Exploring UCF South Lake Campus Programs: Your Path to Success

The University of Central Florida (UCF) boasts a wide array of programs designed to meet students where they are and take them where they want to go. With its main campus in Orlando and several locations throughout Central Florida, including UCF South Lake Campus, UCF makes higher education accessible and convenient. UCF’s location in Orlando offers students unrivaled opportunities near the Space Coast and many industry leaders in engineering and technology, and in a world hub for tourism, entertainment, optics, and modeling and simulation.

The Value of a UCF Education

A UCF education is transformative and provides a strong return on investment. Over a working lifetime, a UCF degree amounts to $1.1 million in higher earnings compared with a high school diploma. Seventy percent of first-time-in-college students graduate with no educational debt, far exceeding the national average of 42%. UCF aims to empower every student to thrive in the classroom and beyond, succeed in their careers of choice and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Financial Aid and Affordability

UCF ranks among the nation’s best education values. Approximately, 72% of undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance. UCF awards more than $544.7 million in merit and need-based assistance annually to students. This includes $110.7 million in Bright Futures Scholarships. Students’ financial aid packages can include a combination of need-based grants, scholarships, Workstudy programs, and/or the low-interest federal direct subsidized and unsubsidized loan. Scholarships and grants do not require repayment. Students who are awarded Workstudy earn a biweekly paycheck as a part of their financial aid package. Scholarships are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students in pursuing academic excellence and leadership roles.

The total estimated full time costs of $12,968.00 consists of $6,368.00 for Tuition, $1,200.00 for Books and Supplies, and $5,400.00 for Housing.

Admission and Application

First-time-in-college (FTIC) students can apply for admission using the UCF institutional application or the Common App. Transfer students must apply through the UCF institutional application. FTIC students must submit a SPARK (Self-Provided Academic Record for Knights) Form as part of the admission application. High school transcripts are not required for initial FTIC admission review; admitted students who choose to enroll at UCF must submit final, official high school transcripts after high school graduation, but prior to enrolling. Students are encouraged to attend an information session and campus tour, weekend open house or virtual presentation.

Read also: Applying to USF Doctoral Programs

FTIC Early Action Deadline is Oct 15. First decisions released December 5. Thereafter, FTIC decisions are released on a rolling basis. University of Central Florida follows a Competitive Admissions policy. The “Transfer to Be a Knight” virtual information session is offered on select afternoons throughout the year and provides guidance specific to transferring students.

UCF Online

There are no specialized admission or enrollment procedures for fully online students. UCF’s fully online offerings include bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees and graduate certificates. While online courses are open to all UCF students, if you intend to take only online courses in your studies, you may opt to participate in UCF Online. UCF Online offers waivers of some campus-based student fees and access to UCF’s Online Connect Center coaches who work with you as advocates and guides throughout your fully online academic experience at UCF. UCF’s online courses are designed to provide the highest quality learning experience for both traditional and non-traditional students. University of Central Florida publishes Distance Learning courses on the FloridaShines Course Catalog.

Academic Support

Every undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida is assigned an Academic Success Coach (ASC) who supports students from orientation to graduation. ASC's combine academic advising and ongoing, holistic coaching, and work with students to establish goals, co-design academic plans and strategies, and monitor success to graduation. While centralized in the Division of Student Success and Well-being, the ASCs are assigned to academic colleges; this model allows for centralized operations, yet ASC-major specialization, leading to more consistent experiences for students, and elevated personalization of each student's success and well-being. Undeclared students are assigned to an ASC in the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center. Supplemental offices support specific student populations, and the ongoing coaching provided by the college-specific ASC. The University of Central Florida (UCF) provides non-traditional students with learning resources and support services. All undergraduate students are assigned a professional Academic Success Coach (ASC), who support them from orientation to graduation, with additional support provided by staff, faculty, and peer mentors who provide guidance to acclimate to a four-year university. Along with their assigned coach, UCF offers outreach programming, workshops, tutoring, supplemental instruction, clubs, and organizations.

Campus Life and Activities

UCF's vibrant campus life provides students with many opportunities to grow as leaders, make lifelong connections and explore their academic and personal interests. Student organizations offer invaluable resume-building and networking experience, as well as leadership and service opportunities, and represent a variety of career and personal interests. The 45,000-seat Acrisure Bounce House hosts exciting UCF football games, while the 10,000-seat Addition Financial Arena is home to UCF basketball, concerts and special events. At the heart of campus, the Student Union offers computer labs, study lounges, restaurants and shopping. The Recreation and Wellness Center features a rock-climbing wall, indoor track, resort-style pool, group exercise classes, intramural sports and more. UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". UCF offers Co-Ed housing but not Female Only or Male Only housing.

