CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics
  • About
    About The CollegeDean’s MessageCollege LeadershipWhat is Optics & Photonics?Contact UsIntranetSite MapAnnual Report
  • Academics
    Education at CREOLUndergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramsCoursesOutreach and Educational Resources
  • Research
    Research at CREOLNewsResearch HighlightsCentersFacilitiesPublications
  • Partnerships
    Industry CollaborationIndustrial Affiliates ProgramIndustrial Affiliates MembershipIndustrial Affiliates SymposiumPhotonics Incubator
  • People
    FacultyScientistsGraduate StudentsAdministrative StaffAlumniOpen PositionsStudent Organizations

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Graduate Programs
  • Prospective Students
  • Graduate Certificate Programs
  • Master’s Program
  • PhD Program
  • Fellowships
  • Research at CREOL
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Courses
Menu
  • Graduate Programs
  • Prospective Students
  • Graduate Certificate Programs
  • Master’s Program
  • PhD Program
  • Fellowships
  • Research at CREOL
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Courses

Related Links:
Graduate Catalog
MS Student Handbook
PhD Student Handbook

Application Process
How do I apply for the College of Optics and Photonics?

Begin by visiting https://application.graduate.ucf.edu. Select the term you wish to apply for and create an account. The nonrefundable application fee is $30 USD. If you wish to be considered for both the MS and PhD, you will need to submit separate applications. 

What are the admissions requirements?

See Admissions Requirements.

How can I apply for a GTA or GRA?

PhD applicants are automatically considered for our university fellowship (ORC Doctoral Fellowship). This fellowship is awarded in the student’s first year. In years 2-4, the student will be given a Graduate Research Assistantship that is paid for by their advisor. GTA’s are assigned at the instructor’s discretion on an as needed basis.

When should I expect to receive a response to my application?

The committee will review you application only after all of the supporting documentation and examination results have been received. During January through March, decisions are made on a bi-weekly basis, once the application is complete.

How do I check my application status?

Please sign on to myUCF Portal, and navigate to Student Self Service on the left menu bar. Select Student Center, and go to the bottom of the screen to the Graduate Student section for your application status.

What are the minimum TOEFL and GPA to be admitted into the graduate program?

The State of Florida requires a GPA of 3.0 from your undergraduate degree, and a score of 6.5 for the IELTS test, OR 80 on the iBT.

What is the deadline to submit my application?

If you are applying to the PhD program and would like to be considered for funding, the application deadline is January 15. 

Who can I contact if I have questions about the application?

Please contact us at gradprog@creol.ucf.edu

Recently Admitted Students
How do I set up an appointment for advising?

You will be scheduled to meet with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs for advising. Normally this takes place after the faculty presentations, and enrollment takes place after the advising meeting. You will be contacted to make an appointment for your advising meeting. The Associate Dean will review your course options with you and provide advice on which courses will be best for you to take.

How do I register for classes?

Students can register for courses on the web using the myUCF Portal system at https://my.ucf.edu. Once you are logged in you click on “Student Self Service” and then “Student Center” from the drop down menu. To enroll in classes, click on “Add a Class” and then choose your term. Either search for classes using the “Search” button or enter the 5 digit Class Number in the box provided. Click on “next”. You will see a list of the courses that you are trying to enroll in. Now click the green button that says “Proceed to step 2 of 3”. At step 2, you will want to confirm the classes that you want to enroll in. Now click on “Finish Enrolling”.

Refer to the Schedule Web Guide (online at http://registrar.ucf.edu) for complete registration instructions.

Do I have to pay a deposit for tuition?

UCF does not require a deposit for tuition.

What are the program requirements for the Optics and Photonics graduate program?

72 hours are required for completion of the PhD degree and 30 hours are required for the MS degree. For more information regarding the specific academic and non-academic requirements, see PhD requirements, and MS requirements.

I am not a Florida resident, how do I obtain a Florida driver’s license?

If you intend to get your Florida Driver’s License, this link will direct you to the local offices: http://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/orange.html. It is best to make an appointment to schedule your test or driving test as the wait lines are very long. For more information regarding driver’s license and automobile registration in the State of Florida, please visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/HTML/dlnew.html

When will I receive my student ID?

You must first be enrolled before you can obtain a student ID. Student ID cards may be obtained at the UCF Card Office located in the JT Washington Center, across from the Student Union. . If you have obtained your student ID prior to orientation, please bring it with you and present it to Amy Perry in CREOL Room 105 or Gail Drabczuk in 106 to validate for building access. For more information on the UCF Student ID card, please visit http://ucfcard.ucf.edu/

I am an international student and need to complete an I-20 form, where do I locate this form?

I-20 Forms can be located at the International Services Center website.

I am an international student, how do I apply for a social security card?

International students who do not have a social security number (SSN) will be assigned a temporary number by ISC until a permanent one is provided.

ISC will organize transportation to the Social Security Administration Office in downtown Orlando for students to apply for their card. International students need to wait at least 10 days after they arrive in the US or input in SEVIS before applying. Student numbers beginning with 828 are NOT social security numbers.

The Social Security Card Application can be located at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf.

When is my tuition payment due?

For students who are not receiving financial assistance, please visit the Registrar’s Web Enrollment Guide to learn more about Payment Procedures including deadlines and acceptable forms of payment.

You can also visit the UCF Student Account Services webpage and read their Payment Methods FAQ to learn more about where to pay fees and how to make payments.

Please be advised that this information does not apply to students whose tuition is being funded by a Fellowship, GTA, GRA, etc.

Where do I go to purchase health insurance?

For all students who have a Graduate Research Assistantship and are enrolled full time, health insurance benefits are provided. If at any time during your studies at UCF you do not have a GRA, or are not enrolled full time, the health insurance benefit will discontinue.

The UCF Student Health Insurance Plan, underwritten by United Healthcare Insurance Company, is serviced by Gallagher Koster. For more information about the Student Health Insurance Plan, please visit https://www.gallagherkoster.com/floridausystem/

Please note that United Healthcare will not have record of your policy with them until a few weeks after the contract signing. However, you will be covered as of the first day of class.

I tried to enroll in a class, but it says I do not meet the required prerequisites, why am I receiving this message?

There is a prerequisite in place for the course you are attempting to register for. If you have taken the prerequisite at another institution please discuss this with your instructor so that he may authorize the override. If you have not taken the prerequisite, please speak with the instructor to discuss your background and other similar classes that may be considered as a prerequisite. He will need to request an override for this request.

I’m a new student, where can I find information on housing for Graduate students?

For information regarding student housing please visit http://www.housing.ucf.edu/.

I’ve been admitted to the Master’s program, when do I have to choose thesis or non-thesis option?

Once you have been advised by the Associate Dean you can choose your option at that time. If you have not made a decision at the end of your advising meeting, it is best to finalize your decision within your first semester after arriving.

CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics

University of Central Florida
4304 Scorpius St.
P.O. Box 162700
Orlando, FL 32816-2700
(407)823-6800
creol@ucf.edu
LI-In-Bug