College Degrees at Florida Gulf Coast University
College Degrees at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida Gulf Coast University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Great College Deals: Master of Public Administration Online.
The academic programs at Florida Gulf Coast University are divided into six colleges, as well as several schools and departments. Divisions include the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, the Marieb College of Health & Human Services, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Programs are also offered by the Lutgert College of Business, the College of Education, and the Honors College.
Some of the most popular majors at Florida Gulf Coast University include those in business, speech communications, criminal justice studies, psychology, and resort management. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1, and about 17 percent of the university’s classes have fewer than 20 students. The freshman retention rate for the university is 79 percent.
The university offers a diverse selection of undergraduate programs in areas like analytics & information, bioengineering, forensic studies, international business, social work, and spa management. For graduate school, the university offers students the choice of 12 graduate certificates, 25 master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees.
Applicants who want to enroll in online programs can take classes through Continuing Education at the university, which is accessible from anywhere and at any time. Subjects available to students include healthcare, personal fitness, grant writing, real estate, and legal studies. Students can also enroll in courses leading to various certifications.
Some of the programs offered online include a Certificate in Data Analysis, a Social Media for Business Certificate, an Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers Certificate, and a Spanish for Medical Professionals Certificate. One of the convenient features of the university’s online programs is that there are choices for self-study programs, as well as instructor-facilitated certificates.
The university also offers complete degrees through its Distance Learning option. Degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. There are also certificate programs available in health services administration, local government management, and planning.
The bachelor’s degrees online are designed as undergraduate completion programs, but students can take all of the classes necessary to earn any one of five graduate degrees online. Options include the Master of Business Administration, a Master of Public Administration, a Master of Science in Health Science, a Master of Education in Special Education, and a Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction – Educational Technology.
About Florida Gulf Coast University
Located in Fort Myers, Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University is part of the state’s university system. The public university was established relatively recently in 1991 and is the youngest institution of the university system. There are approximately 15,000 students attending the university online and at the 800-acre campus in Fort Myers. The university’s official colors are emerald green and cobalt blue.
The mascot of the school is Azul the Eagle, and students play as the Eagles on the university’s sports teams. The school is part of the ASUN Conference in its NCAA Division I games. Notable departments at the university include the Schools of Nursing, Resort & Hospitality Management, and The Emergent Technologies Institute. In the last two decades, the university has undergone significant expansion.
Florida Gulf Coast University Accreditation Details
Regional accreditation for Florida Gulf Coast University comes from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which is the regional accrediting body for colleges in states like Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The university undergoes a reaccreditation process every ten years, and maintaining accreditation is a job handled by the Office of the Provost at the university.
Some programs at the university are also approved by specialized agencies. For example, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business has accredited programs offered by the Lutgert College of Business. The Master of Public Administration is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has accredited the College of Education.
Florida Gulf Coast University Application Requirements
The university indicates that admissions requirements vary between programs. In addition to basics like the official application, application fee, and transcripts, students may also need to submit letters of recommendation, reference forms, a resume, a supplemental application, a portfolio, or a writing sample. Some programs may also require a statement of purpose, proof of professional licensure, documentation of fieldwork experience, and standardized tests.
Students are encouraged to check with their intended program immediately before they submit their application materials to make sure they don’t forget any required materials. Some students may need to submit proof of English language proficiency, which usually means submitting test results from the TOEFL. Students may submit their application in person at the university, by traditional mail, or through email via a file in PDF format.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees for undergraduates who are residents of Florida come to $203.94 per credit hour. Non-residents in undergraduate programs will pay $838.73 per credit hour. For graduate students who are residents of Florida, the rate is $373.38 per credit hour, and the rate for non-residents is $1,300.66 per credit hour. Undergraduate students will pay a surcharge of $192.85 per credit hour for each credit they repeat.
Tuition rates at Florida Gulf Coast University include various fees like a health fee, activity & service fee, capital improvement trust fund fee, and a parking fee. Students may also pay a transportation fee, NCAA athletic fee, and a technology fee. Some students may also receive a tuition waiver that reduces the total cost of each credit by $1.75.
As an accredited institution, Florida Gulf Coast University is eligible to offer its students loans, grants, and work-study awards through the Federal student loan program. After completing a FAFSA form online, students will receive communication from the university that indicates the amount and type of financial aid offered. The university offers institutional scholarships that students may apply for separately from their FAFSA application.
Each year, the university awards scholarships based on the academic achievements of students, as well as financial need and the program in which a student is enrolled. Some of the scholarships available include the Admissions Merit Scholarship, the Community Foundation Scholarship, and the Foundation Scholarship. Students who enroll in programs at Florida Gulf Coast University may also qualify for tuition waivers offered to Florida residents and non-residents.