To mark this historic achievement, the State 海角直播 System will launch Florida 10 for 10: Celebrating a Decade of Leading Higher Education, a statewide competitive scholarship initiative awarding up to $1,000 to 10 full-time undergraduate students at each participating university.

The聽10聽scholarships聽awarded聽to UCF students聽will be available聽through the聽university鈥檚聽.聽To apply, students聽are required to聽submit聽a written essay or a video essay explaining why they chose to pursue higher education in Florida and why they selected UCF. Applications聽will open Monday, Aug. 3,听补苍诲听are due Oct.聽2.

鈥淔lorida鈥檚 Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost 鈥� student achievement.鈥� 鈥� Alan Levin, Florida Board of Governors chair

In addition to聽the Florida 10 for 10聽scholarships, students聽will聽also聽be able聽to complete their聽general聽scholarship applications聽through聽the聽,聽which connects them聽with hundreds of scholarships聽through UCF colleges and departments.聽In聽fiscal year 2025聽alone,聽UCF awarded more than聽3,200 scholarships and over $7.5 million to聽students.

鈥淔lorida鈥檚 Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost聽鈥斅爏tudent achievement,鈥� says聽Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine. 鈥淧arents and students know that when they choose Florida鈥檚 system of higher education, they are investing in a degree that has value. Our students graduate with low or no debt, and they have high-value jobs they can compete for. That is what students,聽parents听补苍诲 taxpayers rightly expect. Student success is behind every decision we make as Florida鈥檚 governing body for higher education.鈥�

鈥淚 am deeply proud to lead and represent the No. 1 public university system in the nation,鈥漵ays State 海角直播 System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.鈥淎t a time when confidence in higher education is being tested, Florida has remained focused on improving student outcomes and ensuring academic programs are grounded in merit and excellence. By prioritizing skills and qualifications, our universities are developing the next generation of leaders for Florida and the nation. I thank our university leadership, faculty and staff whose dedication and commitment make this success possible every day.鈥�

鈥淥ur decade of nationwide higher education leadership reflects a commitment to excellence, opportunity and innovation.鈥� 鈥� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

鈥淔lorida鈥檚 future is being built by the talent developed across our State 海角直播 System. Our decade of nationwide higher education leadership reflects a commitment to excellence,聽opportunity听补苍诲 innovation,鈥� says聽UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭his recognition illustrates what is possible when universities align education with rapidly evolving societal needs. As Florida鈥檚 Technological 海角直播, UCF is proud to produce in-demand talent at an unmatched scale while preparing the tech-literate professionals who will shape Florida鈥檚 next generation of prosperity.鈥�

That leadership is reflected in outcomes that matter most to students and families. Florida鈥檚 public universities compete successfully on聽the聽national stage, ensuring graduates earn high鈥憅uality degrees and move confidently into their careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Additional聽Florida higher education highlights include:

• No.聽1 in the nation for lowest in-state tuition

• No.聽1 for attracting and developing a skilled workforce

• Seven聽State 海角直播聽System institutions ranked in the聽nation鈥檚聽top 100聽public universities

• 80%聽of in-state students聽attend聽a聽State 海角直播聽System institution without a federal student loan

• Nearly 75%聽of graduates聽are聽employed聽or continuing their education,聽with聽a median salary of $52,600 within one year聽of聽graduation

UCF produces more than 19,000 graduates annually,聽the most of any State 海角直播 System institution, and many work in high-demand fields such as engineering and nursing that are vital to Florida鈥檚 future.聽UCF聽also聽is the nation鈥檚 leading provider of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries, according to聽Aviation Week.

UCF聽is聽among聽the nation鈥檚聽10聽Most聽Innovative聽Schools among聽public universities,聽as ranked by聽U.S. News & World Report.聽This聽month聽UCF聽was ranked among the top 10聽by聽SmartAsset聽for America鈥檚聽Best聽Value聽Public Universities.

海角直播 leaders across the state credit collaboration,聽accountability听补苍诲 sustained investment for the聽State 海角直播聽System鈥檚 success.

U.S. News & World Report聽State Rankings evaluate key metrics, including聽educational attainment, graduation rates,聽affordability听补苍诲 federal student loan debt.

Four outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research 鈥� and in doing so, placing the university among the nation鈥檚 top producers of Goldwater Scholars.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation鈥檚 best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

This year鈥檚 honorees 鈥� all expected to graduate next spring 鈥� have propelled UCF into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford 海角直播, the 海角直播 of Notre Dame and the 海角直播 of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects UCF’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.

Supporting Space Exploration

Goldwater Scholar: Keanu Brayman

Major: Mechanical engineering

Ultimate Goal: To develop robotic systems to support human exploration on Mars.

Keanu Brayman鈥檚 passion for space began early.

鈥淥ne of my earliest memories is watching a Space Shuttle streak across the sky from a beach in South Florida,鈥� Brayman says. 鈥淚 remember being amazed there were people on board and feeling drawn to one day help explore the stars and discover what lies beyond our planet.鈥�

At UCF, Brayman has refined that dream with the support of faculty and mentors 鈥� including Department of Physics Chair and Professor Adrienne Dove, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tarek Elgohary and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Christopher Proctor 鈥� as well as through programs like the .

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering to support lunar exploration and NASA鈥檚 Artemis program, as well as develop robotic systems that can extract resources and build infrastructure to support human exploration on Mars.

Engineering the Brain

Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray

Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.

Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.

鈥淚鈥檓 interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain,鈥� Coutray says. 鈥淚n the lab, 鈥� [I鈥檓] blending [both majors] into one approach.鈥�

He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.

A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.

Advancing Patient Care

Goldwater Scholar: Varun Nannuri

Major: Molecular and cellular biology

Ultimate Goal: To pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Varun Nannuri is driven by a desire to understand why people experience different health outcomes and improve care.

“Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how much patients and families rely on physicians during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Nannuri says. “My research experiences have shown me that better care depends on asking better questions.”

Nannuri plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician-scientist. His ambition earned him recognition as a 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee while also completing his Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Nannuri is also a member of the Burnett Honors College as a Burnett Medical Scholar, a program that offers guaranteed admission to the UCF College of Medicine upon completion.

鈥淯CF has given me opportunities to grow as a student, researcher, leader and future physician,鈥� Nannuri says.

Restoring Human Senses

Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton

Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.

Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton鈥檚 work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi,鈥� Overton says. 鈥淲hen UCF offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [ 鈥� I knew I had to take it.鈥�

鲍颁贵鈥檚 MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.

Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.

鈥淚 envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans,鈥� Overton says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not entirely impossible.鈥�

After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation 鈥� just as his professors inspired him 鈥� emphasizing that 鲍颁贵鈥檚 strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.

A Growing Research Powerhouse

With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, UCF continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students鈥� immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.

Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at聽opa@ucf.edu.

UCF has earned a 聽signaling the university鈥檚 growing support for military and veteran students. This is the first year UCF has earned the聽Gold聽designation, following聽many聽years聽as a聽Silver聽awardee.

鈥淭his recognition reflects years of intentional work across the university to better support military-connected students,鈥� says Andrea Guzm谩n, UCF vice president for access and community engagement. 鈥淲e鈥檝e focused on building stronger support systems, removing barriers, and ensuring students have clear pathways from enrollment through career.鈥�

In addition to our Gold Award and recognition as a Military Friendly Spouse School, UCF has been previously designated as a Purple Heart Institution, Florida Purple Star Campus, Best Military-Friendly Online College and聽Military Times鈥櫬� 2025 Best for Vets Colleges List.

Today about聽4,000聽military-connected聽students聽are enrolled聽at UCF, and there are a聽range of services coordinated through the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) to support them:

Holistic Programming

• An orientation dedicated聽for聽military-connected students and their families

• Expanded student engagement and social activities, which include families and military veterans within our community

• Collaboration with 聽affiliates, most notably Valencia College, to streamline transition for transfer students

Academic Resources

• Peer-to-peer tutoring in courses with high drop or fail rates

• VA Work Study and university academic coaching programs prepare and train military-connected students to provide academic coaching to their peers

Career Readiness

• Industry partnerships聽鈥� including聽Amazon, JE Technology and Disney 鈥斅爐hat provide opportunity and engagement through mentorships,聽internships听补苍诲 career fairs

• Range of workshops, lunch and learns and professional development opportunities

Access to Financial Support聽

• Established an endowed scholarship to provide assistance to military-connected students

• Potential for 鈥渕eal plan鈥� grants, emergency relief funds, tuition and fee waivers, and housing subsidies as part of co-curricular and academic support programs

• Participates in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs鈥� Yellow Ribbon Program, a tuition assistance initiative for veterans and eligible dependents

Additionally, MVSS聽empowers 鲍颁贵鈥檚 faculty and staff through professional development opportunities with strategies and tips on how to best serve and engage with聽military-connected聽students.

A new liaison program has been piloted in the last year, placing an MVSS staff member with VA work study students at the聽Rosen College of Hospitality Management听补苍诲听UCF Downtown聽to increase support services for military-connected students at those campus locations.聽In聽Fall聽2026, the program is expected to expand to聽the College of Business, College of聽Sciences听补苍诲 College of Arts and Humanities.

鈥淭he support the office provides is some of the most efficient and effective support I have encountered at UCF,鈥� says聽蹿颈苍补苍肠别听尘补箩辞谤聽Abigail Kost. 鈥淚 have scored interviews from career fairs and connections from lunch and聽learns. The office is also a pillar of emotional wellbeing and has helped me navigate VA benefits and scholarship opportunities. I would not have come as far as I have without the office鈥檚 resources.鈥�

UCF: Committed to Serving Veterans

鲍颁贵鈥檚 commitment to serving veterans is not singularly confined to聽our聽Office of Military and Veteran Student Success.

In January,鈥�U.S. News & World Report鈥痳补苍办别诲听UCF No. 6 for online bachelor鈥檚 programs for veterans.

UCF is home to鈥�, a nonprofit clinical research center and treatment clinic聽established聽to鈥�change the way post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns are understood, diagnosed, and treated.

Led by UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who is currently聽, the organization employs a unique and effective approach to treatment. A combination of exposure therapy, emerging technology and individual and group therapy sessions resulted in 66% of participants with combat-related trauma and 76% of first responders no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following three weeks of intensive treatment.

Last year,聽UCF became one of 12 universities nationwide聽鈥� and the only school in Florida and the southeast 鈥斅爐o participate聽in a new Service to Service initiative. The national pilot program is dedicated to connecting veterans and their families with graduate educational pathways in public service and helping them find impactful long-term careers in public leadership.

A partnership between UCF College of Medicine and Orlando VA Medical Center聽聽鈥斅爈ocated聽next door to each other in Lake Nona鈥檚 Medical City 鈥斅爀nsures every medical student聽receives training in specialties including surgery, internal medicine,聽neurology听补苍诲 psychiatry at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 history department has been documenting veterans鈥� stories聽as part of the Library of Congress鈥櫬燰eterans History Project聽since聽2010.聽鲍颁贵鈥檚 Veterans Legacy Program, which was founded in 2017 as a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, focuses on documenting the lives of those buried in Florida鈥檚 nine national cemeteries.

About Military Friendly

Founded in 2003, Military Friendly is an organization that measures organizations鈥� commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

Military Friendly Schools strive toward and succeed in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world. Earning the designation shows a school meets the minimum criteria.

