At UCF, big is just the beginning. As one of the nation's largest universities, we
attract the brightest minds who create the biggest impact. And with our location
in the top tourist destination of Orlando, we get to enjoy beautiful
weather, a tapestry of unique cultures and languages, world-class arts and
entertainment, and a thriving community of dreamers and doers. Founded in 1963 to
support Florida's burgeoning space industry, UCF has grown into a robust
research university with a wide range of degree programs, diverse viewpoints, and
life-changing opportunities. In addition to our main campus in East Orlando, UCF's
reach extends across all of Central Florida with multiple regional campuses.
You'll also find us in downtown Orlando, and near International Drive, as well as
at our new teaching hospital and Cancer Center in Lake Nona. UCF has
technology-rich modern facilities, world-renowned professors, and a challenging yet
supportive environment that's designed to help you succeed. As a graduate you'll
join a network of over 250,000 alumni. And while Orlando is known for its
booming hospitality and tourism industry, Central Florida is full of career
opportunities in a range of fields, including aerospace, agriculture, finance,
health, and technology. It's why so many alumni call Central Florida their home.
Did you know that UCF has 13 colleges, and those colleges offer more than 200
undergraduate and graduate majors? Here's a quick introduction to each of our
colleges. UCF's largest College is the College of Sciences, and it offers more
than a dozen undergraduate programs that range from biology and chemistry, to
communications and political science. Through high-impact coursework and
intensive research experiences, you will learn inside and outside of the
classroom. Opportunities include surveying giant sea turtles nesting
along nearby beaches, broadcasting important news stories, and
solving complex math equations. The College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) guides
you in the study of the science and technology of light. Immerse yourself in
the world of lasers, LEDs, LCDs, fiber optics, imaging systems, and more. The
college offers you the opportunity to study alongside world-renowned faculty
researchers to pioneer new technology in ultra-fast lasers, fiber optics, displays,
biomedicine, and more. The College of Engineering and Computer Science is
filled with exciting opportunities thanks to partnerships with NASA,
Lockheed Martin, Walt Disney World, and Harris Corporation. You can collaborate
and build working prototypes in our state-of-the-art maker-space lab complex,
take part in groundbreaking research in areas such as simulation, energy, and sea
level rise, and win national and international awards in cyber defense
and computer programming competitions. (Student) "For anybody that's just trying to get into the
field of engineering and computer science, helping people is a big part of
it. So if you're interested in making an impact and you don't really know how, but
you know you're good at technology, or you know you're good at building, or, you
know, you're innovative, this College has has all of those things wrapped into one."
As a student in the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences in the College of
Medicine, you can conduct innovative research on life-threatening illnesses
such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and heart disease. With opportunities for
undergraduate research, the college also anchors the Health Sciences Campus at
Lake Nona, where you can train alongside distinguished health professionals in
Medical City. In the College of Health Professions and
Sciences, you are guided toward becoming helpers and healers who take on careers
in physical therapy, kinesiology, health sciences, social work, and other fields.
It's home to one of the country's largest communication disorders clinics,
where you'll learn how to help everyone from toddlers to seniors. The College of
Nursing uses simulation technology and community oriented programs to develop
tomorrow's healthcare professionals. Here, you can perform cutting-edge research,
serve in leadership roles, train the next generation of nurses, and provide
high-quality patient care to serve the needs of a changing population.
(Student) "Nursing no longer is a job title for me, it's a mission, because when you have someone's
life in your hands, you're completely dedicated and have so much passion in
making that difference for them, and ensuring that they're gonna live a long
and healthy life."
The College of Business is one of the nation's largest accredited business
schools. A variety of resources and programs such as business plan
competitions, and the center for entrepreneurship and innovation,
help you fuel your passions for new ideas and create a foundation to launch
startups. You'll have many majors to choose from, including finance and
marketing, and seemingly endless opportunities for internships.
From literature and philosophy, to digital media, the College of Arts and Humanities
helps you hone your skills and provides an environment for artistic expression
alongside an internationally-acclaimed faculty. Explore your creative interests
while strengthening your talents in performing arts, history, Women's Studies
and more.
