Overview
The University of West Florida was founded in Pensacola, Florida in 1955 by the Florida State Legislature. The University is one of eleven universities included in the State's public university system. Several smaller locations are placed around Western Florida, including on the coast, where students can take advantage of Florida's rich marine coastline. There are currently four colleges within the University of West Florida: the College of Science and Technology, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, and the College of Professional Studies. The majority of students enrolled at the school are pursuing associate's degrees or bachelor's degrees.
Student Appeal
The University of West Florida is an international university, and though the majority of students who attend the school are natives of the state of Florida- drawn to the low tuition costs associated with the university's public school status, the school makes an active effort to attract diverse faculty and help students find study-abroad opportunities all around the world. Furthermore, the University of West Florida provides students with a number of academic program options at both the undergraduate and graduate school levels.
School Facts & Figures
- Accreditation: SACS
- Size: Medium (<5,000 students)
- Type: Public
- Religious Affiliation: N/A
- Academic Affiliation: N/A
- Career Services: Yes
- Course Schedule: Semester
- Credit Options: Transfer
- Scholarships Offered: Yes
- Loans Offered: Stafford, Perkins, PLUS
- Engineering Technology - Information Engineering Technology, B.S.Engineering Technology - Information Engineering Technology, B.S.
This bachelor's programs teaches students the skills relevant to networking and telecommunications. Major courses include Education and Training Technology Support Systems and Distance Education Technologies.
- Exceptional Student Education, B.A.Exceptional Student Education, B.A.
This is a fully online teacher preparation program with endorsements from both the Florida Department of Education (DOE) and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Graduates may go on to take the Florida Teacher Certification Exam.
- Health Sciences, B.S.Health Sciences, B.S.
*Requires a bachelor's degree.
This online program is geared towards transfer students with AA or AS degrees. Students can choose from tracks in allied health, health care professional, medical information technology, or public health.
- Information Technology, Interdisciplinary - Networking & Telecommunications, B.S.Information Technology, Interdisciplinary - Networking & Telecommunications, B.S.
This degree program covers both highly technical aspects of networking and telecommunications, as well as more general skills such as planning and organization. Graduates will be prepared with a greater depth and breadth of education than traditional technical training programs.
- Maritime Studies, B.A.Maritime Studies, B.A.
Students in this program learn the many ecological, political, and social considerations that go into the stewardship of the maritime environment. This program is flexible and allows students to specialize in their particular area of interest.
- Nursing, RN-BSNNursing, RN-BSN
*Requires an associate's degree or diploma and nursing license.
This 100% online program teaches current nurses about the many social, ethical, and financial issues involved in the delivery of healthcare today. Nurses will also improve their communication and problem solving skills.
- Oceanography, B.S.Oceanography, B.S.
The 12 core classes in this program cover biological oceanography, geological oceanography, physical oceanography, and chemical oceanography. This degree has a strong foundation in the sciences.
- Workforce and Program Development, B.S.Workforce and Program Development, B.S.
This bachelor's program trains graduates in the skills for the creation and implementation of training programs in industry and public settings. Students may also choose an education minor if they desire to earn teacher certification.
- Public Health, M.P.H.Public Health, M.P.H.
*Requires a bachelor's degree.
This fully online program trains students in the critical thinking skills needed to assess the public health issues of an increasingly global and overpopulated world. The UWF MPH is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
- Administration, M.S.A.Administration, M.S.A.
*Requires a bachelor's degree.
This general administration core of classes is specialized by students, who may choose one of 8 focuses for their studies. The program can be completed in as few as 5 semesters, on a full-time basis.
- Nursing, M.S.Nursing, M.S.
*Requires a bachelor's degree and a nursing license.
Bachelor's degree holding nurses can specialize this master's program in either Nursing Administration or Nursing Education. The master's degree helps nurses further develop their clinical skills, as well as relevant non-clinical professional abilities.
- Reading, M.Ed.Reading, M.Ed.
*Requires a bachelor's degree and teaching credential.
