UF CJC Online courses are offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters and follow the UF Academic Calendar. The Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks in length and the Summer semester is 13 weeks in length. Each weekly module features either a live or pre-recorded lecture, learning objectives, reading resources and assignments. For courses with live lectures, you will meet in an online classroom using Zoom video conferencing. Live lectures are hosted in the evening to accommodate working professionals. If you are unable to attend live lectures, the instructor will work with you to ensure you’re able to participate in some way.
Online learning often offers greater flexibility than a traditional in-residence course as you can attend or watch lectures from anywhere. All UF platforms have been designed for both desktop and mobile use to allow you to work on course requirements at home or on the go.
Students can expect to spend up to 10-20 hours per week per course watching or attending lectures, reading articles, working on assignments and projects, and engaging in discussions.
A certificate program can be completed in as few as two semesters. A master’s degree program usually requires two years to complete depending on the number of courses a student enrolls in each semester and the total number of credit hours required for the concentration.
Students can pursue graduate education on either a part-time or full-time enrollment schedule. If you plan to apply for federal financial aid, you will need to pay close attention to enrollment requirements by semester.
Participation in a UF CJC Online course requires:
UF CJC Online redefines storytelling by connecting people to the singular purpose of moving the world forward through meaningful communication. As Gators, our purpose is greater. Founded in theory and rooted in industry, we push each other to think beyond the classroom and to do more. Equipped with the skills and unrelenting work ethic to create change, Gator communicators make a positive impact in an ever-changing world.
The UF CJC Online community consists of:
Instructors
The UF CJC Online instructional team consists of accomplished faculty and industry professionals who are passionate about transforming lives through education. These instructors are responsible for:
Classmates
Other students in the course add value to the online experience. Classmates enrich the student experience through:
Program Directors
An appointed program director oversees each program. Program directors contribute by:
Academic Advisors
Students in all of our online programs are assisted with personalized course schedules that are developed specifically for them by their academic advisor. Advisors also assist students by:
Success Coach
Students are encouraged to work with our student success coach to improve:
UF CJC Online graduate programs allow working professionals to earn an advanced degree from the convenience of home. Students benefit from the full resources, academic rigor and faculty of a top public university without having to relocate or leave their current jobs. All lectures, assignments, discussions, and projects are hosted through our online E-Learning system, which means students are not required to step foot on campus. Although it’s not required, students are welcome to attend commencement and walk across the stage upon completion of their master’s program.
Courses are delivered through elearning.ufl.edu, home to the Canvas E-Learning management system. Each Canvas course houses weekly modules that feature objectives, reading resources, lectures, assignments, discussions and more. Course projects and assignments are intended to foster growth, inspire creativity and build valuable skills.
A graduate certificate is a shorter term of study where students complete four courses or 12 to 14 credit hours in a communication concentration of their choice. UF CJC Online graduate certificates feature introductory and core courses that give students the opportunity to learn new skills. The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the four courses. Certificate courses can sometimes be used to satisfy degree requirements for a master’s degree dependent upon the institution’s requirements. Learn more…
A master’s degree is a longer term of study consisting of at least 30 credit hours. Students who complete all degree requirements in a UF CJC Online master’s concentration graduate with a Master of Arts in Mass Communication degree with a concentration in the area of their choice. Learn more…
Key differences include:
Tuition varies by concentration and number of credit hours associated with the degree plan. UF CJC Online master’s concentrations range from $17,441-$34,545. You can find the per credit hour tuition amounts on each concentration page or in the Information Packet.
Current online students may review financial obligations through MyUFL. Student Financial Services handles student financial matters including payment deadlines and online billing and fees. Financial aid funds are not disbursed until after Drop/Add. Students can check fund disbursement and tuition payments prior to the fee payment deadline in MyUFL.
There are three enrollment periods each year in Fall (August class start date), Spring (January class start date), and Summer (May class start date). Apply early to ensure you meet all application requirements and satisfy all deadlines. For specific application information, review the application checklist.