Military Friendly鈥檚 final ratings for its Schools list were determined by combining each institution鈥檚 survey responses, government/agency public data sources, and measurements across retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates for all students and specifically, for student-veterans.

Tomorrow鈥檚 leading video game developers are聽being built today at UCF.

The university鈥檚 graduate video gaming program, , and undergraduate program continue to develop a pipeline of聽talent to fuel Florida鈥檚 economy聽at a standard of excellence few can match, affirmed by The Princeton Review and PC Gamer鈥檚 Top Video Game Design Schools 2026 rankings.

The Princeton Review and聽PC Gamer聽has recognized FIEA as one of the top two programs of its kind in the world six of the past seven years.

GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world. Both programs continue to hold the title of No. 1 in the South.

Strategy for Success

Since their inception, FIEA and GaIM have modeled their classrooms as close to a real-world, studio-like environment as possible, led by faculty with industry experience. That real-world perspective shapes every course, every project and every student who graduates.

鈥淥ur program intentionally emulates a collaborative ecosystem with a range of diverse talent in artists, designers and programmers, which is crucial to developing products and intellectual property,鈥� says Nicholas Zuccarello, a 3D art instructor at FIEA who has previously worked for Sony Online Entertainment and Electronic Arts Tiburon. 鈥淲e even structure projects to emulate real-world development pipelines as closely as possible within an educational setting.鈥�

Orlando: A Leading Tech Hub

With Electronic Arts (EA) and Iron聽Galaxy Studios located less than a mile from聽the programs鈥� home base in downtown鈥檚 , Orlando is the perfect setting to transition from college to career and now mentioned in the same breath alongside traditional tech-giant territories San Francisco, Seattle听补苍诲 Los Angeles.

Many alums go directly into the game industry including Epic, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and more.

FIEA has graduated 1,160 students since its first class in 2006 鈥� about 100 of whom worked on several of the most popular games sold in the U.S. in 2025, including EA SPORTS College Football 26, EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

But it鈥檚 not just the gaming聽companies that eagerly hire聽FIEA and GaIM graduates. The skills聽taught in the two programs align perfectly聽with some of Orlando鈥檚 top industries.

Graduates land roles in the modeling, simulation and training sector. Others find their footing in medical technology, where interactive systems and game-based design are transforming how clinicians train and how patients heal. Knights can be found at many of the region鈥檚 big-name employers, including Disney, EA, Lockheed Martin, and Universal Destinations & Experiences, among others.

鈥淥ur students don鈥檛 just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed.鈥� 鈥� Associate Professor Peter Smith 鈥�05MS 鈥�12PhD

鈥淥ur students don鈥檛 just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed,鈥� says Associate Professor Peter Smith 鈥�05MS 鈥�12PhD, who serves as the associate director of GaIM. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what makes GaIM graduates competitive across industries. It is a true honor to see The Princeton Review recognizing this accomplishment of our students and faculty.鈥�

Nitin Bakshi 鈥�21, who joined FIEA鈥檚 faculty as a technical art instructor after graduating with his master鈥檚 in interactive entertainment, says the program takes great pride that many of our alumni continue to live and work in Florida, contributing directly to the local economy.

鈥淭hese companies rely on artists, designers and programmers who understand real-time production,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat is exactly the kind of training our program is built around.鈥�

Serious Business

Interest in the program has risen in the past year. FIEA recently drew its largest applicant pool with more than 200 applicants resulting in 90 new enrollees, the largest cohort to date.

For good reason.

The average starting salary for a FIEA graduate is $83,000, and 80% of graduates are in their desired fields at over 400 companies around the world.

The global market size for gaming, hardware and software sales is more than $189 billion (NewZoo鈥檚 2025 Global Games Market Report), overshadowing music and movie industries combined.

鈥淎dapting to the needs of the industry has always been one of our strengths,鈥� Bakshi says. 鈥淲hether it is new real-time technologies, new platforms, or new ways of collaboration, we work hard to make sure the program grows along with the field. Seeing the program attract more talented students each year, while continuing to evolve with the industry, is what makes me most excited about the future and about the impact these programs will continue to have.鈥�

Climbing the Leaderboard

鲍颁贵鈥檚 GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world and continues to hold the title of the No. 1 program in the South.

The bachelor鈥檚 in digital media with a track in game degree design blends theory and practice with a sharp focus on industry readiness. The program stands out as one of the few programs that combine a strong emphasis on both art and technology.

Students develop skills in programming, game design, game programming, as well as 2D and 3D art and visual effects.

The GaIM Maker Space lab, located on the UCF Downtown campus, reflects that commitment in concrete terms: nearly $500,000 in mixed-reality technology including augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, physical computing, 3D printing, and web and mobile development equipment, alongside dedicated research space for applied work.

The impact on the quality of the students鈥� education and training is undeniable.

鈥淭he tools the maker space provides are integrated deeply into virtually every class in GaIM,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淪tudents in early classes are printing board games and 3D printing game pieces, seniors are recording audio and motion capture sequences that are integrated directly into their capstone projects.鈥�

The Rankings鈥� Methodology

The Princeton Review and PC Gamer鈥檚 game design school rankings are based on more than 40 data points derived from the company鈥檚 survey of administrators at 150 schools offering game design courses and/or degrees. Most of the institutions are in the U.S., with two in Canada and four abroad. The 50-question survey covered four areas: academics, faculty, technology and career topics.

UCF earned the status after completing the Accelerated Process for Initial Accreditation and demonstrating the university meets all HLC quality standards and requirements related to institutional mission; ethical and responsible conduct; teaching and learning for student success; and institutional effectiveness, resources and planning.

