be happy to talk more about our program and how your background and interests could fit in.
Please Contact Us for more information.
M&S GRADUATE PROGRAM OFFICE
(407) 882-1407
modsim@ucf.edu
3100 Technology Parkway Orlando, Florida 32826