UCF College of Business Administration: A Comprehensive Overview

The UCF College of Business is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial activity and preparing graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. By providing practical, hands-on learning experiences and real-world opportunities, the College equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's market. Established in 1968, the College offers a wide range of degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and executive levels.

Mission and Objectives

At UCF College of Business, the primary objective is to help students and faculty "Get to the ONE." For students, this means providing a place where they can achieve their academic goals and become the ONE who secures the job, starts a business, closes the deal, makes a meaningful contribution, and mentors others. The College aims to develop graduates who are excellent communicators, collaborators, risk-takers, data-driven decision-makers, and problem-solvers.

Faculty and Learning Environment

Students at UCF learn from experienced faculty members like Ray Eddy, who bring industry insights and practical knowledge to the classroom. The faculty is engaged in the latest research and program development, ensuring that students receive a cutting-edge education. A true culture of engagement sets the College apart, with numerous events, activities, programs, organizations, and resources available for students to explore their passions, practice their pitches, network with industry leaders, jumpstart their careers, or even launch businesses before graduation.

Undergraduate Programs

The College of Business is a restricted access college, meaning that admission into UCF does not guarantee admission into a College of Business major. To be accepted into a business major, certain criteria must be met, including completion of the Primary Business Core at UCF or an AACSB accredited institution. Based on interests and skills identified in GEB 3006 (or GEB 3003 for earlier catalog years) and academic performance in the Primary Business Core classes, students will select and request admission to a specific business major.

Due to the specialized nature of the Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing majors, interested candidates must demonstrate mastery of the subject matter, as evidenced by a 3.0 GPA in the five Primary Core classes. Additionally, a grade of at least a B “3.0” is required in the introductory course of the desired major, and a minimum grade of C “2.0” is required in each of the five Primary Core classes. Upon admission into these majors, a minimum grade of C “2.0” is required in all coursework in the program.

All students who successfully complete the Primary Business Core classes with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to enter the Economics, Integrated Business, and Real Estate majors. After selecting a specific business major and receiving college approval, students will begin taking coursework in their chosen field. All business majors require 27 credit hours of coursework in the major.

In addition to major-specific courses, all students will complete the Secondary Business Core, which is designed to ensure a solid understanding of the various functions of business and the environment in which the enterprise operates. Students will also complete the Career Professionalism Series, which begins with GEB 3006: Career Development and Financial Planning. This course provides personal reflection and decision-making skills to help students successfully navigate educational and career challenges. Students will finalize the implementation of their career plan and learn how to manage their career after securing an entry-level job.

Graduate Programs

The UCF College of Business offers a variety of graduate programs, including the MBA, Professional MBA (PMBA), and specialized master's degrees. These programs are designed to provide students with advanced business skills, strong leadership abilities, and a broadened perspective.

The UCF MBA

The UCF MBA is an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited, 39-credit hour program with full-time and part-time schedule options. The curriculum combines quantitative and qualitative coursework with a focus on developing strategic thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills. Through rigorous coursework, case study-based learning, and teamwork, the UCF MBA equips students with the tools they need to succeed in today's competitive business environment. UCF offers three MBA options: executive, evening, and professional part-time or full-time.

The Professional MBA (PMBA)

The UCF Professional MBA (PMBA) program offers both full-time and part-time options to accommodate the needs of working professionals and recent graduates.

Read also: Exploring the Business Admin Major

Full-Time PMBA

The full-time PMBA is designed for students who wish to start their career with a solid foundation of advanced analytical and functional skills. The program's fast-track schedule allows students to complete their MBA in 9 to 12 months. The full-time PMBA is a daytime program offered each fall term and is ideal for students who wish to pursue an MBA before establishing their career path or for those who wish to take a professional pause and complete their MBA in an accelerated timeframe. The full-time PMBA is taught at the UCF Downtown campus each fall.

Part-Time PMBA

The part-time PMBA is a 24-month cohort program designed for emerging professionals who want to complete a master's degree while maintaining their career path. Classes are held two evenings a week, starting at the UCF Downtown campus each summer or at a select regional campus each fall. The part-time PMBA is designed for working professionals who wish to pursue an accredited MBA program without interrupting their career. The part-time PMBA is taught at the UCF Downtown campus each summer and a regional campus each fall.

Students with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA and professional work experience are welcome to apply. Early application deadlines are available for both the full-time and part-time PMBA programs, with a $1,000 discount for early applicants. The early application deadline is March 1 for the full-time PMBA and Dec. 1 for the UCF Downtown part-time PMBA and March 1 for the regional campus part-time PMBA.

Graduate Program Support

The administrative and logistical details that come with pursuing a graduate degree can be overwhelming for students juggling business school, a busy career and a personal life. The Office of Graduate Programs and a dedicated student services team located at UCF Downtown provides executive and professional graduate business students with personalized service and support to alleviate some of this burden. The advising team works directly with UCF MBA students as they journey from admission to graduation.

Experiential Learning and Engagement

The College of Business emphasizes experiential learning and engagement to provide students with real-world experience and networking opportunities.

Read also: Your Success at UCF Business

Student Ambassadors

The College of Business Student Ambassadors host student panels to share their experiences with internships and provide insights into how they landed those opportunities. These talks cover a variety of career paths, including film, television, music, theater, theme parks, video games, and sports.

Centsible Knights

The Centsible Knights Financial Literacy Program is designed to provide students with the tools and resources to strengthen their financial knowledge and promote financial wellness.

Southwestern Advantage Internship Program

Students have the opportunity to participate in the Southwestern Advantage Internship Program, joining more than 100,000 students from over 1,600 campuses worldwide.

Hall of Fame

The UCF College of Business hosts a Hall of Fame event to recognize outstanding alumni and individuals who have made significant contributions to the business community.

Impact and Recognition

UCF College of Business alumni have gone on to achieve success in a variety of industries and leadership positions, including senators, presidential cabinet members, and business leaders. The College's commitment to providing a high-quality business education has earned it recognition as a leading business school.

Tuition and Fees

The average tuition and fees for out-of-state part-time graduate students at UCF were $1,194 per credit hour in 2019-2020.

Diversity

The College of Business is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. In the 2019-2020 academic year, 81 master’s degrees in business administration were awarded. The racial and ethnic composition of these students was as follows:

Asian: 5
Black or African American: 6
Hispanic or Latino: 6
Native American or Alaska Native: 0
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1
White: 56
International Students: 1
Other Races/Ethnicities: 6

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