鈥淗LC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources.鈥� 鈥� President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥湵涔筲�檚 transition to HLC reflects our bold ambitions for the future and our responsibility to deliver exceptional value for Florida,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淗LC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources. Meeting the rigorous standards to earn this accreditation reflects the faculty and staff whose unwavering dedication to student success, academic excellence, and operational efficiency fuel our momentum.鈥�

About the Higher Learning Commission

Founded in 1895, HLC is a private nonprofit accrediting agency and the nation鈥檚 largest institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States.

Why Accreditation Matters for UCF

As Florida offers universities new and innovative options for accreditation, UCF is proud to lead the way as the first in the State 海角直播 System to earn accreditation from HLC.

HLC accreditation validates excellence across UCF, evaluating aspects including academic programs, governance and administration, mission, finances and resources.

Accreditation provides assurance that the university is fulfilling its public mission and providing excellent education, while also demonstrating 鲍颁贵鈥檚 commitment to continuous improvement. It is also essential for the university to receive federal funding, including student financial aid.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 Strong Return on Investment

As a leading R1 university committed to building a better future, UCF empowers innovative community partnerships, world-class research with global impact, and the integration of technology and learning to foster incredible student outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the top 15 most innovative universities in the country and has consistently ranked 鲍颁贵鈥檚 online degrees among the top 10 nationally for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 College Scorecard, UCF has a higher graduation rate and lower annual cost than the average midpoint for four-year schools, with a graduation rate of 73% compared to the midpoint of 58%. UCF remains a great value for a quality education, with average annual costs of $10,650 compared to the $19,740 midpoint for other four-year schools.

UCF is also Florida鈥檚 most financially efficient university.

鈥淯CF has become a national leader in delivering excellence at scale, achieving outstanding outcomes for our students and the state while operating with one of the lowest costs per degree in the nation,鈥� President Cartwright says. 鈥淏ecause of that efficiency, additional new investments in UCF would deliver among the strongest returns in higher education 鈥� fueling the talent, research, and innovation that drive Florida鈥檚 future.鈥�

Our Ongoing Commitment to Excellence

UCF was initially accredited in 1970, and most recently held its status through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Accreditation is an ongoing relationship. As a member of HLC, the institution will participate in ongoing reviews for compliance with HLC standards.

More information about the institution鈥檚 accreditation is available in HLC鈥檚 .

For the third year in a row, Orlando ranks as the No. 2 Best College City in America among large cities, according to WalletHub鈥檚 2026 list. The City Beautiful maintained the No. 3 spot among cities overall 鈥� making this the fifth year Orlando has placed in the top five nationally.

The rankings serve as a go-to guide for prospective college students deciding where to pursue their college journey. WalletHub dives deep, considering 31 key factors, from the quality of higher education to academic, social and economic opportunities, to pinpoint the best of the best college towns and cities among more than 400 U.S. cities.

As WalletHub puts it, a college’s geographical location matters as much as its curriculum and social environment. And Orlando has all the perks you鈥檇 imagine 鈥� from a reasonable cost of living to academic and work prospects to a wide variety of activities that make for a fun social environment for students. To top it off, WalletHub named Orlando the No. 1 Best Foodie City in America for 2023, and it has remained in the top five ever since 鈥� solidifying its reputation as a food lover鈥檚 paradise.

鈥淎ll of the restaurants [in Orlando] are incredible, and it鈥檚 so fun finding 鈥榟ole-in-the-wall鈥� restaurants and sharing them (with) your friends,鈥� says Jean-Thomas Mateesco ’24, an advertising and public relations alum.

Opportunity abounds in Orlando 鈥� one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida and home to UCF.

Many factors led Shannon Nauta ’24, a UCF art alum who minored in event management and art history, from her home state of New Jersey to UCF 鈥� including its internationally recognized Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

鈥淚 decided on UCF because I am interested in pursuing a career within the industry,鈥� Nauta says. 鈥淯CF has amazing programs that provide opportunities for experience and immersion in the creative and hospitality fields, with Orlando as the perfect location [home to world-famous attractions, resorts, restaurants and more].鈥�

UCF is uniquely positioned amongst a variety of industries, including hospitality, healthcare, tech and aerospace. And some of the nation鈥檚 top companies, such as Electronic Arts, Lockheed Martin, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital and Walt Disney World Resort have all planted roots in Orlando and have partnerships with UCF. Students can chart their path to success by accessing industries and experiences that are connected to their coursework. The knowledge they鈥檒l gain, discoveries they鈥檒l make and personal growth they鈥檒l achieve while studying at UCF will come to benefit them for a lifetime.

Among factors like abundant activities, safety and plenty of jobs, 鈥渟ome of the best college towns blend great academics with low costs,鈥� says WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe.

Orlando ranks among the top 40 cities with the best cost of higher education, per WalletHub鈥檚 2024 rankings release. Here, the cost of 鈥渋n-state tuition, room and board and other college expenses are among the lowest in the country,鈥� Happe says.

For the ninth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the state of Florida No. 1 in the nation for higher education, with Orlando offering the 14th-lowest tuition (including room and board) for in-state students.

A thriving hub of innovation and economic growth, Orlando maintained the No. 1 spot for Best City to Start a Career among Florida cities, according to WalletHub’s 2025 list. The city retains the No. 2 spot among cities overall. WalletHub compared the relative market strength and overall livability of more than 180 U.S. cities to achieve these rankings. Each city was examined by 26 key factors, ranging from the availability of entry-level jobs to the monthly average starting salary to housing affordability.

Orlando’s thriving job market is one of the main reasons Nauta, an out-of-state student, moved to Orlando. While studying at UCF, she says she was able to work within the entertainment industry.

Mateesco shares a similar sentiment, adding that 鈥渙ther cities are becoming [overly saturated while] Orlando is an ever-growing city with loads of jobs and cool opportunities.鈥�

Fortunately, new graduates are entering the workforce at a good time, with the current employment shortage and companies eager to hire.

