Student Resources

Students in our program do not register through One.UF and our courses are not published in UF’s Schedule of Courses. Every term, enrolled students will receive an email to their UF email address with registration instructions.

Before the published drop/add deadline:

• Students may drop a course without fee liability
• Tuition and fees are refunded
• The course will not appear on the student’s transcript

Course drops must be completed in ONE.UF / Student Self-Service:
→ ONE.UF (Student Self-Service)

After the drop/add deadline, a request to leave a course is considered a withdrawal.

• Students remain financially liable for course tuition and fees
• A grade of W (Withdrawal) will appear on the transcript

To request a withdrawal, students must email VM-DistanceEducation@ad.ufl.edu and will receive instructions on next steps.

Important Notes

• Course instructors cannot drop or withdraw students from a course
• Failure to log into your course(s) in Canvas does not automatically drop you from the course.

For official university policy on dropping and withdrawing from courses, see the University of Florida Drop/Add and Withdrawal Policies: Dropping Courses and Withdrawals | University of Florida Catalog

Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic performance in accordance with University of Florida policy.

• Course Grades
  Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher may be counted toward a master’s degree or graduate certificate.
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
  Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing.

For official grading definitions and policies, see the University of Florida Grading Policies:
→ University of Florida Grading Policies

An Incomplete (I) grade may be granted only at the discretion of the course instructor and is not guaranteed. Instructors determine whether an Incomplete is warranted based on university policy and the specific circumstances of the request.

To be considered for an Incomplete, students must have completed a substantial portion of the course with a passing grade. Requests may be made after the drop/add deadline and at any point during the semester, subject to instructor approval.

If an Incomplete is approved, students should not re-register for the course. Instead, they must work directly with the instructor to complete the remaining requirements within the timeframe set by the instructor. Unresolved Incomplete grades may affect GPA, financial aid, and graduation eligibility, and in some cases may convert to a failing grade if not resolved within the required period (often up to one year).

Enrollment verifications provide a student’s enrollment history at the university, often required by loan companies or employers. 

To order an official enrollment verification:

 → Enrollment Verification – Office of the University Registrar 

Students interested in interdisciplinary study are encouraged to explore graduate programs across UF. UF permits concurrent master’s degrees with the required approvals. However, the College of Veterinary Medicine does not approve concurrent enrollment in two master’s programs with significant curricular overlap, including combinations of the following:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Sciences, including its concentrations
• Forensic Medicine
• Wildlife Forensic Sciences
• Shelter Medicine

Students who want to study a related field may consider a graduate certificate alongside their primary master’s degree. Admission to any additional degree or certificate program is competitive and requires approval from the program and college offering it.

All students are required to be aware of official Graduate School Policies.
→ Graduate School Academic Policies

Master of Science (MS) students may be eligible to transfer up to 9 credits of graduate-level coursework completed at an institution approved by the UF Graduate School.

• Only courses completed with a letter grade of B or higher may be considered for transfer.
• Requests to transfer credit must be initiated by the student as soon as they are admitted to the program.
• Certificate students are not eligible for outside transfer credit.

Courses completed at UF within this program, with a grade of B or higher, may be applied toward the MS degree, subject to approval by the college and Graduate School, as follows:

• Up to 6 credits completed as a nondegree-seeking student
• Up to 15 credits completed as a graduate certificate student
• Completed within 7 years of graduating with the MS degree

Up to 6 credits completed at UF within this program as a nondegree-seeking student can be counted towards a certificate. There is no official transfer credit process for this. 

MS students may be approved to apply up to 9 elective credits earned through other UF programs toward their degree. Students must obtain approval from the Veterinary Forensic Sciences program before taking a course they wish to count toward this limit. Approval is not automatic; contact the student support team before requesting registration.

Outside electives are not allowed for certificate students.

All students must submit a degree application in Student Self-Service by the deadline listed on the Critical Dates page for every credential they intend to earn. Graduation is not automatic.

For more information and instructions on applying to graduate, visit
→ Degree Application – Office of the University Registrar

To be eligible for graduation, students must meet all university and program requirements, including:

• Completion of all required coursework and any required electives
• A grade of C or higher in all courses counted toward the degree
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• A minimum major GPA of 3.0

Students with an Incomplete (I) in any course must work directly with their instructor to ensure all requirements are completed by the applicable deadline.

The University of Florida commencement ceremony is held for Master of Science (MS) graduates. Online students are welcome and encouraged to participate if they choose.

Commencement details, schedules, and guest information are published by the University of Florida Commencement:
→ Commencement – University of Florida

The University of Florida Registrar mails diplomas and certificates to the permanent address on file approximately 8–10 weeks after graduation.

Diplomas and Certificates  issued by the University of Florida do not indicate program modality (e.g., online). Online and on-campus graduates receive the same diploma.

For official diploma policies and timelines, visit:
→ Diplomas – Office of the University Registrar

Official and unofficial transcripts can be ordered through the Office of the University Registrar.
→ Transcripts – Office of the University Registrar

Access UF Libraries’ online databases, journals, and course reserves, including off-campus access.
→ Health Science Center Library Resources for Distance Learning Students 

• Counseling & Wellness Center: Offers virtual workshops, crisis services, and counseling.
• Career Connections Center: Provides virtual services such as career planning and resume reviews.
• Disability Resource Center: Provides accommodations and assistive technology support for distance learners.
• Financial Aid: Dedicated support for financial aid and related questions. 
• Veteran Services: The Office of Student Veteran Services acts as a liaison for processing VA Educational Benefits.

Online learning relies on UF-managed systems, including Canvas, email, VPN, and approved software tools.

• Tech Resources
  Centralized information for Canvas, GatorMail, VPN access, software, and library systems
  → Visit the Tech Resources page

Knowing who to contact can save time and prevent delays.

• Course-related questions:
  Contact your course instructor via Canvas Inbox
• Technical issues:
  UF IT Help Desk
  Program-level questions:
  Email the student support team for program-specific questions related to registration, policies, academic standing, or graduation requirements