Understanding UCF Override Forms: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Central Florida (UCF) provides override forms to enable students to enroll in courses for which they might not otherwise be eligible. This article offers a detailed explanation of UCF override forms, their purpose, and the processes involved, drawing primarily from information specific to the College of Sciences and UCF Online programs.

Introduction to Course Overrides at UCF

An override at UCF is a permission that allows a student to bypass certain enrollment restrictions, such as unmet prerequisites, closed courses, or time conflicts. These overrides are not automatically granted and require a formal request, often involving documentation and approvals from relevant departments and instructors.

Override Forms in the College of Sciences

Eligibility and the SAP Appeal Process

Students in the College of Sciences should first determine if they are eligible for an appeal by reviewing the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal process. SAP refers to the University standards for maintaining a minimum GPA, completing a required ratio of attempted courses with grades of A, B, C, D, or S (and without failures or withdrawals), and graduating within a specific timeframe relative to attempted credit hours. Failure to meet these SAP requirements can lead to ineligibility for certain federal financial aid types, necessitating an appeal.

The College of Sciences Override Request Form

The College of Sciences provides a specific override request form for its students. Here's a breakdown of how to complete and submit it:

Download and Complete: Download the form and fill it out digitally for efficiency.
Page 1 (Sections I, II, and III): Complete all sections on the first page and sign at the bottom.
Page 2: Leave the second page, labeled “To be completed by the Academic Advisor/ Department Head/ Dean ONLY,” blank.
Supporting Documents: Attach any necessary supporting documents to the PDF.
Submission: Submit the completed form and documents to financial aid as instructed on the form's instruction page.

Key Considerations for College of Sciences Students

Degree Audit and Academic Success Coach (ASC): Regularly refer to your Degree Audit and stay in touch with your Academic Success Coach (ASC) to remain on track for graduation.
Excess Credit Hours: Be aware of the potential for Excess Credit Hours Surcharges as per Florida Statute. Consult with your ASC to assess your risk and plan accordingly.

General Override Procedures

Obtaining Approvals

If the student is trying to enroll in a course, they should contact the department that hosts the course. Both Professors must agree. Please note a college can only process overrides for courses they teach.

Required Documentation

When requesting an override, you may need to provide:

Proof of Prerequisites: If the prerequisite was taken at UCF, a degree audit will suffice. If taken at another public Florida institution, provide unofficial transcripts or screen captures showing your full name, the institution's name, the course number, and the grade received. For test scores, submit the official score report from the testing company.

Transient Students

If you are an incoming transient student taking a UCF course, you might not be able to use the "College of Sciences Override Request Form" initially due to account configuration. Provide proof of enrollment, such as an unofficial transcript, class schedule, or course history. Transient students will have their account configured after the semester starts.

COSAS Petitions

The College of Sciences Academic Services (COSAS) will only consider student petitions during the second week of the semester or the second week of the summer session. These petitions typically include requests to late add a course or late swap (add/drop) one course for another.

Instructor Signature

Obtain the signature of the course instructor, along with information on how you can proceed with the course (e.g., make up assignments) to ensure you have the opportunity to succeed.

UCF Online Override Considerations

UCF Online is tailored for students enrolled exclusively in online programs, providing comprehensive services from enrollment to graduation. While UCF Online students adhere to the same UCF Rules of Conduct as campus-based students, there are specific policies and guidelines to consider.

Read also: Form 1098-T Explained

Eligibility for UCF Online

Transfer and Graduate Students: May apply for admission to UCF Online majors and can transition into a UCF Online program at any time, provided they have not enrolled in a campus-based class in their current career.
First-Time-in-College (FTIC) Students: Applying to the Summer 2024 term and beyond are eligible for admission to UCF Online programs.

Opting In or Changing Majors

Requests to opt-in or change majors to UCF Online must be made no later than three business days before classes start for the fee waivers to apply in that term or sub-session.
Students ineligible for UCF Online may still take online courses and complete UCF Online majors or programs but will be subject to campus-based fees. Contact the UCF Online Connect Center for information or to appeal ineligibility.