鈥淥rlando has the highest job growth rate of any city, at 8.69%, so it鈥檚 a good place for students to stay even after they鈥檝e graduated,鈥� Happe says.

Universal鈥檚 Epic Universe is expected to draw millions of visitors from across the globe, setting a new bar for immersive entertainment and redefining the guest experience. Less than a mile away, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management 鈥� newly ranked as the best in the world by CEOWORLD magazine 鈥� is training the next generation of leaders who bring places like Epic Universe to life.

Located in the heart of Orlando鈥檚 tourism corridor, Rosen College offers everything a student could want to thrive academically and graduate with a strong competitive edge to start or advance in their career, including faculty with decades of industry experience and expertise in theme parks, hotels, event management, entertainment and other fields.

鈥淭he Rosen College鈥檚 recognition as the No. 1 hospitality program in the world demonstrates the excellence of our world-class faculty and industry partners,鈥� says Rosen College Dean Cynthia Mejia. 鈥淥ur faculty bring unrivaled industry experience to the classroom, are research and thought leaders in their disciplines, and prepare our students to lead and innovate in the field. With the opening of Epic Universe and so many other opportunities available to our graduates here in Orlando, Rosen College students are uniquely positioned to succeed in their careers of choice.鈥�

As tourism and attractions evolve with the latest technologies while still emphasizing the human connections of hospitality, Rosen College graduates are shaping the future of the industry at some of the world鈥檚 most iconic destinations. They are helping Florida continue to break records for the number of visitors to the state 鈥� 142.9 million in 2024.

鈥淥rlando is proud to be the No.1 hospitality program in the world, and we congratulate 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management on this well-deserved recognition,鈥� says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. 鈥淲ith hospitality at the heart of our region鈥檚 economy, having a top-ranked institution like Rosen College in our backyard ensures a strong pipeline of talented, passionate leaders who will drive innovation in our industry for years to come. Many of our Visit Orlando team members are proud Rosen alumni, and we see firsthand the caliber of professionals the college produces.鈥�

CEOWORLD surveyed 250,000 graduates, industry professionals, employers and recruiters to help produce the rankings. The rankings take into account academic reputation, job placement rate, perceived global brands influence, and recruiter and employer feedback, among other categories.

鈥淯CF Rosen College is located in the epicenter of the attractions industry and thus is able to provide an exceptional educational experience in the classroom alongside practical application of learnings in world-class attractions,鈥� says John Hallenbeck, vice president of attractions operations for Universal Studios Japan and co-chair of the UCF Rosen College Theme Park and Attraction Advisory Board. A longtime advisor to Rosen College, Hallenbeck also assisted in developing the school鈥檚 theme park and attraction management degree program.

鈥淭he partnerships that UCF Rosen College cultivates with leaders at attractions and other organizations involved in the industry provide expert mentors that are motivated to help students excel to become the next generation of industry professionals.鈥�

The Rosen College was previously ranked the No. 1 hospitality program in the United States and among the top five in the world. The college offers six undergraduate degrees, three master鈥檚 programs and the only doctoral program specifically in hospitality management in Florida, as well as several undergraduate and graduate certificates.

Rosen College students are required to complete three internships, designed to build skills such as effective communication, resume development, leadership and exceptional guest service.

Here are a few Rosen College alumni’s takes on what makes the program the best in the nation:

Successful Rosen College Alumni: Faculty 鈥楳ake All the Difference鈥�

鈥淩osen College distinguishes itself through its cutting-edge curriculum, strong industry connections, and hands-on learning opportunities in the heart of Orlando,” says Arthur Hudnell 鈥�15, director of operations at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “The Rosen College offers students unique chances to engage with leading hospitality companies worldwide, thoroughly preparing them for careers in the industry.鈥�

鈥淢any of the professors I had the pleasure of learning from during my time at Rosen have remained trusted mentors and sounding boards,” says David 鈥淲oody鈥� Woodstein 鈥�14, co-founder of LW Capital Consulting, an asset management firm overseeing 13 hotels. “Their real-world experience and continued engagement with alumni create a lifelong network of support. They offer invaluable third-party insights and guidance that continue to shape my approach to challenges and opportunities in the industry.鈥�

鈥淓ven 10 years after graduation, I鈥檓 still finding new opportunities through UCF 鈥� whether it鈥檚 mentoring students, speaking on campus or learning from the next generation of leaders about where the industry is headed,鈥� says Maxwell Glorit 鈥�15, who manages education programming for IAAPA Expo, the largest global conference for the attractions industry.

鈥淭he Rosen College is the No. 1 hospitality program in the world because of its world-class faculty, challenging curriculum and prime location in the hospitality capital of the world. The environment it creates 鈥� where like-minded students can connect, grow and network 鈥� makes it truly special,鈥� says Rick Powell 鈥�10, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A in Mt. Dora, Florida. 鈥淭he true value of a Rosen College education is that it makes you more experienced, more educated, more prepared and more competitive than most other candidates.鈥�

Genova credits Ahmed, as well as renowned professors Jayanta Kapat and Subith Vasu, for helping to propel him to a highly successful career. He now works as the lead engineer of combustion at GE Aerospace, one of the nation鈥檚 aviation and aerospace component manufacturing companies.

鈥淚 attribute most of my success to the degree I got from UCF,鈥� Genova says. 鈥淭he technical skills I built and connections I made in my graduate studies and research have been invaluable to get me to the point I鈥檝e gotten to in my career.

Like Genova, the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings recognize the high quality of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 aerospace engineering graduate program, which advanced seven spots and now is among the top 40 in the nation.

Overall, 13 UCF graduate programs rank among the top 50 in the nation. Among public universities, nine programs in engineering and computer science rank in the top 50.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 emergency and crisis management program聽 ranks No. 1 in the nation, counselor education is No. 9 and nonprofit management is No. 15.