In the College of Community Innovation and Education, you can become a leader in
criminal justice, emergency management, urban planning,
education, public administration and more. As part of UCF Downtown in the heart of
Orlando, you'll have access to a range of real-world experiences that will give
you a competitive edge in the job market after graduation.
Located minutes from International Drive and the center of Orlando's world-famous theme park corridor,
the Rosen College of hospitality management is an unbeatable
place for you to live and develop management skills. Our graduates manage
hotels, restaurants, and theme parks, organize and administer events and live
performances, plan weddings, and promote international tourism.
(Faculty) "It's not just one thing, it's all of the things; I mean, we have world-class facilities, our
faculty is international... I think our curriculum is one of the
best curriculums in the world, and I think that when you come to Rosen
College, you can be secure that, when I walk out, that there is a job opportunity
for me outside in the tourism industry, hospitality industry."
In the college of undergraduate studies, you can explore multiple disciplines and create
customized fields of study that meet your interests and future goals. As an
undergraduate student, you can major in interdisciplinary or environmental
studies, and pursue minors that include world comparative studies, and leadership studies.
In the Burnett Honors College, you'll be immersed in a challenging collaborative
research environment. You'll gain camaraderie and cultivate curiosity in
small classes of no more than twenty students. Beyond the classroom, you can
enjoy interdisciplinary honors seminars and symposiums, individual advising and
mentoring, exclusive study abroad programs, and access to honors housing benefits.
UCF also offers masters, doctoral, certificate, and specialist
programs, making it the perfect next step if you're seeking personal growth, greater
employment opportunities, career advancement, a sense of accomplishment, or
greater recognition and credibility.
When you start at UCF, you will meet with an
advisor in a field that matches your academic interests. Even if you're
undecided, our expert advisors will help you explore potential majors and careers,
register for the right classes, stay on track for graduation, and much more. And,
with access to career coaching, resume workshops, mentoring programs, and many
other resources, you'll be off to a great start at UCF and in your career.
(Student) "What had happened is, I passed by Career Services all the time and I said, look, there's a
whole building dedicated to finding your career and finding your dream job ,why
don't I just walk in? So I did that, I walked in. You can learn so much; I was
able to fix my resume, my cover letter, I found internships, I figured out my major,
I was able to graduate in four years, and I have an internship after I graduate,
and all of that was available through career services. So, I've gained so much
from just setting up one single appointment freshman year.
So definitely worth it."
College will be some of the best years of your life, and at UCF, we want you to
make the most of this big moment. That's why there are more than 650 sports teams,
clubs, and organizations to explore and join. You can reach for the stars with
the astronomy, physics, or engineering societies, show off your automotive
skills with Knights Racing, or make new friends by joining the Marching Knights,
or the surf, ice hockey, or equestrian clubs. And through our study abroad and
research abroad programs, you can travel and learn in places like Australia,
Brazil, Italy, and Japan. Ready for the action and excitement of gameday? Knights
have earned landmark victories on state and national stages from American
Athletic Conference titles to BCS Bowl wins. Whether on the court, the field, or
even the water, our sixteen NCAA Division 1 teams provide ample opportunities for
you to cheer on the Knights. Best of all, students have access to free admission
to every home game. Our beautiful tree-lined campus offers a blend of
traditional brick buildings and modern structures, featuring the latest in
energy-efficient design; and in the heart of it all is the Student Union, which
provides plenty of space to meet up with friends, grab a bite eat, attend events,
and study between classes.
If you live on campus, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your
college life. Our student housing communities range from traditional
residence halls to modern apartments, where you will build life-long
friendships and create lasting memories. You'll live in the middle of the action
with convenient access to classes, dining, events, and recreation. It's no surprise
that students who live on campus are more likely to graduate in four years
than those who choose to live elsewhere.
Today, the buzz that surrounds UCF and the Orlando area is the wealth of talent
that resides here. UCF has become a magnet for attracting the brightest
minds and the most talented individuals from around the globe.
So, are you ready to make your big mark on the world and become a knight?