Restrictions for UCF Online Students

UCF Online students may convert to a campus-based undergraduate major or change from one UCF Online major to another. They may also declare and earn an online undergraduate certificate.
A UCF Online student may not add a campus-based second major or earn a campus-based undergraduate certificate unless they change out of UCF Online completely.
New admits and students in their first term at UCF can follow the Change of Major process to opt-in to UCF Online before the Wednesday prior to the start of their second term.
Starting from the second term, students must complete the UCF Online Petition Form and provide a statement of purpose explaining their circumstances and documentation supporting any extenuating circumstances prohibiting in-person attendance.

Converting and Changing Programs

Fully online students who wish to opt-out of UCF Online must submit a formal request via the Change of Major process.
UCF Online graduate students may initiate a program track change within an online program with their graduate program advising staff.
UCF Online students who wish to add an online certificate program or change to an alternate online degree program must apply and be accepted.
Graduate students may not be simultaneously active in a UCF Online program and a campus-based program.
UCF Online students may convert to a campus-based version of their graduate program.
A UCF Online student may not add a campus-based graduate certificate program unless they change out of UCF Online completely.

Enrollment Restrictions

UCF Online students may not enroll in classes with scheduled face-to-face meetings, including classes coded P (face-to-face instruction), M (mixed-mode/reduced seat time), and RS (limited attendance).
When logged into the portal at my.ucf.edu, only online courses are visible to UCF Online students.
UCF Online students in special tuition graduate programs have additional restrictions and may only enroll in UCF classes that are part of their program.
UCF Online students may be eligible for off-campus academic experiences that are not conducted online, such as study abroad, clinical activities, and service learning.

Fees and Immunizations

All UCF student tuition and fees are published by the Office of Student Accounts.
UCF Online students are not required to submit proof of immunizations. However, all students must submit the Mandatory Immunization Health History form along with completed waivers for Meningitis and Hepatitis B.

Graduate Student Advising and Support

Proactive Advising

Proactive student advising is essential for graduate student success. The College of Graduate Studies offers resources to assist programs with this. Events that bring faculty and students together, such as research seminars and discussion groups, are crucial for fostering a sense of belonging.

Faculty Mentoring

Advisement and mentoring are critical components of graduate education. Students rely heavily on their advisors for guidance in degree requirements and navigating the university's administrative structure. Program directors must ensure that students receive proper advisement and that faculty offer accurate advice.

Intellectual Atmosphere

Creating an intellectual atmosphere within the program is vital. This involves providing opportunities for students and faculty to interact, exchange ideas, and debate in seminars and symposia. Exposing students to different perspectives through visiting scholars and outside speakers is also beneficial.

Conflict Mediation

Program directors may need to mediate disputes between students and advisors. In such cases, it is essential to avoid affixing blame and to assist students in finding alternative advisors if reconciliation is not possible.

Student Expectations

Students often enter graduate programs with high expectations. It is important to build a support structure to help them reconcile their expectations with the realities of independent learning and research. This includes assimilating students into the program, offering challenging courses early on, and providing ongoing support and guidance.

Plan of Study (POS)

A Plan of Study (POS) is a listing of coursework and degree requirements agreed upon by the student and the degree program. It serves as an advising tool to help students plan their course of study and identify any deficiencies or policy exceptions early on. POS submissions must be completed electronically.

Tracking Student Progress

It is important to proactively track student progress each semester, identify students in academic distress, resolve graduation issues, and file petitions on time. Reports are available in GradInfo to help track students.

Orientations

Host program or college orientations for new graduate students to convey expectations, provide information on Plan of Study requirements, policies, and other essential details.

Graduate Student Handbook

A graduate student handbook is required to describe the program’s expectations for student progress in coursework and independent learning experiences.

Teaching Assistants

SACSCOC requires that all teaching assistants have a faculty supervisor who meets with them at least weekly and provides an evaluation of their teaching performance each semester.

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