UCF is the ideal home for graduate students looking to advance their careers and gain new skills in those fields and many others. In addition to working alongside world-class faculty, students benefit from the university鈥檚 location in Orlando and strong partnerships with industry.

The city is home to many leading engineering firms, a world modeling and simulation hub and the hospitality capital of the world, as well as a short drive from the Space Coast.

Orlando also is one of the most dynamic regions in the country, securing the No. 1 ranking among the 30 most populous metro areas in job growth, population growth and GDP growth. In 2024, Orlando led the nation in employment expansion, driven by thriving industries such as healthcare, tech and financial services.

A UCF education combines the strong advantages of Orlando with world-class faculty like Ahmed, Vasu and Kapat who bring strong industry and academic experience into classrooms and research labs.

鈥湵涔筲�檚 rise in U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 Best Graduate Schools rankings reflects our strategic commitment to becoming a national leader in engineering,鈥� says Michael D. Johnson, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淎cross our academic enterprise, we are investing in exceptional faculty, expanding research capabilities and deepening industry partnerships 鈥� all with the goal of preparing our students to excel in high-impact careers and to help address the world鈥檚 most pressing challenges.鈥�

Nation鈥檚 Top Pipeline to Aerospace Industry

Advances in engineering rankings at Florida鈥檚 Premier Engineering and Technology 海角直播 have come as the university has launched a bold faculty hiring initiative to prepare leaders for the future of industry.

UCF also has consistently been ranked by Aviation Week Network as the No. 1 provider of talent in the nation to aerospace and defense companies.

For GE, Genova is far from the only example of that strong talent pipeline. He says his division of GE has hired many UCF graduates who are making substantial contributions to the company.

鈥淯CF has invested a lot into its aerospace engineering program, and it has shown,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here is a lot of exciting research going on that make it an attractive destination for someone interested in the aerospace field. This is not only evident from the strong growth of the program, but the increased number of UCF graduates in the field.鈥�

鈥淕raduate school at UCF was a challenge but rewarding. The course work was quite informative and helpful in understanding aerospace concepts at a deeper level.鈥� 鈥� Nik Patel 鈥�19MS, alum

Many UCF aerospace engineering graduates go on to prominent roles at NASA and 鈥� at a time when private spaceflight is rapidly growing 鈥� the nation鈥檚 leading private spaceflight companies.

Nik Patel 鈥�19MS worked in Tarek Elgohary鈥檚 lab on his path to a master鈥檚 degree in aerospace engineering. He completed a co-op at NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which led to a full-time job as flight director and mobility subject matter expert for the Mars Curiosity Rover.

鈥淓ventually, I was recruited by Blue Origin to work on their lunar lander program as the verification and validation lead for mission operations systems,鈥� Patel says. 鈥淚 have been here at Blue Origin for three years now and we are quite excited to see the lander land in the coming future. I am now working as one of the leads on the lunar mission.鈥�

鈥淔rom the master鈥檚 classes, I learned the soft skills required to do my job. For example, balancing multiple priorities, communicating with teams efficiently and focusing on the entire system of an aerospace project,鈥� Patel says.

Helping Students through UCF Counselor Education Program

Emily Ferrand 鈥�20 graduated from the counselor education program with a focus on school counseling. The program now ranks No. 9 in the country after moving up three spots this year.

Ferrand says she learned a lot in the graduate program, particularly from senior lecturer Stacy Van Horn and Associate Professor J. Richelle Joe. Ferrand has worked five years at Horizon West Middle School, including three years as the school鈥檚 lead counselor.

鈥淯CF knows how to produce really solid counselors. The professors are really supportive, and they don鈥檛 shy away from giving feedback, which is really important,鈥� Ferrand says. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 not doing something well, then I want someone to let me know that, so I can continue to grow and become a better counselor.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 still friends with some of the people in my master鈥檚 program, and I see them flourishing as counselors, too. It鈥檚 a really great program, and I would always recommend it to anyone who asks,鈥� she says.

UCF has also been recognized as a top 40 Best Education School, improving 30 spots in 5 years.

UCF Emergency Management Remains No. 1 in the Nation

Lauren Gros 鈥�22 is an alumna of the master鈥檚 in emergency and crisis management program, which equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to practice as highly trained emergency management professionals.

The emergency management program at UCF continues to rank No. 1 in the nation, with graduates who have outstanding training and knowledge courtesy of highly skilled faculty.

鈥淭he program鈥檚 stellar reputation and national ranking made it an obvious choice for pursuing these goals,鈥� Gros says. 鈥淥ne of the highlights was working at Seminole County Emergency Management, an opportunity made possible by the university鈥檚 strong connections.鈥�

Gros now works as a professional staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives鈥� Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has emergency management as part of its jurisdiction.

鈥淯CF equipped me with a robust foundation in emergency management and public administration, which I apply daily in my career,鈥� Gros says. 鈥淚鈥檇 enthusiastically recommend UCF to anyone considering a career in emergency management.鈥�

Other UCF programs ranked highly in the public affairs category include:

• Nonprofit Management 鈥� No. 15
• Public Management and Leadership 鈥� No. 21
• Public Finance and Budgeting 鈥� No. 27
• Public Affairs 鈥� No. 46

Three Health Programs Rank Among Top 50 Nationally

When Jeff Schmidt evaluated where he wanted to pursue his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, he focused on programs鈥� academic excellence, cost and location.

UCF ranks No. 42 in the nation for graduate physical therapy programs. The cohort graduating in 2024 had a 100% employment rate.