Current educators can learn the skills and credentials for advancing to school leadership or district-level positions devoted to reading and literacy. Students study foundations in writing processes and instruction, as well as assessment tools nad instuctional practices.
- Computer Science, M.SComputer Science, M.S
*Requires a bachelor's degree.
The computer science master's has specializations in database systems or software engineering. Both programs are flexible and allow students to choose electives and project areas.
- Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed.Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed.
*Requires a bachelor's degree and teaching certification.
Current teachers will expand their knowledge and skill sets with specializations in either Primary Education, Elementary Education, Middle Level, or Secondary Education. All programs contain the same 21 hour core of classes; the concentration is comprised of the remaining 15 credit hours.
- Educational Leadership, M.Ed.Educational Leadership, M.Ed.
*Requires a bachelor's degree and teaching certification.
Graduates of this program will be prepared for careers as administrators, principals, district supervisors, and related positions. Students must pass the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) to earn their administration credential.
- Exceptional Student Education Comprehensive, M.A.Exceptional Student Education Comprehensive, M.A.
*Requires a bachelor's degree and teaching certification.
This graduate program prepares students to become master educators of learners with special needs. The program is 36-39 credit hours.
- Instructional Technology, M.Ed.Instructional Technology, M.Ed.
*Requires a bachelor's degree and teaching certification.
Students in this program learn how to design and execute technology-intensive training programs in educational, military, and industry settings. Specializations are available in curriculum and technology, technology leadership, telecommunications and distance learning, and human performance technology.
- Mathematics, M.S.Mathematics, M.S.
The University of West Florida's master's of science in mathematics is offered in the online format, and requires one to two years of full-time study to complete. Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in math, physics, or statistics to be admitted. Foundational courses for mathematics graduate students are Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Applied Statistics, Multi-Variable Calculus, and Numerical Analysis. Core degree courses include matrix theory and statistics II, as well as a course that leads to completion of a thesis.
- Professional Accountancy CertificateProfessional Accountancy Certificate
*Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting.
This 12 semester hour program is geared towards individuals with accounting backgrounds who would like to sit for the CPA exam. The program consists of a law course and 3 accounting/tax courses.
- Arabic Language and Culture CertificateArabic Language and Culture Certificate
With this program students can acquire a foundation in the Arabic language and cultural issues. Successful completion of the program also satisfies Florida's foreign language admission requirement.
- Database Systems CertificateDatabase Systems Certificate
Students in this program learn the skills for organizing, storing, and retrieving information via databases. The program is for individuals in any fields, such business or healthcare, who could use a foundation in database systems.
- Geographic Information Science (GIS) CertificateGeographic Information Science (GIS) Certificate
This program provides both academic and hands-on training in GIS software and use issues. Students have the ability to use industry-grade software though UWF's innovative virtual machine system.
- Human Performance Technology CertificateHuman Performance Technology Certificate
This certificate trains students to identify and solve human performance issues. The certificate follows the guidelines of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) and the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI).
- Medical Informatics CertificateMedical Informatics Certificate
Current healthcare practitioners, technicians, and others in the industry can gain skills in electronic health records and related informatics areas through this program. Students learn how to improve healthcare communication and care quality.
- Public Health CertificatePublic Health Certificate
Students in this program may specialize in emergency management, environmental health, infection control, and occupational health and safety. Courses discuss public health delivery, disease issues, and health disparities.
- Teacher Ready CertificateTeacher Ready Certificate
*Requires a bachelor's degree.
This one year online program prepares students for work in a K-12 classroom. Successful completion of the program meets the requirements for teacher certification in Florida.
- Technology Systems Support CertificateTechnology Systems Support Certificate
Students in this program learn the skills to administrate and support network and telecommunications systems in a number of settings. Students learn how to use and adapt technology to meet an organization's particular goals.
- Workforce and Program Development CertificateWorkforce and Program Development Certificate
This certificate is for those who seek to instruct workforce and adult education. The 4-course program meets Florida's educational requirement for workforce and adult education instructors.