Pathways to UCF: DirectConnect to UCF®

Dedicated to offering an education that fits your lifestyle and busy schedule, UCF Connect offers centers conveniently located throughout Central Florida. These extend our reach to neighboring communities, within an 80-mile radius of the UCF Orlando campus. Another big benefit is DirectConnect to UCF, which accelerates your admission if you’ve earned an A.A. or articulated A.S. degree from a local partner college. This fosters a seamless transition as you advance from your associate degree to upper-level division work on a bachelor’s degree.

Read also: Supporting South High Students

Lake-Sumter State College is proud to partner with the University of Central Florida to offer the DirectConnect to UCF® program to LSSC students. This nationally recognized program provides guaranteed admission and a smooth transition from LSSC to UCF after completing your Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree.

Dual Enrollment and Articulation Agreements

Dual enrollment is an acceleration mechanism that is encouraged by S.1007.271 of the Florida Statutes that allows eligible high school students to enroll and take courses at the university that are creditable towards a baccalaureate or associate in arts/science degree and that meet high school graduation requirements. Florida has established a 2+2 Statewide Articulation Agreement for AA and select AS degrees to facilitate seamless transition from a Florida State College to one of the 12 state universities. The agreement does not guarantee a state or community college AA holders admission to a particular university of choice or to limited/specialized access programs. to UCF’s Non-Profit Management B.A./B.S. to UCF’s B.A. CF to UCF A.A. A.S. in Photographic Technology to B.S. VC-UCF: A.S. in STEM, Computer Science at VC to B.S. VC-UCF: A.S. (STEM), Laser & Photonics, Valencia College to UCF’s B.S. VC-UCF: A.S. in STEM, Engineering at VC to B.S. VC-UCF: A.S. in Paralegal Studies - B.S.

ROTC Programs

The University of Central Florida (UCF) serves as a host institution for both Army and Air Force ROTC in the Orlando area. UCF has established crosstown agreements with various state colleges and private institutions within the Central Florida region. The purpose of these Army and Air Force ROTC Crosstown Agreements is to provide qualified students from partner institutions with the opportunity to enroll in the Army or Air Force ROTC General Military Course and/or Professional Officer Courses at UCF.

Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree Programs at Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC)

LSSC offers a comprehensive range of Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree programs that serve as pathways to bachelor's degrees at UCF and other universities. These programs provide a solid foundation in various disciplines, preparing students for upper-level coursework.

Advertising: Prepares students for junior and senior-level coursework required in advertising.
Art: Equips students to complete the lower-division courses needed for a bachelor’s degree in art.
Biology: Helps students complete the lower-division courses needed for a bachelor’s degree in biology.
Business: Provides the essential foundation for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in business.
Chemistry: Gives you the foundational knowledge required for the first two years of your bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Computer Science: Provides the fundamental courses for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Criminal Justice: Includes the first two years of coursework for students planning to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Digital and Performing Arts Pathway: Prepares students for careers in performance, directing, and theatre production.
Early Childhood Education: Prepares students to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
Elementary Education: Provides the foundation for students planning to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in elementary education.
Engineering: Provides the first two years of coursework toward a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
English & Literature: Is designed to provide students with the courses needed for the freshman and sophomore levels of a bachelor’s degree.
Environmental Science: Provides students with a foundation in environmental science.
General Studies: Offers a solid liberal arts education, focusing on five key areas: communications, humanities, mathematics, science, and social science.
History: Is designed to provide students with the essential coursework for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in history.
Hospitality Management: Provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in hospitality.
Information Technology: Equips students with the foundational knowledge required for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in IT.
Journalism: Provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related fields.
Mathematics: Provides the essential coursework to help students progress toward a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Nursing: Pathway is designed for students planning to pursue a career in nursing.
Pharmacy: Prepares students to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program that supports future application to pharmacy school.
Physics: Provides students with a foundation in the principles of physics, preparing them for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
Political Science: Prepares students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs in political science.
Professional Health: Prepares students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs focused on health-related careers.
Psychology: Provides students with the core principles and practices of psychology, preparing them for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree.
Secondary Education Pathway: Provides students with the foundational courses required during the freshman and sophomore years of a bachelor’s program in education.
Social Work: Equips students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in social work.
Sports and Exercise Science: Provides students a foundation in the principles of exercise science, preparing them for further study in sports and health-related fields.

Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree Programs at Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC)

LSSC also offers a variety of Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs designed to provide students with the technical knowledge and skills needed for specific careers.

Applied Artificial Intelligence: Is designed to prepare students to apply AI skills to the growing number of careers that will utilize this technology.
Business Administration: Is a dual-purpose program designed for students who aim to enter the business workforce or transfer to a four-year college or university.
Computer Information Technology: Provides a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum designed to equip students with the technical knowledge and skills essential for success in the ever-evolving Information Technology field.
Construction Management: Provides students with the expertise to understand project planning, cost estimating, building codes, and safety practices.
Criminal Justice: Provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in law enforcement and related fields.
Cybersecurity: Provides a foundation in network security, ethical hacking, and digital forensics.
Digital Media: Creative Video Production: Prepares students for a dynamic career in the growing audiovisual industry.
Engineering Technology: Is a high-demand applied technical field typically involving implementing and maintaining energy, manufacturing, construction, or transportation systems.
Health Services Management: Equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to keep healthcare facilities and systems operating effectively to ensure the highest quality of care.
Management Technology: Is tailored for the post-secondary adult vocational (PSAV) technical college completer to offer a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards.
Medical Laboratory Technology: Prepares students for a career as vital members of the healthcare team, providing diagnostic information crucial for patient care.
Nursing: Offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for a successful career as a registered nurse.
Respiratory Care: Prepares students for careers as respiratory therapists through high-quality classroom, lab, and clinical instruction.

Advanced Technical Certificates (ATC) at Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC)

LSSC offers Advanced Technical Certificates (ATCs) designed for students who have completed an associate degree and are pursuing a bachelor’s degree. These programs equip students with the skills needed to advance into supervisory roles or further their careers in specific fields.

Criminal Justice Leadership: Equips students with the skills needed to advance into supervisory roles or further their careers in the human resource field.
Health Services Administration: Prepares students for supervisory roles in revenue cycle operations and to advance their career in any healthcare organization.
Human Resources Management: Equips students with the skills needed to advance into supervisory roles or further their careers in the human resource field.
Organizational Management: Equips students with the skills required to advance into supervisory roles or enhance their careers in various organizational settings.
Project Management: Is designed for students who have completed an associate degree

Other UCF Locations

Looking for a university with campus locations designed to fit your needs? Look no further than UCF. With more than a dozen locations throughout Central Florida, we make it convenient for you to earn a high-quality education in and around Orlando - one of the fastest-growing metro regions in America. As UCF’s home since 1968, our 1,420-acre main campus in east Orlando is impressive in size and even bigger in potential. The UCF Academic Health Sciences Center is educating future doctors, nurses, healthcare providers and scientists in a new and better way for the 21st century. It’s your destination for innovative health and wellness services. Plus, cancer patients from around Orlando and surrounding areas benefit from a one-stop research and treatment center, which opened in 2021. UCF Downtown is a game-changing campus in the heart of our great city that offers the opportunity for students to live, learn and work in downtown Orlando. Opened in Fall 2019, the 15-acre campus incorporates innovative technology to create a 21st-century learning environment. UCF Downtown is the home base for a variety of degree programs, including those focused on civic engagement and government, safety and justice, community well-being, content creation, communication, and digital arts and entertainment. Looking to start a career in hospitality management? Look no further than UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. We’re ranked the No. by ShanghaiRanking and CEOWorld magazine consistently names UCF among the best hospitality colleges in the world. Located in the heart of Orlando’s hospitality corridor next to world-famous attractions, resorts, restaurants and convention spaces, our 159,000-square-foot building is the largest and most advanced facility ever built for hospitality management education. And for good reason. With millions of visitors each year, Orlando is the nation’s No. 1 destination for travel. Sometimes, going to class means not going anywhere at all. With UCF Online, choose from more than 100 programs available fully online so you can learn wherever and whenever it’s convenient for you. Take classes from your home, or earn a degree on your lunch break. With 25 years of innovation in distance learning, you’ll get a high-quality education without ever having to find a parking space. Choose from a wide range of programs, including healthcare, engineering, hospitality, leadership and management, among many others.

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