鈥淚t was clear UCF met all of those criteria,鈥� he says. 鈥淒uring the interview process I realized a fourth item would be just as important: the faculty. It was immediately clear how caring, supportive, down-to-earth the UCF DPT faculty are. This really resonated with me, and I knew right away I wanted to be a part of this program. I could see myself growing significantly as a student and as a person over the next three years under their guidance 鈥� and I was absolutely right.鈥�

Today, Schmidt is a senior physical therapist at AdventHealth Sports Med & Rehab. He treats patients with neurologic conditions at a rehabilitation clinic and also serves as a mentor within AdventHealth鈥檚 neurologic residency program and a clinical instructor for DPT students. He also collaborates with his Ph.D. mentor Ethan Hill and the UCF Strategies for Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Optimization for Neuromuscular Growth (STRONG) Lab to examine the effects of blood flow restriction on resistance and walking training for people with multiple sclerosis.

鈥淭he UCF DPT program is highly ranked because of its exceptional faculty, rigorous curriculum, clinical focus and emphasis on research,鈥� Schmidt says. 鈥淚n my experience working with UCF DPT students and new graduates, their readiness to excel in the physical therapy field is evident. This is a direct result of the program鈥檚 commitment to facilitating academic and professional excellence.鈥�

鲍颁贵鈥檚 healthcare management program ranks No. 41 in the country, and speech language pathology is No. 48.

Matt Atkins 鈥�20 鈥�22MHA earned a bachelor鈥檚 in health services administration and master鈥檚 in health administration. He credits his UCF education with helping him become executive director of Spring Haven Senior Living in Winter Haven, Florida 鈥� where he successfully leads of a team of more than 100 people who care for more than 200 residents.

鈥淚 have had an extensive relationship with the faculty that didn’t just end once I walked across the stage at commencement,鈥� he says.聽 鈥淭he biggest thing that sets [鲍颁贵鈥檚 faculty] apart, [which] is obvious as soon as you walk into a classroom and start interacting with [them], is they鈥檙e all about developing their students and impacting their future.鈥�

From engineering, healthcare and criminal justice to nursing, hospitality, leadership and management, and education, UCF has grown its portfolio of fully online programs to offer students a wide range of options that support our workforce needs and fuel a pipeline of skilled professionals across a range of in-demand industries and sectors.

Given the breadth of these academic offerings, U.S. News & World Report has once again affirmed the quality of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 online degrees by placing the university ninth in the nation for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs.聽This recognition marks the fourth consecutive year 鲍颁贵鈥檚 online programs have been ranked in the top 10, a testament to our expert faculty鈥檚 commitment to maintaining the highest standards of academic quality and excellence. Of the 15 UCF national rankings from U.S. News & World Report, seven programs made the top 10, one made the top 15, and six were in the top 50.

• No. 4 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs in Psychology
• No. 8 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for Veterans
• No. 8 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for Business 鈥� Lodging & Restaurant Management
• No. 9 for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs Overall
• No. 12 for Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs
• No. 17 for Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs Overall
• No. 17 for Best Online Graduate Computer Information Technology Programs Overall
• No. 39 for Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs Overall

UCF Online programs are able to provide flexibility for thousands of students to succeed even as they juggle jobs and family responsibilities. No matter where students reside, UCF Online is committed to supporting fully online students from application to graduation. This commitment makes it possible to earn a high-quality, convenient and affordable degree without needing to set foot on campus.

聽UCF Online Statistics

• UCF has been recognized for its top 10 Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs overall for the last four years (2022-25) and a top 20 overall Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs for the past eight years (2018-25).
• UCF is meeting students’ needs where they are, with fully online students residing in 64 Florida counties, 49 states and 17 countries (2023-24).
• 鲍颁贵鈥檚 experience in online education is evident, as over 1 million credit hours of digital learning has been taught at UCF (2023-24).
• 鲍颁贵鈥檚 fully online programs are helping supply talent to industry at scale, with over 13,000 fully online students awarded degrees in the last decade.

鈥淯CF continually pushes boundaries to deliver exceptional learning experiences,鈥� says President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淥ur world-class faculty 鈥� leaders in both academia and industry 鈥� ensure our programs remain at the forefront of innovation. We remain focused on growing our reputation as a national leader in online education, preparing students to thrive and advance in their current careers and seize opportunities in the future.鈥�

Advancing Industry and Empowering Students for Career Success

鲍颁贵鈥檚 top-ranked online programs align closely with industry demands, fueling Florida鈥檚 workforce by preparing graduates who are ready to excel. Our offerings span critical areas like healthcare and engineering, directly supporting key initiatives such as educating 25,000 future engineers.

UCF already partners with many leading companies, including Duke Energy, Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris, Northrop Grumman, NASA and Siemens Energy, in engineering and computer science; Advent Health, Nemours Children鈥檚 Health and Orlando Health in healthcare; Electronics Arts in digital media; and many more.

Leveraging technology and innovative online teaching delivery, our faculty equip students with the skills needed for immediate career advancement, ensuring they thrive in a competitive job market.

UCF Faculty Are Primed to Help Students

The support doesn鈥檛 stop there: UCF Online鈥檚 highly skilled faculty are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to help students earn bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees, doctoral degrees and graduate certificates. Students are able to better their lives through distance learning thanks to the flexibility of UCF Online鈥檚 many programs. Before they teach any online class, every instructor receives 80 hours of demanding training.

In addition, the UCF Online Connect Center team works with students as advocates and guides throughout their fully online academic experience at UCF. Success coaches are available to help students locate resources and create effective strategies to ensure their success. These skilled success coaches are specifically trained, motivational partners鈥痺ho help students along the path of their academic journey, providing high-level support, coordination and guidance for UCF Online students from the time of admission through graduation.

鈥淯CF began offering online courses in 1996 and in the ensuing decades has excelled at delivering quality distance learning and continually innovating,鈥� says Tom Cavanagh, vice provost for Digital Learning at UCF. 鈥淭he ongoing refinement of UCF Online programs is thanks to our expert faculty, development support team and online success coaches.鈥�

Helping Students Achieve Their Goals 鈥� Even if They鈥檙e 1,000 Miles Away

Prospective students may worry about their ability to handle online coursework 鈥� especially if they live in a distant part of the U.S. or abroad. But they needn鈥檛 wring their hands over it. UCF Online offers flexibility in coursework, giving students the opportunity to succeed whether it鈥檚 for a bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 or graduate degree.

