UF CJC Online FAQ

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, CommuniGators 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

Academic Advisers
Students in all of our online programs are assisted with personalized course schedules that are developed specifically for them by their academic adviser. Advisers 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 visit campus at any time, 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.

All assignments, projects, discussions, and quizzes will be delivered online through the Canvas E-Learning management system. All projects are intended to build competencies and skills.

The capstone is the final course in the master’s degree program. The capstone experience allows students to use all of the skills they’ve learned throughout their graduate study and apply those competencies to a real-world communication issue. 

Key differences include:

• Graduate certificate students do not qualify for federally guaranteed financial aid (student loans).
• Graduate certificate students have a shorter application process than do master’s students
• Master’s degrees allow for greater flexibility for degree customization through elective choices.
• A master’s degree is a formally recognized graduate degree.

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.

There are no out-of-state fees for UF CJC Online programs.

Degree-seeking online students are eligible for the same financial aid as campus-based students as long as they meet the required number of credit hours per semester. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to satisfy the first requirement requested by the Financial Aid Office. 

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.

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.

Applicants must choose one MAMC concentration to apply to. We strongly encourage applicants to be thoughtful about this selection because once admitted to the program, requests to change concentrations go through an approval process that depends on several factors, one being the capacity of the desired concentration. Additionally, if coursework has been taken toward the original concentration, we cannot guarantee that it will be able to be applied toward the new concentration’s degree plan.

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.

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.

Submit general questions through our Contact form. An enrollment coordinator will respond via email. You may also email and set an appointment with an enrollment coordinator at onlineadmissions@jou.ufl.edu.

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 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.

Employers need educated people to lead their digital communication initiatives. They want proof you have the kind of expertise that can only come from a structured educational environment that teaches everything from campaign concept to execution to measuring results. A master’s degree gives you a substantial edge over your competition.

With a master’s degree specializing in communication, you’ll unlock a world of opportunities. Upon graduation, you will have the skills you need to create impactful campaigns, engage with audiences around the world, solve global problems through communication, increase ROI for your organization, and more. Your dreams are limitless, and UF CJC Online can help reach new heights both personally and professionally.

UF CJC Online degree concentrations are professionally focused, which means that students do not complete a thesis. Instead, students in the UF CJC Online master’s program complete a Capstone as their final degree requirement. In the Capstone, students will develop solutions to real-world communication problems for an assigned client or problem.

The UF CJC Online master’s program is a professionally-focused master’s program instead of a research-based, thesis program. Typically, Ph.D. programs prefer candidates who have obtained completed a thesis and substantial research projects. An in-residence master’s program may be a better fit if you plan to pursue a Ph.D.

Your diploma or graduate certificate will not have any mention of “online” as the online programs are just as rigorous and respected as their in-residence counterparts. Your diploma and transcript will be indistinguishable from the diploma and transcript of students who complete an on-campus degree.

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?