The upper-division division GPA usually includes classes completed after the first 60 credit hours of a degree. Typically, these courses are completed during the applicant’s junior or senior year. To help you calculate your self-reported GPA for the UF Application, please use the GPA Calculator. For applicants with a nontraditional GPA, the UF Office of Admissions will calculate an equivalent GPA.
The GRE is not required for master’s programs at the University of Florida.
It is required for admission to the CJC Ph.D. program.
If you have already taken the GRE, you may still submit your GRE scores for consideration through the application portal.
Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for either the certificate or master’s degree program:
Additionally, applicants for the master’s program must:
All applications are reviewed holistically. Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
To be a competitive applicant, you must meet the minimum academic and application requirements.
Your application is reviewed holistically by our admissions committee. Where one segment may be weak, other segments may compensate for the weakness.
You do not need prior experience or a degree in communications in order to be successful in the program. Students from various backgrounds succeed in our online programs because each degree plan starts with foundational courses that teach introductory skills. As the students advance through the degree plan, they learn more advanced digital storytelling skills and competencies.
Admission decisions are released after the admissions deadline for each enrollment period. Our goal is to have a decision for all applicants 4-6 weeks after the application deadline but there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that would delay the release of an admissions decision. To prevent some of these delays, we encourage you to submit all of your application materials early and to ensure you have met all application requirements, refer to the checklist. You can also check your application status online.
Congratulations on your acceptance! The UF CJC Online team will provide you with information on how to set up your Gatorlink student account and access our Student Resource Center course shell in the Canvas E-Learning management system.
Before you register for your first class, you will have the opportunity to review the UF CJC Online Student Resource Center content in Canvas, which contains information on the program’s registration process, UF resources that are available to support you during your studies, answers to common questions from students in the program, and more. You will then submit your semester planning document to the UF CJC Online advising team indicating your preferred courseload for the upcoming semester, and they will guide you through the new student registration process.
Each semester students will receive an email from their advisor with registration information prior to the start of the next semester. Regularly checking UF email will allow students to be prepared for important dates, deadlines, and messages.
You may be required to purchase books, software, social media spending, etc. during your time in the program. Any expenditures will be outlined in your course syllabus. In addition to paid resources, instructors will also use UF library resources and online articles as part of your reading load.
All online courses are delivered through the Canvas Learning Management System.
Each Canvas shell will house lectures, reading assignments, projects, and any other material students need to be successful in the course. Canvas courses typically open to students the Friday before the semester begins.
To log into Canvas and access your course:
Submit general questions through our Contact Us form. An enrollment coordinator will respond via email. You may also call an enrollment coordinator at 352-273-3412 Monday-Friday.
Here are some tips to help you as you begin your online program:
UF CJC Online’s Student Success Coach is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential by providing personalized support, guidance, and valuable resources. The Student Success Coach assists individual students with the following:
UF CJC Online programs can be customized to meet individual student needs. Most students enroll in two or three courses each semester, but others may elect to choose a different course load depending on their work and family obligations. Please note that students receiving federal financial aid assistance will need to ensure they meet the mandated credit hour enrollment requirements per semester.
UF CJC Online transforms lives through graduate education founded in theory and influenced by industry. We offer the most comprehensive, digitally focused online graduate programs in the world. Choose from 8 master’s concentrations and 4 graduate certificates that offer unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and advancement. UF CJC Online’s flexible programs are demanding by design and competitive by nature. Equipped with the skills needed to move communication forward, UF CJC Online graduates are an unstoppable force for the Gator Good.
To ensure our graduates are always on the cutting edge, we’re proud to offer Master Access, a one-of-a-kind benefit to our students. Master Access allows our graduates to audit as many courses as they’d like in order to gain skills in specialized areas. For example, a Web Design graduate can audit Digital Strategy and Audience Analytics courses for the low annual subscription cost of $500.
Earning a degree from the University of Florida connects you to an elite group, a family of more than 415,000 living Gator alumni across the globe. The Gator Nation is everywhere, which can open doors you never thought possible. Ranked as a top ten public university, the University of Florida provides an excellent education at an affordable cost. At the University of Florida, you’re more than a student…you’re a Gator. Some people are Gators. Are you?
Need more convincing? Read for yourself why employers love Gator graduates.
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