Max Melguizo is a good example. He attended UCF but decided to take another route along the way: joining the U.S. Air Force before finishing his studies. The now 26-year-old hadn鈥檛 attended college classes in more than four years 鈥� until he discovered UCF Online classes.

鈥淚 joined the Air Force in 2020, and my goal is to become a fighter pilot,鈥� Melguizo says. 鈥淚鈥檓 stationed in Illinois, which is pretty far from my previous home in Orlando, so initially I was concerned about being able to manage everything. But with online courses I don鈥檛 have to worry about going anywhere for tests or quizzes. It鈥檚 very convenient.鈥�

Andrea Guzm谩n, vice president for access and community engagement, works with veterans and others affiliated with the military, as well as first-generation college students, students with disabilities and unique abilities, and students with limited resources.

鈥淯CF Online programs are consistently ranked among the best because they are designed to meet military students wherever they are stationed around the globe,鈥� Guzm谩n says. 鈥淯CF Online programs have the flexibility needed for military students to complete their educational objectives and advance their career goals. Dedicated UCF Online success coaches ensure military students are on the right path to success.鈥�

Of the gold-ranking schools, UCF earned the highest score for resources, 86.5. This pillar considers institutional funding dedicated to online academic activities, the ratio of online faculty to students and the number of hours of professional development for online faculty.

鈥淯CF’s online programs excel through an unparalleled ecosystem of support, where the Division of Digital Learning empowers faculty with expert instructional design, advanced media production and innovative technological resources that transform digital education,鈥� says Thomas Cavanagh 鈥�06PhD, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 vice provost for digital learning. 鈥淭his holistic approach extends directly to students through dedicated online success coaches and a responsive technical support team, ensuring that every learner has the tools, guidance and assistance needed to thrive in a dynamic, virtual learning environment.”

The only other U.S. universities that ranked gold were Arizona State 海角直播 (Tempe) and American 海角直播. UCF is one of 56 total schools to make the list.

Knight Nation also earned a 71.5 score for outcomes, 71.1 score for environment and 56.8 score for engagement. These four pillars cover 17 total metrics, which include factors like number of programs, among others.

Creating Paths to Student Success

At UCF, students thrive with a strategic mix of online, blended and face-to-face courses. In Fall 2023, about 65% of all UCF students took at least one fully online course.

鈥淥nline courses enabled students to continue studying through the COVID-19 pandemic and provide access to higher education for those living in conflict areas such as Ukraine,鈥� The Times Higher Education stated in its release. 鈥淭hey bring the possibility of qualifications to those living in education deserts, and of professional development to lifelong learners.鈥�

One striking example of this commitment is UCF Online international and global studies alum Mia Willard ’24, who continued her studies from Kyiv, Ukraine, during the ongoing conflict. Her resilience underscores the extensive support UCF extends across geographic and situational boundaries to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

From admission to graduation, each academic year UCF Online supports over 8,000 fully online students who can access a range of services including academic advising, library services, career support, tech support and more.

Among the resources UCF provides to students are online success coaches, who are advisors dedicated to working one-on-one with each person to understand their academic and career goals. To reach these, online success coaches help develop realistic strategies and a plan for each student鈥檚 path to success at UCF. They also assist students with balancing their academic pursuits with other life priorities.

鈥淭he [online] success coach-student partnership is crucial because academics are directly affected by external challenges, so we work together to help students achieve the best possible results,鈥� says Tasha Williams, director of student coaching.

Dedicated Online Faculty and Staff

UCF faculty also receive dedicated support and training to ensure they鈥檙e providing the best online learning experience for students. Faculty creating new online courses must complete 80 hours of professional development with an instructional designer. UCF also provides 35 hours of training for faculty who want to teach existing online courses.

Through this training, participants attend live seminars and consultations, complete web-based activities, and develop online or blended course materials. To date, nearly 2,000 faculty have completed Professional Development for Teaching Online, an award-winning, non-credit instructional design course. More than 3,400 fully online courses have been developed at UCF.

The Center for Distributed Learning (CDL), part of the Division of Digital Learning, assists with providing this instruction and resources for teaching online. The staff at CDL include award-winning professionals such as members of Video@CDL, a team that produces and manages multimedia for online classes at UCF.

鈥淲e are committed to creating content that improves the student learning experience and adds real value,鈥� says Aaron Hos茅, media production manager and lead producer. 鈥淭his is why we do what we do at the Center for Distributed Learning 鈥� to help elevate the quality of media used in online courses.鈥�

Extensive Online Program Offerings

UCF Online offers more than 130 fully online programs, including 34 bachelor鈥檚, 49 master鈥檚, 43 graduate certificates and 5 doctoral degrees. From psychology to nursing, these academic offerings provide a convenient way for students to start a new or elevate their existing career across in-demand industries.

Among 鲍颁贵鈥檚 new online programs is the criminal justice 鈥� professional track bachelor鈥檚 program, which not only provides students with the academic training needed to work in policing or corrections but also the state certification needed for these careers. The new track also embeds courses that culminate in a鈥�certificate in criminal justice management and leadership.

鈥淭he ultimate goal for the professional track is to equip students who want to serve their communities as they work toward becoming the next generation of law-enforcement leaders,鈥� said Associate Professor鈥疌ory Watkins, the professional track coordinator, in a story about the program.

Earlier this year, UCF was also named No. 7 in the nation for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs by U.S. News & World Report. In 2023, UCF Digital Learning was awarded the Power Learner Potential Award by 1EdTech.