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:

• Regular and frequent access to a computer
• Speakers or headphones
• Microphone and webcam for presentations and live courses
• Reliable Internet connectivity and a compatible browser
• Additional technological requirements as noted in the course syllabus or via instructor communication

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:

• Equipping students with the skills they need to be successful in the workplace
• Providing detailed feedback on all assignments to facilitate student growth and learning
• Assigning projects that challenge students to demonstrate valuable competencies
• Encouraging students to create professional work

Classmates
Other students in the course add value to the online experience. Classmates enrich the student experience through:

• Networking with each other and building professional relationships
• Building teamwork skills during group projects
• Establishing lasting friendships

Program Directors
An appointed program director oversees each program. Program directors contribute by:

• Guiding instructors through course creation
• Ensuring courses meet rigorous academic and professional requirements
• Interacting with students through career advising

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:

• Recommending elective courses that are suited to the student’s interests
• Providing advice regarding course equivalency substitutions, prerequisites, and academic requirements
• Monitoring student progress
• Assisting students with obstacles to academic success such as extenuating circumstances or emergencies

Success Coach
Students are encouraged to work with our student success coach to improve:

• Managing time and priorities
• Balancing work and family life
• Establishing calendars for optimal academic performance

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…  

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.

Application Deadlines:

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:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• GPA of 3.0 or better for overall undergraduate studies
• GPA of 3.0 or better for all upper-division undergraduate work
• Submit a UF application and pay the application fee
• Submit a statement of goals
• Submit a current resume

Additionally, applicants for the master’s program must:

• Submit three letters of recommendation

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:

• Visit elearning.ufl.edu and log in with your Gatorlink information.
• Your Dashboard will display all of your courses. Select the course you would like to access.
• If a course is not available, contact onlineadvising@jou.ufl.edu.

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:

• Determine your priorities. You cannot do everything at once or be everywhere at the same time. Outline your priorities now, and make a plan for how you will devote time and energy to each priority, realizing that some low priority items may need to receive less attention.
• Identify your support system. You have numerous resources at UF to help you through this program such as your advisor, success coach or instructor.  In addition to these individuals, identify significant people in your life who will support you. Share with them your goal of succeeding in school, and ask for their support and encouragement. They will be the best people to turn to if your motivation wavers and the best people to cheer you on towards your master’s diploma or graduate certificate. Also, don’t forget your fellow classmates. They too are facing many of the same challenges you are, but the collaborative nature of online courses with the ability to ask for and provide feedback at any time provides you with a constant support system to bounce ideas off of, share your knowledge, and learn from them.
• Speak up if problems arise.  Let your instructor know if you’re experiencing issues of any kind. If the issues are severe, please communicate with your advisor as well.
• Pick a personally helpful calendar and make a to-do list. Track your due dates in a digital calendar to help you stay organized. Include work, social, family, and extracurricular tasks on your calendar. This allows you to see the whole picture of what you need to accomplish in a certain time frame. Don’t forget to include time for relaxation. This will prevent burnout and give you something to look forward to.
• Review the course syllabus and schedule. Before your class begins, add any academic deadlines to your calendar. By reviewing the course requirements before class begins, you will know what to expect and can budget your time accordingly.
• Estimate the amount of time each task will take. If you estimate how long your tasks will take on a weekly basis, you’ll have a better idea of when the best time is to fit them into your schedule. If you are not sure how long it will take to accomplish your study goals, estimate conservatively. It is better to have an extra 30 minutes at the end of your study session than to be surprised when a task takes much longer than you originally anticipated.

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.